Preparing for Op-Day
1.
Weight Loss
A few months before the op, my consultant advised
me not to put on any more weight.
Studies show that remaining within a set variation of
your ideal
Body Mass
Index (BMI), statistically reduces complications during and after an
operation. While I permanently reside above my personal BMI, I was apparently
just under the 'danger zone'.
I have never been on a diet, and have a real
aversion to the idea. My plan after speaking to the specialist was to change
something simple about my eating habits in order to maintain my current weight. If that resulted in me losing a
little, even better!
That's where
smoothie-making came in. I resolved to
introduce more (alright
- some!) fruit and veg into my daily diet. It
worked a breeze, I dropped a little weight and gained a bit of energy in the
process.
2. Zoladex Injections
For three months prior to the op, I received Zoladex injections.
Zoladex implants
prevent the production of certain types of hormones in the body. It is used to
stop monthly cycles and hopefully shrink fibroids prior to surgery.
When to Take Zoladex
I had my first injection in the first week of my
cycle three months prior to my op date, and a further two injections every four
weeks.
I was also given
Livial
Hormone
Replacement Therapy (HRT) which I elected not to take. Call me hard-headed,
but I didn't want to start medication to combat symptoms I hadn't even
experienced. The side effects started approx. 3 - 4 weeks after the first
injection and became progressively worse over the course of the last two
months.
Suggestion: Zoladex
injections must be taken within a very tight window, With timely GP appointments hard
to come in the UK, make sure you book your GP appointments for
injections well in advance, you can
always cancel if your operation is rescheduled.
Zoladex Side Effects
Hot flashes!! Imagine sitting in a huge pot on a low-to-medium simmer while in a meeting trying to remain professional and pay attention. It’s a MASSIVE distraction trying to ignore regular bouts of prickling fire in your chest, heat gradually creeping up to your hair follicles and visible sweat all over your face and hairline at random times throughout a working day.
Image:http://cocoafab.com/
Then there was trouble
sleeping due to night sweats. Waking up burning.. Throwing off covers. Waking
up FREEZING, scrambling to find the edge of the duvet and pull it up to your
chin.. Far too much activity when there is another busy work day ahead next
day.
I must admit I was blasé about hot flashes, "..what's so bad about a bit of heat?", but facing the same
symptoms in the future and knowing they may last for years, I could definitely
see myself opting for HRT.
As you can imagine, disrupted sleep and managing
hot flashes during the day contribute to a
feeling of fatigue.
I also felt thirsty all the time, I
was nauseas in weeks 2-3 after the
first injection and my whole body was itching
all day, EVERY day, after my third injection.
Another side effect to mention was the emotional roller-coaster, sudden tears -
perhaps better described as sudden grief,
with no basis and no letup was a shock. That stage lasted only a week but after
a couple of rough days I was relieved to re-check Zoladex side effects and put
my mind at ease that I wasn't having a minor breakdown!
Knowing I was going through a very short (3 month)
tunnel with light at the end made the season bearable.
If you have
been prescribed Zoladex for any reason, I would be interested to hear what side
affects you experienced. Feel free to comment below..
Thanks for reading! Next post on this topic “Op
day and Immediate Recovery”.
Further Reading
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Zoladex
Livial
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormone_replacement_therapy