The day of surgery of Craig Raucher
A couple of days have elapsed since the surgery on my left shoulder’s rotator cuff, and I would
like to share the experience I encountered during the entire day of surgery, which will help
you navigate yours with reduced anxiety. We cannot deny that surgery is indeed nerve-
wracking. Moreover, it is possible for your stress to become amplified if you have no idea what
to expect beforehand. As a result, I want to break it down while providing some valuable
insights to calm the jitters prior to the operation.
I had suffered to complete tear in my supraspinatus muscle, which happens to be a significant
muscle in the left shoulder. Unfortunately, it was possible for them to repair it arthroscopically
while using microsurgery.
I received a phone call with instructions for my arrival one day before the surgery. I was
instructed to be present at the New York University Hospital-Langone, located in NYC on 17th
Street and Second Avenue. In fact, the doctors instructed me to be present by 5:30 a.m., and
the surgery was scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. In general, it would be advisable to arrive at
least two hours beforehand.
I checked in after my arrival and confirmed my identity prior to going to the pre-op holding
area. There, I changed my present dress and put on a gown provided by the authorities, along
with undershorts and socks.
I was visited by a nurse, who reviewed my medications as well as my medical history. She also
asked about any medical conditions from which I had been suffering, any previous surgical
procedures, as well as the time of consuming my last meal or drink. Moreover, the area (in my
case, the upper shoulder) was shaved before the commencement of my operation.
I was visited by another nurse, whose objective was to insert a port intended for anesthesia.
Apart from this, my vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, and pulse oxygen rate) were also
taken.
At the time of the pre-surgery consultation with me, the procedure was carefully explained by
the orthopedic surgeon. He talked about the duration of the surgery as well as any potential
threats. Apart from this, the anesthesiologist likewise provided an all-inclusive overview of
anesthesia while explaining its expected long-term as well as short-term effects. I will talk about
the effects of anesthesia in the near future.
It was almost 7:30 a.m. when I was guided into the operating room. I was ultimately placed on
the surgical table, and its long arm extensions were ready. Medication was administered by the
anesthesiologist, and I gradually became unconscious within a matter of minutes. Apart from
this, a regional anesthesia block was also applied to provide me with additional comfort as well
as pain management while the surgery was going on. Here, we would like to mention that the
left shoulder region was particularly targeted at this point. This block provides extended pain
relief, which can last for as many as three days after the surgery is completed. This will allow
me to focus on recovery instead of suffering from discomfort.
As many as 55 hours have elapsed since the surgery was performed, and I am elated to report
that I have experienced only limited pain in the shoulder. A crucial role has been played by
anesthesia, which has allowed him to slumber soundly while the operation was going on and
also provided me with relief from pain following that.
The surgery itself did not consume much time, and it only lasted 55 minutes. Very soon, I woke
up from my slumber in the recovery area at around 8:50 a.m. Fortunately, I did not take much
time to come out of anesthesia. I was observed very closely by the nurses, who monitored my
vitals and verified whether I was suffering from any discomfort. After a couple of comfortable
hours in recovery, I was released so that I could be taken care of by my daughter.
Moreover, I was provided with snacks and drinks during those two hours. It is vital to have somebody escort
you while you are leaving.
At this point, my focus shifted towards my forthcoming appointment with the surgeon along
with the exciting beginning of rehabilitation. My ultimate motive was to be back on the
basketball court to play full-court, competitive basketball by September 2022!
Read about my experience more here –
https://backinthegame.hss.edu/story/craig-raucher/
https://craigraucher.yolasite.com/