Hi Guys,
Well i got out of hospital yesterday, was in for longer than anticipated (10 days in total)
The drains that i had to remove blood / fluids etc had to stay in the as they didn't slow down to an acceptable level. I had no idea what to expect before going in but it has been alot harder than i ever anticipated. I did have a few problems whilst in hospital (not directly related to op), i had some bad experiences on the morphine and codeine that i had for pain relief. The morphine basically threw my bladder and bowel out of sync and i couldn't go to the toilet both ways for the first 4 days, and in terms of urinating i had to eventually be catheterized. After coming off morphine i was given really strong codeine, and after a couple of those i basically threw up everywhere so came off those. My pain relief basically came down to paracetamol and ibuprofen, which for a few days didn't exactly cut the mustard!!!!
In terms of the op, they have done a good job, but i'm reserving full judgement until everything has settled as to me it still seems quite flabby, but the surgeon said they removed all that they could, apparently the cut off 5llb!!!! - and he said you will have alot of fluid build up and swelling for some weeks etc. For anyone thinking about doing this, it is really hard at the moment and you've got to be prepared for alot of things. I was not told of some of the side effects before the op i.e. i was told i was having drains in but they never told me where, and they were put in just above my genitalia and was extremely uncomfortable and the whole area, private parts and all, were, and still are black and blue and very uncomfortable. You have to carry the drains around with you obviously and when you move they pull at the skin and sting etc, basically not nice at all. When you stand up everything is very tight and painful (maybe because i've had internal stitches to tighten the muscles together, as i'm not sure if everyone has this?). Ive got a pressure garment on at the moment which i need to wear for 6 weeks, it is a nightmare to get on and you can't do it on your own as you don't have the strength, and it is very uncomfortable and very itchy and makes you sweat!!!
Also whilst in hospital i got a grade 3 pressure sore right at the top of my bottom, these things are nasty (google it) and is causing me extreme discomfort and are not easy to get rid of. The nursing staff were amazed at how quickly i developed one, as they are normally associated with immobility for really long periods, and i was only bed bound for 2 days. The dr's and nurses really didn't help with this either, i think because for the first few times i said my bum was sore they didn't really take much notice of it because of the reasons i mentioned. Anyway a few days ago someone did take notice and they got a specialist to look at it and they said it was grade 3. If i do as i'm told and look after it, it is going to take up to a month to heal!!! - i can't sit on it for longer than 2 hours a day and i have to keep alternating which side i'm lying, all this with major abdominal surgery which makes it hard to move around!!!
I shall try and keep you updated, i've got plenty of time on my hands as i'm signed off work for the next 4 weeks, but i find it hard sitting at the computer for lengthy periods.
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