Starting the procress

[Bassetmommer]

I am going for my fistula next week. They said it will be two surgeries. One to do the AV connection and then one to lift it up. My question is.... how much pain should I expect with this first surgery. Can you use the arm? If you had two surgeries, how long in-between each one? Thanks.

[jodaer]

I can't answer your questions but want to wish you good luck and a speedy recovery. Let us know how it goes.

[bumblebee_tuna]

I had a fistula put in a couple of months ago, the pain is minimal and recovery was fast.

Edit: it just feels weird to touch, so pretty much avoid touching it

[Jayhawker]

Oh, Bassetmommer, you and I have travelled this journey together for some time now.

Of course, I can’t answer your questions. I’m sure others will. I just wanted you to know that you’re in my thoughts and prayers.

You’ve been so inspiring to so many in this forum! I have no doubt you’ll continue to inspire as you move into the next phase of your journey.

You’re such a strong kidney warrior!!!

Jayhawker

[Bassetmommer in reply to Jayhawker]

Hey, thanks.... but I am fine. I am being proactive and getting the surgery done before it is too late. I am not heading for dialysis all that soon. I hope.... But thanks for the friendship.

[theresathomas]

Same here. I had my 1rst surgery on 4/20 to form the connection. I'm actually seeing the surgeon today to get the date for my 2nd surgery to lift it. I developed some nerve damage after the initial surgery so she wanted to wait a bit longer before doing the 2nd. Otherwise, I would have had it done already. I had no incisional pain but did have some discomfort for a few days from the swelling & Tramadol worked well for that. You can use your arm but must be careful. No lifting with it. And no more labs or blood pressures ever on that arm. Please keep us updated & best wishes to you!

[Bassetmommer in reply to theresathomas]

Thanks for the reply. I am worried about how much I use that arm. For example, I have to actually leap to get into my bed and I usually use that arm for support.... I guess I will adjust.

[theresathomas in reply to Bassetmommer]

I have a question for you if you don't mind. I have to have 2 procedures because I have vascular stenosis. Is this the case with you? It appears that the norm for most people is a one and done.

[Bassetmommer in reply to theresathomas]

I do not know why they are doing two. there was nothing about size of the veins or anything, just that was the way he wanted to do it. I am hoping that maybe once he is in there he will do both.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Best of luck ...we are here and rooting for you !!!

[drmind]

Best of luck. Happy to hear you're proactive. Like so many other issues that you conquered, I'm.sure this one will go smoothly as well.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

A big HUG and prayers coming your way that all turns out AOK!

Back when I was going for surgery for a fistula the surgeon had to put in an AV Graft instead. I have small veins and just were not able to do it. Years after my transplant I had some swelling around the Graft and it was removed.

[cs65 NKF Ambassador]

It seems weird to break it up into two surgeries because won't the surgeon have to lift up the vein to connect it to the artery? Mine was done in one procedure. The main thing will be the swelling and bruising, which can be lessened with ice packs. You will have a chance to talk to the surgeon and anesthesiologist before the procedure and you will go home with post-op instructions and any meds you need. And do feel free to call the surgeon's office if you have any questions or concerns. I can't take any opioids because they give me nausea and vomiting, so I took Tylenol afterward. And I ask for Zofran to combat any N/V after anesthesia. I also had my fistula created a whole year before I needed it for dialysis. By the way, the feeling you feel when placing your fingers on it is called the thrill and it is good to touch it because then you know it's working! My fistula is still working even though I've had my transplant for 2 1/2 years now! Good luck to you!

[Mandelin]

Hey Bassetmommer,

I wish you well on your surgery and journey. I only had one surgery. Instead of a local anesthesia, they put my whole are asleep, I don’t remember the reason. It was a strange feeling because it didn’t wear off for a couple of days. I had to keep my arm in a sling, for a bit but was told only for a day and since my arm hadn’t woken up yet I was carrying it. They told me later I was supposed to keep it in the sling til it woke up. My first one near my wrist didn’t take, usually women don’t get that one, because of veins, but they thought my wrist looked good. Had a second one done above my elbow area. You don’t realize how much you use your non-dominant hand/arm til you can’t use it. It was awkward, but you get used to it pretty quickly. I didn’t have a lot of pain and only took pain pills the first day. Watch the pain pills cause they can cause constipation, which did happen to me, for many days I couldn’t go. Good luck.

[Bassetmommer in reply to Mandelin]

oh thank you for the detail. I am having the upper arm done. And yes, I am trying to learn to not use it now but... its tough. Like I use it to get into bed. That's going to be a real trick. Ever onward!

[bluekidney in reply to Bassetmommer]

You want to avoid lifting heavy objects and putting pressure on it until it “matures” mine took about 3 months to mature it may take longer. I made the mistake of going back to work the same week from my first surgery as there is minimal pain and you can use it. So the worst scenario happened I was by myself someone fell tried to pick them up and killed my first fistula which was on my left arm. The thrill is weird and it will take time to get use to it. I’m still not fully use to mine in the upper arm and it’s been 7 years. Also in the end I was glad it is in my right arm instead because the hoses were closer to the machine most of the time and I didn’t have to get them pulled across my chest less chance of pulling the needles.

Maybe use a stool to help you get into bed for a while not sure if that’s possible with your bed setup. After it matures and your surgeon gives you the ok then you can start slowly working to normal activities. Always be careful because it is your lifeline and fistulas are sensitive never sleep on that arm either.

Good luck hope all goes well for you.

[Bassetmommer in reply to bluekidney]

This was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. We actually had our bed lowered. It was sitting on a frame that put it way up and I literally had to leap to get into it. So now I can sit down and swing in. I have been practicing not using the arm.

Do you do home or in center?

Thanks for the info.

[bluekidney in reply to Bassetmommer]

Glad you can now swing into bed it would have been a bit challenging for you try to avoid using that arm when trying to leap onto the bed. Though you’ll have the constant reminder since your arm gets very sensitive and you can feel the vibrations in your hand. I did in center for 5 years I didn’t have a good setup or room in my apartment for in home dialysis. Fortunately I received my transplant 2 years ago.