First post-op appointment

How weird is it that my surgeon is nicer now then he was pre-op. I don't get it. Also, I love that my clinic has a deal with the insurance that there are no more co-pays after surgery! Woot!  I'll save that $15 any day!

So, I am down 8lbs since my surgery. I'm happy with that. Especially because this is the first time in my life that I am certain that 8lbs won't be coming back.

I went there with a fever and it broke as we waited to be called back. I sweated for over 2 hours! It was unbelievable. I was shaking and shivering. Craziness.

So the doc pulled the hated drain out. My hubby watched and turned a bit green. He said the doc pulled it out so fast it was like trying to start a lawn mower. That was the most bizarre feeling though, and painful. I swear I could feel it unwrapping from my organs. hehe

I was convinced my drain incision was infected, but the doc said nope, not so. It was just my body rejecting the drain. Rightfully so!

Then we had the question of the fevers which have been very weakening. The doc has a theory that the pain is the root cause of it. He says when you're in a lot of pain you don't tend to breathe deeply and when you don't expand your lungs enough, it can (somehow) cause low grade fevers. I connected with that theory because the pain from the drain and the large incision below that have been very painful causing me to pant and breathe quickly. He decided we would up my pain meds a bit and have me work at resting and breathing deeply. If I continue having fevers, I'll go back in on Friday and we'll look into x-rays to see if there is something going on internally. He said it could also be as simple as this is my body reacting to major surgery. I don't know about that. I've had 6 surgeries and never had that kind of reaction. But, you never know.

Other then that, all is well. My vitals are all good, I'm hydrated and healing well.

I'm very very happy there is no infection. SOOOO happy. So, back to resting for me.

to the LW's!

Sounds like an excellent first visit. Keep doing those lung exercises and hopefully the fevers will stay away.

--gina

I had some fevers and also a low O2 from not breathing deeply so I can relate.

Sounds like a good visit.  My Dr, too is so pleased at my visits.  Almost like he is proud of his work.  That's ok, he does get some of the credit for a job well done and no complications.  I get the credit for making the choice and sticking with the program.

So, walk, REST, sip, repeat.  Hope you don't have to go back to work soon and can take some time off to get healed.

Glad you got some relief from that drain Kelly!

You will be feeling better everyday...my body had some strange reactions to the surgery too but they disappeared pretty quickly...sending prayers that you will be back to normal soon!

Yeah for a good check up! And no more nasty drain!

As for the fever, I would see our open heart patients have fevers because it hurts to cough and deep breath. So slow deep breaths, 10 times an hour while you are awake.

Hope the pain improves soon. Keep sipping walking and resting!

Keep sucking on that spirometer to open your lungs and to keep the air flowing. Glad that nasty drain is out, I can relate.

Happy for you! Good report

Meg

i'm so happy that you got the drain tube out!  and happy that you don't have any infection!!!  woohoo!!!  and as far as the 8 pound loss!!  that's awesome!  but it's just the beginning so hold on for the ride of your life!!!

i'm so happy for you!!!

 Kelly  ya gotta  work that  blow tube thingie like every 15 minutes  . U will oxygenate a LOT better Hun.    And walk walk walk  ...... 

I couldn't breathe deeply after surgery either so what you wrote makes a lot of sense for me. I couldnt even cough really.  I was soooooooo happy when the drain came out and felt that this realy helped with my recovery and pain.  The drain really was the cause of most of my discomfort.  I am telling you by the end of week two I started to feel like me again and this made me sooo happy.  Stamina was an issue but by the end of three weeks I started back at the gym and felt like "jen" again!

Good luck to you Kelly!!!!