Terrified of surgery - Update!

[Toby_from_London]

Just to update anyone who may have seen my earlier posts regarding my up and coming microshunt surgery.

I am now in week two of recovery. The operation went well; my eye was swollen and sore but not painful. My eye pressure went from 42 to 5 and is currently at 8, so my vision is still quite blurry but should improve with time.

For me the biggest challenge is administrating the eye drops every two hours, which is quite restrictive and doesn’t leave much time to rest. Movement is also quite restricted as the eye can be easily damaged when pressures are low, but again that is a temporary inconvenience and nothing compared to what would have happened if my eye had been left untreated.

I hope this reassures anyone who is scheduled for surgery as I was terrified beforehand but am now relieved and looking forward to maybe feeling more like my old self. As others have said recovery is a process so you need to be patient and not rush things; my next hospital appointment is in a week so hopefully things will continue to go well.

If I can help anyone who maybe has a more specific question please do get in touch.🙂

[Decorator123]

Really happy for you that your precious have dropped so much . hope you are happy with the result . with your eyedrops is that two hours day and night

[Toby_from_London in reply to Decorator123]

Hi Decorator123,

Thank you for your good wishes. That’s a question I had to ask!

I have to use 2 types of drops; one every two hours x 8 times, and the other 4 times a day.

Hope that helps.

[Decorator123 in reply to Toby_from_London]

Thanks for getting back

[callie77]

Hi Toby,I'm awaiting a trab and I'm also terrified. I'm glad it is over for you and that it went well.

Thank you for posting.

[Toby_from_London in reply to callie77]

Hi Callie,

Thank you for your good wishes. I think it’s natural to be wary of eye surgery but try not to worry too much; it will be over soon and you will be in the recovery stage like me!

As I only have vision in one eye it was recommended I have the procedure under general anaesthetic, which I think helped. Obviously there are risks attached but it may be worth exploring this as an potential option with your consultant? I awoke after the operation with no side effects at all from the anaesthesia, although apparently I had been trying to take off my eye shield before I was fully awake!

The eye itself was swollen and sore but not enough that I needed to take any pain killers. My operation was around 9.30 in the morning and I left the hospital around 3pm.

I hope that helps. Good luck for the operation and keep us updated

[callie77 in reply to Toby_from_London]

Thank you Toby. Best wishes on your recovery.

[Flowergirl24]

Well done Toby for having the surgery and now recovering. As you may recall from one of my posts, I’m now about 4 weeks post surgery. The blurriness does improve in that I can see myself in the mirror in the hall (not sure I like that part!) Mornings are good but by the evenings, the right eye is a bit tired. I’m now down to 4 drops of Dexamethasone. Waiting for the left eye to be operated on now.

[Toby_from_London in reply to Flowergirl24]

Thank you for your good wishes Flowergirl24.

I wish you well for your next surgery, and am slightly jealous you have a hall to hang a mirror in!

[Hidden]

Good result! the surgery isn't half as bad as one thinks its going to be. A bit like going to the dentist. Unfortunately for me pressure had gone up rather than down one week later; this week only down to 27. Consultant thinks it's a steroid response so now cutting down the steroids more rapidly and keeping on with the pilocarpine and brimonidine. Just crossing fingers that at the next review in 2 months time something will have changed for the better!

[Toby_from_London in reply to Hidden]

I’m sorry to hear that stones93.

Wishing you all the best for your next appointment; let us know how you get on.

[balacakkhu]

Hello Torby, It is pleases to know that your operation is successful and you are coming out from the wood of terrified of surgery.... With best wishes for full recovery.