The Bar 2014 Edition

[Simon of the Playa]

Yes, Yggy, be careful. Follow orders, better to heal well the first time instead of having complications. Trust me, friend.

^^^^^what she said^^^^^

[ygmir]

*strolls in, starts ECM*
I'm trying hard to set up stuff so I can avoid lifting for a couple of weeks at least.
Thing is, he says 25 lbs. .......crap, my hand probably weighs that much. hahaaaa.
Going in for pre-op apt. today, get timing and all that . he said I have to be knocked out, I was trying for no anesthetic again, but he laughed at me. Said the other doc (who I refused to name) was nuts doing my last surgery without.
Dang.

[MyDearFriend]

Well Yggy the interesting thing about anesthesia for surgery is that it was not developed for the patient's benefit but really to make the patient hold still while the surgeons do their work. There are certain reflex arcs that never get as far as the brain, so, can't be consciously controlled. It really is best to just go to sleep and let them get on with it.

There are rare cases where the patient remains awake and aware but unable to move. But that's no fun at all, so please just go completely under.

Speaking of awake...

thanks

[burner von braun]

[Elliot]

When I was "put under" a couple years ago, I was amazed at the absence of unpleasant side effects. None of the dry mouth, dizziness, or other crap of 25 years ago. I just woke up like a light switch, and was ready to go home.
Of course, your actual surgery will have its effects, but the anesthesia is a piece of cake nowadays.

[trilobyte]

I am shocked, amazed, and disgusted at Ticketmaster right now.

For those not familiar with SF, the venerable stadium Candlestick Park is being replaced with something new and fancy, and for one last show before they tear the place down they've lined up Paul McCartney. Seems fitting, as Candlestick Park is where the Beatles played their last paid gig. Anyhow, both last week's presale and today's main sale sold the fuck out in seconds. More tickets than Burning Man, on sale at once... and gone. Of course, TicketBastard had a massive server crush that caused a pretty significant glitch for the first 15 seconds... but even with that, every last seat was gone in under 60 seconds. And of course, looking at just a single scalpy site reveals that they alone have nearly 10K tickets on offer. Bastards!

Tech-wise, I was impressed by their new ability to detect multiple browser windows/connections from a machine, they politely told me to cut that out. I was also impressed by just how quickly they recovered from the server crush when the virtual gates opened up. Of course that last one is a double-edged sword, as they get better dealing with server capacity and high demand, the faster that hot ticket events will sell out. It's just a shame that there was nothing in the way of controls put in place to block scalpers. Cheers to Burning Man, the ticket team, and Ticketfly for taking those kinds of steps, the same site with nearly 10K McCartney tickets only seconds after the onsale has fewer than 150 Burning Man tickets after two months.

Ah well... it would have been nice to go to, but we're not going to get into a twist over it. Summer will be plenty exciting for us anyways. It feels a bit like summer started early, the weather in SF has been warmer than usual lately. Over the weekend we had a bit of a pizza gathering with a mix of campmates and non-burner friends, it was a great opportunity for socializing and stress-testing the oven... and it was a huge success all round.

Yggy, I'm with MDF... go for the anesthetic if it's recommended. We know you're tough, you've got nothing to prove to us... but you don't want to risk having some doc with something sharp and/or pointy in his had slip just a bit because of an instinctive reaction or twitch of one of your rippling muscles. And +1 to what AntiM said too.

Figgy, awesome pics - I trust you had an awesome time.

BVB, it's a pretty bottle, but still makes me sad to see it empty hehehe

[AntiM]

I don't mind being put under, although the complete lack of being is weird. Much better these days, I start breathing easier sooner now. And I get Kozyshack pudding.

[chuckularone]

I was under for 5.5 hours back in November. I think I did well. I can't imagine having not gone under though. Between the 4.5" scar on my belly and the hammers and chisels they used to put in the new parts, anesthesia was not optional!

[Mojojita]

Yg - and anybody who is going to the playa with a condition that is "iffy" - you can get insurance from the company that does the medivac helicopter service at Burning Man very inexpensively. I wish I had been smart enough to buy it last year as having to drive out to the ER was a wicked evil trip. Had the application all filled out and just didn't get around to it. Bad mistake.

[ygmir]

yeah Mojo, I'm going to look into the medivac insurance, in general.

I guess, I'm not clear: I don't do stuff to impress others. I do it because I want to, or, want to experience something.
I mention it here, for conversation. Some, may have done similar, and have advice, some, have knowledge and give advice, and all that.
I take advice seriously. I can and do weigh return benefit.
I will submit to unconsciousness, and dwell for a time in Nifleheim .

[Ugly Dougly]

Wow, Ygmir, I missed this bit.

Do you consider 50 lbs to be "heavy"? I guess it's relative.

It may be like the one who asked if they could play the violin after the operation... You're stronger than most mortals to start with, I am sure you'll have most of your superpowers back soon enough.

[MyDearFriend]

Hahahahahahaha, after I broke my back my doc told me to limit my lifting to 5 pounds. I explained that a gallon of milk weighs 8 pounds and I wanted to drink milk, so, she agreed to 8 pounds. Took me six months to talk her up to eight pounds in each hand. A year out, when she wouldn't go any higher, I fired her, since I figured she was trying to cripple me for life, and if I was going to be disabled either way, I would rather be disabled by trying too much than by giving up.

But, Yggy, you know you have to restrict yourself at first, until you are healed, and then, gradually increase back up to your normal (normal only for you I am sure) load-bearing. An abrupt increase at six months or even a year might be as damaging as right after surgery. But *smooch* you are a very smart person. With nothing at all left to prove.

