Fistula tomorrow

[devon]

Tomorrow I get the fistula surgery done.  Had all the pre-op yesterday.  I don't know how long it'll take for my wrist to recover so I can type two-handed but I will let ya'll know what and how things went as soon as I can!

Any words of advice would be sincerely appreciated.  Because it's general anesthesia, I'm going to make sure I have all my ducks lined up with a living will and such.  I'm sure it'll go well and without a problem but I would want to leave too many loose ends, you know?

Wish me luck! See ya'll as soon as I can get back on-line!

-Devon

[KR Cincy]

The recovery is not bad...a couple of days keeping your arm elevated, keep an eye on the incision area...but it's not bad overall.
The first time you feel the thrill, though, will throw you off your day...you won't believe that sensation is coming from your arm.
Hopefully you're getting it done on your non-dominant arm so you won't feel completely debilitated for the next couple of days.
My surgeon take great pride in his fistulas...I hope yours does as well...good luck!!

[KT0930]

Can't help you with advice, since I've never had a fistula, but just wanted to let you know we'll be thinking of you. Good luck!

[jbeany]

Bring a big pillow for the car ride home.  You'll want to keep the arm propped up. 
Good luck!

[paddbear0000]

I don't have any experience in this area either, but I just wanted to wish you good luck. 

[2_DallasCowboys]

Sending Best of Luck on Your Fistula
your way!!  Hope it goes easily and
very painlessly for you

Anne

[cherpep]

Be sure to keep your arm elevated after the surgery.  Don't plan on doing any heavy lifting with the arm.  Also, talk to your doctor about a squeeze ball. I kept one at my desk at work after healing from the surgery.  Squeezing the ball helped make my fistula strong.  Then, be ready to amaze your friends in letting them feel your arm.  It's one of my favorite things to see them jump back when they feel that strange vibration when they touch the hotdog in my arm. 

[devon]

Ya'll are wonderful! Thanks!  I knew putting this out for advice would give some benefit and I was right!

I will take a pillow and get something to squeeze!

And, yes, it'll be in my non-dominant arm but, as I am left-handed, we're sorta cross-dominant. I do things with both but mostly left. My biggest worry is mousing and typing.

I checked out the surgeon and wrote about him in a previous post so suffice to say, he passed muster. The guy is reportedly tops in the area.

Thanks again!

-Devon

[kellyt]

Devon,

As stated above, the recovery is quite easy.  At least that was my experience with my first fistula in my left wrist.  Even though I had vein mapping done prior to surgery, unfortunately, it never worked (vein too small), so one month later I went back for my 2nd fistula in my upper left arm.  This recovery was much longer and a little more painful, but that's because he cut me across the inside of my elbow and all the way up my inner arm to my armpit.  (He repositioned me vein)  However, I was never experienced great pain with either surgery.

I agree with the pillow for the car.  I was knocked out and don't remember anything about my 1st fistula, but the surgeon told my husband I was "awake through the entire procedure". 

Good Luck.      You sound prepaired!  I started my squeeze ball a couple weeks after my 2nd fistula surgery. 

[Sluff]

Good luck my friend I hope you feel the thrill right away. 

[MyssAnne]

Oh man, Devon. Good luck, and best wishes.  Listen to the pros here, they'll help you get through this!!!!

 

[silverhead]

All the above advise is right on the money, might add that it appears from others and our experience that most people seem to have to go back for 2nd and 3rd (or 4 times for Sharon) to have revisions done to the original, it was the one time that I began to wonder about the term "Practicing Medicine".................

[cherpep]

Silverhead, I did not know that!  I also had to go in for a second surgery on my fistula, just months after the first.  It clotted due to a large amount of scar tissue in the top portion.  The surgeon placed a stint in the top portion and flushed the rest out.  It has been working beautifully since.  I had no idea the additional surgery was common.  Thanks! To this day, I thought I did something wrong, even though my doctor assured me I had not. 

I AM LOVING THIS SITE!!

[kidney4traci]

All good advice hear already... all I can add is my personal experience... I had no problem with the surgery, but alot of bruising post.  It was very sore for about a week.  I did have to go back once about three months later as the vein collasped, but they found the cause and took care of it.  No problems sice, and it has been about three years now.  Will keep you in my thoughts tomorrow and post when you get a chance!

[kellyt]

All the above advise is right on the money, might add that it appears from others and our experience that most people seem to have to go back for 2nd and 3rd (or 4 times for Sharon) to have revisions done to the original, it was the one time that I began to wonder about the term "Practicing Medicine".................

I agree.       But in all honesty my surgeon told me up front the statistics for having to go back for a "re-do" or maintenance (not those exact words   )  So, although I was extremely disappointed, I wasn't shocked to have to go back.  Fortunately, this fistula is running like a river.  BUT it's not getting bigger visually.  He says it's large under the skin, but not visible. 

That's just my life.  I try to be positive.  But for me if it can go wrong it will.   

[Ohio Buckeye]

Devon. best wishes to you.
Hope everything goes well.
Will keep you in prayers tomorrow.

[KR Cincy]

I didn't mention the "maintenance" factor...figure I didn't want to ovewhelm Devon, but it's true. I got my fistula in April, started using it in September, and have had two "tune ups" since them (angioplasties of the vein to pump it up). We have an access center here where they do nothing but work on fistulas and catheters, so it's a good bunch and well qualified so those appointments don't bother me...but they do require a day off work because they make you all loopy for the procedure!

[rose1999]

Just wanted to wish you all the best 

[Laurie]

Good Luck Devon. I hope things go well today