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Movin’ on up.

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There was a cancellation on the hospital schedule and my partial knee replacement surgery has been moved up to next week.

While I’m glad to get it over with a few weeks sooner, it’s also forced me to swing into hyperdrive. Mad cleaning of the house, laundry, fresh sheets, mop floors etc and a big grocery shop to stock up. I’m going to make and freeze a lasagna as well as some soup. Will cook a big pot of gumbo the night before so we can have leftovers after. Probably some apple bread as well.

And now to the pre surgery prep.

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For five days before I have to shower with this nasty antibacterial soap. It stinks, has no lather and you’re not supposed to shave. Sorry doc, but that’s not happening. I know they’re worried about cuts but I’ll be extra careful. I also have to put a weird antibiotic gel up my nose twice a day. It’s slimy and makes my nose run so I have to blow… which defeats the purpose if you ask me.

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The night before and morning of surgery I have to drink this awful stuff. 50 carbs? Damn. What is it pure sugar?

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Nope. Just pure chemicals.

Yum.

After surgery? They gave me these.

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I’m not a pill popper and will try my damndest not to take more than a few Tramadol and forget the heavy stuff.

How heavy is it?

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I hate opiates. Didn’t take them after my hysterectomy and am hoping I can get by without them this time around as well , but we’ll see.

The thing that really ticked me off? When I asked if there was a non opioid pain killer I could use they said yes, but most insurance won’t pay for it. I told them I didn’t care, I’d private pay and they said no, they were required to prescribe these… but if they didn’t work I could request an alternative later.

That’s BS. Will they work? I’m sure they will, probably too well.

Doctor prescribed addicts.

What a world.

😒

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56 thoughts on “Movin’ on up.”

  2. Weird prep!! I think my shaving limit was 24hrs before – just to prevent open wounds and any add’l risk of infection. No pre antibiotics, drinks, or soap.

    Give yourself a break on pre-cleaning!!! Hell, bring in a maid!!

    HydroMORPHINE?? DAaammmn! I was worried about Percocet, but it’s been no issue for me at all, prob because it’s not very effective for me. I’m totally making a mental note of your med for future me!

    Good luck!! I know all will go well and you’ll be stunned at the speed of your recovery!!

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  3. Does this mean you get to skip a pre-surgery class and infomercial? I’m glad they moved it up. I’m guessing relief can’t come soon enough. It makes me angry that insurance companies dictate our healthcare options, instead of doctors.

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  5. Congratulations! Different prep from mine. I think I blocked most of it off but I did get tramadol. We had lots of frozen dinners ahead of time and there is always take out if you have a few good places nearby. I did have some kind of soap they mailed to me and then I was in a small preop room with a nurse who asked me to wipe down again and put on the hospital gown before they took me off to surgery. She entertained me with some good stories about her kids and looking for a good tutor, so I went off thinking different thoughts than of the surgery coming up. Wishing you the best.

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      1. One thing: the husband stocked me up with Propel, and lots of liquids through Amazon and local stores. I was very thirsty for a long time in the middle of night would wake up with a dry mouth.

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      5. I kept it pretty close to myself sometimes still questioning if I needed surgery, so I didn’t let anyone know until the last moment when they sprung it on me several months ahead. That worked for me as I had less time to read about operations and peruse the net. But yes, I feel the difference with no pain.

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  6. I used to drink a product that contained 1000 calories of carbohydrates before a long bike ride. Nothing like a bit of liquid carbo-loading. As for those chemicals? Some of them are just electrolytes, and citrates are easier on the digestive system than chlorides. (Sodium chloride is table salt, sodium citrate just another way to get the necessary sodium if you’re fasting.) A couple of those ingredients are artificial sweeteners.

    And, while it is tempting to avoid opioids entirely, studies have shown that people heal faster when pain is controlled. Writhing in pain and being unable to sleep isn’t better than a dose or two of hydromorphone. And multi-modal pain relief (e.g, acetominophen – Tylenol – alternated with an opioid, elevating and icing, movement, relaxation techniques, something to distract you from the pain) works better than just a single drug. Some people need an opioid just to get some sleep the first night and then never need it again. Others need it during the day because the pain bothers them more when awake. You may never need it. Better to have it on hand and not need it than need it and have no way to get it in the middle of the night. Since everyone experiences pain differently, better to be prepared.

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    1. Thanks for that explanation. I swear you’re better than my doctor’s office staff when it comes to detailed information. 👍
      And yes, I’m no hero. If I have screaming pain I’ll reach for the drugs. This chick needs her beauty sleep. But my tolerance is usually very high so I’m interested to see how I do.

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  8. Oh gosh, a lot of this prep reminds me of Mike’s surgery. It’s crazy how much goes into the preparation. And that is so annoying about the non-opioid pain management. Mike and I are actually watching a really good series on Netflix about opioids right now. I’m not sure if you have Netflix, but it might be a good watch while you’re healing. It’s called The Pharmacist.

