General Medical issues thread

[QF WP]

Loved the @andye medical trip report. Is it too late to do my own

Was the 18th June and I had (like andye) a change to my timing - was 30 mins later at 12:30pm check in at my local private hospital (Northwest) in suburban Everton Park.

Wife drove me there and dropped me at the back of the hospital and I found my way back up to the Admissions. We’d actually driven part the entrance, but there’s nowhere to stop. We completed the final paperwork and then I was directed back down to the Surgical floor. Sat in the waiting room until a nurse came out and called me.

She then took me into an interview room, checked my prior medical information and anything else (.including giving me the identity tag and my Ramsay Health bag with my long compression sock, non-slip sockettes and my blue gown). Changed in a toilet and then came it to a waiting room.

The assistant anesthesiologist came and took me into the same interview room, asked some questions and I had my one request - to have some nitrous oxide given first as I had woken up in the middle of an operation aged 12. She went back with my request and about 10 mins later I was called and put on a trolley in an anteroom (might have been my eventual recovery room) and waited until they came to wheel me into theatre.

Said hi to my surgeon and anesthetist and moved myself across to the table. Told him to have a steady hand and they gave me the mask. I grabbed it and stuck it on my face - I love happy gas and they laughed at me willingly grab the mask and induce myself. Took about 8 deep breaths, felt very relaxed and lay down putting my arm down on the side arm next to my anesthetist as she asked. Didn’t feel her putting in the needle.

Next memory is recovery and I wasn’t in any pain and the nurse came to see that I was awake and asked what I wanted eat and drink. Some lovely sandwiches, biscuits and a cuppa as I waited for my wife and kids to pick me up. Was only a 45 minute surgery. Sadly, no photos.

More later - went to my surgeons rooms today for first review, 15 days later.

 

[QF WP]

So an update - visited the surgeons' rooms @ Wesley Hospital yesterday and had the bandage and pads taken off both wounds. The donor site (where the skin graft was taken) was looking really good, it had been sealed the whole time and the antibiotics had done their job. Just a large square of red skin, that had already sealed over the top and was getting itchy. The nurse and I were both happy. Cleaned up and swabbed with antiseptic. New opsite bandage put on, but no crepe bandage over the top.

The BCC site was a bit of a surprise to me - after the pad was unsealed there was a yellow mesh sitting in the wound crater. She then took that off and there was my skin graft and underneath was the wound. It had been oozing so she cleaned up the wound, but couldn't be sure of where the oozing was emanating. New opsite pads on this site as well but no over-bandage.

I took photos of both sites, so we can do comparisons. You don't want to see the photo of the BCC site (I'll spare you). I now need to go back weekly, for the foreseeable future. Still can't wear long pants (the pads made it impossible, but now the lack of padding would be rubbing my skin). Not the best to wear shorts in winter (particularly seeing clients), but this is Brisbane and my clients will just have to live with it.

 

[Quickstatus]

It had been oozing

Sounds like they took a split skin graft (SSG) if where they took the BCC still had a crater

A SSG is where they use something like a glorified cheese cutter and cut off a partial thickness skin (hence the split skin) leaving skin on the quadriceps area to heal naturally,

The split skin is then run through a machine which cuts holes in it for 2 reasons - so it can stretch and cover a larger area and also let seepage through.

It is then applied to the "crater" gauze/foam etc is used to build up the crater and put pressure on the skin graft so it would take to the underlying tissue.

(Assuming it's a SSG of course)

Most would recommend resting and elevating the leg as much as possible, reduces the oozing and enhances the graft taking to the underlying tissue

 

[QF WP]

@Quickstatus you've described what I saw. Will ask the nurse on Tuesday on my next visit but SSG sounds like that’s what I had

 

[Seat0B]

Medical Trip Report continued....

Guested mrsandye into pre-op (though as one of the ED NUMS, she is Chairman's Lounge too) and she did a great job of keeping me distracted.

