The Cheilectomy Chronicles

Titchou

Good luck! Am sure you will do well.

MyBigBadLeftToe

Thanks, Titch.

Did you watch either of your procedures? I was told I could watch. Then I realized I won't be wearing my contacts, so there wouldn't really be much point.

And since you're here, what are the first few days like? Drugged, dazed, and confused? Or sober and somewhat ambulatory? I'm not sure what to tell my wife who thinks I'll be ringing a bell for bed service every five minutes.

MBBLT

PesCav

You are seriously thinking about watching??? lol, good for you, but not for me! Maybe OS will video it for you? Awesome thread head.

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1/18/13: PTT transfer, peroneal longus to brevis tendon transfer, calcaneal osteotomy with medial slide, plantar fascia release
9/11/13: 4 toe fusions

MyBigBadLeftToe

Well, PC, I've already seen the YT videos. So that kinda took the surprise out of it for me.

And I can't say I'd have the stomach to actually watch, but we sometimes do things we wouldn't once the docs pump us full of drugs.

Maybe I can get one of the assistants to snap off a photo mid-procedure and post it on ** for me instead.

Titchou

No, I was out cold! No way I would watch...not so much the seeing, but the sound of the bone being cut. Really? You want to listen to that? You must love hearing the dentist drill your cavities.

I was out pretty much the first day. Not so much after that. Only off work 5 days with each foot. Couldnt' drive with the right one but did with the left one. Stitches out at 2 weeks and then exercises. Went back at 6 weeks with both and was released then. The last one I had on June 15, 2011 and then danced in low heeled boots on August 5. Not a bad recovery at all but you will be sore. If you have a low pain threshold, exercises are going to not be fun. But just keep it moving.

MyBigBadLeftToe

I guess I won't be doing as much "chronicling" as I thought.

Glad I have plenty of Vicodin. So if you see a bunch of "thel 30ydb, t0cas lk 4yvbwkzhydwk" in the next few days, at least you'll know why.

PesCav

Happy healing MBBLT. Vicodin is your friend for coupla days.

__________________
1/18/13: PTT transfer, peroneal longus to brevis tendon transfer, calcaneal osteotomy with medial slide, plantar fascia release
9/11/13: 4 toe fusions

MyBigBadLeftToe

Got the call.

Check in at 9:45am. Procedure at 11:45.

Which means I get to sit there.
For two hours.
Craving for breakfast.
In my loose-fitting clothing.
While watching the seconds pass.
One by one.
Without a care on my mind...

Right?

Titchou

Nope - they will have you busy. You have to check in, get a room, change into operating gown, get your IV, talk to the anesthetist, talk to the surgeon, get asked a million times which toe it is, answer a bunch of other questions, maybe get a nerve block and then wait in line beause you won't get in the OR at 11:45 unless every other procedure goes right on time. You'll be occupied.

MyBigBadLeftToe

You mean I gotta do stuff, Titch? Damn. I thought my job was to just lay there like a science project for the good doctor.

I guess I should be glad I won't be idly counting down the minutes until zero hour.

I'm anxious. I'm eager. And I'll soon be on my way.

Please keep my phalange and first metatarsal in your thoughts.

MyBigBadLeftToe

The wait begins...

After a 90-minute drive, I'm killing time at the coffee shop until check-in time.

Doing my best not to think too much. I'm probably more apprehensive about how I'm going to do on my weight-bearing leg (I have a torn labrum in that hip due for arthroscopy. Yeah, when it rains, it, we'll, you know.) than I am about today's procedure.

Cheilectomy Tip #1: You can't eat or drink anything the morning of your surgery, including coffee. So don't kill time in a coffee shop.

MyBigBadLeftToe

All done.

Had a nerve block and some sort of pain med catheter. Foot is still numb.

All I rembember I seeing wheeled in, joshing with the team, and waking up in recovery.

On my way home. Popped a Vicodin. And I guess the fun part starts now.

Titchou

that's true of any surgery about no food after midnight. They don't want you to vomit during the procedure when you are out cold! That's the main reason - along with having to wait around - that I always wait for a day when I can be first in the OR.

MyBigBadLeftToe

Well, didn't vomit. So I guess that's a good sign.

I didn't watch either. I was out cold. Last thing I remember was the rock 'n' roll in the OR.

I am curious about the anesthesia. They didn't do general. They did a nerve block and e regional. I have a catheter still in my thigh now. The doc said it was to forego the general and help with post-op pain.

Afterward, the report was good, so says my wife. Doc said I had good post op range of motion.

And now the healing process begins. I don't yet feel much pain, but I'm beginning to feel the foot. So I guess it's still there.

Should I have asked the doc to keep the bone spurs for me? You know, as a souvenir?