The surgery report

[annathepiper]

So here's the general scoop on how surgery went.

What happened today was basically swapping out the saline balloon my surgeon has been using to stretch my tissues, and putting in a (semi-)permanent silicone implant. (I say semi- because these things apparently have a lifespan of 10-15 years and I'll have to come back to swap it out when necessary. But assuming all goes according to plan I shouldn't have to worry about that until I'm 55 or so.)

Showed up at dark-thirty at the hospital, assured the various persons who checked me in that oh yes I knew the drill after seven consecutive years of medical crap (and multiple visits to this specific hospital). Two nurses whose names I'm spacing on did my IV work and filling in data on their little Lifebooks and such; things were fairly slow so I guess they had time. The anesthesiologist was named Megan, and she didn't tell me I hadn't already heard quite a few times before. Dr. McMillan showed up for the 'hi I'm here are you ready?' briefing, and drew on me in various appropriate places. Really, a lot like previous procedures, only quicker. The only real difference this time around was that they put a little bit of clear sticker on my right arm to remind the staff not to use that one to take my BP.

They did still put me under completely, but I was out for much less time this time around. So it took me less time to wake up in recovery. I remember feeling quite groggy when I first woke up, but it burned off in reasonably short order. After that they stuck me in a recliner chair in a side recovery room for a little while, where I was mostly bored and sleepy, although I did blow a little time reading more of Road Trip of the Living Dead. Once I'd successfully downed some juice and crackers, the nurse (an older gent named Bill) turned me over to solarbird so I could come home.

I was home by 2pm, which was in general awesome. I'm fairly alert all things considered. Bit of pain, but the Percocet is handling that. I've also got Keflex to take and that's it. I expect to be fine by Thursday next week when it's time for me to come back to work. But we'll see how my followup appointment with Dr. McMillan goes on Monday.

Thanks again, everyone, for your good wishes. Much appreciated. :)

Comments

[king-chiron.livejournal.com]

Yay for quick surgery and best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[annathepiper]

Thanks! :)

[ravyngyngvar.livejournal.com]

Ah, here it is. Having seen Dara's report, I wondered if I should send you well wishes in response to the Alan Doyle/Russell Crowe movie news post, which you posted first.

Anyway, glad to hear that everything seems to have gone smoothly. Take care of yourself.

[annathepiper]

Hee, yeah, the order of these posts was a definite indicator of my frame of mind yesterday. Also, I got distracted doing server administration for most of the evening, which is what delayed the surgery report post!

Regardless, thanks much, and resting up is definitely on the agenda. :)

[tiggymalvern.livejournal.com]

So that should be it? The final one? No more Anna Surgery?

Congratulations! And bounce back soon :-)

[annathepiper]

No more associated with this specific reconstruction anyway! Should be the last thing I have to do for the next 10-15 years, until the current new breast implant needs replacing. Unless followup mammograms discover anything fun. Which we will NOT BE ALLOWING. Nope. Nuh-oh.

[shaylith.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad things went well. :)

*HUGS*

[annathepiper]

So are solarbird and I, we assure you! Thanks! *hugs*

[agrimony.livejournal.com]

Yay boobies!

[annathepiper]

Indeed! :)

[prettyshrub.livejournal.com]

*Gentle Hugs*

*Healing Mojo*

Glad it went so smoothly.

[annathepiper]

Thanks! So are we. :)

[kieri.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it went well! :) Rest well and enjoy the sunshine!

[annathepiper]

Thanks! I'm settling in this afternoon with the first of the Crappy Movies as we speak. :)

[kohaku1977.livejournal.com]

I'm glad the surgery went that well! Here's to a speedy recovery! Take good care of yourself.

[annathepiper]

Thanks much. Fortunately there's nothing much on my agenda for the next few days but resting and watching very bad movies and reading hopefully much better books. :)

[jennygriffee.livejournal.com]

meant to say so earlier, but I'm glad it went well. :)

[annathepiper]

Thanks! So are we! :)