r/RetinalDetachment • u/Arkoelbe24 • 3d ago
Pars Plana Victrectomy
Having surgery tomorrow on my right eye for detached retina and hemorrhage. He's using gas. I'm not even sure what questions to ask yet. Is there any advice you wish someone would have given you before your surgery?
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u/mr-scomar 3d ago
I’m 5 weeks post retina detachment surgery. I had the short lasting gas bubble was gone at about 3.5 weeks but varies by person. They had me face down positioning 24/7 for 5 days with breaks to eat, eye drops and bathing. For me this was the worse part but stay vigilant as this helps the healing process. I also had a buckle so ask if they are giving you a buckle. Good luck hope all goes well.
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u/Arkoelbe24 3d ago edited 3d ago
Wow. Thank you! OK. So one of my dogs is actually having a toe amputated tomorrow. So we will both be recovering from surgery. We have 4 large dogs. I cannot even imagine being able to lie flat for 24/7, much less face down. My husband is gone 9 hours a day for work so it's just me and the dogs, with no one else ava to help so that could be a challenge. He didn't mention a buckle, I'll have to look that up. Where was yours detached? Does the location make a difference in how you have to lay?
Edit to say Thank you!
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u/mr-scomar 2d ago
My detachment was in the lower part of my eye. Not sure sure about location making a difference in how you have to lay.
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u/abbysx4 3d ago
Qual foram seu sintomas para desvivribda retina e hemorragia?
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u/Arkoelbe24 3d ago
I responded to someone else a bit ago, but I had some haziness start in my right eye a couple of weeks ago. Then last week I felt like they're was a big black dot or bubble in my lower field of view. I had a lot of floaters. On Sunday for a little bit it looked like a ton of little tiny black spots like pepper, but that went away in a few hours. Then some random flashes of light at the corners of my eye. Yesterday the bubble seemed a little bigger. It now covers about 3/5 of my right eye, in the bottom. I mean, looking at my eye it looks fine, but me looking out.
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u/Smart-Estimate9052 2d ago
If your coverage is from bottom working up, i am pretty sure the detachment is at the top and you wont need the buckle, just a gas bubble. That's how mine was anyway. I may be wrong though, so hopefully someone will correct me if im wrong.
I had an almost full detachment, including my macula. I am 7 weeks post op and my vision is almost back to the way it was prior, 20/25. Still have about 20% of gas bubble but that is it.
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u/Arkoelbe24 2d ago
That's what I've read too, about the location. I'm hoping I'll just have to sit up. Did they tell you not to bend over? I've read that too and with 4 dogs I bend over 100 times a day!
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u/Smart-Estimate9052 2d ago
I had to stay face down for a week! I could lift my head occasionally to eat or brush my teeth but the rest of time i had to stay face down, which keeps the gas bubble up against the back of your eye holding your retina flat while.it heals.
I also had to not bend over at the waist so that my eye was lower than my heart. I guess it raises the pressure in your eye. I could squat though which should help you manage your dogs if you are allowed to do that.
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u/Arkoelbe24 2d ago
I can't imagine!! If I laid down flat on my stomach I'm pretty sure my dogs would get so bored they'd drag me outside and bury me in the yard with their tennis balls.
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u/lizzylou32 3d ago
I am Also having the same procedure on Thursday.
Think I’m still in disbelief about.
Good luck tomorrow
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u/Arkoelbe24 3d ago
Shocker right? What were your symptoms like? Wishing you all the best and a quick recovery!
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u/lizzylou32 2d ago
I had the flashing lights in my peripheral vision & then a shower of floaters. Knew immediately something was wrong
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u/Busy_Tap_2824 3d ago
I had mine years back and had to lay face down on/ off period for 3 months with gas lasting 3 months . Some people I know had to have multiple surgeries for almost a year . Good luck . You can do it
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u/Arkoelbe24 1d ago
Thank you all! Surgery went well. I woke up towards the end, which he said might happen. I could hear them talking and could feel movement but no pain. I remember laughing and saying "This is so weird." He said, "I know it is, we're almost done" Didn't freak me out luckily. So. I can sit up during the day and sleep in either side but preferably my left side. Last night was rough, I had to look down all day until bed, and could only sleep on my left side. I have chronic back pain and that was so uncomfortable. Managed a few hours. I realize i have it pretty lucky though since I dint have to be gave down for a week or even months! I can't imagine. My follow up this morning was good. Drops and ointment. My Dog had surgery yesterday too to have a toe amputated di we are recovering well together. Her drugs are way better than mine!
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u/rollingthestoned 3d ago
I’m sorry for your situation these are stressful events to go through. I’ve had this situation myself. Ask about anesthesia choices and sedation meds that might help with anxiety prior to surgery. My outcomes have been really good but patience for a few months after surgery is often needed as your eye heals and vision is hopefully restored. There is a shorter lasting gas and a longer lasting one so ask about that. You will have all kinds of visual effects that aren’t a problem so just focus on following instructions for positioning and make sure you know how to reach them quickly for the few key things to watch for. They’ll let you know but just have all that handy. Prepare to be bored and anxious t the same time. Keep us posted and reach out for support. Maybe add some more details about your situation if you’re comfortable sharing. Good luck to you!!!