Banking blood? Tubes of blood? IV? Scar? HELP!?!
Question:
Banking blood? Tubes of blood? IV? Scar? HELP!?
I will be going through surgery soon (scoliosis, I believe my degree is 45). When I first found out, my parents and doctor told me all I wanted to know at the time. But now, new questions are popping into my head. I would appreciate it if someone could answer at least one, if not all, of them.
1. What is it like banking blood (I think I need to give two units)? How badly does it hurt and stuff?
2. I read somewhere on the surgery day, they need to take two tubes of blood...what's that like?
3. What is an IV? Is it that shot they give you to make you sleep and stuff?
4. I know the scar is permanent, but is there any cream I can put on it to make it seem less visible?
5. I am still growing...but I only have a few inches left. Does that mean my scar will appear to "shrink" when I'm older?
6. Is the scar really visible? Or does it gradually seem to "disappear"?
7. How has your life changed after the surgery?
8. What advice do you have for a preteen who will be doing this surgery?
Answers:
#1 when you give blood they put a large bore needle in the vein. it is uncomfortable but you'll survive. you may feel light headed. they will give you orange juice. you can not donate blood (even to yourself), if you weigh less than 110 lbs.
#2, 3 an IV is a plastic catheter they place in the vein, upon placement they remove the needle surrounding a plastic sheath and plastic sheath stays in place so that they can give you medication without repeatedly sticking you. they should be able to collect your pre op blood specimens, at the same time they stick you for the IV, but this practice varies from nurse to nurse as some believe that drawing the specimens from the IV will compromise the IV.
#4 your doctor will tell you how to cleanse your wound. once your staples or sutures are out, and the risk for infection is minimized, you can buy vitamin E capsules, puncture them and squeeze the pure vitamin E oil along the incision. this will help minimize scarring. there are also a lot of over the counter products to minimize scarring available now.
#5 if you get larger, the scar will appear smaller but actually remains the same size.
#6 at first the scar will be bright reddish-pink, as time progresses it will fade to a whitish color. (like strech marks).
#7 N/A
#8 be patient, and do what your doctor and nurses tell you. compliance with their instructions will reduce complications which will prolong your healing process.