I had my filter surgery this morning at 9am (7am arrival time) down at Frederick Memorial. This surgery is supposed to insert a small metal filter/cage like thing into my jugular and down towards my bellybutton to prevent a fatal blood clot from going to my lungs and killing me after my main surgery.
I think this surgery I was looking forward to less, because 1. They are either cutting my jugular which is a big wtf anyway, or 2. They would go into my groin area, which I don’t like people messing around in my junk.
I’m glad they picked the jugular though.
Everything was pretty normal, while I was laid up in the hospital gown they administered saline and some benedryl, though the benedryl made me hella dizzy for some reason. I was still cognant, but I really had to focus on things to remain that way. I was successful and made it through till it wore off about half an hour later.
They wheeled me in about 2 hours after arrival with my little blue surgical hat on and my bright red socks. The surgical area is freaking cold though. They had me scoot onto this very thin table and placed my arms in arm rests. It was very uncomfortable, and only got more uncomfortable as they started draping me in certain surgical blankets, clothes, pull large pieces of equipment so they hover over me, and things started beeping.
They didn’t put me under anesthesia, but they did sedate me. I was awake for pretty much the whole thing. After they gave me enough sedation I did feel pretty tired, but I was still awake and aware of what was going on.
The procedure took maybe 20 min to half an hour, and I didn’t feel a damn thing. Then they bandaged me up and kept pressure on it to make sure the artery didn’t start leaking. Then they unhooked me, had me scoot back onto the stretcher, and wheeled me to my room. I was already alert and awake by the time we got there, which surprised the nurses.
They had me lay in the stretcher for another half an hour, then moved me to a chair for another half and hour and gave me a diet sprite and some crackers (neither of which were on my diet regime, btw. But I sampled anyway, crackers were sooooooo good since I’ve had no bread the last two weeks).
Then they took my heart rate over and over, because apparently it went a little low during surgery, but it came back up to normal with no problems. About 11am they had me get dressed and walk on out.
I have to keep the bandage on my neck till tomorrow, I’m a little curious to see the incision. It’s a little sore when I move my neck around and the tape prevents me from turning my head very well anyway. I’m just going to relax most of the day anyway and not make any sudden moves with my head.
They say I can’t drive for 24 hours, but that tomorrow morning to use my own discretion if I feel like going into work or not. I’m still undecided. They have a shitload of work piled up on me, so I do need to work, I just don’t know whether I should do it from home or at work. At home I don’t get as much done, so I dunno.