This and That and Talk - My Transplant

@livertrex, I want to check in with you. How are you getting along with recovery from surgery? When will you know if this has solved the heptic artery stenosis?

Rosemary,
I am in a lot of pain compared to the original transplant. They were able to cut through the scar tissue and find the artery. They cut through the artery, removed the kinked section and attached back to straighten it out. I have had two ultrasounds and both show the artery is completely open. I think I will stay around a few more days in Phoenix before heading back to Colorado to be on the safe side.

@livertrex did they staple you back up over the original incision? I found this the most uncomfortable part and the pain at times terrible but it subsides. If they re-stapled you when do you get those removed? That's when things start to get better. (I found anyway).

Yes they stapled back over the original incision. They said they would take staples out 3 weeks after surgery.

@livertrex I thought they might have done this. Go slow the next three weeks. Be easy on yourself...you'll most likely find it difficult to move around. Contact me if you have any questions regarding my experience.

Yes itt is hard to move around. How many weeks from surgery did you get the staples removed? Did you stay on pain killers?

@livertrex I think I was between 3 and 4 weeks when the second set came out. They didn't prescribe me any pain killers believe it or not! I had tramadol in recovery at the hospital but nothing for home. I was about 4 days in the hospital. When I got home it was just Tylenol. The Tylenol barely even took the edge off.

I am glad for the pain killers. The muscle relaxer seems to work this best.

@livertrex yes I can see how the muscle relaxers would work best. I was always tense and compromising other muscles to make up for the lack of core muscles. Rest well!

@livertrex, I am happy that this procedure is becoming part of your past history. You are fortunate that this problem was discovered during your check up. It is a reminder of why our transplant teams order all of those tests for us. I, as well as others, have talked about the 'marathon' visits that we experience.
I once needed a surgical procedure at my liver transplant site that did not require staples, just surgical tape. Sounds like I was lucky for that, however it most likely had to do with the seriousness of the procedure. I found that hugging a pillow helped me to move and sit up when I was in post surgery pain .
I assume that you will be returning to Phoenix for a follow-up and to get staples removed?
@gaylea1, I understand that we are all different, but were you at home or hospitalized during your recovery?
@livertrex, Other than the post surgery pain, How are you doing? Are you eating and able get move around? I want to echo @gaylea's wise advise - Go slowly and allow your body to heal itself.