Recovery from fistula surgery

[barbara55109]

I just had my vascular surgery consult for creating a fistula for hemo dialysis. They were not clear on how long recovery would be. I need both of my hands to work and to go to the bathroom (I have an ileostomy.) For those of you who have had a fistula created: How many days before you could use your hand? How long did you have to take off of work? Thanks

[Hidden]

Everyone is different and the time to heal depends on the individual. The surgeon upon discharge after the procedure should have answered a lot of your questions regarding your specific situation. You should contact the surgeons office for further clarification. In the mean time I've included an article that will provide you with some specific information.

azuravascularcare.com/infod...

[barbara55109 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. I've googled and talked to the surgeon. They are all vague responses.

[Hidden in reply to barbara55109]

I'm sorry to hear that you received that type of treatment from the surgeon. I wish you would go to healthgrades.com/find-a-doctor and look them up and enter your comments about your experience. It will help others in the future.

[Darlenia in reply to barbara55109]

Please be careful with writing complaints against your doctor(s) if you're interested in getting a transplant. Patient actions and behaviors are taken into account in that process. Our center specifically mentioned that my husband (on dialysis) displayed great "compliance" and "behaviors" during the evaluation process for listing. And that the panel preferred assigning a kidney to an older gentleman with those factors than a younger individual who didn't. Also, if you switch to another nephrologist outside the existing practice, chances are high that you will also be sent to another dialysis center that the new doctor frequents. Simply be mindful of possible outcomes as you navigate this complex field.

[barbara55109 in reply to Darlenia]

Thanks for the warning. I live in the land of 10,000 HMOs so there is no incentive for my Dr. to send me to a specific dialysis center. When the time comes I'll go where ever I can that will allow me to keep working. I'm trying to get on the transplant list, but they want me to lose 25+ pounds. I go to the Y every night and weekend and only eat one meal a day. Sadly I haven't lost an ounce in the last 3 months of effort. Once I start dialysis it will be even harder since I won't be able to go to the Y daily.

[Darlenia in reply to barbara55109]

Dialysis may actually help with losing at least some of your weight gain as it usually removes the water you likely retained as your kidneys declined. Here's hope that this will happen and you're placed on that transplant list!

[bsssa11]

For healing of Fistula minimum two months period required as I had made vascular fistula on 17 August 2019.my surgen suggested at least one week take precaution not to touchwater on that portion further not to leftup any heavy artical on that hand.also take care on doing bath raper plastic ond covered that portions and keep arm on up portion.Everything is possible only care needs.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Recovery from surgery itself is generally short as in 1-2 weeks tops. The incision takes several days to heal properly. Depending upon stitches, Staples, steri strips... they generally want you to wait until the steri strip fall off on their own. I started using that arm within 24 hours. I didn't lift anything over 5 lbs or so for 2 weeks. I protected the arm but didn't go crazy about it. One of my friends put his arm in a sling saying he needed to keep it safe. This may safeguard it but unnecessary imho. They want you to use the arm,, just take precautions. The fistula itself will need time to "mature". This can take up to 6 months. But using the arm is encouraged. Please contact your surgeon, nephrologist, dialysis clinic for precise information on caring for your arm. They should have plenty of answers and literature for you. Remember everyone is different.

Blessings