Surprises

I was surprised by what I found difficult post-op.

I was much weaker than I expected. I would get winded just standing up. Carrying on a conversation was a challenge because I would get so short of breath.

I got a stomach bug two days after I got home from the hospital. It hurt to throw up with the healing stitches but the bigger danger was in dehydration. My WOC nurse has since told me that from here on out I should go to the emergency room for IV fluids whenever I get a stomach bug. Realistically I don't see myself doing that. But I will tell you this - I have never felt more hungover in my life than I did after that 24 period. It definitely took me over a week to recoup what I lost in fluids that day and finally shake the "hangover".

My blood pressure also kept dropping (70 over 40) so I had to be careful not to pass out. When I felt myself getting light-headed, I would just sit down immediately. No need for unnecessary falls. My visiting nurse told me that this could also be my body recovering from the anesthesia. Remember you will be under for four or more hours. It takes weeks to leave your system.

On that note showering can be dangerous post-op. We were lucky enough to borrow one of those shower chairs from my grandmother once we realized I would pass out when I lifted my arms up. Try showering without lifting your arms. Ya - it didn't work. Think ahead and please be careful.

Or at the very least - sit down in the shower.