Hi every one, I had my calf resection surgery with Dr. Park @ Oz on Monday, I'd like to share my post operation for those who are interested.
Day 1 post op:
my calves surgery took around 2 hours, Dr. Park and 3 nurses sanitized themselves and worked together to put me under. My main RN Ami (Mi) even held my hand and braced my body to ensure my comfort. Coming to a foreign country alone for such a major surgery that many people wouldn't be able to comprehend why I even chose to do this surgery in the first place. I felt really at ease.
After surgery, they rolled a pink bed in to slide me over, and brought me into the overnight room for patients. I was able to eat 5 hours later. Ami ordered me Korean fried chicken and a coke. I paid her back. The two nurses kept checkingup on me. it's 11pm now, and Ami had changed into her pajamas and is also staying at the clinic to check on me. She just took me to the bathroom and then helped me stretch. It was not horribly painful, but a discomfort one rather not have. This surgery, costs nearly $7000, hotel costs $1200, airplane $800, food costs atleast $25/day ($400 total) for me since theres no microwave at Youngdong hotel. All in all... at this hour, I'm doing fine so far. Being alone and taking care of this procedure by myself is challenging, but its better than having someone here watching you. I'm able to go slowly to the bathroom and grab items from the fridge. Ask for atleast four extra pills to help your back and elevate your legs
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I feel Yong Dong hotel is not the best option, but I've already paid them for 13 days @ 90,000 won no breakfast included and only 1 bottle of water a day. So not much I can do. Their customer service is not good and after 5 days here, housekeeping is horrible. I found pubic hair in my clean new sheets, they didn't replace my toilet paper, didn't refill my tea, didn't wash my cups, nor empty my garbage can. Its one thing after another everyday. I would not recommend this hotel.
Back to the surgery, I was told if I did my stretches every 30 min, I will be able to walk normal sooner. Stretching is quite uncomfortable but not too painful. So that is my goal.
At the moment, my calves are all wrapped up, I can't see anything. My feet is puffy, so I'm glad I brought a size 8 1/2 pair of wedges, rather than my usual size 5.5 wedge. So be sure to bring a bigger pair of wedge. Walking on flats is only recommended during stretches. Possibly a week or so later, I can switch back to my flats if I want to.
Day 2:
I watched movies throughout the night and woke u a few times. I tried to drink less water, so Iwont need to use the restroom much.
I took some Arnica for swelling. Nurses checked in on me and left me to sleep some more.My right leg bled through the wrap, so Dr. Park and nurses took me into the treatment room to unwrap and wrap it again.
I did more stretches against the wall, with my stomach touching the wall, each time is painful and hard. Ami taught me another kind of stretch, to sit down as if I'm eating in the street and theres no chair. Ahh thats a hard one. I could only do half way, after third try I asked her if we can move on.
I went back to my hotel at 1pm. Ami sent me off with antibiotics and pain killers. She instructed the hotel's driver to help me walk up the stairs and to the elevator, he mainly just walked my backpack up the stairs and to the elevator for me. While watching me taking baby steps from afar. Yong Dong hotel have a menu for plastic surgery's patients. I requested it and they gave it to me. Everything is between $6-12. So you need to ask for the menu. If ordered the outside menu, you need to pay cash only. If at hotel, you can pay later or on credit card.
I tried to rest and sleep alot today, watch movies online. I ate a cup noodle, because I dont want to deal with calling front desk for room service. Sleeping; I tried to switch position, sleeping on back with elevated legs and stomach stretching the legs, both helps.
Day 3:
I woke up off and on, tried to watch more movies to keep my mind off the discomfort. Bed rest is the best remedy, and probably the only thing you can do right now.
I tried to challenge myself by walking on flats, however walking on my wedges is more comfortable. I tried to do more stretches, but its still hard and painful. I ate once today, i called front desk for room service, the "outside" menu, because it's cheaper and better meal options. It arrived in 20 minutes, a man delivered it and I paid him cash.
I've stocked up on cup noodles and bread, and drinks; however I'm running out of drinks already. So heads up, buy more variety of drinks you like to drink and lots of fruits. It helps you stay hydrated in the hotel room. My first post-op appointment with Dr. Park is tomorrow.
My legs are still wrapped, I have not seen results so cannot comment as of yet.
*For those wanting to share hotels, I'm not sure this hotel has two beds. Best to check first, their rooms are quite small. And do request a room next to the elevator. I got mine the second day.
As days goes by, more updates to follow... thanks for everyones' time. Have a good day.
