I'm getting precise 2.2 on my femur tomorrow in the US. I will disclose which doctor after the surgery. Starting height 5' 8.5" and hoping to get 8cm to 5' 11.65"
Day 0 (day before surgery)
I'm pretty nervous, still not really sure what I'm getting myself into even though I researched a ton. I am going through this journey alone (at least the first 3 weeks). I have rented a large airbnb house nearby and set everything up. Have my shower chairs, toilet aid, empty water bottles near my bed to pee in, everything is set up for me to return when I am discharged from the hospital. Picked up my meds and did bloodwork as well. Meds were pretty expensive, especially the pain killers which was not covered by insurance for me. Going to try to sleep early at 10pm today and wake up at 4:30 am for my surgery tomorrow. I've got food all set up in the fridge so I can microwave things easily. And I practiced using the walker/wheelchair throughout the house so I know I can move around. Last thing I'm going to do is get a short haircut because I anticipate I wont be showering much, so shorter hair will be easier to deal with. Let me know if I'm missing any more preparation for the big day!
Precise 2.2 Femur (March 2023) Journal
Day 1 (surgery)
I got to the hospital about 5:30 AM. Surgery started around 8:30 AM. I was worried about surgery the most but that turned out to be the easiest part. Once you get into the operating room and take a few deep breaths of oxygen, the next thing that happened was waking up in some room before they take you to the recovery room. The recovery room is amazing the bed is comfortable there a TV the Wi-Fi is fast and the nurse will come in at a moments notice when you press the button. The PT came in about four hours after I got into the recovery room and started to do some quick walks with me. I walked about 20 feet total and came back to my bed and rested. I slept in one to two hour increments about five times throughout 6 PM until 6 AM the next morning. People kept coming into the room every now and then because of giving me medicine antibiotics cleaning me and checking on me so it woke me up a few times. Even with a bunch of narcotics and painkillers the pain was still tough I would say throughout the night I was about seven out of 10 consistent pain. It is bearable but it’s not pleasant and I’m fully ready for the first two weeks to be similar to what I have experienced last night .
Oh and they put a catheter in me while I was asleep. It turned out to be the best thing ever. I drank water like no tomorrow and didn’t even have to move a muscle. If possible, I would 100% suggest you request it
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Day 2
If there is ever a day for regrets, today is the one. I almost fainted during physical therapy and my blood pressure dropped to 60/30. I got up too fast from a lying position and I just took narcotics which I am not used to. But my afternoons PT session was a lot better. The worst part was when the catheter was taken out and that made it really hard to pee. I had a full bladder with over 900 mL of liquid in there but I can’t pee it out, the nurse had to stick A huge tube through my dck into my bladder to drain it out and that was the most painful feeling in my life. Also A huge fever throughout the night but apparently that is really common for these type of surgeries. But I think things should be better from now on
Day 3 (discharge)
It’s still only 11am but decided to do today’s journal first cause I’ll prob be busy later. Finally peed on my own at six in the morning and that was the greatest feeling in the world. I got my ERC device today to take home when I get discharged later. Today’s morning physical therapy went really well I walked maybe 200 feet and it was not tough at all. I’m still constipated and not have not taken a poop since before the surgery two days ago. But I will shove a constipation up my ass when I get home at 6 pm and try to throughout the night. Pain today is on average 4/10 throughout. Definitely the best day I’ve had thus far
Thx for the tip man. Old do that once I get home tonight
Quote from: BigDeformityEnergy on March 19, 2023, 09:26:26 PMLooking forward to hearing which surgeon you did it with.
Dr D in Vegas. Honestly all around great staff. I’m sure most doctors have great staff but def only positive experiences with him and his team so far. Was fairly cheap too (for US) I paid $70,000 for everything and it’s a really nice hospital. It’s the same hospital that took care of trauma from the Vegas shooting a few years ago. Great nurses, great food, great recovery room. All the nurses knows how to take care of you because they have seen a bunch of dr d’s patients. But I’m ready to head back to my 3 bedroom airbnb I rented out for a month about 20 mins away from the hospital.
Quote from: psilocybe on March 20, 2023, 05:12:05 AMIs a catheter normal for LL surgery?
I think so? Dr. D told me he's gonna put it in me when he came to talk to me 30 mins before my surgery, and told me not to be alarmed when I wake up. Like they pump liquid in you through the IV and you will drink a lot of water in the hospital. Better than having to get up to pee every 2 hours (and in general peeing/pooping is just a hassle and painful the first few days). We pulled it out after 1 day so the body doesnt get "used" to it. It doesnt hurt it's just weird, and takes like 3 seconds. So just take a deep breath and it's gone.
Quote from: ballsackoffury123 on March 21, 2023, 01:37:20 AMI think so? Dr. D told me he's gonna put it in me when he came to talk to me 30 mins before my surgery, and told me not to be alarmed when I wake up. Like they pump liquid in you through the IV and you will drink a lot of water in the hospital. Better than having to get up to pee every 2 hours (and in general peeing/pooping is just a hassle and painful the first few days). We pulled it out after 1 day so the body doesnt get "used" to it. It doesnt hurt it's just weird, and takes like 3 seconds. So just take a deep breath and it's gone.
Nope no caretaker. Hired a PCA for 1 hour to take me home from the hospital during the discharge. Today when I went to my first PT (20 mins away), I called a regular Uber. They were all super nice and were patient with me going into the car, and folding and unfolding my wheelchair. People are just nicer to you when you are disabled lol. But I currently have PT scheduled for 5 days a week for the next 2 weeks (we get 10 free sessions and it's $50/ session after that). Honestly, I think I'm gonna ask to change it to 3-4 sessions since going there 5 days a week is annoying. And also I havent even take a single day off from work lol (except surgery day).
And being at home isnt hard alone. I use my wheelchair when moving around, and have walkers set up in the more narrow doors i cant fit my wheelchair through. I have a trash pickup stick I hold onto me the majority of the time so I can grab whatever I need. Food, everything, is all pretty easy with just my wheelchair and a big space.
Day 4 (First day of PT)
Overall ok day. Pain is manageable by the Percocet. Took my first s today, thought its not a whole ton. Prob just a regular session of bowel movement, so I know there's still more poop in me. Shoving the Dulcolax in my ass worked like a charm. It doesnt hurt, feel weird, and I'm not even gay. Apply some lube when you are sitting down in the toilet, shove it in with your index finger. You'll in an hour or so.
PT wasnt hard today, some exercises on the table. I honestly think 3-4 days/week is enough. I'll do the homework I need to do at home, and not having to get a ride there just make things so much easier. Lengthening starts tomorrow morning, and I'm excited. I'm not sure if I even broke my nail already and it wont work or something. It'll be a relief when I see it lengthen in the morning tomorrow.
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