Surgery Day

Surgery day arrived.

The wife took me to the Surgicenter where we filled out paperwork and paid the big bucks. The wait wasn't too long before they took me back. 

First step was to put on everyone's favorite, the wonderful gown (with nothing else underneath). Next was the IV. The doctor stopped by to discuss things. Then I was given a pill by the nurse to take the edge off things before the nerve block person came by. I thought I had one of these before, but I don't believe I did. First was a numbing shot around the knee. He used an ultrasound machine to locate the nerves and then gave a shot in each of them. I could feel the exact route of each nerve from the knee to the ankle during the shots; felt like an electrical shock. Wild! Before long I couldn't feel anything below the knee. 

Anesthesia was next.  I was wheeled back to the surgery room, scooted over onto the table, and given a bit of oxygen before going night-night. I was out. 

Next thing I was awake and the nurse said all went well. She said he was able to scope a lot (from what I recall). I'm not sure if this means the cut/scar will be smaller or not. I wasn't able to talk to the surgeon to get more of a scoop. I knew he called the wife. though. After some Cheezits and Gatorade, I was dressed and wheeled out to my wife's waiting car. In this COVID world, the nurse gave instructions in the circle drive of the Surgicenter. Wife was given a script for Oxycodone and we were on the way home. She said the doctor did call here, BUT she didn't take notes. So I really don't know what he told her as she unfortunately didn't remember.  She recalled something about fixing an inch and a half tear, but didn't know if it was the tendon or a ligament or what. Guess I'll just wait until the 10 day post-op appointment to know for sure. 

The bandaged up ankle on the way home. I'd call it "just shy of a cast"

After dropping off the script, I was home in my prepared blow up bed. I immediately slept for two and a half hours. 


The bed all ready for rest (1st floor)

The knee block is hella effective. At no time during the day could I feel anything from the knee down, except for a very occasional electrical-type shock and a couple twinges of pain deep inside the foot. I can't even feel when I scratch, and I do get a bit of itching from deep inside as well. 

One thing that happened is that my hamstring got really tight; probably from the positioning of my leg being weird throughout the day. I focused on moving the legs around every once and a while in order to help avoid blood clots (can't be too careful with those). They also advised me to ice the back of the knee, which would cool the blood and help reduce swelling the ankle (which I can't ice because it is thoroughly wrapped up). 

Some other short naps through the day (surgery takes it out of ya!). I could've eaten better the first day. I'll focus upon that, increasing protein in particular, the day after and weeks after to improve my recovery odds. 

As far as medicine, the only additional medicines today aside from what I received at the Surgicenter was Meloxicam and then at midnight I took Oxycodone and Tylenol. 

We'll see what tomorrow brings!

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