Surgery day

[Gulfstream_Maggie]

OMG, after what seems a long wait my vitrectomy is scheduled for tomorrow. I have to be in hospital at 12:15 !!!!!

I’m excited and anxious all at the same time. Relieved that the macular hole is going to be repaired.

Not looking forward to posturing though

Any advice or tips on how to survive the recovery period would be greatly appreciated.

[springcross]

Good luck tomorrow, I hope all goes well. I had a vitrectomy when I experienced a retinal detachment a couple of years ago. I had to lie half-way back and to the right so I propped myself up with pillows to that level and spent the time watching TV until told to return to normal. I consider myself fortunate that I didn't have to posture face down. All the best.

[dinahdough]

Good luck. I didn't have to be face down after my surgery either but nobody told me that until the day of the operation so I was fully prepared. My plan had been to listen to audio books and the radio. And you can always chat to people on the phone, that can while away a good bit of time. Or maybe there are people who will come in and visit you? And keep reminding yourself that every hour laying there is an hour closer to being up and about again!

[marypw]

I hired a chair plus desktop support from a company called Facedown Support and it was brilliant - it comes with a little mirror so you can watch TV, listen to radio/podcasts, read etc. I used to doze off on mine. I was told by a nurse to use it for at least 6 hours a day. At night I slept on my side with pillows behind me so I couldn’t roll onto my back, but was tilted forward. It is really important that you do the posturing. My surgeon said he’d only had 3 people who hadn’t healed and they hadn’t followed instructions!

I found the hardest bit was waiting for the gas bubble to disappear which took about 6 weeks. You can’t do yoga, gym etc until the surgeon says so.

Good luck - don’t worry about the op - mine was fine and I’m really squeamish about eyes.

[Gulfstream_Maggie in reply to marypw]

Thank you

[cherrabah]

Best of luck and good it’ll soon be behind you. How long did you have to wait? I was referred as urgent 18 months ago for epiretinal or macular membrane but not heard anything yet….

[Gulfstream_Maggie in reply to cherrabah]

Thank you.

I first attended the opticians in January this year and was referred to the hospital from there.

I’ve had a couple of consults and a couple of appointments for tests before eventually having the pre operative tests.

Until Wednesday last week I still had no idea when my surgery would happen. As I’ve previously have fallen foul of the doctors Strikes I’ve been worrying that I’d just get postponed.

I’ll update when able.

[cherrabah in reply to Gulfstream_Maggie]

Thanks for your reply - hope it all went well and that you’re not too uncomfortable…yes, do please keep us posted! 👍 x

[Thrones12]

Hi There so sorry I missed your post today and well done getting your appointment I hope all goes well for you,I’m sure it will, your a stage ahead of me I’m not quite there yet so can’t help with advice I just wanted to say well done making the decision and best wishes. X