Wellness

[JudyL]

I will be having this surgery soon.  Would like to know if anyone here has had it and what you did to make yourself more comfortable and how did you entertain yourself during the 24-hour, 7-day face down recuperation.  I have ordered the equipment so will have the chair, the table thingie, and the thing for my bed, and the mirror to watch tv.

Please no horror stories about the surgery or recovery or what happened to your neighbor, relative, friend.  Just want suggestions and little tricks learned to help with the challenging recuperation.  Thanks!

[blrc]

I have had this surgery.Seven days face down is no picnic. I found the table and mirror to watch tv uncomfortable. So I laid down on our sofa sectional with my head over the edge. DH managed to place a flat screen tv face up on the floor for me to watch. Worked great and I was as comfortable as I could get in this position. Also, I ate small meals so as not to feel bloated while prone. Good luck to you!

[JudyL]

@blrc  Thank you for your response! 

[seaswirl]

I had this surgery about 3 years ago.  The surgery was a breeze.  What I did for a week was:  I sat on my couch with my grand-daughter's bench (dining table height) in front of me.  I had that dense foam block on the bench and I rested my forehead on the part closest to me.  I put my iPad on the floor under the bench and I could watch movies and web surf.  I could go outside, and have the same setup on my deck.  I also ordered the massage chair, but didn't use it too much.  I went from the couch with the bench to the massage chair.  Nights were the worst for me....couldn't sleep on my stomach, so that was the only bad thing.   I know you don't think you'll survive, but you will.  You'll make your own comfort and then it'll be over.  Good luck.  Let us know how you make out.

[JudyL]

@seaswirl  thank you for responding.   You're right, I don't think I'll survive the week after but my sister, DD and friends have assured me that they will help get me through it.  Hopefully, I won't get too grumpy...LOL

[Catlady Nicole]

Hi @JudyL!  I had a vitrectomy 6 years ago.  Mine was an emergency treatment for retinal detachment so I had no time to prepare, or worry for that matter.  My eye doc discovered the tear at 11 am and I was home from surgery by 7 that night, amazing! 

I remember the next day when I went back to the surgeon for the follow up, they took the patch off and I just burst into tears!  The nurse asked why, and I finally blubbered out that I didn't know what I should be seeing!  She rubbed my back and said "just a lot of haze".   After that I was just fine.  Such a relief. 

I wasn't allowed to read, and was discouraged from a lot of screen time.  I laid (face down) in bed or on the couch a lot, listening to the TV.  Try to build a "pillow wall" for yourself, to help keep you from rolling over in your sleep, this helped me worry less about maintaining position.  If you like to read, I highly recommend audio books!  Head to Amazon and find a few titles that interest you, maybe a series with several books to keep you engaged long term.

I washed my hair in the sink during this time, so I didn't have to tip my head in the shower, and also to keep water from getting in my eye.  We may drink it, but tap water is not sterile and not great for a healing eye.  Maybe this was excessive, but I felt better being extra careful.  If a sink isn't an option, get yourself some nice dry shapmoo.  Lots of fancy or not so fancy options to choose from.

Most of all, get ready to relax and take extra gentle care of yourself.  Best wishes for a speedy recovery

[JudyL]

@Catlady Nicole  Thanks for your input!  I'm thinking having the surgery the way you did - so fast - might not be a bad idea.  From the time I found out I needed surgery to the surgery date is about 5 weeks.  Plenty of time for me to freak out about it!  But also I have time to prepare by ordering the equipment needed and making arrangements for people to take care of me during that week because I live alone.  Don't think my cat would be much help!  HAHA

[Laura14]

Best wishes to you @JudyL.  We will all be thinking of you.  

[Montana]

@JudyL, there are several YouTube videos about vitrectomy recovery and face positioning. 

[JudyL]

Thanks to @Laura14 and @ Montana.  Will check out the videos on YouTube.  Don't know why but I always seem to forget to check stuff out on YouTube.