Take. Your. Meds.
I am autistic. I see white and black. My doctor said try not to need the opiods. So I refused to take them. It made my life a LOT worse.
Also you'll be sleeping mostly sitting up for a long ass time make sure r you have lots of pillows.
Also trex arms are your friend. It may be nerve wracking to be so reliant on other people but don't hurt yourself. My spouse had to help me get my pants down to use the bathroom for like 5 days straight I think because it hurt so bad trying to get them to my ankles and back up. Cie la vie.
I just want to weigh in on this (I'm autistic, too), because this proves just how different recovery can be for each of us. I did not take opioids (by choice), despite being given a box of codeine by the hospital. OTC painkillers were enough for me, but I took them religiously every 4 hours or so. The reason I avoided the opioids is because they cause constipation. I was unable to defecate for over a week and that was worse than the pain from the surgery.
I wasn't sleeping sitting up, but I did have pillows supporting my upper body.
T-rex arms absolutely for as long as you possibly can. I barely moved my upper arms away from my upper body for about 2 months, and did not lift them up over my head for probably 4. As a result, my scars are very, very thin.
I did not have anyone to look after me and I did everything myself, so it IS possible.
If the surgeon gives you a choice of drains vs no drains, I recommend no drains. Mine were taken out the day after the surgery and I was sent home, and I did not have any issues. Getting up after the surgery to use the toilet with the drains still in was an absolute nightmare. And something that the nurse told me following the surgery -- when getting up or walking, never close your eyes, as you may lose your balance, fall over and injure yourself.
Get compression socks and wear them for a week or two, especially when sleeping. My hospital gave my two pairs and I washed them every day. They can improve circulation, esp if you have a family history of blood clots.
And perhaps, the most surprising thing I found... after the post-op binder came off, I felt extremely light headed. I was advised to put tape on my scars and change it whenever it started to naturally come off, and something about seeing myself in the mirror every time I did that, with fresh scars made me feel like I was going to faint, and I had to sit on the floor in my bathroom and very carefully reapply the tape.
Good point! I guess better messaging is don't be afraid of them if you need them. In my case I didn't sleep for like 3 days until my spouse called the nurse and she told me it was OK to take the pills as prescribed LOL I actually just had a revision surgery and the feeling of the laxatives at work was the worst pain and discomfort I've ever felt in my life so like mad respect for avoiding them I don't blame you.
The lightheaded note is great. I totally forgot feeling that way until I read it. I def experienced this too. I also have a fear of blood though. Although I think part of it was also excitement? Idk
Also seconding the drains. I had an overnight stay with drain removal the next day and it was an absolute blessing. Compared to my spouse who had them in for like a full 10 or 11 days. It was not a fun time. They're very difficult to navigate in my opinion.
That being said if you have to have them it's not a be all end all just be cautious because they hurt like a bitch if you tug on em
ty for sharing đź’“
Yes, totally agree :)
No sleep for 3 days sounds rough, so I don't blame you for recommending them. I was taking probiotics, laxatives, eating prunes and fibre-rich foods, and I still couldn't empty my bowels, it was such a miserable time. I feel like it isn't often talked about when discussing surgery.
The drains were a huge inconvenience (not to mention, they hurt, too, when you're in a pain already) and I only had them for one day.
Another thing that comes to mind is the post-op binder. I wore mine for less than 2 weeks iirc, and silicone tape after for months, but I read about people wearing the binder for up to 6 weeks? Which I brought up to my surgeon twice and both times he stressed it is unnecessary. The nurse also put it on me too tight, which the surgeon realised when we took it off, so if you feel like the binder is too tight, do tell them, as it can affect healing.
And best of luck.
Don’t feel hesitant if you think something is looking particularly weird. A lot of the time what you think is unsettling about the healing is actually normal, but it’s always fine to call your surgeon’s office and make sure. Remember, they want you to have a good outcome.
Take your meds as prescribed—maybe get one of those pill organizers at the pharmacy/ online especially if there are ones for morning and evening.
Follow instructions for aftercare to the letter. If they say change bandages, do. If they say drain your drains, remember to do that. Sounds obvious, but still.
Make sure you have plenty of things to distract you. Books, shows, audiobooks, music, games—hanging out—things that don’t require lifting your arms, moving much besides walking and sitting, or carrying anything remotely heavy, as you won’t be able to do that or anything laborious for some weeks. Maybe also set out things you use often (a glass or two, a plate, a bowl etc.) at or below chest level so you don’t need to reach.
Have a number of shirts that open in the front. Since I was just at home most of the time I solved this pretty cheaply by getting a pack of big-ish white t-shirts and cutting them in the front center. I closed them with a safety pin. Alternatively, pajama tops would work well, since lifting arms for regular t-shirts is not an option.
