UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hello,

I am going in for a graft on Monday 4th September.
I only found out yesterday. I have a wedding on Saturday 9th Sept, this is also my Birthday!!
I was wondering if anyone with experience can tell me, will I be well enough to at least attend the wedding??

Thanks for any help provided

Hello Irishproduce, and welcome to the forum!

Well, it's hard to say. If it's important to you, then I'd say a cautious yes. You'll have to keep away from bright light (It could well still hurt after only 5 days) and especially if there will be children around, I'd advise to use the eye shield continually. And remember - no lifting of presents or children, or any strenuous activity that close to the op.

There is also the issue of drugs. After my first (penetrating) graft, I was on hourly drops for two weeks, and these had to be kept in the fridge at all times, as drops that frequent cannot contain preservative. Having said that, the DALK graft I had three weeks ago only required ointment to be put in four times a day - which is much more manageable.

I'd warn your friends that you may not make it, but with luck, you should be able to attend for at least part of the day.

Well I suppose that is a bit of good news. I will remain positive until then.
I am going in monday at 2 to check in, although I dont think they will operate until Tuesday.
I am only having it in one eye, as the other eye is absolutely perfect, so i guess I could wear the shield over the operated eye to avoid bright lights.
Thanks for the advise though, it is good to get some feedback.
Also I have taken 2 weeks out of work, should that be sufficient??


ps, I would imagine so I will not be drinking any Guinness on Saturday!!

Well, I had a DALK graft 3 weeks ago, and will return to work on Monday.

Previously I had a full thickness graft and was off for 6 weeks - though felt able to go back sooner, my employer wouldn't let me!

We all vary, but generally, a DALK graft will heal a lot faster than a PK graft.

If I am being honest, I do not know what kind of graft I am having.
I have not spoken to the consultant in a year and all of a sudden I am called in this week.

Can anyone advise, how long usually before I can go out and interact and socialise with friends again, of course best case scenario??

You'll be able to interact the day after the op, but I'd suggest normally at least a week before you'll feel up to "socialising", and probably 3-4 weeks before you'll feel normal again.

When I had my graft back in 1989 and 1990 I was never told I should stop drinking.

Never drank much due to the sports I did back then.

The best to advise on the drink front is the consultant.

A few years back I visited my friend who woked worked in Paris and was still recoving from a brain tumor. His surgeoun said he could have a glass of wine a week, but no more than an inch. Well we went out for a meal at a restraunt which happend to be owned by the surgeon. Wine was ordered and the surgeon came out and presented my friend with his drink.

The biggest wine glass I have ever seen with wine only an inch deep but about 9 inches across

If the Irish doctors are like the Parisian ones, I am sure you he will allow you some of the black stuff

I would advise having some 'nice' dark glasses ready for the wedding. You might need to go shopping tomorrow!

Hope all goes well.

I hope you get tot he wedding.
As for the Guinness - I'd guess the main contra-indication may be whether it will interfere with any drugs they put you on post-op.
Better to stick to the fruit juice than make the drops ineffective.
At least you shouldn't be faced witht he TERRIBLE SACRILEGE!!!!! I once had - I was at a party shortly after a trip to the dentist, and was left with a tooth that was very hot/cold sensitive. SO I was sitting there rolling the glass between my hot hands trying to warm the Guinness up.......

As regards weddings and likely hypersensitivity to light: beware of the large numbers of people who seem these days to be intent on taking flash photos everywhere and anywhere these days - including in church. I imagine there may be rather a lot of them popping their flash bulbs at weddings. I've had to give up going to Mass - and most other places too - because I can't tolerate flashguns.
And then there's the official wedding photos....

Rosemary

All the best for the wedding. Just to be on the safe side, since you don't know what sort of graft is going to be performed on Monday, I'd ask the consultant whether it would be cool to go to the wedding on Saturday.

I was six weeks after my PK in 2003 before the doc would let me back to work. During that time I was kind of tied to the fridge and my two-hourly eye drops.

The thing about asking is that you have to be prepared to hear the answer 'no'. however much you are hoping for a 'yes'.

Oh and happy birthday on Saturday. Which one?

Let us know what the doc says.

Andrew