[elf]

#1072627

I haven’t had OD yet (though dreaming of it!) There is a thread here called "Orbital Decompression surgery" with a link to a YouTube slide show of Patrick who did the bilateral, part I shows his first 20+ days, part II shows what happened over 4 months past.

I’m sure you will be able to see before your baby will start walking.

I used to have fear of OD, but now the fears of the mirror and of the camera, out-weigh the fear of OD. Think of it this way: your kids will be growing, with their birthdays and birthday cakes, and Christmas trees, and there would be no mommy otherwise in the pictures because she’d be scared of the camera! It’s a perfect timing for your OD, so that your kids will have pics together with their mom.

[tc75]

#1019578

Hi! New here, but not to Grave’s. Looking desperately for advice from those who have undergone surgery for their eyes.
I have finally decided have the surgery, but am terrified. I am the mother of two small boys 20 mths and 8 mths.
I want to know how functional I will be the days following the surgery.
I have never even been put under, so I am really shaken about this too.
I know I need to have this surgery, and it seemed that now was the best time to have it. (Especially before my 8 mth-er starts to walk!)
I am a stay at home mom, who wants to be back at work when the kids start school. I have had severe proptosis, double vision and constant pressure/ aches for almost 4 years now (since the Grave’s onset). Because of pregnancy (and fear!!) i haven’t had the option, until now.
I would really like some feedback from anyone who is willing to share.
I love my boys so much, I need to know if I can still be a mommy shortly after the surgery.
Thank you!!!

[DianneW]

#1072628

tc75,

I’ve had bilateral orbital decompression surgery and other than the day of surgery and possibly the day after, think I could have cared for small children with only a little help. You wouldn’t want to do a whole lot of bending over and you do need to keep ice on your eyes the first 24 hours. Talk to your doctor about the first couple of days of course. But really, the recovery from surgery is much easier than you think! I have talked to people who felt like going out to mow their lawns (NOT recommended!). I went out to lunch the day after surgery (with dark glasses on) and flew back home from Los Angeles two or three days after surgery. By then I wasn’t staying in bed all day by any means.

So ask your doctor, but perhaps you CAN be a mommy shortly after the surgery, although I think for your own sake you should probably still have some help for the first week or so, just because being a mommy to little ones is just about the most demanding job there is, and it’s too easy to overdo. If you have a mom or a sister or friend who could stay for a few days, or at least come over for some time when the kids are awake, that would be ideal.

Every doctor has his own way of doing the decompression, so you might need more recovery time than I did. Be sure you do talk to your doctor about what his patients usually experience, in case there’s a remarkable difference. Still, I’ve talked to quite a few people and most seem not to have too many problems.

Does anyone else have input on this? Dianne

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