Well, feel a bit more reassured now, after having my pre-op yesterday. Had a longish chat with the Ward Sister and a brief one with the surgeon who happened to be there.
Surgeon said that they dont do the keyhole op so much there as he said to be honest the modern open op makes a cut not that much bigger than the combined ones of the keyhole op, plus keyhole goes all the way through muscle, whereas the open one only goes through the top layer and the skin itself so apparently healing times are not that different. Plus keyhole has risk of damage to organs and sometimes has to be abandoned and the open one performed instead anyway.
Ward Sister told me that as far as pain is concerned, the hospital give you 5 days of strong painkillers, and her words were that she bet me that I would use no more than half of them anyway.
I hope shes right
:!:
Mind you given that the ward is on the 1st floor, and the car park is a loooooong walk away, I may need them to get to the car when my wife comes to pick me up later that day :o
Didnt see an elevator, and not many wheelchairs. :?
Said that 1st day I have to walk 10 minutes for every 1 - 2 hours awake time
2nd day I had to double that
3rd day I had to try and walk a mile or so.
Amazed at the relaxed anaesthetic rules now too. Back 12 years ago, I had to starve for 24 hours with no fluids for 12 hours before.
In at noon, I can eat well until midnight, they encourage you to eat a light breakfast before 7.30, then able to drink black tea, and clear fluids till 11am. Beer doesnt count apparently.
Used to be starvation and bed rest. Now its eat drink and mobilise!!
And posting on guitar forums!!
