Posted by Terry Gann on February 10, 2003 at 12:54:26:
In Reply to: Additional Maze Preparation Questions posted by Jim Matthews on February 08, 2003 at 22:59:48:
Jim,
We're about the same distance from Cleveland as you as we flew up for the surgery and also for the post-op check-up 6 weeks later. I'm not a big fan of flying - I'd rather keep my feet on the ground, but it sure made the trip easy, especially with the weakness and soreness after surgery. We stayed in the guest house, across the street from the CC, and I slept in bed from the beginning. I just got a few extra pillows to help support my back and chest, and it worked. There is discomfort, but they'll give you pain medicine for that. I didn't have to take it very long. As for the ventilator, Dr. McCarthy tries to get his patients off the ventilator as soon as possible, often before moving them to ICU from the recovery room. That was true of me and my sister. I have no remembrance of that. Coughing wouldn't be a good thing after this surgery, neither is sneezing. If you have a sinus infection, I would think that they probably would postpone the surgery. You might want to start some antibiotics before surgery to make sure that doesn't happen. Let us know if you have more questions!
Terry