I have no idea what actually happened during surgery, just the result.
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The good thing about arriving at the hospital at 7:30 am is that you don't have too long to dwell on things. I was to have surgery about 9:30. I've never been in surgery, even snapping both Achilles tendons were not surgically repaired, and I have tried really hard to stay away, but here I was. I got this far, its time to close the deal.
So, I first got my wrist bracelets (have never wanted those) - one for allergies and the other for my identification - stated my room preference (private - hopeful thinking), got into my gown and robe (turns out it was inside out), slippers, and mesh cap. Another waiting room, then off to pre-op.
They are good at what they do. Its the psychological side of things that need tending in pre-op. Physically, things are closed for discussion - we all know what's next. The staff were chatty, positive, discussing the business at hand, but we varied over to (mostly) world politics, especially the middle east changes, and those yet to become, world travel, and a bunch of other psychologically friendly topics. I then got my IV, which stayed with me until I left the building, met my Doc and chatted a bit. With a big black felt marker I was happy to see that he signed my left hip/thigh area to make sure we were all on the same page (and hip), introduced his sidekick to me - "he will be suturing and retracting." The anesthesiologist popped by to explain things: I'd be getting frozen from the hips down; I'd be asleep, but they could wake me up; I wouldn't know what happened. That all sounded just fine to me.
The nurse came in, I said bye to my wife and off we went to Room 4. I met more people! Great stuff. I said "thanks for having me." Nerves acting up I guess. Got a warm towel over my shoulders - man did it feel good. I was asked to sit on a stainless steel table, curve my spine by hugging a pillow across my chest, given a cocktail, then 2 tiny pricks in my spine. I remember laying down....