Let me start with this: I'm home!!!
This part of surgery often represents the most frightening part for new patients. Having just completed surgery number eleven, I thought I'd write it all out as a help to someone else in the future...and for anyone who is curious.
The night before surgery I showered with Hibiclens. I slept in clean sheets and clean PJs. I washed my hair really well, twice. I wear my hair very short but had the undercut even shorter, knowing this would help me later in the week. I drank Gatorade and water for as long as I was able per the schedule provided, then gave up all liquids as instructed.
We reported to the hospital as told (6 a.m.) and were taken back to the prep area. I changed into my warming gown and hospital socks. I didn't put the hair net on until the last minute (itchy). Warm blankets were just a request away, so I never felt chilled. I met with lots of folks...my pre-surgical prep nurse was amazing. He had me laughing, a lot! A surgeon from my surgeon's team. An anesthesiology nurse. The lead anesthesiologist. I was able to voice my concerns about nausea and vomiting after surgery. They worked their magic and I had none!! In the midst of all this, an IV was started and blood was drawn for a study I agreed to be a part of.
After a while it was time to go to the OR. Bob went to a waiting area, but didn't need to stay there since he was signed up for automatic texts. He was able to get breakfast, take a nap, walk, get lunch and make it to my room before I got there after surgery.
As for me, I headed off to the OR, now donning the hair net. Operating Rooms are cold. Those warm blankets came in handy again. The switch from the gurney to the operating table was interesting. A hoist lifted me with some webbing that was underneath me and deposited me onto the operating table. OR tables are narrow. I met lots of people and they assured me they were smiling behind their masks. They said I would see my surgeon after surgery so I asked them to deliver messages:
Ask him to look for my metabolism while he's in there...mine's been lost for years. [That got a few laughs].
If he wants to remove extra fat, feel free! [I suspect they hear that one a lot.]
About now they let me know I would feel a little loopy. After that things are fuzzy. I recall them having me roll onto my left side. I remember them starting the epidural and it hurt quite a bit. After that I was under the effects of the anesthesia and I don't recall anything!
Next I was in recovery. I recall a lot of pain but it's a fuzzy memory. The anesthesiologist said something about the epidural not working and he wanted to re-do it. I recall an uncomfortable feeling but not as much as before surgery. Shortly after that the pain was gone.
I have snippets of conversation that I recall, but it's not even accurate information. I vaguely remember being wheeled into my hospital room, but it's more sounds than images. Bob says he greeted me and was asked to step outside while they got me situated.
Getting situated is not easy. Out of my right side was a chest tube, hooked up to a box with light suction. I named the box Kirby (a brand of vacuums). Center was the urine catheter (I named the bag Orville...which was inspired by urine translated to Spanish) which was placed to my left since Kirby was on the right. Then there was the IV in my right wrist. On my left wrist were two other IVs. One took blood pressure readings during surgery. The other was there for reasons unknown. Additionally, there was the epidural onto my thoracic spine, taped into place securely, but represented yet another "line" that needed to be navigated around. Add to this the pulse oximeter on my finger that measured oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate. But wait! There's more! The oxygen cannula in my nose. Oh, did I mention the pumpy things on my legs to prevent blood clots? Moving was a big deal. Getting from the bed to the chair meant everything had to move with me. It was quite the site!
After getting me situated with all this, Bob came back into the room. I don't recall a ton of information from that first afternoon. I do know I stood up and moved to the chair, with help. I know Bob ordered me dinner (no idea what) and I know I ate while seated in the chair.
I started to become more alert and I had my pain mostly managed by the epidural. Sleep was elusive because every hour or so someone comes in to check on things. I slept when I could.
So that about summarizes the going under and waking up part of surgery.