Right so yesterday I went for my pre op. on the drive there it suddenly felt incredibly real but I was quite excited, then I went though the have I really just paid all that money and could I not have just been stricter on a diet. Once there I felt more reassured.
Had a lovely nurse called Sarah and she answered all my weird and wonderful questions. I was there about an hour. I didn't have to have an ECG, she said that it is only normally older women with high blood pressure that have to have them. Did think it was strange that they don't screen everyone. Had bloods taken, urine test, which as she said was a great start as I had blood and protein in my wee! She did assure me that it would not effect my op taking place next week and that they would probably just put me on antibiotics in case there is any infection.
I am very happy that I will not have to take out most of my piercings, was not looking forward to putting retainers in some, however silly it might be, it can be really fiddly and I know I would have wound myself up with it all and started the whole build up in a bad mood.
Not being stuck up in any way but I was quite taken a back with the state of the ward etc. the staff were really lovely. Sarah said that up until about 3 years ago the ward was exclusively private, now they just fill up the beds with anyone and they may only have 2 or3 private patients at a time. The ward was really dated, there is a no child rule at any time and facilities REALLY basic, definitely not what I have been used to on previous private hospital stays. Very glad that I will not be eating there as the food looked terrible, smelt worse! There also seemed to be a lot of elderly patients on the ward who looked very ill. I had to have my pre op in their stock cupboard and so nurses were continually coming in and out. They were all commenting that several of these patients were always calling and so needing almost 1:1 nursing. I have total empathy with them and their family but I am really wanting to be up and about ASAP, however I will need support to get in and out of bed etc and help with some personal care at the beginning at least. Did leave thinking that I am not totally sure how much support I will get. I hate being seen as a pain and know that I will then try and do it on my own if I see that the nurses are rushing around. I suppose we will just have to wait and see what happens next week.
The nurses had no real understanding of the bypass which did alarm me, when I asked about pain relief due to a paracetamol allergy she said about taking ibuprofen, when I questioned whether I could take it after the op she just assumed it was due to the allergy. When I said that I didn't think I could have it she was a bit uncertain. Did say she would speak to the anaesthetist before I come in.
I a glad I k ow the way and have a picture in my head of where I am going to be. Not sure how much of the £9000 charge is going to the hospital but I suppose it is just a bed on the ward that I will be using for most of the time.
They were really pleased with my weight loss since seeing the consultant and fingers crossed all will go well for the final count down. I have completed 5 days of the milk diet this week and found it to be ok. Having a bit of a relax over the weekend as it is my wife's birthday on Monday and we went out for a meal last night. Back to milk on Monday.
