After fistual op?

[Des]

I have had my fistual op. (as you all know) but now what? The doc said that it will take 6 to 8 weeks to mature?
What has to happen?
Does it hurt when it happens?
What if nothing happens?
What can I do to make it happen? I have been sqeezing a ball..... what is that suppose to do?
How big does a fistula have to be sufficient?
I have seen one and it just looks like a big fat vein under the skin. I thought it will look that way when I wake up after the operation?

Any info would be great..
Thanks IHD.   

[monrein]

The vein has been turned into an artery by the operation and now with arterial blood rushing through it that vein will get larger and tougher and will be able to accommodate the needles.  It won't happen instantly but over time, it won't hurt (unless it clots off or something goes wrong) and you should squeeze the ball several times a day to help it toughen up and get larger.  They don't all look the same so don't worry about what others have looked like.  Main point to remember is that when they start needling it, DONT let them go in the same couple of spots all the time.

Glad to see you back posting Des.  Been thinking about you since your first surgery.

[willowtreewren]

And Des, even after it matures from using your squeezy ball, it will still be very "soft" when they stick you at first. Until it toughens up from use it will be easy to infiltrate. Watch them like a hawk and let them know! You'll feel it if they infiltrate.

 

Aleta

[tyefly]

   Des    good to have you on again...... fistula.....  nothing really happens but just some healing and waiting.... Your fistula will not get toughen up untill they start using it and start poking it......Are you going to self cannulate.....

[kellyt]

I experienced no pain, but you do have to take precautions to keep it safe.  Even now that my fistula is "dead", I constantly have to be carefull with that arm.  I had a nasty fall back in early Feb 2009 and I came dangerously close, like within an inch) to ripping the fistula open and that would have been all she wrote.  I would have bled out right there in my garage.   Fortunately, all I did was add an additional ugly scar to that arm.   

[sullidog]

Also don't forget to check it every day for the thrill/bruit, you can feel the thrill by touching it, and the bruit once your not in as much pain you can hold your arm up to your ear like I do and you should hear a woosh woosh sound.
Troy