16/03/16
On Thursday 10th March 2016, I had my pre operative assessment at Chichester hospital. I was very excited about this appointment as it marked the last appointment before my operation.
After arriving, the nurse made a note of my height, weight, blood pressure etc. I then had to do a urine test and a blood test too. These checks ensured I am physically fit enough to have the operation - as some factors such as being too underweight would cause a lot of issues due to the amount of weight most people lose after the operation.
After this, I had a one-to-one with another nurse who mainly talked me through what would happen when I woke up. She explained to me that I will be moved to the High Dependency Unit for the first 24 hours, as I will need to be checked on quite often as the possibility of throwing up after a 5 hour operation under general anaesthetic could be quite high - which of course with a jaw wired shut could potentially be fatal if I'm not in the right care.
She then continued to explain who would be in the room with me during the op, and she gave me a variety of leaflets for me to read over the course of the week. She then checked I was still okay with the surgeon taking bone from my hip if necessary and that a catheter would be put in place (but most likely removed before I even wake up.)
Since my operation is on Friday, the nurse told me I would be in hospital over the weekend, and I would probably get to go home on the Sunday or Monday. I also have my first post op appointment on Wednesday 23rd March (only 5 days after the op!) and then another one booked for April 1st.
I now only have 2 days until the op and it's safe to say I'm very very nervous! Up until now I've been focusing on everything pre op, and it's just dawned on me that I will be in hospital over this weekend. Before, I never actually thought about being in hospital as weird as it sounds, but in my head I've always skipped over the first couple of weeks of recovery!) But this is something I have to do, and I'm lucky enough to have the support of my family who have done everything they can the last couple of weeks to make this process as easy as it can possibly be!
This is the last update pre-op, but I will be making a short video on YouTube which will include a daily photo of my recovery over the first few weeks.
I'm hoping this operation will go smoothly, and the recovery won't be too long!
Thanks for reading,
- Sophie