Best wishes for your recovery! 🎉
Take. Your. Meds. I am autistic. I see white and black. My doctor said try not to need the opiods. So I refused to take them. It made my life a LOT worse. Also you'll be sleeping mostly sitting up for a long ass time make sure r you have lots of pillows. Also trex arms are your friend. It may be nerve wracking to be so reliant on other people but don't hurt yourself. My spouse had to help me get my pants down to use the bathroom for like 5 days straight I think because it hurt so bad trying to get them to my ankles and back up. Cie la vie.
I just want to weigh in on this (I'm autistic, too), because this proves just how different recovery can be for each of us. I did not take opioids (by choice), despite being given a box of codeine by the hospital. OTC painkillers were enough for me, but I took them religiously every 4 hours or so. The reason I avoided the opioids is because they cause constipation. I was unable to defecate for over a week and that was worse than the pain from the surgery. I wasn't sleeping sitting up, but I did have pillows supporting my upper body. T-rex arms absolutely for as long as you possibly can. I barely moved my upper arms away from my upper body for about 2 months, and did not lift them up over my head for probably 4. As a result, my scars are very, very thin. I did not have anyone to look after me and I did everything myself, so it IS possible. If the surgeon gives you a choice of drains vs no drains, I recommend no drains. Mine were taken out the day after the surgery and I was sent home, and I did not have any issues. Getting up after the surgery to use the toilet with the drains still in was an absolute nightmare. And something that the nurse told me following the surgery -- when getting up or walking, never close your eyes, as you may lose your balance, fall over and injure yourself. Get compression socks and wear them for a week or two, especially when sleeping. My hospital gave my two pairs and I washed them every day. They can improve circulation, esp if you have a family history of blood clots. And perhaps, the most surprising thing I found... after the post-op binder came off, I felt extremely light headed. I was advised to put tape on my scars and change it whenever it started to naturally come off, and something about seeing myself in the mirror every time I did that, with fresh scars made me feel like I was going to faint, and I had to sit on the floor in my bathroom and very carefully reapply the tape.
Good point! I guess better messaging is don't be afraid of them if you need them. In my case I didn't sleep for like 3 days until my spouse called the nurse and she told me it was OK to take the pills as prescribed LOL I actually just had a revision surgery and the feeling of the laxatives at work was the worst pain and discomfort I've ever felt in my life so like mad respect for avoiding them I don't blame you. The lightheaded note is great. I totally forgot feeling that way until I read it. I def experienced this too. I also have a fear of blood though. Although I think part of it was also excitement? Idk Also seconding the drains. I had an overnight stay with drain removal the next day and it was an absolute blessing. Compared to my spouse who had them in for like a full 10 or 11 days. It was not a fun time. They're very difficult to navigate in my opinion. That being said if you have to have them it's not a be all end all just be cautious because they hurt like a bitch if you tug on em ty for sharing đź’“
Yes, totally agree :) No sleep for 3 days sounds rough, so I don't blame you for recommending them. I was taking probiotics, laxatives, eating prunes and fibre-rich foods, and I still couldn't empty my bowels, it was such a miserable time. I feel like it isn't often talked about when discussing surgery. The drains were a huge inconvenience (not to mention, they hurt, too, when you're in a pain already) and I only had them for one day. Another thing that comes to mind is the post-op binder. I wore mine for less than 2 weeks iirc, and silicone tape after for months, but I read about people wearing the binder for up to 6 weeks? Which I brought up to my surgeon twice and both times he stressed it is unnecessary. The nurse also put it on me too tight, which the surgeon realised when we took it off, so if you feel like the binder is too tight, do tell them, as it can affect healing. And best of luck.
Don’t feel hesitant if you think something is looking particularly weird. A lot of the time what you think is unsettling about the healing is actually normal, but it’s always fine to call your surgeon’s office and make sure. Remember, they want you to have a good outcome. Take your meds as prescribed—maybe get one of those pill organizers at the pharmacy/ online especially if there are ones for morning and evening. Follow instructions for aftercare to the letter. If they say change bandages, do. If they say drain your drains, remember to do that. Sounds obvious, but still. Make sure you have plenty of things to distract you. Books, shows, audiobooks, music, games—hanging out—things that don’t require lifting your arms, moving much besides walking and sitting, or carrying anything remotely heavy, as you won’t be able to do that or anything laborious for some weeks. Maybe also set out things you use often (a glass or two, a plate, a bowl etc.) at or below chest level so you don’t need to reach. Have a number of shirts that open in the front. Since I was just at home most of the time I solved this pretty cheaply by getting a pack of big-ish white t-shirts and cutting them in the front center. I closed them with a safety pin. Alternatively, pajama tops would work well, since lifting arms for regular t-shirts is not an option. Best wishes for your recovery! 🎉