[twocute64001]

Due to an abscessed gall bladder, I went through three major surgeries in 20 days - the first two 12 hours apart. This was all 1 year ago this past April. I have had no infections and no complications.

The first surgery was do see if they could discover the cause of severe pain and internal bleeding that was driving me nuts. It turned out that my gall bladder had abscessed and become a hugh leaking boil, but could not be removed through laproscopic surgery so 12 hours later I have been transferred to a bigger hospital and my gall bladder is removed. Hospitalized 6 days.

During the surgeries the anesthesiologist had difficulty placing the tube down my throat so he asked my surgeon to have thyroid tests run. Turned out I was extremely hyper thyroid and 20 days later I had a complete thyroidectomy where they literally cut your throat at the base of your neck a good 5 inched across. Hospitalized 11 days.

I had had no real obvious scaring, nor any infections. I did take my own monitor and monitored my own BG levels and controlled my own insulin intake. (Cozmo pump) The nurses would ask me what my last reading was, but never bothered me about checking or how much insulin I used. When I changed the site I did have 4 nurses want to watch and learn how the pump worked. (I was surprised how little the medical staff knew about diabetics or pumps) The nurses were very interested in learning about the pump and it kept my mind off me to be able to show them how it worked. It also kept me on track and in better control.

Things to take with you:
1. Your own monitor and lancets and alcohol wipes.
2. Your own hand sanitizer (take a small sample size)
3. favorite lotion or cream (for hands and face as well as legs
4. warm slippers and socks

If you use a pump:
Spare pump supplies –
Extra tape or IV3000

Good luck with your surgery, as long as you are prepared you will have no problems, but as stated by others, the less time you spend in the hospital, the better.