all gauze and swabs used during theatre now have a strip in them which makes them easier to see on XRay. If there is any doubt that something has been left in a patient during theatre, they are xrayed (usually before they're closed up) to double check. Of course, any instruments are fairly easy to see on xray!

Cailin, sorry they had such poor taste in jokes when they were sewing you up. Medical staff tend to have a somewhat warped sense of humour - perhaps because we see it all the time... although it is extremely poor to be so insensitive infront of a patient!!!! A friend of mine just had twins and they were joking with her about being too posh to push!!!!