Having surgery this week

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

I'm having surgery for a hernia on Thursday. First time I've ever had any kind of surgery, so I'm pretty nervous. Had an initial consult with the surgeon last week, and when I asked he assured me that if I call the local cemetery, they have never heard of him. So that's comforting to know, I guess.

 

[JStewart]

and when I asked he assured me that if I call the local cemetery, they have never heard of him.

lol, he was probably referring the tenants and knew they wouldn’t answer the phone!

Seriously, medicine is pretty amazing these days and really improved. I had a 2nd heart catheterization last year. The nurses had a 70s playlist on while I was on the table and the room and I was getting prepped. I won the name that song title and band name in a runaway. I think my cardiologist wasn’t having as much fun as I was and I swear during the procedure I heard that thing hit the floor when he slid it back to check another artery.
The first time required a 24 hr stay afterwards with a very very painful procedure to seal the hole in the femoral artery. This time they stuck a dissolving plug in it and I was out the door in less than 2 hrs.

I also just had another colonoscopy. Now there’s some fun. First time a big deal when coming out of the anesthesia. This time when I woke up the nurse asked if I could sit up. I did. Then she asked if I could stand. I said yes. She said prove it. I stood up. She asks am I dizzy? I say nope. She says here’s the post op instructions, sign here and you’re free to go.

Best wishes for an uneventful procedure!

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Yikes, I hope I make it to the death bed never needing a heart surgery!

Colonoscopy, that reminds me. My doc has been wanting me to get one for a few years now. I was able to kick the can down the road during Covid, but I guess I’d better face the music (or turn my back to the music?) and get it done this year.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[JStewart]

I hope I make it to the death bed never needing a heart surgery!

Me too! That’s a bigger deal than a few stents here and there. My Dad made It through just fine though.

Since we’re on the subject… an employee’s father has been debilitated for years with a bad heart, That they kept him alive and not completely bed ridden is somewhat miraculous in itself. Then, about 2 months ago his Dad got a heart transplant. A few weeks after they were able to take a walk together for the first time in several years. To my employee that was truly a miracle.

 

[tripplej]

Wishing speedy recovery.

 

[AudiocRaver]

All the best, Wayne P. Be talking to you soon.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Best of luck, Wayne... don't worry too much! I'm sure they're doing a laparoscopic procedure which is exceedingly safe and has minimal recovery time. Back, many moons ago, I worked at a firm that was helping Ethicon redesign laparoscopic instruments. I watched quite a few hernia procedures in the surgical suite, talking to the docs as they operated. They are fairly quick procedures!

Modern medicine is amazing. Heal up!

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Well, I made it through.

We (my wife and I) showed up bright and early at the hospital, and after they got us back to the prep area, they had me change into the usual hospital gown. Gotta wonder, if they’re going to be working on the front, why do they put me in something that opens to the back?

They also gave me some of those “non-slip” socks that appeared to be for a size 7 foot (I’m size 11). Once I got them on, it immediately became apparent why I’ve never been any good at dancing.

Eventually there were the hundred questions from a one of the nurses:

“So, you’re here for a bilateral inguinal hernia repair with mesh?”

A bit startled at all of that, I said, “All I know is ‘hernia.’ I don’t know anything about the rest of that stuff.”

“Okay. Are you allergic to any medications?”

“I can only speak to the ones I’ve taken before. I have no idea about the thousands of others I haven’t tried yet.”

“You seem to have a problem with ‘yes or no’ questions.”

“Umm - it depends.”

In addition to getting me prep’d for surgery with the usual IV tap, they also put a tag around my wrist that identified me as a "fall risk.”

It was a bit cold in there, so eventually I thought I’d cover up to keep warm. I’m not sure why, but my wife said the guy tasked with wheeling me to the OR looked startled when he came in.

Later, coming out of the fog in Recovery something occurred to me, so I told my wife, “I remember when I got to the OR, there were only young women in there. No telling what they could have done to me once I went under. I think you should check me over for any signs of lipstick.”

Turns out my doc, according to nurse in Recovery, is a "hernia guru" and people even come from Houston for training with him. (For those who don't know, Houston is home to the world-famous Houston Medical Center - no shortage of qualified surgeons there.) So that was good to hear, even after the fact.

It eventually occurred to me to wonder, what was the point of the “fall risk” tag? I was on my back the whole time, from prep until they wheeled me out the door.

Like they told me, the first 3-4 days after were rough. I went back to work on Tuesday (5th day after) - probably a day too soon.

Feeling pretty good at this point, but I do get fatigued pretty quick if I embark on any ambitious undertakings.

I did get some new speakers put in my bedroom system while I was "down," so that’s always good.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[NBPK402]

I remember when I had a double hernia... I had zero pain, and did not know I had a hernia...let alone a double. I did have pain after the hernia occasionally for several years after the surgery though (very little...just enough to remind me I had had surgery).

 

[NBPK402]

Yikes, I hope I make it to the death bed never needing a heart surgery!

Colonoscopy, that reminds me. My doc has been wanting me to get one for a few years now. I was able to kick the can down the road during Covid, but I guess I’d better face the music (or turn my back to the music?) and get it done this year.

Regards,
Wayne

A little tip for you...Drink the mix, mixed with Sprite, and it will be like drinking Sprite! My first one they told me to mix it with a clear liquid and it was all I could do to get it down, and on my last dose i threw it all up. My last one the Dr. told me to mix with Sprite (what ever ratio of Sprite mix amount I wanted), and it was no problem.

 

[ddude003]

Godspeed Wayne... See you on the other side... Good thing there was not something they were going to do to your left foot(s)...

 

[JStewart]

Some funny stuff in your post Wayne. Thanks for sharing!
Really glad it went well and you’re back on your two left feet again.

 

[tripplej]

Glad it went well.

 

[ddude003]

It eventually occurred to me to wonder, what was the point of the “fall risk” tag? I was on my back the whole time, from prep until they wheeled me out the door.

The guy with two left foot(s) wonders if he is a "fall risk"... Maybe code for Flight Risk...

 

[Todd Anderson]

Hey Wayne, I’m assuming you’re fully recovered? I missed your update post - glad everything went well. Intimidating process!

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Hey Wayne, I’m assuming you’re fully recovered?

Pretty much, Todd, except for a bit of pain down in the groin area. Saw the doc last week for the follow up and he said it will eventually go away. Can't wait - it's pretty annoying!

Regards,
'Wayne

 

[NBPK402]

Pretty much, Todd, except for a bit of pain down in the groin area. Saw the doc last week for the follow up and he said it will eventually go away. Can't wait - it's pretty annoying!

Regards,
'Wayne

Did you have any pain prior to the surgery? I did not until the surgery and then after I had the pain for a while (not bad just enough to know it was there), and it did go away 100% with time.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

No pain with the hernia before, just felt a slight "twinge" sometimes. No groin pain before either. It seems to be getting better, but it's really slow!

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Sorry I missed your initial post Wayne... I must have lost my subscription to the forum. Glad you made it thru the surgery okay and are doing well now.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Thanks Sonnie! Some lingering stamina issues, but I'm sure those will resolve eventually. Unless it's just me being old and not the surgery!

Regards,
Wayne