Vitrectomy Recovery

[draftdriver]

I had cataract surgery and a vitrectomy on Wednesday. The surgery went well, but was quite painful, and my blood pressure went into orbit during the surgery. I’m starting to see a little out of the operative eye – it is rather like looking through a bowl full of clear jello. I have a black eye .

Needless to say, it is interesting, trying to run a small farm while not being able to bend over or lift anything over 10 lbs. I prepared before hand, and I’m managing, so far.

My biggest problem is lethargy – I have absolutely no inclination to do anything other than lie in bed and watch TV. There are things that need doing outside, but I can’t do them because of the post-operative weight restrictions.

How long did it take you to get back to normal after a vitrectomy?

[oldbutnotdead]

I haven’t had vitrectomy surgery, but have had 11 operations on my right eye, including two cornea transplants, cataract surgery, and some laser surgeries. I was very tired after the cornea transplants and miscellaneous laser surgeries. It took me about four or five days to feel back up to speed. If you had general anesthetic, I find it sucks the life out of you for a while. Rest is the best drug. so lethargy isn’t a bad thing. Everything seems to weight more than 10 pounds! Good luck.

[draftdriver]

Thanks, oldbutnotdead. The lethargy is wearing off, but I’m having an enormous arthritis flare-up. I was feeling so awful on Friday that I was in tears, planning what music I wanted at my funeral. I’m feeling better than that now, emotionally. Thanks for the encouragement.

[sdlbredfan]

I am surprised they did both at once. When I had a vitrectomy 2 years ago,to fix a macular hole, I had to maintain a ‘face-down’ posture 23 hours out of 24 for the first week - 10 days. It is very important to do that, if your Doctor told you to!

[PassagePony]

OP just a quick word to say hope you are back to normal and good as new soon! Prayers sent out your way!

[oldbutnotdead]

Hang in there draftdriver!

[draftdriver]

sdlbredfan, they didn’t do both eyes at once, just the cataract surgery and the vitrectomy, same eye. The eye Dr. said I was to sleep on my side, not on my back. None of the literature from the hospital said anything about staying face down. Maybe protocols are changing. Remember when a cataract patient had to be flat on their backs and with their head sandbagged for two weeks?

I go to see him tomorrow. I’ll keep you informed.

[draftdriver]

One week post-surgery. Surgeon said things are coming along as they should. He said that I should start being able to see over the gas bubble in a week or so. I can drive, but must be careful and stay off the highways. I will make an expedition to the hardware store today for mouse traps. My barn is being over-run, and the barn cat can’t keep up!

[oldbutnotdead]

Sounds good!