I'm currently reworking a section of a WIP that has a character recovering from emergency abdominal surgery following a gunshot wound. As my previous posts here may suggest, I've figured out the type of wound and typical recovery, but my first draft seems to have some inaccuracies that bother of my beta.
From what I can gather (and I am in no way familiar with emergency medical procedure or recovery; I can make my way around a chemist's but that's about it!) the operation to remove the bullet would be considered 'open abdominal surgery.' I've had a look at several hospital's suggestions for what to expect post-operatively, but I'm assuming those are for people who expect to go in, have a relatively simple in-and-out operation and can prepare ahead of time.
I suppose I'm asking how much those 'post-operative expectations' could differ from a patient who needs emergency trauma surgery? Several of the sources I've been looking at suggest that the patient would be encouraged to sit in a chair/take a short walk, may or may not be allowed to take clear liquids as comfortable. The second and third days following surgery may involve thicker liquids/solid foods as comfortable, pain medication via pills instead of IV, and more walking. The fourth day is likely for discharge although not guaranteed depending on the patient's condition. Now, all of these suggestions seem to be for patients who have planned for their surgeries, so would this timeline/progression be affected by the fact it was emergency surgery? I'd imagine it would, but that's just an instinct. Seeing as there was no pre-operative instructions in place (nil by mouth after midnight, etc) then I'd expect heightened nausea. But what else could be expected?
The character in question has been very lucky: the bullet was slowed by the abdominal wall and any injury to the internal organs was minimized. The surgery has removed the bullet, fixed any damage, and managed internal bleeding. Upon regaining consciousness, the character has monitors and oximetry attached, IV liquids, antibiotics and blood transfusions for the bleeding. Apart from the gunshot wound, the character is fit and healthy.
My beta is also suggesting that the character would be 'out of it' for around 48 hours, drifting in and out of consciousness, as well as reluctant to speak for a similar amount of time due to intubation. Now, while I expect that is true, the time frame concerns me a bit. Forty-eight hours seems like a lot, but then again, I've never been under a GA (just a deep sedation). But as far as I can tell, coming around from GA is highly personal and I'm not sure everyone would be 'out of it' and constantly nauseous for an entire forty eight hours. Members of my family I've asked have had GAs and come around the same day of their surgery, uncomfortable and in pain and tired but not drifting in and out of consciousness involuntarily. I'm keen to incorporate some of the beta's suggestions, as they are first hand, but I'm concerned that one experience is not universal. I'm not looking for an extreme reaction for my character, nor do I want to extend his stay in hospital. Would it be entirely out of the question for the character to peruse a newspaper the evening of his surgery, considering that he was operated on in the early hours (around 3-4am)?
Also: a quick bit of research tells me that the patient has to be responsive before the removal of an endotracheal tube, but would he/she remember it? A few posts online say people are hazy about the memory and others don't remember, so would not remembering it be typical?
(Sorry to make another post about this! This rewrite is really getting to me, and you guys have always been so helpful.)
From what I can gather (and I am in no way familiar with emergency medical procedure or recovery; I can make my way around a chemist's but that's about it!) the operation to remove the bullet would be considered 'open abdominal surgery.' I've had a look at several hospital's suggestions for what to expect post-operatively, but I'm assuming those are for people who expect to go in, have a relatively simple in-and-out operation and can prepare ahead of time.
I suppose I'm asking how much those 'post-operative expectations' could differ from a patient who needs emergency trauma surgery? Several of the sources I've been looking at suggest that the patient would be encouraged to sit in a chair/take a short walk, may or may not be allowed to take clear liquids as comfortable. The second and third days following surgery may involve thicker liquids/solid foods as comfortable, pain medication via pills instead of IV, and more walking. The fourth day is likely for discharge although not guaranteed depending on the patient's condition. Now, all of these suggestions seem to be for patients who have planned for their surgeries, so would this timeline/progression be affected by the fact it was emergency surgery? I'd imagine it would, but that's just an instinct. Seeing as there was no pre-operative instructions in place (nil by mouth after midnight, etc) then I'd expect heightened nausea. But what else could be expected?
The character in question has been very lucky: the bullet was slowed by the abdominal wall and any injury to the internal organs was minimized. The surgery has removed the bullet, fixed any damage, and managed internal bleeding. Upon regaining consciousness, the character has monitors and oximetry attached, IV liquids, antibiotics and blood transfusions for the bleeding. Apart from the gunshot wound, the character is fit and healthy.
My beta is also suggesting that the character would be 'out of it' for around 48 hours, drifting in and out of consciousness, as well as reluctant to speak for a similar amount of time due to intubation. Now, while I expect that is true, the time frame concerns me a bit. Forty-eight hours seems like a lot, but then again, I've never been under a GA (just a deep sedation). But as far as I can tell, coming around from GA is highly personal and I'm not sure everyone would be 'out of it' and constantly nauseous for an entire forty eight hours. Members of my family I've asked have had GAs and come around the same day of their surgery, uncomfortable and in pain and tired but not drifting in and out of consciousness involuntarily. I'm keen to incorporate some of the beta's suggestions, as they are first hand, but I'm concerned that one experience is not universal. I'm not looking for an extreme reaction for my character, nor do I want to extend his stay in hospital. Would it be entirely out of the question for the character to peruse a newspaper the evening of his surgery, considering that he was operated on in the early hours (around 3-4am)?
Also: a quick bit of research tells me that the patient has to be responsive before the removal of an endotracheal tube, but would he/she remember it? A few posts online say people are hazy about the memory and others don't remember, so would not remembering it be typical?
(Sorry to make another post about this! This rewrite is really getting to me, and you guys have always been so helpful.)
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