- Post starter
- #49
bellbird
VIP Member
Pre-op went so smoothly!!
It was also a lot less involved than I was expecting.
No more x-rays, as they'd taken all that they needed at the scoliosis clinic a month ago.
And no MRI!
The hospital staff were fantastic.
So kind, so understanding, and so mindful of respecting confidentiality.
We checked into the outpatient preassessment area, and soon after my orthopaedic nurse came and said "bellbird, I'll just take you away to do your measurements first", took my obs, and then took me to a consult room and double checked with me how I wanted to run the day.
It turned out that the anaesthetist I would see wasn't going to be my anaesthetist on DOS, and I wouldn't be seeing the surgeon either, so I decided I'd just do everything by myself, and just let Mum know that the team weren't there for her to meet like we'd expected.
The nurse explained everything to me like we had asked, and made sure that she answered any questions that I had.
She took an ECG, then the clinical photographer came in. The nurse made sure to explain that process to me as well, and let me know that that photographer has been working at the hospital since 1991, and is very well respected.
The photographer took photos of my torso, from many angles, and I was able to wear my bra for all except for when I was facing away from her, so she could get my full back.
After that, I saw the anaesthetist, who was SO nice. People always say they are are great, but damn.
Spoke about potential triggers, and we brainstormed strategies both for me and the team, to make it as easy as possible for me.
For anaesthesia, there will ALWAYS be more than one person in the team that are with me. To remove a one on one sedative administration trigger.
They will also remind me I'm safe, and talk me through everything.
I asked if I could have an IV anaesthesia, rather than a mask (SA /strappy things on my face trigger). I can, but they normally use an oxygen mask as well, but a lot of people feel claustrophobic with that, so they can work around it if needed.
I can also pretty much take my meds as normal beforehand, so I won't go into withdrawal. And if I can't swallow pills immediately after, they can give me same or similar compounds through my IV.
I can also have an anxiolytic the morning of, but we thought I'll just have that PRN, to minimise sedation feeling. I said I'll have my teddy bear with me, and my best friend who had the surgery 10 years ago with me too, to help calm me down.
On DOS, I can also do all my paperwork, pregnancy test, medication handover (they'll then dispense me them), etc. myself, first, and then they can bring my parents through.
No surgical date yet, but I should get a letter soon.
Oh and I am in good health, and don't need to make any lifestyle changes between now and then :)
It was also a lot less involved than I was expecting.
No more x-rays, as they'd taken all that they needed at the scoliosis clinic a month ago.
And no MRI!
The hospital staff were fantastic.
So kind, so understanding, and so mindful of respecting confidentiality.
We checked into the outpatient preassessment area, and soon after my orthopaedic nurse came and said "bellbird, I'll just take you away to do your measurements first", took my obs, and then took me to a consult room and double checked with me how I wanted to run the day.
It turned out that the anaesthetist I would see wasn't going to be my anaesthetist on DOS, and I wouldn't be seeing the surgeon either, so I decided I'd just do everything by myself, and just let Mum know that the team weren't there for her to meet like we'd expected.
The nurse explained everything to me like we had asked, and made sure that she answered any questions that I had.
She took an ECG, then the clinical photographer came in. The nurse made sure to explain that process to me as well, and let me know that that photographer has been working at the hospital since 1991, and is very well respected.
The photographer took photos of my torso, from many angles, and I was able to wear my bra for all except for when I was facing away from her, so she could get my full back.
After that, I saw the anaesthetist, who was SO nice. People always say they are are great, but damn.
Spoke about potential triggers, and we brainstormed strategies both for me and the team, to make it as easy as possible for me.
For anaesthesia, there will ALWAYS be more than one person in the team that are with me. To remove a one on one sedative administration trigger.
They will also remind me I'm safe, and talk me through everything.
I asked if I could have an IV anaesthesia, rather than a mask (SA /strappy things on my face trigger). I can, but they normally use an oxygen mask as well, but a lot of people feel claustrophobic with that, so they can work around it if needed.
I can also pretty much take my meds as normal beforehand, so I won't go into withdrawal. And if I can't swallow pills immediately after, they can give me same or similar compounds through my IV.
I can also have an anxiolytic the morning of, but we thought I'll just have that PRN, to minimise sedation feeling. I said I'll have my teddy bear with me, and my best friend who had the surgery 10 years ago with me too, to help calm me down.
On DOS, I can also do all my paperwork, pregnancy test, medication handover (they'll then dispense me them), etc. myself, first, and then they can bring my parents through.
No surgical date yet, but I should get a letter soon.
Oh and I am in good health, and don't need to make any lifestyle changes between now and then :)
