It’s been 3 and a half weeks now since the surgery. (Jan 7th).

Here is a brief summary.

Jan. 4th admitted to hospital. Being a Friday meant having a bit of a weekend holiday there. I could have gone home if I wanted to but they were quite happy for me to get used to the surroundings.
On the Friday they took an X-ray, heart test, lung capacity, blood pressure, blood tests to see if there were any hidden diseases floating around.
Spent the weekend watching lots of Youtube on my iPad.

Stopped eating and drinking at 9p.m on the Sunday night. my next meal or drink wouldn’t be till Tuesday morning.

Monday the 7th.
They came to get me around 13:25 for the operation to get underway at 13:30. Escorted by my eldest son, mother-in-law and the head nurse.
Was like going through immigration at the airport. 2 questions to get into the operating room. What’s your name? Which leg are you having operated on?
100% pass.

The operation room was huge. One operating bed in the center. I guess they use the room for university students to watch operations or have classes there.

They put my left wrist drip tube in then i had to roll onto my side where they inserted a spinal anesthesia. This had me break out in a cold sweat from head to toe. There was some slight pain as they put the needle into my spine and I hope I never have to do that again.

Around 13:45 the mask went on and they told me I’d be going off in any second.
The next thing i know it’s 16:40 and the nurse has told me it’s time to wake up. I felt fine as they wheeled me back to the elevator in my own bed and back to my room. The in-laws had been there the whole time, my son had to go to school mid op. Father in-law missed the start while he parked the car.

I was given this X-ray that was taken just before they sewed me up to make sure the screws and buttons were where they were supposed to be and everything look ok.

Can’t remember too much of the next 24 hours but i was wide awake and chatting away as if nothing was painful or I’d just had a three hour operation.
There was still a tube coming out my back attached to a bottle of pain killer which leaked into me for at least 2 days.
Another tube dripping blood from beneath the bandages for 3 or 4 days as well.

I must have had 15 or so drips over the first day and a half of vitamins, drugs, fluids….seemed to be never ending.

Post op pic the following morning.

On the Wednesday I had my first physio treatment. basically just how to learn how to use the crutches. Walking up and down stairs as well with them.
On the Thursday a guy came in and took a plaster cast of my leg to get a protective brace. ( 99807 yen which is more than $1000)

On the Friday the second physio treatment. Did a lap of the hospital outside on the crutches and some soft massage and stretching.
On the Saturday the brace arrived and it was fitted by my Dr. while getting physio. Got the green light not to bother with the crutches and to put weight on the leg. Much to the surprise of my physio guy who thought we were progressing a little too quickly.
Sunday rest.
Monday I went home…a week ahead of schedule.
Tuesday heavy snow delayed my return to work as I didn’t want to slip. Been back at work since Wednesday the 16th.

 

 

Two weeks after the operation my hamstring snapped…where they had taken the graft.

Felt like a chopstick snapping in half.