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*Treatment results may vary
Home at last. Successes and failures, short version.
A short update. I went in for my procedures Monday and got the go ahead for potassium levels, temperature etc. Surgery was lengthened to eight hours but everything seemed to be fine.
Recovery did not go too well. Details later but long story short went Code Blue that evening and was in ICU for two days. No word yet on why I began having seizures, possibly a reaction to anesthesia. One "episode" lasted almost three hours. It was quite simply the worst night of my life. I do not blame Dr Woods for this, please note. Just one of those things which I may never really have explained.
Discharged around 1am Thursday morning and have tried to be active as requested but feel like I was mauled by a bear so do a little, rest a lot.
More later as I get more details on what happened as I apparently was unconscious most of the time before being taken to ICU.
With hydrocodone there is little pain, mostly discomfort from surgical tape that was put directly onto blisters (?) which I will ask about at my followup appt tomorrow.
Nitey nite for now.
- Ariel, a.k.a. Meimi-chan
Recovery did not go too well. Details later but long story short went Code Blue that evening and was in ICU for two days. No word yet on why I began having seizures, possibly a reaction to anesthesia. One "episode" lasted almost three hours. It was quite simply the worst night of my life. I do not blame Dr Woods for this, please note. Just one of those things which I may never really have explained.
Discharged around 1am Thursday morning and have tried to be active as requested but feel like I was mauled by a bear so do a little, rest a lot.
More later as I get more details on what happened as I apparently was unconscious most of the time before being taken to ICU.
With hydrocodone there is little pain, mostly discomfort from surgical tape that was put directly onto blisters (?) which I will ask about at my followup appt tomorrow.
Nitey nite for now.
- Ariel, a.k.a. Meimi-chan
Pre-op seemed okay until I hit a snag.
I went to DeKalb Medical Center this afternoon for my pre-op. Two tubes of blood, an EKG, and some interviews with nurses and I thought everything was set. I got a call about 7:30 this evening from Dr Woods telling me that my potassium is too low at the moment to go ahead with the surgery on Monday BUT he called in a prescription for me to start taking in the morning (six days out) and they will test my blood again on the day of surgery to see if it can go ahead.
At first I was like "no sweat!" and then as I lay in bed last night I kept thinking "oh no, oh no, what if?" I'm trying to squelch those thoughts, though.
So I'm off to the pharmacy, and while I'm out will stock up on potassium-rich foods that my doctor recommended. I've planned out my menus and WOW, that looks like a lot of food just to get enough potassium but hopefully the prescription will help.
Other things I was told to do to prepare:
1. Given some Hibiclens for washing the genital area the morning of the surgery.
2. Regular eating is okay through Saturday, but Saturday night I'm to take a laxative and eat no solids on Sunday. Not just clear liquids though, I can have smoothies and so on, it's just that because of the risk of infection Dr Woods doesn't want any bowel movements for as long as possible.
3. Nothing to eat after midnight Sunday. Report to the hospital at 5:30am for the blood testing, and if everything is okay on the potassium front, surgery will begin at 7:30.
Estimated times of the surgery are:
Panniculectomy, adominoplasty, and monsplasty: 4 hours
Breast lift with side extension trim: 3.5 hours
So I'm up reeeeally early this morning drinking V8 juice and eating a banana! I WILL GET THIS SURGERY!
Strange to think how such a small thing can potentially throw a monkey wrench into my plans, but at least it's something I can actually work to improve, I just hope I can make it in time. The idea of even postponing the surgery for a week makes me want to burst into tears. I want this so much!
At first I was like "no sweat!" and then as I lay in bed last night I kept thinking "oh no, oh no, what if?" I'm trying to squelch those thoughts, though.
So I'm off to the pharmacy, and while I'm out will stock up on potassium-rich foods that my doctor recommended. I've planned out my menus and WOW, that looks like a lot of food just to get enough potassium but hopefully the prescription will help.
Other things I was told to do to prepare:
1. Given some Hibiclens for washing the genital area the morning of the surgery.
2. Regular eating is okay through Saturday, but Saturday night I'm to take a laxative and eat no solids on Sunday. Not just clear liquids though, I can have smoothies and so on, it's just that because of the risk of infection Dr Woods doesn't want any bowel movements for as long as possible.
3. Nothing to eat after midnight Sunday. Report to the hospital at 5:30am for the blood testing, and if everything is okay on the potassium front, surgery will begin at 7:30.
Estimated times of the surgery are:
Panniculectomy, adominoplasty, and monsplasty: 4 hours
Breast lift with side extension trim: 3.5 hours
So I'm up reeeeally early this morning drinking V8 juice and eating a banana! I WILL GET THIS SURGERY!
Strange to think how such a small thing can potentially throw a monkey wrench into my plans, but at least it's something I can actually work to improve, I just hope I can make it in time. The idea of even postponing the surgery for a week makes me want to burst into tears. I want this so much!
Pre-op tomorrow afternoon, first surgery in one week.
I am not certain what to expect at tomorrow's pre-op, as all doctors seem to conduct them in different ways. Before my weight loss surgery the pre-op was mainly just vital signs, the nurses making sure I understood the procedure and any possible complications, things of that nature.
My husband is going with me, and will take the first week of my recuperation off from work. He seems to relish the idea of me being homebound for a couple of weeks, and also that I won't be able to have the two cats walk over me and so on. In a way it's funny, but he mentions it a lot and I'm trying not to be annoyed. He seems to find the idea of me being unable to be completely independent as very satisfying. I'm trying hard to not be annoyed and just think of the upcoming surgery, my recovery, and the awesome way I will feel in three months!
I have mentioned to a few of my friends my upcoming surgery and they have all be VERY excited for me and, surprisingly enough, have whispered "I had a boob job too!" or "I want a butt lift SO BAD!" I think there's a master's thesis or two in just why women are supposed to look good all the time, but are never supposed to admit that we don't just get up in the morning looking perfect.
Anyway, I will post what happens tomorrow!
My husband is going with me, and will take the first week of my recuperation off from work. He seems to relish the idea of me being homebound for a couple of weeks, and also that I won't be able to have the two cats walk over me and so on. In a way it's funny, but he mentions it a lot and I'm trying not to be annoyed. He seems to find the idea of me being unable to be completely independent as very satisfying. I'm trying hard to not be annoyed and just think of the upcoming surgery, my recovery, and the awesome way I will feel in three months!
I have mentioned to a few of my friends my upcoming surgery and they have all be VERY excited for me and, surprisingly enough, have whispered "I had a boob job too!" or "I want a butt lift SO BAD!" I think there's a master's thesis or two in just why women are supposed to look good all the time, but are never supposed to admit that we don't just get up in the morning looking perfect.
Anyway, I will post what happens tomorrow!
Provider Review
Doctor Woods is a treasure. He obviously is an extremely talented surgeon and has won many awards for his work. He's the head of PS at Piedmont Hospital. My interactions with him were really calming, pleasant, and informative. He can speak of pretty odd subjects (wounds opening around your crotch!) with a friendly but matter-of-fact manner that really takes all of the nerves out of it. He will tell you choices you can make that will make the procedure less expensive. He also told me that he does not use pain pumps because they are (ironically) painful, leave more opportunity for infection, and just did not perform well enough for his standards. The staff at Doctor Woods' office is delightful. Often you meet a great doctor but his or her staff is so horrible you dread going in, but these ladies are wonderful! Light-hearted, quick to offer to help, and just interested in you as a person. A++ in this area. My procedure is scheduled for February 15, 2016 so I will update information after that time.