Wish Me Luck (Operation Tomorrow)

[louis c]

Since I have never been a private person, I don't mind sharing my fears with my DU friends.

Tomorrow morning I will be going under the knife for a hernia operation at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford, Mass.

Others tell me it's not a big deal, but I don't mind telling you that I'm scared shit.

I know many of you have had more serious operations, but this is my first major surgery.

I'll be up all night worrying, since I'm not much of a physical hero. In fact, coward would be more appropriate.

Well, I just drank a half bottle of home made wine to calm my nerves. I can't eat or drink after mid-night, so I'll check in with you if I can't sleep.

Thanks for your attention.

louis c

[cobaindrain]

1. good luck, god bless

everything will turn out fine I'm sure :)

[villager]

2. luck!

both my sons had hernia operations when they were very small, and both did fine...

So will you...

Let us know how it goes!

[spooked911]

3. good luck and don't worry.

[Fridays Child]

4. It's minimally invasive. Not to worry. Inguinal or umbilical?

[louis c]

8. Inguinal.

Thanks for asking

[globalvillage]

5. Good luck louis.

You'll be fine. Get some rest.

[LizW]

6. Good luck, louis

Here's my advice on surgery. Take the pain meds. Take whatever they'll give you. If it doesn't work well enough or makes you sick, ask for something else. Don't suffer pain if you don't have to.

Let people help you afterwards. Rest and get well.

[Biology]

7. good luck... its' a breeze

Don't worry. I had my first operation this last year and its a piece of cake. You go to sleep, then wake up and its over. No problem and no pain. Its the hospital room that sucks. Constant noise; no sleep. After 3 days of virtually no rest I was sure glad to be back home.

[Bluebear]

9. Piece of cake Louis c!

You are gonna fly through that operation in the lalaland of some great sedative and I wish you a speedy recovery!

[MollyStark]

10. You will be fine

These doctors have done hundreds of these. The anesthetist will be very careful of you and medicine is so sophiticated that there is almost nothing that can go wrong.
You will get plenty of pain meds after and all the jello you can eat. What could be better than that? :hi:

[bonito]

11. used to swim in there abouts when I was young, wow, memories,

you will be fine, look me up when your done. peace lou.

[coffeenap]

12. Best wishes--soon it will be over. When I had relatively minor surgery

years ago. I was nervous and told to sit in a sterile, cold, hallway until surgery time. Expecting the worst, I went in. It was just the surgeon, his resident, and me. They did a local anesthetic, and then, as if I was at a spa, they took warm blankets right out of a heated dryer and covered me with them. There was soothing music. It was relaxing and comfortable. I couldn't believe it. The healing was quick, the memory, dare I say it, pleasant. So, good luck and speedy recovery wishes.

[BrklynLiberal]

13. Good luck Louis. Stay positive. It should be a piece of cake.

It will only hurt when you laugh... for a little while.
Check in as soon as you can afterwards and let us know how it went.

[murielm99]

14. I understand.

I was scared when I had surgery. Everything was fine.

Try to relax, and get back to us as soon as you can after surgery.

Good luck!

[screembloodymurder]

15. Good luck, Mate.

Relax.

[truth2power]

16. Fear does terrible things to you, but

My friend had hernia surgery a few months ago (umbilical). it was outpatient. From admission to walking to the car (I'm not making this up) was about 6 hours. There is pain afterwards, but one can go home and sleep with the aid of pain meds.

Take advantage of the pain meds. You can be legally "high" for awhile. Heh heh.

You should do fine. :hug:

[chookie]

17. Elective surgery sucks!

I can empathize with the foreboding you must feel WAITING for your surgery. As someone with a pretty vivid imagination and a pessimistic nature, my mind would certainly be running around like rats.

Emergency surgery is better. You're so damned sick and in trouble you don't care WHAT they are going to do to you. :-)

One of the pre-surgical protocols to get you high -- you'll find that in the hour or so before that you will be very calm indeed.

You'll sleep well tonight, and I predict you will wake up with resolve to put this pain behind you.

