h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So far, this hasn't been nearly as bad as I expected. Not to say there won't be any complications in the future, but whilst I'm still groggy, I'm not in a great deal of pain. I did take some co-codamol before I went to bed at 10 o'clock, but I haven't taken anything since.

According to the nurses the blood clots should be pretty well formed by now, so I'm settling down to a bowl of soup (when it eventually cools down enough) and my first antibiotic. I just need to get used to not being able to open my mouth that far and I'm sure all will be well.

Take it easy Vip. Here's to a speedy recovery

Thanks, guys.

Back up to bed for more PS3 game-fun. The nurses did forbid me from doing anything strenuous...

Swift recovery Vip!

I prescribe a course of lounging around being waited on hand and foot.

Nothing strenuous.

I love it when the says that

Hi VIP

If you're feeling groggy that could be the co-codamol. Co-docamol contains paracetamol and codine, and the codine causes drowsiness. Why not try taking paracetamol instead, because that doesn't cause drowsiness.

I personally think the 'reccomended time off work' after a operation is a bit silly. If you have a desk job with no heavy lifting that is.

I had two operations and the first 1 I was reccomended to take 2 weeks off, and only needed 4 days. The second the reccomended time is 4 weeks, and I only needed 3 days. Actually I could have gone back to work after 2 days. I reckon it takes 48 hours for the general anaesthetic to fully wear off, and after that it's only a matter of pain, which isn't really a big deal, it's just a sensation.

I did it by putting up with the pain, rather than taking painkillers that could make me drowsey, and telling people at work I wasn't going to be 100% but I would do what I could.

It was far better being back at work and with people that stuck in the house with nothing but daytime TV. I did have a few rows with nurses, and on one occassion a physiotherapist stormed out of my room because I told her I was planning on being back at work next week.

Ok working in a hospital means that I'm actually nearer to help if I have a complication than if I was at home.

A lot of post op complications are due to immobility, not to the actual operation so getting back to your daily life ASAP is a pretty good idea.

In a few more hours the 24hr period will be over. I'm feeling a lot better now (and yes, Mr Vip has been waiting on me hand and foot! ).

Like you, Z, I would probably be able to back in a few days, but as my job involves talking - a lot of talking - I'm going to see how it goes. I don't expect to need the fuul week though.

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone.

Ultimately you know your job, and when you feel up to it again. But if you give some people half the chance they'll take the mickey and be off work for months after an ingrowing toenail!

Glad you're feeling better Vip. I wonder if anyone's studied the use of the PS3 in post-operational recovery.

They should!