The Pre-Op Experience

During my pre-op appointment at the Hospital (which was about two weeks prior to my surgery), I met with a nurse.  I submitted paperwork that was requested by my ENT that my General Practitioner and I fill out.  It was two separate medical history forms.  She went over it, asking about other surgery's (wisdom teeth etc), allergies, if you experienced a recent cough or cold etc. I was also weighed for anaesthetic purposes.

I was also given some post-op information (very vague!) I strongly recommend if you are over the age of seven, to seek out information and prepare questions prior to this visit. I didn't know until this appointment that I had to stay in recovery after my surgery from 4-6 hours.

You may meet with the anaesthesiologist for questions as well.

My total appointment took about 10 minutes, although they prepare you to wait between two to four hours.


The day of Surgery:

• You will not be allowed to eat or drink anything from 12 am on, the day before your surgery
• Any and all jewellery/piercings will need to be taken off/out. I had several that would not come out, which left me struggling and in a panic the morning of my surgery.  I recommend doing this the night before - especially if you haven't taken them out in years
• You will need to arrive 1 1/2 - 2 hours prior to your surgery time. You may want something to read.
• You will also be required to wear a sassy little scrub outfit and booties.  Tres chic. 
• Bring a plastic bag or resuable bag for you clothes.  You will have the oportuntity to put it in a locker, or you can leave it with who ever is staying and waiting for you.
• The surgery itself takes between 20-30 minutes
• If the nurse offers your a topical numbing cream for the IV, TAKE IT! I did not and my entire hand was aching (my veins are quite tiny)
• Immediate recovery is between 4-6 hours.  My surgery was at 12:40 pm and I was in the car heading home by 5:30 pm.
• Try to get as much water, ice chips, popsicles into you before you leave.  You will be pretty medicated so your pain will be tolerable.  The more hydrated you are, the less it hurts.  BEWARE: You may need to go to the wash room and since you will be hooked up to an IV, you may not be able to.
• Before you are ready to be discharged, your clothing bag will be brought back to you so you can change.  They will wheelchair you out to your car and then you are on your way home!
• You will have a strange taste in your mouth (burnt flesh), but it doesn't last long because before you know it your mouth tastes awful and smells even worse (this lasts about 1 1/2-2 weeks). Fun stuff! NOT.

Day 17, 18, 19, 20, & 21

All are pretty much the same.

I am able to almost eat "regular" foods, although softer foods are easier to get down. Some foods still feel like they scratch on the way down, but as long as they are soft enough its a non issue.

My throat is feeling odd..  almost like a hairball is stuck.  There is a constant 'membrane' if you will coated around where my tonsils used to be. It feels phlegmey and like something is stuck. It has felt like this for nearly a week and has relatively stayed the same.

I only experience pain when my throat dries out, which with the changing weather, seems like its more often than not.  It's important to remember to stay hydrated! I know I've been drinking less water so now I'm trying to make a conscious effort to drink more.

Day 16

I made it back to school! That is pretty cool.  Although by the time I finished getting ready I needed a serious rest.

I've checked out my throat and the left side appears to be healing nicely, with mostly fresh pink tissue.  The other side worries be a little; still scabby, very bump and red.

I still have swelling surrounding my uvula and my voice is still high and child like.  I've almost gotten used to sounding so silly.

I survived another week and I'm hoping to be back to 'normal' very soon!

Day 15

Everything is still relatively the same with the healing and how I'm feeling. I have more energy, yet when I do simple tasks, I'm completely drained.  Returning to classes tomorrow should be interesting.

Today I experienced a pinch in my throat... not sure what happened, perhaps a scab made a break for it?

Foods that mush up easily are still easier to eat and almost preferred to solid foods.  The small pieces tend to get stuck in the sockets, but they are sitting well in the belly.

I have gained 3 lbs back from the 10 lbs I lost during the first week. That's what happens when you are able to eat!

Day 14

Another day and a little more food.  Today I tried eating boiled chicken.  It was cut up into cubes which made it easier to go down.

I find that rice and spaghetti get a bit stuck in the back of my throat (super hot and yummy I know).

I still have a majority of scabs in tact. Hopefully they go away SOON!

Day 13

I finally had REAL food today! It was amazing! Spaghetti and home-made meatballs :)  It was soft enough to chew up really small and get down.

I feel better each day!

My throat is still sore from time to time but usually its worse after I eat (understandably). I'm only taking tylenol when needed which is usually only twice a day. This is exciting to me because I'm down to two from eight.

I cannot wait for the scabs to be gone with and these giant sockets to fill up but I have a feeling that will take another week or so (hopefully not longer because I have some 'sharp' foods I'd really like to nom on!)

Day 12

My uvula is still swollen and sore.  For the most part most of my scabs are gone aside from the ones in the giant sockets in the throat.

I am sleeping better, still loving nutella on bread, no crusts and pierogies.

I have the small amounts of energy so I try and be productive (catch up on school work, clean up my two week mess of a room) but after 10 minutes or so I feel as if I ran 5km.

I can't wait to be better!!!!!!!

My post-op appointment won't be for another month or so...which is weird right?