Pre-Operation
I was shown to my room where my stats where taken,blood pressure,oxygen intake,pulse,and asked the questions that you will have to answer on your pre-admission sheet.(mine was sent out to me at least a month before the operation date and deals with such questions as medical background,current or recent medication) With all that being clear I was asked to get changed into the gown. Some surgeons use tights to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) if you are worried about this I would suggest asking my surgeon did this automatically. Once changed I awaited a visit from my anesthetist and back specialist. They discussed the procedures and what they would be doing and was a good time to ask any questions.
When the time came to go to the operating theatre I was wheeled down on the bed. Once inside the theatre the anesthetist will put a cannula in your hand. This will normally go into the back of the hand and may possibly contain a T section so a drip can be added. This does not hurt feels more like a scratch. I had sticky pads placed on my back and chest to monitor my pulse and an oxygen sensor on my index finger. The anesthetic will be injected through the cannula as will be any anti biotics. As the anesthetic is added the anesthetist will talk to you and before you know it you are out! For further info about cannulas and the MRSA risks checkout www.safecannula.com (Thanks to medifix)Post - Operation
First 24 hours
You will be held in a recovery room whilst the anesthetic wears off. This is basically a small holding room where you will be kept until you are fully conscious and can basically open your eyes and talk. I was then taken to the High Dependency Unit where I was monitored through out the night. Personally I felt great after the anesthetic and was sitting up reading a book. For any visitors that come to see you within 24 hours of the operation you may look like a plate of spaghetti.
- I had two drains in my right butt cheek going to two bottles which drain off any fluids from the surgery. Not pretty if you are squeamish as they do fill up with a lot of blood.Mine got removed 2 days after the operation
- Oxygen pipes going into nostrils -these were removed about 6 hours after the operation
- Catheter pretty obvious this one as you have an epidural you can feel anything from the waste down.This was removed 2 days after the operation and guys no matter what they say it hurts.......for days afterwards!
- Epidural this is great for pain relief and is set at a predetermined amount by the nurse in relation to your pain. This was removed 1 day after the operation
- Drip this will go into the cannula as discussed in pre-operation. This is stopped as soon as you are eating which for me was about 3 hours after the operation.
For the first 24 hours it will be bed rest for all patients. I did not get much sleep and it is uncomfortable being in one position. The nursing staff will roll you once every 4-6 hours just to take the weight off your back.
24 - 48 Hours
All tubes were removed and I was taken for an X-ray which involved being moved from one bed to another which was very painful. The X-Ray was taken to see how the operation had gone and to see the placement of the bolts and clamp. Physio came in the afternoon and I walked across the room for the first time. Again painful but a relief to be out of bed! It does hurt but I found the more I did it the more confident you become and it was great to be able to take a shower!
48 - 72 Hours
This day went well I had physio come see me and I practised the stairs. Also walked the corridor with my girlfriend beside me and progress was slow but very steady. Seen by specialist and told I could go home in 3 or 4 days time. I queried this showed him the progress I had made and he agreed to let me go home. This is an exception and not the norm I was just lucky that my back responded the way it did. Normally the hospital stay is approx one week, as I said I was very lucky mine was just 3 days. The drive home was painful every bump in the round hurts if you have family or friends with a car that has a high ride height use it as a low car will be painful getting in and out of.
