Has anyone had a virectomy

The facedown thing is what is putting me off getting virectomy surgery. I don't have a macular hole; instead, I have a macular pucker. I cancelled the operation last year, but eventually, I guess, I will have to get it. I read the surgery itself can cause a macular hole, so that's another worry. I wish you much luck with your journey.

Yes, had a victrectomy for a ERM removal. My eye story is like a horror movie as 2 years later it's worse than before we began, but that's due to a string of unexpected weird stuff including a mismatched IOL for cataract surgery and CME that doesn't know when to leave and steriod responsive high IOP.

The surgery is painless. My surgeon used a gas bubble to help seal the hole in the vitreous and I had to be careful of positioning until that dissipated. It took almost two weeks. I could not lie on my back, so I slept in a recliner. That was the worst part. I move in my sleep, so anything flat would mean at some point i would be on my back. He didn't have me face down, but that is done by some surgeons. They can use a very small gauge tool, I think it is about 25 gauge or the size of a TB syringe to do this. The best part is you get rid of a lot of floaters.

@kaye46
Thank so much for your response.
I also am very concerned about the face down position. But so afraid if I dont do it it will get worse and the damage will be permanent.
Im a care giver for my husband so that's another whole problem.
Wishing you a very positive outcome for you also.

@margieb58
Thank you for your information.
So sorry you are going through so much. The doctors here only do the face down recovery.
I am not looking forward to that at all. So afraid if i don't do the surgery it'll get worse and be permanent.
I sure hope you get some relief and your eye situation can be solved.🙏🙏🙏

I had one for a retinal detachment a few years ago. For 45 min of every hour, I either had to be face down or lying on my right side (to help tamp down a spot where some tissue was cut out during the procedure). 15 min breaks every hour to shower, eat, whatever. Thankfully at night I could sleep on my right side too (vs face down). I had to do that for a week. I was able to find a local business from whom I could rent out a massage chair, which was a huge relief for the face down part. It came with a mirror that you could position to watch TV, or there was a space on it to stick a book or iPad. It wasn’t too bad…for a week. I can’t imagine having to do it for 2 weeks. It is a lot of resting and you do get bored.

@sk106
Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope everything turned out well for you.
I'm dreading the face down position. My Dr. said 5 min break every day which is just not feasible. But have been looking into the chair and sleeping cushion that hangs over the bed. I'm praying it wont be for 2 weeks.

@esb16 I would push back on the 5 min break…that just does not seem to be realistic. Caregiving aside, you have to be able to eat and shower. 15 minutes is still quick, but is at least time to eat a decent meal. And he said it was just a 5 min break once a DAY??? That seems ridiculous…

I had two retinal detachments in the same eye. My “rest positions were to lay on my left side for the first and sit up for the second ( much easier). You need the face down rest position and that requires a special table you can rent. If you have an airplane neck pillow, you can practice the feeling. Your face fits into it.

You can get up to eat, use the bath room, etc, but that is only for a few minutes. It is only for a short period so use the time to listen to stuff. It is an excuse to be non productive for a week or two.

I lived alone so everything was a hassle. I just ate things that were quick to prepare. When you are hungry, tuna out of the can is a feast.

Message me if you have any questions.

@sk106 I read somewhere that it is 5 minutes every hour. Still sounds awful; you can't do much in 5 mins. I live alone and have 2 cats to feed and take care of. The woman who is the caregiver for her husband is understandably very worried about the aftercare.

@kaye46 The face down recovery period is going to be difficult since you basically can’t entertain yourself except through your ears. My two RD recoveries allowed me to watch DVD’s and VHS tapes.

Join some retinas detachment FB groups and ask about the different face down tables and what problems to anticipate. Just remember it is not forever, just a week or two.