I had my preoperative appointment today down at Scripps Mercy. It was simple: a weight check, confirming all medications I currently take, getting a baseline for my pulmonary function, and giving me info I need for the surgery and aftercare.
I am told that the day before surgery should be a completely clear liquid diet (even broth would need to be strained), and preferably nothing red (as that might look to the doctor like bleeding during the surgery). My surgery is on the morning of January 3; I should have nothing at all by mouth, not even water, starting at midnight before the surgery. The night before, I can take a shower, and then should use chlorhexidine (antiseptic) wipes over my whole body. The morning of the surgery, no shower, but use the wip[es again. And no deodorant after either shower (which makes me feel sad for the folks in the operating room).
I can assume I’ll be in the hospital for three days after surgery, though I am told by others that I might be out after two. While in the hospital, I should be up and walking as much as I can manage (minimizes chance of blood clots, which are the biggest post-surgical risk), and I should use the incentive spirometer to exercise my lungs and minimize chances of pneumonia. It’s a funny gadget which measures both rate and volume of exhaled air; you’re supposed to breathe in slowly but continuously, with the aim of inhaling 2500 mL of air. That’s not a problem right now; typical inspiratory capacity of a person my size is about 3500 mL, and my lung function is good…plus I have vocal music training. Post-surgery, I am supposed to do that 10 times per hour if possible, which seems like a lot, but is easy enough.
I’m feeling excited. I suspect I have some anxiety about it too, but I tend to keep my anxieties subconscious, so I’m not noticing it much on the surface. If this works, I will (hopefully) finally have a good way of making my interactions with food a much more reasonable part of my life.