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Hello Everyone -
So, my surgery on Friday, May 13 was successful. It went by so much faster than I thought it would, I didn't even have time to re-think. The PA met me in the AM admissions room, and it's all a big blur from there. I remember waking up in recovery and having very sharp pains as I took deep breaths, but the nurses told me that was normal. I was in and out of sleep there for about an hour before they brought me up to my room, where my mom, dad, and fiance were waiting. The dr. had already talked to them and showed them X-Rays he had on his I-phone - I'm pretty much straight as a nail now (he showed me them later that day when I became more coherrent).
The pain wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I didn't have a morphone drip, unfortunately (which I was a little upset about). I was getting Torridal (sp?) by IV every 6 hours, Vallium by IV every 6 hours, and Diloaden (sp?) every 3 hours per requested (that was my favorite because I would get immediately light headed and could feel it working immediately). I tried to walk my 2nd day, but my blood pressure (which is normally low), was even lower, and everytime I stood up I got really dizzy and lightheaded and had to sit back down. Standing up was probably (and still probably) is the hardest part. I was a litle upset when they took out my catheter before I could walk (due to my blood pressure), but they brought in a commode and kept it right near the bed so they could help me.
I was finally able to walk the afternoon of my 3rd day since they stopped the Diloaden (booo). Still kills to push myself out of bed to get up to go the bathroom, but the nurses at University Medical Center in Princeton were all so amazing and helpful (I never thought I would have ever said that). I also got really lucky and only had a roommate my first night (which sucked because seh couldn't sleep, therefore I couldn't sleep at all, it was a rought night. My 2nd night was better because there was no roommate, and they let my fiance spend the night to make sure I was comfortable. The 3rd and 4th nights--no roommates either).
I was in the hospital from Friday to Tuesday afternoon. They thought I'd be out sooner, but the low blood pressure was not helpful. It aws ok though, I kind of liked the hospital. The bed was super comfy and I had no roommate, so I just got to hang out and watch TV all day. I was not able to eat or drnk anything the first day (not even water), and they finally let me have liquids on the 2nd and beginning of 3rd day, then light diet starting the 3rd day in the afternoon. The nursing staff was wonderful, and the dining was like room service--you just called in and ordered whatever you wanted off the menu. The PA called twice a day to check up on me, and the dr. stopped by every day but the last one.
So, now I've been home since Tuesday and getting better every day. My fiance and I went for along walk through my neighborhood on Saturday, but otherwise we've just been hanging out watching TV and movies. Taking a shower was rough my first time, but it's gotten better. I have to have my mom help me take the bandaid off, then, put a new one on. I can't really shave my legs or anything, but oh well, I'm just sitting around the house wearing sweatpants. I've noticed that sitting in the recliner is the most comfortable. I would sleep on my back in my bed with a bunch of pillows, which was fine for awhile, but I guess I was retaining water because I would wake up like 3 times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, and it's just so painful to get out of bed and then back in with meds wearing off. Especially now since the fiance has gone back down to Florida where he lives.
I was sent home with Percocet every 4 hours, and Valium every 6-8 as needed. I was using them religiously the first couple days, but now, just as needed. The pain isn't so bad anymore, it's more of an uncomfort I was just wondering if it's normal or not.I feel like I can feel the rod in my back, and it's making it really uncomfortable to stand up/walk or even sit in certain positions. Is this normal? I"m starting to being to freak out that I'm going to break it or it got disconnected or something. It's REALLY uncomfortable, esp. since there's not that much pain anymore. The Valium helps with this, but then I fall asleep, lol.
The constipation, like everybody says, was a big problem. My stomach was sore for days. I took Miralax the first couple days, cuz it was light, and colace (since they had me taking that at the hospital every day). I then started taking Duclolax at night, which let to some really bad stomach cramps. I finally went a few times the past couple days, but the the stomach cramps are still painful, and I still get some sharp pains when I breath (I'm assuming this is gas, idk). I was extremely bloated for the first few days, my sweats were so tight and nothing fit. I think I"m still a little bloated, but not as much. I'm hoping this stomach goes away. I wasn't at my goal weight before surgery, but I was working out and losing weight, and this is not helping. I feel like the way I have to stand now because of the discomfort I"m having, I'm sticking my stomach out.
I think that's about it. Sorry this is a really long post, I just wanted ot provide the most info as possible for people debating surgery (like me). Am I happy I got it? I'm not quite sure yet, this whole discomfort/feeling the rod thing is really getting to me, and I hope I don't have to live with that forever. I am happy I'm straight though and know I won't have to worry about it getting worse in the future or fixing it in the future.
