Quote from: 52.Female.lengthened.11.5 on June 04, 2022, 11:24:34 AMThe day of Surgery & hospital stay
The day had arrived, and I was about to have Limb Lengthening Surgery! On this day, my emotions and hormones were all over the place; it was like a mix of butterflies, anxiety and a feeling of excitement!
The LLC team did everything to make me feel comfortable and asked me one last time if this was something I was ready to do; of course, I said yes!
I was so hungry, haha, but before surgery, you can't eat or drink for at least 12 or so hours beforehand; when the anaesthetic is used, your body's reflexes are temporarily stopped. If your stomach has food and drink in it, there's a risk of vomiting.
Murat, the lead physiotherapist at the time (now Izel), bought me to the hospital, which was not far, in a car. It was all becoming so natural, no longer a dream, finally!
One thing to mention is that at the hospital, not everyone speaks English. It is not their native language, so the majority talk in Turkish, but Murat acted as my translator. I was shown my hospital room; it looked spacious and very modern!
I was given my hospital gown, and then it's a waiting game until I have your surgery- this wait is annoying because you have so many thoughts racing through your mind! You must keep strong and tell yourself this is what you came to do!
Soon after, after many moments of waiting at the hospital, I was wheeled on my bed into the hospital room by the nurses and medical staff. It's nice that the physiotherapist stays in the surgery room with you; they say it helps them understand the surgery better and know exactly what to focus on in physiotherapy.
When I woke up after surgery, I felt my entire body was heavy, but I was so calm and reassured since Murat was there.
I wasn't in much pain since they already had painkillers through IV.
My eyelids were heavy, and I couldn't open my eyes for 2 hours even though I was conscious.m, I guess I was still drowsy from the anaesthesia.
Fortunately, I didn't feel nauseous or wasn't shivering from being cold like I have heard some other patients have experienced these symptoms
post-surgery-
I didn't have an appetite, but I had some sweet and salty soup that night.
The meal at the hospital was good, comparatively speaking, even though I wasn’t hungry-I still had to eat, so keep in mind it's common to lose your appetite, but you must fight to eat. Your body needs energy.
Melisa (a nurse LLC hired) took a night shift for five straight nights for me, and she was so sweet that I appreciated her mental and physical presence. She helped me to change my clothes and go to the toilet etc.
I received PT on the very next day and started walking with a walker, I was able to take only three steps only due to dizziness and pain in my right knee, but the next day I was able to walk 60 steps. The first few days are the toughest, but it’s key to keep moving and staying determined!
No eat and drink has become a requirement for diagnosis too. Speaking of eat and drink, did you find the taste ok? I mean some foreigners have difficulty eating different countries food.
