The Speculist: It's a New Phil, Week 48

Well, I lightened my load on Friday via Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. I slept through the procedure itself, awaking to find myself with three tiny abdominal wounds, all covered by what looks like bloody scotch tape as well as a big piece of the same tape covering my navel, which was absolutely squishy with blood. It's amazing that they can remove an organ using just these little holes -- especially an organ that was full of stones. It's also amazing that the the whole blood-and-tape thing means that everything went right. If there had been problems, I'd have a huge gash down my abdomen and I'd still be in the hospital. The times we live in!

Oh, in addition to the wounds, I should add that I awoke with a general anasthesia hangover which I managed to keep for most of the weekend. I'm felling better today. The wounds are less squishy and less sensitive. I still can't eat much, which is an unfortunate by-product of the fact that they had to pump me full of gas to perform the procedure, and eating makes me kind of, well, gassy.

On the other hand not eating is good for the overall program, I suppose. I slipped onto a scale in the restroom at the surgery center on Friday and weighed in at 228 pounds, which means I was down two pounds for a total weight loss of 69 pounds!!!! However, I was wearing just a surgical gown (quite a bit less than what I usually wear for a weigh-in) and this was not the official Dr. Harris scale.

But under the circumstances, I'll take what I can get.

It's a New Phil, Week 1

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It's a New Phil, Week 47

Comments

I should add that I awoke with a general anasthesia hangover which I managed to keep for most of the weekend.

My wife is an anesthesiologist and she would be quick to tell you that the hangover was not from the anesthesia, but from the stress of having holes poked in your body and things moved around and yanked out. The anesthetics and drugs used today for anesthesia have very, very short half-lives.

Anyway, glad you are recovering.

Posted by: rktsci | December 14, 2006 02:53 PM

rktsci --

Excellent point. I didn't mean to demean that great strides that have been made in anaesthesia. I was especially appreciative of the fact that this was the first time I've ever been under a general anaesthesia without getting sick to my stomach.

In addition to the trauma, I think the morphine and demerol the nurse gave me while in recovery may have contributed to the hangover.

Posted by: Phil Bowermaster | December 15, 2006 12:35 PM

The Speculist

Live to see it.

It's a New Phil, Week 48

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