Surgery Scheduled - The Wait Begins

[Jan1948]

I had an appointment today in Charlotte with my heart surgeon, Dr. Mark Stiegel of Sanger Heart & Vascular. After discussing the pros and cons of tissue vs. mechanical valves for people of my age and lifestyle, I'm ditching my original choice, the mechanical valve in favor of a tissue valve. The surgeon will also be replacing the whole section of my dialated ascending aorta.

The pre-op is scheduled for Dec. 13th; the open heart surgery is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 19th. I have to be at Carolina Medical Center, Blythe Blvd., Charlotte at 5 am. My daughter and son-in-law have a break from FSU and will be coming up the weekend prior to surgery to stay for a while. My hubby and youngest son will also be here. I will be in the CVR (cardiovascular recovery) for 2 days before being moved to the 6th floor tower for heart patients for an additional 3-4 days; longer if there are complications. Hopefully I'll be back in Statesville for Christmas.

My mammogram results were 'inconclusive', so I'm having another one done on Dec. 5th. If they find anything, this could mess up my OHS date. A colonoscopy is scheduled for Dec. 14th. I've had 14 doctor/testing appointments in November alone. I am just about 'doctored out'.

I'm feeling confident that all will be well, but anxiety keeps rearing its ugly head, especially towards bedtime. My hubby bought me a laptop and a recliner (early Christmas presents) to make life a little easier for me during recovery. He's been absolutely awesome.

Questions: How long does it usually take the nurses to prep you for surgery? How anxious were you in the days and weeks leading up to your surgery?

 

[Fundy]

Nurse prep night before was very minimal for me. They gave me clippers to shave chest and forearms. I wasn't doing very well doing chest so she then did it.
Then a shower with me applying some type of antibacterial liquid to chest and forearms. One pill for sleep-valium I think.
Surgery Morning was a quick wash with application of the antibacterial liquid again. same sleep pills but three instead of one. Pills weren't really strong as minutes later I was bumped from surgery and stayed awake all day.

Even if they do all shaving I would take own initiative and shave anywhere there was body hair and a good chance of someone applying tape or those EKG pads to the area. A woman might not need much, but for a man I'd recommend for body front; from jaw line to legs. And for arms from elbows down, including hands. I skipped hands and woke up with the hair on them fully covered in tape from IV 's.

Good Luck.

 

[Duffey]

I don't even remember being prepped prior to surgery. Must have been a nonevent!:tongue2:

 

[Greg a]

I don't even remember being prepped prior to surgery. Must have been a nonevent!:tongue2:

I added you to the family calendar and agree with Mary on the nonevent factor

 

[escargome]

From what I remember, was given an anti-bacterial soap to shower with the night before at home. Showed up at hospital at 6:00am for check-in, stayed in pre-op room for about an hour, then nurse gave me a mild sedative pill, went to the potty for the last time, then off to operating room by 7:45am. Then lights out until I woke up in the ICU.

 

[LJM]

I also used the anti-bacterial soap & had to be at the hospital for 5:45am. The gave me a pill Ativan to take the morning of my surgery. I do not remember anything else then walking into the hospital. Gl with your surgery.