    I have no doubt you will do well with this surgery. We are all here supporting you along the way, my friend. 😘💜

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    1. I’ve already had three, remember? The first one was two and a half hours at the hospital where they told me not to pack a lizard in my bag … the second was at my orthopedist’s office where they gave me adult toys. (Walker and cane) Also had the one hour phone call with the surgical nurse.
      I think I’m good.
      😉

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  10. I hate opiates too. They make me sick to my stomach. Dry heaves after a hysterectomy are not fun. I made them take my pain pump away after that! That’s weird you can’t get the alternative even though you’ll pay for it yourself?! Wishing you a very successful outcome and a speedy recovery 🫂💕

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  15. Because of my current health problems I have to drink two or three Ensure Protein Max every day. They have a few different flavours, including chocolate. They don’t really taste that bad. Just close your eyes and think of hubsy. You won’t even notice the taste. Congrats on getting moved up.

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    1. These aren’t the regular creamy Ensure drinks. It’s a carbohydrate packed clear liquid that’s supposed to be strawberry flavored. I’m sure it’s awful but I can shoot anything.
      😉

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      1. Clear liquid Ensure? Never heard of such a thing. Only in America, eh? I could have used that before my colonoscopy. Clear liquid only from after breakfast the day before. Basically fasting for 26 hours, not my idea of fun. But such is life.

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      3. Ahhh. Wonder how much your insurance is paying for it. Do you remember way back when NASA ordered a space hammer from its supplier. The guy went out, purchased a hammer for $2.99 at that time, putting it in a box with a Space Hammerlabel on it, and charged some ridiculously outrageous amount from NASA?
        He almost got away with it, but an astronaut owner that very same brand of hammer in his garbage. When he asked why it was called a space hammer the truth came out. Heads rolled. The supplier ended up in jail for fraud. All for a $2.99 hammer. What a scam!

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      4. I remember that! As well as $200 toilet seats.
        When I had my hysterectomy ten years ago I asked for a detailed print out of charges. I remember seeing $14.50 for two Tylenol. That’s just wrong.

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      5. What I find amazing isinsurance companies will put up roadblocks to try tonot give payouts to people. They will argue on petty rules and whatever else to think of to not pay ensurees. But they willingly pay obviously overcharged prices for Tylenols, kleenexes,etc. There is something very wrong with their priorities. Screw the people who pay to be ensured, and then give out money hand-over-fist to other businesses. If any industry needs to be investigated, and hundreds should be, the insurance companies are on top. They need to be regulated!

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      6. If you drive a car you have to have car insurance.
        If you have a mortgage you have to have homeowners insurance.
        Everyone needs health insurance.
        The industry is too damn big.

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      7. There you are very correct. But politicians are too scared to go after those companies. Many Republican politicians are probably deeply invested in them, and no matter how much they have to pay out, they make huge profits, and their investors make handsome dividends. Feed the golden goose. Protect it with your lives!!!!

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  16. What a world indeed! The RX situation is bizarre to say the least, but the insurance industry is also bizarre.

    Glad you are getting to this sooner rather than later, especially after all the hoops you’ve jumped through. Sending lots of positive mojo your way!! XO

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  17. You’re wise to avoid opiates. I became recreationally addicted many years ago and was on a bad path…one of my friends ended up paying the ultimate price. Thank god I stopped when I did. Not something I’ve ever blogged about before because it was pretty damn stupid, but life was very heavy back then.

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    1. Sorry to hear that but sadly it’s a very common experience. We too had a friend who became addicted after doctor prescribed narcotics. When the md pulled the prescription pad he turned to the streets. Few of these stories have happy endings.
      Very glad yours did.
      ❤️

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      1. Thank you. Maybe someday I’ll share the story publicly.

        Having said that, by all means take the pain meds if you need them! They’re miraculous when not abused. (OK, pretty miraculous when they ARE abused too, only in a different way.)

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      2. To be honest I’ll have to be dying. I hate the side effects and am just not the type of person who reaches for pills unless absolutely necessary. That being said if the pain is so bad it impedes my healing, I will. Regretfully.

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  18. I’m currently laying in a hospital bed but fortunately did not have to squeeze stuff up my nose or shower in anything other than my normal gel. I don’t shave much anyway as I have a beard. Pleased to hear that you don’t 😝😝😝

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  19. Yay for getting the surgery sooner! I noticed the same thing last spring when the Husband had surgery for the illness that plagued him all winter. I was like, “They’re still prescribing opiates?!” The Husband didn’t take his either. How ridiculous that you can’t get something different. What a broken system. Your prep sounds icky. So sorry.

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    1. It’s sad how many people I see relying on opiates for their recoveries. It’s a last resort, have to be dying option for me. Luckily I’ve lead a blessed life and have never had reason to reach for them.

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  20. Please at least take the drugs for the first 2 days after you get home. This is bone pain, way different than the hysterectomy, and playing catch-up just will really set you back. GL on the surgery, hope all goes well!

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