The surgery will go well, and given the less invasive techniques of our day, you will recover in a short time. Coddle yourself with the percodans they will provide the first two days, and I bet after that, you'll be surprised you feel so well.

And KNOW FULL WELL that you have many friends here at DU who will be thinking about you all day tomorrow and eagering waiting to hear a happy update.

Good luck, pal!

:hug:

[ohio_liberal]

18. Good luck Louis!

:pals:

[bamademo]

19. Hey Sweetie..

My SO of several years ago had an endoscopic procedure. He was over it in a week. The worst problem was the constipation from the pain meds. We still laugh about that. Just make sure you have laxatives.

:-)

[senseandsensibility]

20. Good luck, Louis!

From one union "brother", (actually sister) to another. We'll be thinking about you, and be sure to report back when you're feeling up to it.:)

[Gloria]

21. You'll be fine! I've been under the knife several times, last time

for back surgery.

You can do it!!

[CBHagman]

22. Hang in there, lc, and check back with us.

I know what you mean about staying up all night. If you can grab one of your favorite books, preferably something light, it'll help. Also, make sure you take the same to the hospital or have a friend bring you something to divert you afterwards.

Thoughts and prayers and pats on the back.

[Liberty Belle]

23. My dad just had hernia surgery. It was much easier than he expected.

He had very little pain and was home a day later. This was his first major surgery, too. IT's been a month and he's back to normal now.

I'm concerned about the wine you drank, though. Be SURE to tell the anesthesiologist about that, as you don't want him to OD you with too much sedation.

Good luck!

[donco6]

24. You'll be fine.

I know, easy to say. But I've been there and it really wasn't that bad. Just don't be a hero and try to ignore the pain. If it hurts, take the pills. They really do help.

[ObaMania]

25. Good luck!

It's probably 100% better than it was 30+ years ago when I had the operation. I was very young and my bro's told me the doctors took one of my go-nads! LOL.

Nothing to worry about!

[LeftyMom]

26. Best of luck!

I've never had surgery I can remember (I had several as an infant) but being in the hospital sure does suck. May you get killer pain meds and ample refills, may your scar be small, your nurses attentive and your doctor steadyhanded!

[Scout]

27. I've had two hernia surgeries, and a ruptured appendix removed.

if you have a good relationship and trust your surgeon, and follow the recovery instructions, you should be all right.

Honestly, I did not have a lot of pain with the hernia surgeries. Take your pain meds on schedule, don't wait until they wear off to get the next dose. I had a morphine pump that I could activate after the second surgery. I had vicodin pain meds while recovering at home. If you have to cough during recovery period, hug your pillow to your chest/abdomen, and that will help it not hurt as much.

If they took CT scan or x-rays of the hernia prior to the surgery, ask the doctor to show them to you ... I found it very fascinating to see my "insides" ... I always want to see any pictures or x-rays of myself.

Surgery prep shouldn't be too big a deal. They'll get your iv started with saline, and you'll talk to the anesthesiologist. They generally give you the good drugs right before they take you in ... I don't remember arriving in the O.R, but I sure had some fun on the trip!

You might end up with a drain tube and bulb after surgery ... that part was kind of gross, as you have to "strip" the tube to move the fluid into the bulb, and then once a day empty the bulb and measure the fluid. You have to keep the damn thing pinned inside your clothes. Be prepared, there might be some weird looking stuff in that bulb. When the drainage has decreased enough, then they'll remove the drain. That felt kind of weird, but did not hurt.

I had a lot more recovery pain with the appendectomy, as they had to actually cut through muscle (that's why I ended up with an incisional hernia!).

Good luck, just think of the morphine! Keep us posted on how it went.

[DistressedAmerican]

28. louis c I'm With You Buddy!

Stay positive and good luck. I'm sure it will go well!

Patch Adams:+

[Straight Shooter]

29. Louis, here's some very easy self-hypnosis for you

If you can't sleep tonight, breathe in deeply and tell yourself, "breathe in relaxation," and as you exhale, say to yourself, "breathe out tension." Remember, deep, slow breaths. This will help to calm you.

