Operation

[hawc]

When i had my eye operated on, it was an injection and the woman said 'Count to 10'. I only made it to three...

[featured_spectre]

You can ask for the mask to get put under...that's fun because the guy told me a joke and I cracked up...and it wasn't even funny...as for the hernia op...I've have 3, the last one was when I was 19. They put a wire mesh in to hold the muscles together. Healing time varies but you should be fine :-)

[localzuk]

I've had more operations than I can count, due to my being a somewhat stupid child when it came to my personal safety.

 

They will definitely allow you to have gas before the canula.

 

My advice would be:

 

Make sure you have someone who can pick you up.

Don't worry about it too much. For all the media waffle, our NHS is superb.

Recovery from anaesthetic can take anything from a few hours to days. It really varies by person!

Use the time off to rest and recuperate!

[AMLinington]

Honestly having used EMLA (the numbing cream) a few times it doesn't actually help and makes things worse. It has a tendency to collapse the veins so they struggle to get the needles in right and it aches like you wouldn't believe. IMO you are actually better off without it and that is coming from someone who has literally screamed and thrashed and climbed the walls (funny story for another time). What I will say though is that they don't exactly give you a menu of 'how would you like to be knocked out', you actually have to ask which is why it's important to speak to the Anaesthetist and Surgeon, explain your fears and be very firm about expressing what you DO NOT consent to. I still wish I'd made a formal complaint about that rude man - he really hurt me and I was sobbing when I came to. If you expressly ask for the gas and expressly state that you do not want to be concious when they put the canula in I am sure they will accommodate you. If for no other reason than wanting to avoid law suits and complaints etc.

 

Also, bit of a gross tip but make sure you clean your bum - scrub it good and hard in the shower as they MAY tell you they will give you a painkiller suppository. Depends on the operation. When I had my wisdom teeth done I obviously couldn't eat or drink anything after the op for fear of disturbing the sockets so.... well you know what I mean. I remember being absolutely paranoid about people looking at my bum (sometimes you fixate on the weirdest things when you're frightened) so I went a bit crazy with the scented wet wipes (yeah irrational I know).

 

It is likely that you'll be really sleepy for a few days after the op - I really think a lot of it depends how long you're under. When I had my wisdom teeth done I would randomly fall asleep for days afterwards but when I had another abscess operated on it was quite a quick op so I was fine.

[MattDLEA]

If we are getting into the grossness, People at work said id be better off shaving the area myself as the hospitals use rubbish bic razors?

[featured_spectre]

yes, shave entirely using scissors first (if it is too bushy and trim to a small length), then clippers to practical non-existence, then a razer to smooth things out...this is from experience after the first time which gave me horrible razer burn and itching for weeks! Edited March 26, 2014 by featured_spectre

[SpuffMonkey]

And take something to entertain yourself - chances are you'll be hanging about for hours - as a non emergency, other essential ops may be triaged to happen before you, which can be annoying, but having been in both situations, I know its necessary.

 

Canulas have never been too bad for me, certainly no more painful than a blood sample. You'll be fine.

[AMLinington]

If we are getting into the grossness, People at work said id be better off shaving the area myself as the hospitals use rubbish bic razors?

 

Yeah. Not to mention the cringe factor of the nurses turning up with a bowl of water and some soap. I'd defo do it yourself if I were you.

[witch]

Yeah. Not to mention the cringe factor of the nurses turning up with a bowl of water and some soap. I'd defo do it yourself if I were you.

I'd consider using hair remover - the hairs grow back with pointy ends rather than cut ends so there is less itching

[AMLinington]

I'd consider using hair remover - the hairs grow back with pointy ends rather than cut ends so there is less itching

 

I'd use caution though: http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B000KKNQBK

 

I just looked up Inguinal Hernias. Ouch.

[MattDLEA]

Well tomorrows the big day

[Bananas]

Good luck, you'll be fine i'm sure. Let us know how you get on. Life will be so much better for you once it's repaired.

 

The wife had hers years ago now and it's completely healed and perfect, no pain at all

[Miscbrah]

Good luck brah, you'll be fine.

[Danp]

You will be fine, I have not long had my op although it was not the same

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/behind-red-door/132670-appendix-removal.html

[MattDLEA]

Cheers fokes,

Its now 8 days since I had it done, It didnt stop people emailing me on the evening the night before asking me to do work. I politely refused to acknowledge their emails. TBH it wasnt to bad though speaking to the assistant surgeon pre op he said not to run golf pick up little one for 3 months!!???!!! everyone else said 2 - 6 weeks.

Aunt in law stayed with me until i got called through to the special room where you can sit with no pants on, was in there about 1 and half hours with old men watching bbc News before I got called to go through. Walked across to the the operating theater prep room got on the trolly and talked to two men in blue. I remember slagging of 1&1 web design company then heard your off to sleep now.

Next thing I woke up, I said oh hello 'Vicky' ( I have a friend that she looked like) she said oh im not vicky my reply was "Do I still have 2 testicals" at which point I was whipped back to the day ward.

NOTE they dont like you going WEEEEeeeeeee as you are pushed through the corridors.

After a while in the day ward i was offerred toast and tea, got to be said the toast was the best I have ever eaten. A hour afterwards they were like can you move your legs, looking a bit confused I lifted my right leg no problem on to the left and nothing happened. This is quite normal by all acounts and nothing to be scared of, but was the weirdest feeling ever, I could wiggle my toes, roll my ankle, fut for the life of me I couldnt lift my leg or feel my thigh.

No bother it normally takes 2 hours to wear off sometimes a bit longer. Time passed and nothing. Ended up staying in overnight as it was still asleep at 8 felt it starting to wake up at midnight.

Next morning got up and walked around fine, got a lift home was ok then On saturday I got a cold, That stings a little when you cough.

Had my first little walk out yesterday. Have cancelled work for monday and tuesday next week as I dont think I will be up to driving by then.

 

All in all though not as bad as I thought pre op

[witch]

That's good news. Now just take it easy and you will be back to normal in no time

(did you avoid the injection then?)

[MattDLEA]

Cheers @witch No I asked and they wernt that keen on doing the gas. I had the numbing cream on though, that talking to the other guy while it was done and knowing that the only choice was to have it done made it not so bad. It annoyed me after the op when it was still in me just flopping around

[witch]

Well done for letting them do it then. I must have looked more worried or as if I might go nuts if they tried to inject me. I would have done, too