So, my surgery on Friday, May 13 was successful. It went by so much faster than I thought it would, I didn't even have time to re-think. The PA met me in the AM admissions room, and it's all a big blur from there. I remember waking up in recovery and having very sharp pains as I took deep breaths, but the nurses told me that was normal. I was in and out of sleep there for about an hour before they brought me up to my room, where my mom, dad, and fiance were waiting. The dr. had already talked to them and showed them X-Rays he had on his I-phone - I'm pretty much straight as a nail now (he showed me them later that day when I became more coherrent).
The pain wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I didn't have a morphone drip, unfortunately (which I was a little upset about). I was getting Torridal (sp?) by IV every 6 hours, Vallium by IV every 6 hours, and Diloaden (sp?) every 3 hours per requested (that was my favorite because I would get immediately light headed and could feel it working immediately). I tried to walk my 2nd day, but my blood pressure (which is normally low), was even lower, and everytime I stood up I got really dizzy and lightheaded and had to sit back down. Standing up was probably (and still probably) is the hardest part. I was a litle upset when they took out my catheter before I could walk (due to my blood pressure), but they brought in a commode and kept it right near the bed so they could help me.
I was finally able to walk the afternoon of my 3rd day since they stopped the Diloaden (booo). Still kills to push myself out of bed to get up to go the bathroom, but the nurses at University Medical Center in Princeton were all so amazing and helpful (I never thought I would have ever said that). I also got really lucky and only had a roommate my first night (which sucked because seh couldn't sleep, therefore I couldn't sleep at all, it was a rought night. My 2nd night was better because there was no roommate, and they let my fiance spend the night to make sure I was comfortable. The 3rd and 4th nights--no roommates either).
I was in the hospital from Friday to Tuesday afternoon. They thought I'd be out sooner, but the low blood pressure was not helpful. It aws ok though, I kind of liked the hospital. The bed was super comfy and I had no roommate, so I just got to hang out and watch TV all day. I was not able to eat or drnk anything the first day (not even water), and they finally let me have liquids on the 2nd and beginning of 3rd day, then light diet starting the 3rd day in the afternoon. The nursing staff was wonderful, and the dining was like room service--you just called in and ordered whatever you wanted off the menu. The PA called twice a day to check up on me, and the dr. stopped by every day but the last one.
So, now I've been home since Tuesday and getting better every day. My fiance and I went for along walk through my neighborhood on Saturday, but otherwise we've just been hanging out watching TV and movies. Taking a shower was rough my first time, but it's gotten better. I have to have my mom help me take the bandaid off, then, put a new one on. I can't really shave my legs or anything, but oh well, I'm just sitting around the house wearing sweatpants. I've noticed that sitting in the recliner is the most comfortable. I would sleep on my back in my bed with a bunch of pillows, which was fine for awhile, but I guess I was retaining water because I would wake up like 3 times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, and it's just so painful to get out of bed and then back in with meds wearing off. Especially now since the fiance has gone back down to Florida where he lives.
I was sent home with Percocet every 4 hours, and Valium every 6-8 as needed. I was using them religiously the first couple days, but now, just as needed. The pain isn't so bad anymore, it's more of an uncomfort I was just wondering if it's normal or not.I feel like I can feel the rod in my back, and it's making it really uncomfortable to stand up/walk or even sit in certain positions. Is this normal? I"m starting to being to freak out that I'm going to break it or it got disconnected or something. It's REALLY uncomfortable, esp. since there's not that much pain anymore. The Valium helps with this, but then I fall asleep, lol.
The constipation, like everybody says, was a big problem. My stomach was sore for days. I took Miralax the first couple days, cuz it was light, and colace (since they had me taking that at the hospital every day). I then started taking Duclolax at night, which let to some really bad stomach cramps. I finally went a few times the past couple days, but the the stomach cramps are still painful, and I still get some sharp pains when I breath (I'm assuming this is gas, idk). I was extremely bloated for the first few days, my sweats were so tight and nothing fit. I think I"m still a little bloated, but not as much. I'm hoping this stomach goes away. I wasn't at my goal weight before surgery, but I was working out and losing weight, and this is not helping. I feel like the way I have to stand now because of the discomfort I"m having, I'm sticking my stomach out.
I think that's about it. Sorry this is a really long post, I just wanted ot provide the most info as possible for people debating surgery (like me). Am I happy I got it? I'm not quite sure yet, this whole discomfort/feeling the rod thing is really getting to me, and I hope I don't have to live with that forever. I am happy I'm straight though and know I won't have to worry about it getting worse in the future or fixing it in the future.
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