Fistula not maturing.

[KittyMPryde]

Surgery was in August. Fistula is not maturing so they still use permcath. Surgeon refuses to do a bovine graft. What can I do? I am limited to this surgeon because of my husband"s insurance. His is primary. I have terrible veins and want to get rid of permcath. Very frustrated.

[KidneyCoach]

There are things that can be done to help it mature. Will the surgeon consider a gortex graft? Those can be used within a few days to a week. Blessings

[KittyMPryde in reply to KidneyCoach]

What is frustrating is he won't consider ANYTHING. He even knows it is not mature yet insists on doing surgery to pull it up. No point at all in that if not mature. Plus the dialysis center says they can work with it that low but it just is not ready. I am beyond frustrated. Only thing I know to do is light weights with it. But honestly I have horrible veins. Drawing blood was always a nightmare

[cs65 in reply to KittyMPryde]

Did you try squeezing a rubber ball every day? They didn't tell me to do that so I had to have an additional surgery to insert a balloon to enlarge it (called a balloon angioplasty) before I started dialysis. That can also be done by the surgeon. If he won't listen to you you can get a second opinion.

[KittyMPryde in reply to cs65]

No they did not have me do that either. Really frustrating. I have a good permcath but still. I will mention the balloon in there. My veins are tiny and weak so who knows. I just want to get rid of the dang permcath even though no problems so fat knock on wood!

[KidneyCoach in reply to KittyMPryde]

If your access is in lower arm squeeze a rubber ball throughout the day. If in upper arm, lift a 2-5lb bar bell by curling it or lifting throughout day. THEN find a different vascular surgeon. You must be your own advocate. If he won't help then it is up to you to find someone who will. Blessings

[KittyMPryde in reply to KidneyCoach]

Working on finding a different surgeon. Bad part is have to go with husbands insurance. Only one vascular surgeon on list. Working with insurance to get me another one.

[KidneyCoach in reply to KittyMPryde]

You may have to drive further but it may save your life. Blessings

[KittyMPryde in reply to KidneyCoach]

Yes I agree!