Hello again everyone.
I am pleased to report that I will be looking for a new name following a RHS BHR on Tuesday. I will revisit bothdone's suggestions and give some thought to a suitable update to my now outdated moniker.
I was resurfed Tuesday, again at the KE7 in London, which is freshly familiar to toby and andybc. This is my second visit to the hospital. There have been some changes in the protocols and routine since last time but the experience has lived up to toby's "gold standard" appellation.
I'm pleased to say that all seems to be progressing smoothly.
There are already many more entertaining posts on the site on the resurf experience than I could muster, but I thought I might comment on a few of the differences for me this time round.
1. Urine retention and constipation were both a challenge and discomfort the first time around. This time I chose to be catheterised in theatre. I kept this until early am of day2 post surgery. Very happy with this decision - catheter out is much less uncomfortable than catheter in, which this time was painless because I was under GA. No subsequent problems. On BM encouragement, I stuck to a BM friendly diet supported by softener and senokot before and after surgery which got the Bs moving again day 2 with minimal discomfort in the interim. Thank you Lord for inventing the prune. Overall huge improvement on QOL since last time.
2. I was a late patient - midday - and was not asked to get up on my feet day of surgery - but was up with little drama day1. Despite my persistent attempts at negotiation, I was not allowed to have a shower (even seated or supervised) on day 1. As I experienced some faintness as I was up and about on day 1, I gained first hand appreciation of the merits of this rule - and it made the first shower on day 2 all the more glorious an experience.
3. I have been using Flowtron "squeezy boots" this time. Many don't, but I like 'em. They have even made the TEDs seem a little more bearable.
4. The anti-clot protocols seem to have changed quite a bit. I've had a couple of shots in the stomach and will be discharged with some oral meds for this.
5. Physio. Very similar programme as last time but progressing a bit more quickly. Apart from a few no-nos, like no stairs on day 1, the approach seems to be a little and often routine progressing as the patient can handle. My approach will be to keep to the routine of standing, walking and hydro exercises that I'm being retaught this week for the first 3 weeks following discharge and then branch out with a little more professional guidance at that stage. Last time my 6 month progression worked very well, so I'm looking to replicate that experience.
6. Less ouchy around hip and wound site post op - possibly because surgery required a little less trauma and dislocation, but pain management is different also and this hip was in better condition than the last one going in. This has also helped facilitate more rapid physio progress.
Good wishes to all other recovering surfacehippies.
HD
Topic: New name (Read 3022 times)
Recent Posts