Let's have a drink!

[Elorrum]

Salut!
hot tea here. big lazy evening. No cookie.

[MyDearFriend]

tea

[FIGJAM]

Hee!

[ygmir]

ha yeah, I've done the "slow heal".......23 years ago, I herniated/ruptured L5/S1 and crushed one above and below, lost almost an inch in height. The only relief from the constant burning poker running inside my leg, to my ankle, was when it'd go numb. Docs all said "surgery", (and that I'd not work again, or walk correctly) I dis-agreed and felt rest, then gradual exercise, would be better......and large doses of shark cartilage.
A friend got about the same injury at the same time. He went for surgery.
He was back to mostly normal in 3 months or so, I could hardly work for a year.
I was back to volleyball in about 2 years, and pretty fully feeling well in 3.
in the mean time, my friend has had 3 surgeries, and is now pretty much out of options.

But, during my recovery, I'd push a "little" to far at times, and regress....that said, I think I healed stronger, for that.
pushing, even hurting, without destroying, is what makes it strongest, IMHO.

I'm thinking of spending a few days at the Hof over Memorial day, just in case anyone is in the neighborhood.
get some clean up done before the big Hof party on the 28th of June.

[Joeln]

ha yeah, I've done the "slow heal".......23 years ago, I herniated/ruptured L5/S1 and crushed one above and below, lost almost an inch in height. The only relief from the constant burning poker running inside my leg, to my ankle, was when it'd go numb. Docs all said "surgery", (and that I'd not work again, or walk correctly) I dis-agreed and felt rest, then gradual exercise, would be better......and large doses of shark cartilage.
...
I was back to volleyball in about 2 years, and pretty fully feeling well in 3.
in the mean time, my friend has had 3 surgeries, and is now pretty much out of options.

Shit Yggy!
'97 for me very similar story but not quite as badly damaged.
I still have a limp.
I had a woman who went through it tell me it hurt her worse than childbirth.

This calls for a shot!

[sadie]

Hi Everyone. This place has had a lot of traffic today. Drinks all around...

Ygmir, my thoughts will be with you on Wednesday. As someone who has gone under the knife multiple times, I can say that the anesthesia has come a long way over the years. What was a certain vomit-fest upon waking in the '70s is ancient history. My most recent (3 years ago) was an anesthesia cake walk, but I must admit the gut scar/recovery was a little slower. - Anyway, attitude goes a long way and yours is good. You know your limits. I hope the recovery is speedy.

Otherwise, it's starting to feel like summer around here. It got up into the 90's today - and its just getting started...

[theCryptofishist]

Oh serious gut incisions are horrible. I just measured mine at 7", but I'm sure it was smaller in 07, as I've gotten rounder. But not wanting to move... That was a hard recovery.

[Aurelia]

Yggy, I do believe in your way

and anytime someone drives up your non-road I will bring the eats

xoA.

[AntiM]

Fishy, you inspired me to measure my belly scar. Eight inches. If I measure the detour around my naval, a bit more. Yeah, probably shorter a decade ago. I have two bikini cuts below that, again, along the same line, so two surgeries, one single scar.

My mesh separated while healing, all I did was bend over to put down some cat food. I learned a new word after that, seroma. Once they gut you, it can haunt you for a very long time. Each time it is more difficult to bounce back. I think my bounce has all turned to ounces. And pounds.

The docs want to fool around with my deformed L5, but with my front so messed up, I won't let them touch my back.

Ha, are we done with the organ recital yet?

[Aurelia]

Holy shit !

we are sending positive messages to our darling Yggy not splitting personal gut juice out

[ygmir]

*wanders in, starts ECM*
well, it's the day before.....gotta read prep instructions and such, move anything heavy now so I can do light stuff after, all the things.................

thanks for the well wishes.

*heads for ROS*

[ygmir]

hey, It's Le Chat's birthday!!
Happy, Happy Birthday LCN!!

[unjonharley]

hey, It's Le Chat's birthday!!
Happy, Happy Birthday LCN!!

He is pretty much into the feral state.. Appy BDay, damn black cat

[AntiM]

Holy shit !

we are sending positive messages to our darling Yggy not splitting personal gut juice out

Hey, for some of us, that is support. Sharing. Excuse me as I retire to Page Two.

[tatonka]

I refused the mesh in my hernia op , she said it would take longer to heal and be more painfull . I didnt care just didnt want anything like that.

[theCryptofishist]

Holy shit !

we are sending positive messages to our darling Yggy not splitting personal gut juice out

Hey, for some of us, that is support. Sharing. Excuse me as I retire to Page Two.

Indeed.
In-fucking-deed.

[AntiM]

I refused the mesh in my hernia op , she said it would take longer to heal and be more painfull . I didnt care just didnt want anything like that.

I take it you came out alright, then? You made a good choice, from my perspective. I have two meshes (meshii?) and they remind me often they are in there. Apparently one year I attended the burn with a huge fucking hernia, big enough to be life threatening. Glad I didn't know. now I have yet another weird bulge off to the side, it is not painful, pretty certain it is another little hernia. I am going to ignore it. I am done after ten years of mucking about with my guts.

[chuckularone]

I'm feeling pretty lucky. I had my got opened three times 3.5" was the smallest. Two on the "bikini line" one vertical from 4" below my naval to about 1/2" above. All healed well. I wouldn't change anything. After having three artificial discs implanted, I have my range of motion back and I can painlessly feel my right foot again (Couldn't for about three years of fire going down from L3-4, L5-S1 to my ankle).

It's a little weird to be able to function again after being laid up almost 8 years.

I think I need a drink!