Facial Swelling post-op

[mabeckoff]

Dr. Lenke has some patients (including me) wear "halos." I don't know exactly what it is because I was never awake with it, but it holds your head in such a way as to relieve pressure on your eyes. Maybe this helps some with the swelling and sores? I did not get any facial sores that I can remember.

I know what you mean about sometimes feeling your spouse got a physically inactive partner. But you (and he) may be pleased that surgery may actually enable you to be more active. Maybe you'll be able to sit through a movie, etc., after you have recovered.

Best wishes,
Evelyn

I had a halo during my 15 hour surgery. It did prevent facial swelling. I hope that your doctor can figure out a way for you that you have minimal or no facial swelling.



I will pray for you.

[Doodles]

I vaguely remember something about the halo thing with Dr. Lenke. 10 hours flat definitely caused swelling. I had told my husband previous to surgery to take a picture of me since I knew I would be swollen & wanted to see if I looked pretty funny. (When I had 4 wisdom teeth pulled I looked like a pumpkin.) After seeing me he decided not to take a picture. I don't think it lasted more than a day. This really was not a big deal at all. I had no idea until he told me much later. I still would have liked a picture!
Ed, that table is crazy. I had no idea that's how it looked. Interesting! Janet

[JenniferG]

I'd have liked a picture too, Janet!

Those surgery tables look so flimsy!

[susancook]

I wouldn’t worry about any swelling, eventually it goes down.

This is probably what you will be laying on.....notice all the foam,(tempurpedic) and of course fully adjustable. Now they need to improve the hospital beds.....that’s another subject.

http://www.mizuhosi.com/products/pat...ent-care-kits/

http://www.mizuhosi.com/products/mod...l-surgery-top/

Ed

I want surgery on the second table as the chick was able to keep her clothes on! Susan

[LindaRacine]

OK but did anyone actually get skin breakdown on their face ? it's the pressure on the face that causes the rebound edema, but it can also cause skin breakdown- think bedsore or pressure ulcer. That's the same process that occurs as your face is pressed against the padded support during surgery .

I've never heard of this, and have seen thousands of patients 6 weeks after surgery. The worst I've ever seen is tape burns, which I had myself, and which were clear within a few weeks.

Your face is not mushed up against the table. If it were, you probably wouldn't have swelling. Your face has to be cradled, like shown in the pictures that Ed found, to keep the spine stable and allow for the intubation tube to give the patient a continuous supply of oxygen.

[LindaRacine]

I think Jackson tables are used for most spine surgeries. Here's what the patients actually look like on the frame:

http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image...007412-gr2.jpg

[Susie*Bee]

I think Jackson tables are used for most spine surgeries. Here's what the patients actually look like on the frame:

http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image...007412-gr2.jpg

Thanks, Linda! It's been bugging me what those tables were called... at least I got the "son" part right in my response. Oh well. Now my brain can rest on that topic. Ha ha. Back to the other things at hand.

Susan-- they drape you so it's not like everyone will be looking at you unclothed. Don't worry!

[JenniferG]

Interesting, thanks Linda.

It's a wonder we don't freeze to death in those operating rooms. I had my gall bladder out last year and was in the OR for a good 5 minutes before I was put to sleep and I had a cotton blanket over me and I was freezing.