Wow! I had my surgery on the 17th, too, and my experience was so different! I went to a surgical center as an outpatient to have my surgery (here in the states). I let everyone I talked to there know I was super nauseated after my last surgery so they were prepared and I never had to deal with it. I was more afraid of that than any pain. When I first came to after surgery the nurses were there and asked how I was doing. I said kinda pukey and it hurts a little. Boom, IV drugs wiped that out! When I was aware enough to do what they asked me to do, I got up out of bed and walked to a recliner and settled in to have a drink. Some time later (no idea how long since those meds mess with my sense of time), my husband showed up and he and the nurse got me dressed for my walk down the hall. "Look straight ahead and pick up your feet!" Yes, ma'am.
We packed up my things and went "home" to the hotel across the street. I had my hubby wheel me up from the parking lot to the room because I had no idea what my stamina would be. I took my liquid hydrocodone and sat for a while - trying to get down the protein drinks and water without going my usual chug chug chug. Then I walked the halls of the hotel (about 400 feet), sat back down for a while and then went to bed.
When we got up in the morning bright and early because I was thirsty, I forced hubby downstairs to eat breakfast and I took my laps around the corridor, dodging the snooty little girls volleyball team from San Jose. When my husband got back from breakfast, we tried watching TV but quickly got bored so we decided to go out. We were in Vegas, and, since we don't gamble, drink, smoke or chase loose women, we went shopping. Took more meds, more laps and went to bed. The next day we went to Red Rock National Conservation area and drove around looking to see what we could find in the area. I came back and took a three hour nap after that!!:laugh0:
I had my meds and my little pillow so I could do my deep breathing and coughing while I was out, had protein drinks at the ready and ALWAYS had a water bottle in my hands.
On Monday, after my surgeon's release, we drove 11 hours and I slept in my own bed and on my side for the first time! Still recovering from that!
Everyone seems to have such different requirements after their surgery, it's a wonder we all reach the same place!