"Day Surgery - Shoulder surgery"

I fractured my humerus in 3 places on holiday. On return to the UK I was seen quickly at Hairmyers then Wishaw for x-ray and CT scan respectively. I got a call after 7pm to be told that I was first up for an op the next day - I had not received a call with results of the CT scan so was unaware I needed an op or what the op would be. Fabulous service given the current wait times etc, but a bit of a shock.

However, there was no pre-op or time for me to prepare myself for what turned out to be a fairly big op. 

Before the operation I ended up seeing 2 anaesthetists - not sure why - but one seemed surprised I was in day surgery. There also seemed to be some surprise that I hadn't had bloods done. 

I did get a chance to speak to the surgeon but at that stage I was quite nervous and couldn't really take anything in. 

While I understand the need for informed consent I think there is so much talk about the things that might happen that I missed what was most likely to happen. Balance would be good.

I understand why recovery at home is probably best, but I was not given adequate pain relief to cope at home and ended up back in hospital after a horrendous night. Fracture and Trauma clinic were good to see me and did take time to help me. I was sent home again, still in pain but more controlled. I did also get my follow-up appointment hand delivered which I was impressed by - I got another through the post though but I easily checked the right one.

Post-op I struggled to eat anything - It took 2 cups of tea and 2 cups of water to get half a digestive down. Others around me didn't have the same issue and happy munched through their snacks, I don't know if eating something was necessary to be released. It was all quite confusing while trying to stop falling asleep again. The nurse talked me thought and gave me my discharge notes and demonstrated exercises - I have to say I was so out of it I hadn't a clue what they were doing and the only thing I could say was that I hoped they'd written everything down. I did have to check a few things post-op. 

I have had 3 slings - one not suitable for the fracture I had, one too small and which had the back strap cut off (which it turned out I needed) and the last one I had fitted when I returned the hospital the day after my op which seemed to be the right one. Surely a waste of time and resources. 

I had socks fitted on op day and told that they were on for 5 or 6 weeks to prevent cots - all very sensible - I thought. When I had my follow-up appointment the consultant said I could take them off and didn't need them because I was mobile.  

I have had conflicting advice from Consultants, GP and Physio re pain relief - from get off the pills asap to you've been through a big op and take as you need it don't worry to you will need it to get through physio exercises. It just makes it confusing at a challenging time.

I had to ask for a physio referral and was advised that my mobility would be very limited - that might be the case but it was very demotivating to be told that op +10 days. I understand that the work is for me to do and perhaps not everyone wants to work hard but I was very active and sporty pre-op and was really upset to think that I was being written off. If limited mobility was a fact then it might have been helpful to know that pre-op. 

My physio was more positive - time will tell I suppose.

I have been impressed at the speed at which I have had my injury dealt with, I am still on the recovery journey and this feedback is intended to be helpful not critical. If you don't know about these things you can't decide if you want to do anything about them. 

I found most of the staff to be pleasant and professional.