Legroom shot
View attachment 394458

Get a visit from the Surgeon, explaining again the procedure. There is a short delay before take-off so I can have a preboarding sip

Then I'm wheeled into the prep room, greeted by a cheery anaesthetic nurse then the anaesthetist explains her plan for a nerve block around the knee for additional post-op pain control. Mask on, propofol in. Thankfully slept right through

Loving your Medical TR @andye. The tone is just right.

 

[VPS]

Why do nurses wear such strong perfume? It’s mainly the guys too. Very nauseating

 

[Pushka]

Why do nurses wear such strong perfume? It’s mainly the guys too. Very nauseating

Are we doing an OR Trip Report?

 

[Quickstatus]

A medical trip report should include meal service which may include:

NBM
Clear fluids
Free fluids
Soft diet
Thickened fluids
Low residue diet
TPN
Jejunal feeds

Cue the hospital food thread

 

[Katie]

Other than menorrhagia, the main cause in this age group is lack of dietary iron

She has menorrhagia and we try to keep up the dietary iron, she was on iron tablets until last year's infusion. Luckily she likes broccoli, and we probably have red meat at least 2-4 times/week, with some lunches included in that count.

 

[Quickstatus]

infusion

Periodic Iron infusions are so much easier . Just a slight periodic $ cost and beats having to take iron tablets with all the associated problems

 

[VPS]

Are we doing an OR Trip Report?

Probably not

 

[drron]

She has menorrhagia and we try to keep up the dietary iron, she was on iron tablets until last year's infusion. Luckily she likes broccoli, and we probably have red meat at least 2-4 times/week, with some lunches included in that count.

Remember that there are 2 forms of iron in foods. Heme or non heme.
Heme iron is more readily absorbed and is found in meats which includes fish and shellfish.
Non heme iron is found in plants and is less easily absorbed.

Studies show western diets have 10 -15% of heme iron but iron stores are ~ 40% heme iron.

There are things that promote absorption of iron such as Vitamin C. So vegetarians and vegans should include higher doses of Vit.C.
Tannins and oxalates decrease absorption of iron - tea,coffee and wine. That is why they are my 3 favourite beverages and why I never drink orange juice as I have high iron levels.

And lastly take your iron supplement at least an hour after food for best absorption.

 

[RooFlyer]

Friend of mine (in her 20s) has just had keyhole surgery to remove endometriosis tissue. A fair bit apparently. I said the stiches should be the dissolving kind but she said no, they'll have to go back in to remove them.

Does this sound right? If so, why not the dissolving kind? A second surgery just to do that sounds horrible.

 

[Quickstatus]

I said the stiches should be the dissolving kind but she said no,

Very unusual to not be dissolving these days as the sutures are all hidden including the skin ones (only time the skin ones are not is if the patient is very sick)

 

[VPS]

Any suggestions on where to get a short time hire of medical alarm pendant. New ones are around $500 and I only want it for a few weeks

 

[Gladstone Tim]

Any suggestions on where to get a short time hire of medical alarm pendant. New ones are around $500 and I only want it for a few weeks

If no hire places, can you arrange a free trial?

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Any suggestions on where to get a short time hire of medical alarm pendant. New ones are around $500 and I only want it for a few weeks

We got one from the local council aged care department. They did an assessment for my grandfather and gave us 1 for free.

 

[VPS]

If no hire places, can you arrange a free trial?

I will check out

We got one from the local council aged care department. They did an assessment for my grandfather and gave us 1 for free.

sadly I’m too young for a government one

 

[tgh]

There are a few for sale on marketplace in brisvegas , maybe also Adelaide ?

 

[Pushka]

Friend of mine (in her 20s) has just had keyhole surgery to remove endometriosis tissue. A fair bit apparently. I said the stiches should be the dissolving kind but she said no, they'll have to go back in to remove them.

Does this sound right? If so, why not the dissolving kind? A second surgery just to do that sounds horrible.

I had a complete hysterectomy plus previous surgeries for endo and no need for follow up surgery to remove stitches. In fact I overheard the sad story of the girl next to me who was told her endo was so bad that he could not risk any further surgery on her. This was forty years ago. It's taken this long for this illness to be recognised. But it sure existed.