Drugs - never liked them, still don't. My pre-surgical prescription list included an antibiotic, a muscle relaxer, a narcotic pain reliever, a blood thinner in four injectable needles, and something for nausea. The doctor gave me the prescriptions at my office visit weeks before the surgery, when the "before pictures" were taken. I had them filled at my local pharmacy about a week in advance and my insurance covered them like they do my other medications. I take two blood pressure medications (one is also a diuretic) and two medications for Lupus (Plaquenil and Mobic). I had to stop the Mobic two weeks prior to surgery, as well as all of my multivitamins. My surgeon did recommend a list of homeopathic options to help me prepare for and recover from my surgery, including bromelain, vitamin C, arnica montana, alfalfa, and vitamin k, all at very specific doses. She also suggested lymphatic drainage. I opted for everything but the alfalfa, as I have had issues with that in the past. I also asked about vitamin B supplementing and she approved that. Since I already eat a hypernutritious diet to begin with, I'm not sure how much this "cocktail" helped me, and it's probably too early to tell for sure. I only had time for two lymphatic drainage therapies before my surgery, but I did like them and will continue with the remainder of the sessions that I purchased in advance. I am told it can reduce healing time by up to 50%, and reduce fluid retention which cause much of the swelling, and I'm all for prevention.
I think my daughter may have given me a few of the narcotic pain pills the first night, but since then I have opted for Tylenol and the muscle relaxers. As I said, I have never liked anesthesia or narcotics, and my stomach and incision area are really not bothering me. If they do become an issue, I will do as I did after my gallbladder removal and hysterectomy and don the ice packs. The doctor's staff strongly suggested I stay on the muscle relaxers for at least a week, and then stopping as I felt like I could. I can live with them without sleeping or thinking stupid thoughts, so I'll take their advice on this one.
The blood thinner shots are not that bad at all. I've never been a fan of needles and have only had to give a couple of shots in my day (unwillingly), but I am managing these just fine after the first time. Thanks to my good friend who came to the hospital that morning for coming over the first night to show me the way. I will say that they are much easier to give on the fatty inner thigh than the outer thigh, with less swelling and bruising. Almost painless.
Poop! If you've ever had anesthesia, you know how your bowels can just shut down. Good night, Poop! Being in my own bathroom helped get mine going quicker than if I had stayed in the hospital, but they still didn't move until Sunday morning (about 48 hours post-op). Imagine pushing the Titanic through a garden hose and you're getting close. Subsequent movements were much more comfortable and returned to normal within 24 hours after the first plugger-upper. I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, legumes, and drink a lot of water. I don't know where I would be if not for the roughage.
Food. For obvious reasons, food was not in my post-op plan until I stopped vomiting. I ate a few pieces of fruit here and there, drank water, and slowly resumed my normal vegan diet by Saturday night. I'm eating light, smaller portions than I am used to, but slightly more often. Food is delicious and makes me feel better overall. THIS is noteworthy...even since switching to a vegan diet over a year ago and loving my new lifestyle, I still had "issues" with food lurking under the surface. I was worried that I might have a bout of forced starvation post-op, since I really watched my intake in the month leading up to surgery. I don't feel that at all. I am conscious of what I'm eating and how much, but not obsessively so. I'm in a much better place than I was even after losing all that weight - I'm not thinking about the Flapper Large Marge every time I put food into my mouth. She's gone, at least as far as I can tell through these compression garments. I look forward to continuing my quest for health through nutrition and lifestyle.
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