Surgeons are not always comforting people.

[sami]

"It's the most painful operation you can have on your body." - my surgeon, this morning

It doesn't make most of the lists of you google "most painful operation" but they usually just list orthopaedic surgeries, and I can definitely state with absolute confidence that at least one of the ones mentioned isn't nearly as painful as having a cyst removed can be, so there's that.

Really, these things are so variable and subjective!

He seemed mildly concerned that I'll have an unpleasant time because of how many painkillers I have adverse reactions to, but that's a discussion to have with the anaesthetist.

My surgery will be on the second of October, which is at least a couple of days after velithya's birthday. I go into hospital the night before and come out... at some point. It depends on various factors to do with how the surgery and recovery go.

Unnerving comments notwithstanding he seemed very nice.

Comments

[sovay]

"It's the most painful operation you can have on your body." - my surgeon, this morning

Did he offer any reasons why?

I am glad you thought him competent, if minus bedside manner.

[sami]

It wasn't bad bedside manner, he was just forewarning me about the consequences (especially considering how many strong painkillers I can't tolerate). He was actually very nice and he has a charming smile.

As far as I understand it, the pain issues are two major things: first, that surgery on your lungs means it's going to hurt every time you breathe. It's not a body part you can just, like, rest.

Second, the first day or two afterwards (at least) there is a tube going from your chest cavity into some sort of bag to drain any fluids and pick up on any escaping air bubbles. Apparently that's the worst part. That's also the part that can result in the really prolonged hospital stay. If your lung is leaking air the tube stays in and so do you.

[sovay]

It wasn't bad bedside manner, he was just forewarning me about the consequences (especially considering how many strong painkillers I can't tolerate).

Fair enough. Information is different from unkindness.

Apparently that's the worst part. That's also the part that can result in the really prolonged hospital stay. If your lung is leaking air the tube stays in and so do you.

That does sound incredibly inconvenient. I hope your anesthesiologist can work out suitable painkillers. And that the surgery is uncomplicatedly successful, obviously, but that should go without saying.

[sami]

Hopefully. There's going to be quite the discussion with them, anyway, and with the nurses about all of my allergies to tapes. I'm going in the night before, so we'll hopefully be able to do some patch tests of the dressings before it happens.

[susanreads]

Fingers crossed for a good outcome!

[sami]

Thank you!

*fingers and toes crossed*

[curiosity]

Jiminy Crickets and Jeezy Creezy, with those words of comfort, I'm curious as to why you didn't demand the surgery yesterday. Here's hoping for an easy procedure and a rapid recovery!

Re: *fingers and toes crossed*

[sami]

Look sometimes what you want from your surgeon is for them to be realistic. If it's going to hurt I'd rather he tell me.

And thank you :)

Re: *fingers and toes crossed*

[curiosity]

Can't argue that! I suppose it's better than telling you the cough syrup doesn't taste bad when it absolutely tastes like dirty socks and roadkill.