I had my surgery on Friday. I was totally nervous all day long but it wasn’t so bad. It was scheduled for 7:30am and they didn’t take me in until 9:45 or so. The first two hours were spent with paperwork, interviews with nurses and the anesthesia doctor, the guy who was working on my IV (who rocked, by the way – I HATE IVs and he did an awesome job.. Kareem Bosede, I will remember you!) and then a short intro with my doctor. I had to change out of my clothes and take all of my jewelry off, and I almost forgot my wedding ring and engagement ring!
When the time came for me to have the surgery, I wasn’t wheeled into the operating room. I walked right into the OR and went onto the table. The IV was put in nicely and I felt the expected prick but otherwise it was fine. They started preparing for surgery and I remember asking what they put in my IV and they said, “the medicine,” and I said “I don’t feel anything.” Apparently, the lights went out after that. I guess I should’ve been a little more patient.
The next thing I remember was being wheeled into the recovery room. It was a bit of a blur; I felt like I was dreaming right before they woke me up. The whole process was done under local anesthesia and I felt fine lying down on the table but my blood pressure was quite low and they didn’t want me to go anywhere. That’s also why they didn’t give me any intravenous pain meds. The percocet they ended up giving me was ingested orally. I wasn’t a fan and I eventually felt nauseous. I’m not sure if it was a reaction to the anesthesia or the Percocet — I actually think it was the latter — but it’s no matter.
After a little over an hour, with my husband by my side for half of the time (they kicked him out when the recovery room was full), I went to the ambulatory unit where I sat in a chair to “recover” even further. I was given apple juice and saltines which I didn’t want to eat but eventually needed it. The pain in my abdominal area was pretty bad but nothing I couldn’t handle.
When my blood pressure went up, I was on my way home. I felt like crap so I went to bed and skipped meals with the exception of a small snack in Friday evening, but otherwise, I’m better. I took off my main bandage this morning and showered with the secondary bandages intact; they apparently fall off by themselves. My belly is sensitive to the touch; my biggest fear is having a baby who steps on or kicks my belly, but I think I’ll do fine.
I’m on my own for the rest of the week. He’s only 18.33lb so he’s under the 20lb weight limit for no lifting, which means I’m not off the hook. And I have no hired help. But I think I’ll just do what I do and play with him a little more on the floor so that I don’t risk having him stand on me in a sensitive place.
Mommy’s getting better!