Vitrectomy

[Sr. Mints]

(Edit I don't even know for sure if I'm having a Vitrectomy, I forget what the doctor said. But based on what I've been reading online, I'm almost certain it is the name of the procedure I'm having done.)

The other day I found out that in two-ish weeks I have to get the liquid in my left eyeball sucked out and replaced with a gas so they can fix my retina.

The news came unexpected to me and very sudden, and I think my shock is over and I am realizing now, 'what the hell am I supposed to do?'

My understanding is that the gas is inserted in your eye to create pressure on your retina so that it can heal, and during the two weeks after the surgery I am to remain in a face down position so the gas floats above whatever liquid is left in my eye (?) and pushes on the retina, which is of course at the back.

So . . . do I cut a hole in my mattress? How do I avoid suffocating when I'm sleeping, or prevent turning my head onto its side while I'm asleep? Am I suppose to stare at the floor for 16 hours a day when I'm awake? Should I go to the library now and sign out 300 books?! Does it get easier to read with one eye, it is quite difficult when I try it now. Do TVs get damaged or even operate in a horizontal position?

By chance, has anyone, or does anyone know someone who has had something like this done? And how did they cope!? Suggestions welcome.

[Knut]

Rent/buy a comfortable massage table. You can look through the hole and still have good support.

You will adapt over time to having one eye do most of the work. Passive tasks (like TV) will be easier than active tasks (like video games and reading).

It sucks that you have to go through this, but it is your best chance of regaining most of your sight back. I am guessing a retinal detachment with a vitreous hemorrhage ?

Good luck !

[Sr. Mints]

Ah, a table like that sounds better than a mattress. I will look into it, thanks.

I believe a macular tear or hole, is what the doctor said.

[pylon]

Oh man, that sucks huge. I hope your eye heals up.

What happened? Did you get hit in the eye or something?

[3 Justin 3]

Sucks to hear that about your eye. You have a laptop or iPad to watch movies off of? Two weeks of basically laying down and I'd be watching tv on my laptop. You could go through all of The Wire, Dexter, The Shield, what ever else in that time.

[CaptainCrunch]

So are you going to poop straight up?

Better cut a hole for your junk and drop a bucket under your table.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

So are you going to poop straight up?

Better cut a hole for your junk and drop a bucket under your table.

Step 1: Cut a hole in a box.

...

[The Yen Man]

My dad had the procedure done a few years ago. He had a retinal detachment. The optamologist basically explained putting back your retina is like re-laying a bedsheet down. It will never be like the way it was before (new creases here and there) but over time it gets better. My dad says his vision is better today then it was 2 years ago.

It is a bit of a pain after the procedure done though, where for 2 weeks he had to sleep and do everything with his head down to not put any pressure on the back of his eyeball.

My dad's a bit of a boring guy who's an audiophile, so really he didn't do too bad during the 2 weeks when he was coping. He just listened to his hifi system a lot, and didn't do too much eye straining activities. Sleeping did suck for him though. He slept a lot sitting down and with his head down on his arms.

That table does sound like a good idea if you can find it.

[KTrain]

My father-in-law had this done as well for a detached retina. Do not cheat. Follow the doctor's instructions to the letter and you should be fine. It's two weeks of suckiness for a lifetime of better vision.

[linecook]

Doesn't sound like a fun procedure. Maybe download some audio books, and catch up on some sleep if you need it! Good luck Mints!

[HalifaxDrunk]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

So . . . do I cut a hole in my mattress?

Well, that is one way to pass the time.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by fotze

So you actually cannot move or stand or do anything for two straight weeks?

You can, you just have to be looking at the floor all the time when you stand or move. With my dad, we were super paranoid about it, so we tried to make sure he didn't have to do too much activities that require standing and moving around, and if he did, that he tried to keep his head bowed down at all times. It's definitely not an enjoyable 2 weeks, that's for sure.

[krynski]

that's pretty invasive. Not so much the surgery, but the lifestyle complications. I guess it means no driving, huh.

[Lt.Spears]

Totally thought the OP misspelled Vasectomy

[Knut]

Originally Posted by krynski

that's pretty invasive. Not so much the surgery, but the lifestyle complications. I guess it means no driving, huh.

It sucks but there are only 3 ways to stick the retina back in place.

1) Laser 2) Cryotherapy and 3) A gas bubble that holds the retina in place while it heals itself.

1 and 2) cause irreversible damage to the retina.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Lt.Spears

Totally thought the OP misspelled Vasectomy

he better hope the surgeon doesn't think the same when he looks at the surgey request.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by fotze

I'd take vasectomy over eyeball surgery.

clearly you have never had you balls swell up like to over ripe plums......effin Vasman

[NuclearFart]

Manny Malhotra had the same thing done

[Titan]

How do you know Malhotra saw the Vasman?

[Titan]

examples from Costco.com:

http://www.costco.com/Common/Categor...96*&lang=en-US