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| Before surgery |
Drove to Concord Private Hospital with Janet.
Had to wait another 15-20 mins before I was attended to.
Receptionist went through the paperwork with me, making sure details correct.
Made payment of $200 for Medical Excess and $25 for ice pack.
Asked when I would be in recovery so JT would have a rough time of when to expect a call and was told 4-5pm.
Then JT left and I waited a few minutes before being attended to by administering nurse.
Took me into another room, where they asked health questions again, basically going through allergies, previous surgeries, medications etc.
Another nurse took my vitals, blood pressure and temperature.
Then they tagged me, making sure details correct.
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| Changed and prepped |
Then walked through another door where a male nurse greeted me, took my bag and stuffed it under a bed and told me to hop up onto the bed and lie down, then he covered me up with a warm blanket. I laid there for a while before the anaethesist nursing assistant came and asked me questions again, did I drink, was I a smoker, etc. Then she left and then the Anaethesist came and went through the same things again, he was talkative. Shook my hand and it was sweaty so he said I must have been worried, and so I said it was my first time in surgery. he said I had nothing to worry about. I don't think I was worried, I just naturally have sweaty palms. Anyway, he prepped my hand sticking the needle with the holder for the anaesthetic, but no anaesthetic yet. Took a while before they came back, must have had to wait for the for surgeon to arrive. When he did, he talked to me, asked me if I had any questions, let me know what would happen. Told me the receptionist would call me the next day to arrange a follow up. I asked him if I could get a medical cert. Didn't have any other questions. Then he went off.
Wait again, until the Anaethesist and assistant came to get me, this time he administered the anaesthetic and as they were wheeling me down the hallway, he was saying I was lucky to have the assistant as she was a good one and this was the last thing I remember before waking up in recovery. Knocked me right out. Didn't even get to see the operating room.
Next thing I know, I'm waking up in recovery, my feet covers and head cover has gone, my face is numb, can't feel a thing, the nurse asks if I'm ok, I feel ok, then she says she needs to take out the cotton balls in my mouth, I don't even know they are there. She asks whether I wan't something to drink, I ask for water, she comes back with water and an icy pole. Gives me a tissue as well so I don't slobber all over myself. I drink the water and have the icy pole, then I feel the need to pee. So I ask if I can go toilet. I'm a bit whoozy when I get out of bed, but am ok to walk to the toilet - long pee, check out my reflection in mirror, not too bad. Then back into bed. She applies the ice pack and I lie there for a while. She asks me if I'm ready to change, but I need to rest some more, in the meantime she gives JT a call.
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| After surgery |
JT drives and we go to chemist to get my meds, JT goes whilst KC and I stay in the car.
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| In the car going home after surgery |
10 March
Next day I'm even more puffier - I look like a puffer fish or as my boss, Iveta said, a chipmunk - cheeks full of nuts.
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| Taken 10 Mar 2015 morning |
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| Taken 10 Mar 2015 night |
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| Taken 11 Mar 2015 |
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| Taken 11 Mar 2015 |
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| Taken 12 Mar 2015 |
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| Taken 12 Mar 2015 - not too bad from this angle |
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| Taken 13 March 2015 - still puffy and bruised |
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| Taken 13 March 2015 |
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| Taken 14 March 2015 |
Follow up appt with Dr Zoud - he explains to me that the surgery was long and hard and due to that fact plus my age, the swelling and pain will probably take another week to reside.
Seems the teeth were very hard to take out, which would explain why my face is still bruised and why I'm not like Kaylene who was better in a week.
Inside of my cheeks are still painful and I still can't chew. Another week of soft foods. Rinsing with savacol helps, but seems to affect my tastebuds, so have only been rinsing at night.
The Dr said he had a talk to me after the surgery, and said I had nodded as if I understood - I don't remember any of it at all. Using ice pack on my left side helps with the pain.
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| Taken 18 Mar 2015 |
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| Taken 18 Mar 2015 |
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| Taken 19 Mar 2015 |
Monday 23 March
All the swelling has gone down and the bruising has also gone, but my neck and chin area is still tender to touch. Inside of the cheeks are also ok. My right side is perfectly fine, but the left side is still not quite right, but not painful. I can now fully brush my teeth, but still unable to open my jaws fully - not quite two fingers without it hurting. Feels like lock jaw. Still not completely chewing with my back teeth, but hopefully this week I can start back on solids. Am now wearing my plate to sleep, although it is a bit tight.
Appointment for follow up next Mon 30 Mar with Dr Zoud
A quick check, all looks ok, even though my left side still doesn't feel quiet right. Dr says I should be able to chew on both sides. Just need to monitor and if there is any pain or swelling to make an appointment to see him straight away. Otherwise should be ok if I can pass the 2 month period from surgery date. Still need to rinse after eating. At least face is back to normal.