When you are in hospital before surgery, repeat to yourself when you can, "strong body, fast recovery, healthy recovery." Say it out loud if you can, because the mind responds to spoken words, or say it under your breath to yourself (people will probably think you're praying). It is most effective when the anesthesia is first given and before you go "out." Say this phrase over and over and over, "strong body, fast recovery, healthy recovery." Repetition helps to reinforce the message.

I've had major surgery (I mean big-time major surgery), and I was out of the hospital after two days because my recovery was so strong and rapid. I've never had any ill effects. I believe my pre-conditioning to my subconscious was partly responsible for the good outcome.

Oh, one more thing: don't be surprised if you have weird dreams for a while. Anesthesia sometimes affects people that way. It happened to me, and a friend said the same thing happened to her. Funny, the doctors never mentioned it.

Best of luck. Remember, "breathe in relaxation," "breathe out tension."

[brook]

30. You'll ace it, Louis.

I empathize with the scared bit - believe me. I'm ramping up for another surgery of my own in about 10 days. Not as invasive as yours, but scares me anyway.

I've read your stuff here. You're way neat. You have my best thoughts - and if you weren't so far away, I'd share my meds with ya!

Check in as soon as you feel up to it and let us know where to send the gold medal for 'bravery'!

:hug:

[caligirl]

31. check you inbox/ I sent you a PM. I recovered many

inguinal hernia patients, all did well. Just remember to support the suture line when you laugh, deep breath and cough, or stand up. And roll to your side the slowly and gradually raise you upperbody up sit a while, then stand up with a pad or pillow supporting the suture line.

[Octafish]

32. Good Luck!

My nephew is recovering from similar surgery now. I like telling him he's strong as a horse and twice as smart. He'll be back to normal soon and be able to kick my ass -- not that he would, but he could.

Take care and good luck, louis c!

[CornField]

33. I'll keep a light on for ya

Keep a candle lit with prayers for your safety, health and calm. Easy journey.

[Lisabtrucking]

34. My sister just had that done. good luck, it will be over before you

know it.

[Stephanie]

35. bring a Walkman or I-pod

and listen to something relaxing - try to get them to let you keep the headphones on while you're out - it will calm you down and screen out any subliminal sounds that might make you anxious -

[Neshanic]

36. I was too, but it really is not bad. In at 7, out at noon....

You will be OK.

I was mortified, and started to get off the bed to get dressed to leave. My sister ratted me out to the nurse and the Doc came whipping around the corner. They inserted something in the IV and I felt wonderfull.

Just have somebody be with you after,(I am sure they will tell you that), and watch some good movies and get a good rest,

[Cleita]

37. Belly surgery is never pleasant, but you will be getting

some fabulous drugs for the pain. Enjoy. Don't panic. Hernia operations are pretty routine. Best of luck and let us know how it turns out. :pals:

[Auntie Bush]

38. Good luck and peace of mind. It'll be over before you know it!

MDH had it done about 8 years ago. Said it was no problem.
See you tomorrow!

[applegrove]

39. Good luck! n/t

[Radio_Lady]

40. My husband had TWO hernia operations -- one in 10/04 and one --

in 02/05. Although he was uncomfortable for a few days after each operation, it was better than wearing the little belt to keep them in place. (I assume this is an inguinal -- groin -- hernia.)

I'm sure you'll do just fine. Remember, this is probably the most common operation which most general surgeons do. They have a lot of experience and the repair materials they use have improved greatly.

Be well. Let us hear from you in a few days.

(By the way, my husband and I used to live in Sudbury, Massachusetts. He's had operations for his back at Lahey Clinic, when they used to be on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, and lots of visits to their medical facility in Burlington, Mass.)

Peace. Get a good night's sleep (wine helps!)

[PeaceProgProsp]

41. Post as soon as you get a chance so we know you're OK.

And good luck. I've always loved your posts. You're a working class hero, as John Lennon might say, even if you're a surgery scaredy-cat.