FinnDave Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Just wondering whether anyone has any experience of gigging soon after a surgical operation. I underwent a 5 hour abdominal op last Thursday, came home Saturday evening and have gigs booked Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I am currently rather vagued out on painkillers but do not want to let my band, bookers, and audience down. I'll be doing 2x45 mins sets on each day and the rest of the band understand my situation and will not expect me to carry or set up any gear. Planning on DI-ing my Jazz bass into the PA via Sansamp, so no amp or cab to get in or out of the car, etc. My wife will drive me there and back (both gigs are local, one about a mile and half away, the other about 200 yards from home) as I am not allowed to drive for at least 3 weeks post surgery. Anyone got any relevant (or irrelevant, I'm bored sitting here!) experiences to share? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 (edited) A few years ago I had a two-in-one operation to repair an umbilical hernia AND remove three-quarters of my stomach (long story). It took about a week before I could walk again, but I was playing the bass before that, and was gigging as soon as I could stand up. As long as you get help with your gear and you have a 'minder' or 'carer' on hand ( I always do! ) you should be fine. The key to all this is not to worry about being vague on painkillers, but to take twice as many as you need and enjoy the experience. Get well soon! Edited March 30, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Surely no-one will object to you playing seated, given the circumstances? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 I could probably perch on a bar stool without feeling too restricted, though I do tend to move around quite a bit when I play usually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 Double the painkillers and a large scotch or two would make it interesting...unless we want to be rebooked sometime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 I forgot to mention that I recovered consciousness to find that my right hand index finger was completely numb from the last joint upwards. The numbness is slowly fading, but not evenly, one bit at a time. I tried playing and it didn't seem to make much difference, which surprised me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I am full of admiration for you! There is part of me honestly saying sod that for a lark. I would certainly beforehand try to find the best seated position or best stool to take along with you so you at least can find a comfortable playing position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 If you feel OK about doing the gigs then go ahead but it might be worth checking with your Docs. to make sure it's ok to play, good luck John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceChick Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1427715108' post='2733283'] Surely no-one will object to you playing seated, given the circumstances? [/quote] This! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Wouldn't it be prudent to get some advice from the surgeon/consultant, rather than us lot? I had surgery a few years back and about two weeks later, played a short set of about half an hour. I enjoyed it but that half an hour was more than enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I had 3 surgeries between late September and late November last year. I had a gig* about 3 weeks after my last surgery and that went fine, our drummer brought a bass combo for me in his van. I didn't do any heavy lifting and nothing above shoulder height. It sounds like your op was more invasive than mine. I think your target of this Friday is ambitious but might be achievable given all the help you've described in your post, without knowing all the exact details it's hard for us to judge for sure. * - I was actually depping as cover for my replacement, as I'd retired before my ops for health reasons. I've played 7 gigs in the last 4 months anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 [quote name='Number6' timestamp='1427715742' post='2733296'] I would certainly beforehand try to find the best seated position or best stool to take along with you... [/quote] Don't forget, the doctor will probably want to examine a specimen of the stool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Have the volume turned down, and blame the p.a ( in other words mime ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Positive mental attitude is really important when facing health challenges, overdoing it too soon because you don't want to let people down could be totally counterproductive. Invasive abdominal surgery can really mess up your core support, so please don't be tempted to pump yourself full of pain killers and play standing up, or with your bass on a strap - play sitting down on a chair with the weight of your bass supported on your lap and don't try to be a hero. If you can't manage to play sitting down like this without altering your painkiller dosage, you shouldn't be doing the gig - good health is priceless, and post op complications for abdominal surgeries can be very serious, so FFS talk to your doctor/surgeon and accept their advice, in the worst case a couple of cancelled gigs won't damage anyones health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I had a hernia repair op some years ago and assumed (since it was only a day case) I'd be up and running about almost straight away. Felt like a really old man upon recovering consciousness and was told in no uncertain terms that I wasn't to drive for two weeks or lift anything heavier than a kettle full of water. I don't know the extent of your procedure (which sounds a lot more complicated than mine) but it sounds like playing seated and having everything brought to you (including the bass) is a sensible precaution. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 [quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1427728087' post='2733539'] Positive mental attitude is really important when facing health challenges, overdoing it too soon because you don't want to let people down could be totally counterproductive. Invasive abdominal surgery can really mess up your core support, so please don't be tempted to pump yourself full of pain killers and play standing up, or with your bass on a strap - play sitting down on a chair with the weight of your bass supported on your lap and don't try to be a hero. If you can't manage to play sitting down like this without altering your painkiller dosage, you shouldn't be doing the gig - good health is priceless, and post op complications for abdominal surgeries can be very serious, so FFS talk to your doctor/surgeon and accept their advice, in the worst case a couple of cancelled gigs won't damage anyones health. [/quote] This.....definitely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 After five hours of abdominal surgery, your lower trunk will take more than a bit of time to recover. How long can you sit up straight without leaning back against something ? or slumping ? it really is best to seek the advice of your surgeon, or his registrar, as someone has said earlier. Gig in haste, repent at leasure. Best wishes for a good and speedy recovery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I did a show 10 days after cancer surgery and did a bunch of shows a few weeks after chemo on the upright bass. Everyone is different and ultimately only you will know. Best of luck for a speedy recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Can someone bring you along a decent computer chair with back support and no arm-rests? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 Thanks for the advice, I did ask the surgeon about this before the op and he thought it would be OK from his point of view so long as I didn't carry anything heavy. I am more interested in the opinions of other bass players who have more idea of what is involved than my surgeon would, who has not played any gigs as far as I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 (edited) I would cancel the gig (or get a dep if that's possible) if there's any chance of it screwing you up in the long run. Don't be afraid to say no, especially when it comes down to self preservation. There'll be other gigs. You know the script - Women, children and the rhythm section first! Best of luck With it all. Edited March 30, 2015 by miles'tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurbs Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Dont under estimate the effort of standing for two hours let alone one with a 10kg weight on your neck. There are all sorts of core muscles keeping you up which happen without you realisaing it. A common torture technique is to just make someone stand, for hours.... The danger is you rip somthing, bleed internally, dont realise and then pass out / die through blood loss or septicemia. Take a pew if I were you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 I'm thinking bar stool rather than low seat so I am more or less at the same height as usual. In fact I often play like that at rehearsals, so I know it should be OK. I don't think the band would appreciate the drama of seeing me carted off in an ambulance half way through the first gig! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1427748764' post='2733914'] I am more interested in the opinions of other bass players who have more idea of what is involved than my surgeon would, who has not played any gigs as far as I know [/quote] Your surgeon...not us bass players....is best suited to know what effect a physical strain like standing (even sitting) for a two hour gig, is going to have on your over all recovery. I understand your dilemma, but as has been said already....what price your health ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 [quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1427714606' post='2733276'] I underwent a 5 hour abdominal op last Thursday, came home Saturday evening and have gigs booked Good Friday and Easter Sunday. [/quote] Do I think you're mad? Yes Would I do it? Of course I bl**dy would. Don't be tempted to increase your painkillers for the night though - if your body is shouting 'STOP!', you don't want to be masking that message. Leave the lugging to the others, keep bending down to the minimum and make sure you don't trip over anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.