For Carolyn - Questions

[Guest guest]

Hi Carolyn, I would be happy to share the whole operating room experience with

you. When you check in the hospital you will be sent to the fifth floor. Once

there, you will be put in a private room & told to undress & put on the johnnie

& surgical stockings. I had to have another blood test done, b/c I guess I

misunderstood what was needed. You need a cbc (complete blood count) plus a

chemistry blood draw as well. I didn't know about the 2nd one. They will also do

an EKG then, if you haven't already done one. I did mine at my Dr.'s ahead of

time. Finally, you sign all that paperwork acknowledging that you understand

everything that is about to happen during surgery & after. i.e the consent

forms. No one weighed me at the hospital. They just asked me my weight. Then the

surgery nurse comes up with the gurney & brings you to the surgical floor. When

you get to the elevator, that is where you'll have to tell your husband, " see ya

on the other side! " I closed my eyes in the elevator, b/c the ceiling in it is

all mirrored. I found it rather scary to be looking at myself laying on a gurney

bed, so I shut my eyes. It helped alleviate a little fear. The nurse who put my

IV in was named Sheila & she was wonderful. It didn't hurt at all. My

anesthesiologist's name was Dr. McKenzie (sp?) & his asst.'s name was Ruth. I

met them in the holding area for surgery once the IV had been put in. They were

great as well. Your husband cannot be in the operating room, nor can your wear

headphones or any jewelry at all! The only thing you'll be wearing is a cap over

your hair & the johnnie. I can't remember how many people were in there. Last I

knew there were 4 people & then Dr. R came in eventually. I saw him while I was

in the holding area & talked to him for a few seconds. Dr. McKenzie actually

was rubbing my arm & trying to help me relax once I was wheeled into the

operating room. They have you slide over to the operating table, which is quite

narrow, BTW. Then they attach arm boards to the table. They attach one of those

monitors to your finger on the left side & put a blood pressure cuff on the

other arm.Then they put these air type casts around your legs. They inflate with

air & then deflate. I believe that has something to do with helping prevent

blood clotting. You have to sleep with these on the 1st night.( What a pain when

I had to get up & pee! LOL) They also have you bend your legs & then they prop

2 pillows under your knees. The last thing I remember is the oxygen mask on my

face & the nurse telling me to relax, that it was only oxygen at first. Once I

felt comfortable breathing with that on my face (which I did not like at all),

Ruth then said they were going to start administering the anesthesia. Next thing

I know, I am in my room & (my husband) is there. I remember nothing about

my one hour in the recovery room. Nor do I remember being wheeled to my room.

Dr. R will go down to the waiting area & inform your husband that your out of

surgery & that he has to wait one hour before seeing you. Hope all this helps

you! I found it helpful knowing what to expect, that way I didn't get so

nervous. Best of luck next week!

Sue(Maine)

Post-Op 4/17/00