Yesterday was tantalum marker day. Step 1 on the treatment of my beastie.
So what to expect?
Well no getting around it, it is a surgical procedure and so expect not to eat/drink after specific times.
The surgical ward literally doesn't open until 7:30 am so early arrival for that particular start time may see you hanging about a little. My suggestion is to get a coffee/breakfast nibble for your surgery companion (recommended) in any of the nearby outlets. 7:25 arrival is fine.
Then it's a release en masse, there will be plenty of others having different treatments, to the surgery unit on opening. On to registration with the unit and dispersal to the various treatment wards. To my understanding these are male/female split but I am not excluding other possibilities. Please don't shoot the messenger here. I have my own issue with the beastie.
Various medics including the anaesthetist came to visit to prepare you and themselves for your care. All are pleasant, all are attentive. As I was 2nd on the list, I even got allowed another cup of water.
The it's a case of waiting your turn. Take a book perhaps, chat with your companion, sudokus, meditation, etc. It may feel a bit indeterminate as time passes and wait could vary depending on earlier procedures to yours.
When called, if you're able, expect a walk through to theatre. Final preps such as clipping up to various monitors, pre meds and then into the work. I actually got some background music to listen to of my preferred taste so give some thought to relaxing music. It helps to merge the meds effect if nothing else.
There is little to say about procedure except it goes in an instant seemingly but 75/90 minutes depending on procedure/individual.
Completed you are taped up with dressings etc. and transferred to post op for 30 minutes and then back to your start point for a well earned cuppa and sandwich, before some final obs (and to confirm you go for a pee for medical reasons) before you can go home with a bunch of eye drops and some.
Anxious day yes, but made easier by the expertise of the medics and a good companion.
Hope this helps with anyone about to go through matters.
Recovery at home I will leave to a different thread.
Hi Simply Derek
Thanks very much for taking the time to talk through your experience of day surgery. I'm sure lots of people waiting for treatment will find it really useful.
I hope your recovery is going well.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
