A stitch in time

My surgery was supposedly simple . The surgeon would insert three scopes inside my shoulder and repair the tear. It was literally a stitch in time that saves nine .

The 5 cm long tear required three implants to anchor the tendons to the bone so there were more than just one stitch.

And all this was done under general anaesthetia.

Consciously unconscious

Any body who has had surgery will tell you that the most anxious part of the procedure is going under anaesthesia.

Every one has their own story to tell. Very few people recall pleasant stories . Anaesthesia is a process by where you are unconscious but consciously so . In other words, you are knocked out so that you are oblivious to what is happening.

Luckily for me I’ve had anaesthesia more than half a dozen times in my life . I’ve literally tracked its progress from a chloroform mask to the IV fluids of today .

But what did worry me was what I would say during my waking up time .

I’d heard that patients coming back to consciousness often babble stuff. Often their innermost secrets .

Anna Shetty was going to attend the surgery as an observer and was apprehensive about what I’d do unconsciously. It’s bad enough that I’d embarrassed her any number of times when I was fully conscious!

Coming back to consciousness

When I woke up , I was back in the pre-op. Only this time I was on the opposite side of the room and very obviously post-op .

It was done !

As I came back to consciousness I was asked:

“What is your favourite thing in the world ?”

“My iPhone ” I mumbled.

Anna Shetty knew I’d regained consciousness for sure .

Learnings from this experience

• Do not listen to horror stories before you go for an operation
• There is no need to fear anaesthesia
• Have faith and confidence in the people treating you

It is now exactly four weeks since my surgery. My arm is still in a sling and the shoulder immobilised.

Recovery is still a long way away .

Till next week,

Ciao