UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi all
It's all getting a bit near now eeeek. I have a pre op meeting next week before my full thickness graft on the 3rd. What can I expect to happen at this meeting

Ian

when I had mine they jsut talked throught the proceedure, asked what medication I am on, any exhisting medical conditions, talked about alergies, reactions to anesthetics, and that was all..

good luck X

I was over 50, so my pre-op assessment began with a heart monitor. They found that I did have a hear and that it was working away quite nicely.

I then had an interview when they made sure that I understood what was going to happen. They did ask about other conditions (I have apnoea and they made a note that I'd be bringing my CPAP machine that would need to be in place before they began to wake me up). They made a careful note that I have an allergy to the preservatives in some eye drops.

Mostly they let me ask any questions I had. They were endlessly patient with my questions and when I was done they asked if I was ready to sign the consent form for the general anesthetic. I was, and I did.

When I turned up for my admission, they went over everything that I had said with me, my questions and confirmed that they were expecting my CPAP and that they knew of my allergy.

I have been for 3 pre-ops in the past year and I under the same consultant

The pre-ops are done usually by Isabella the cornea nurse, she takes medical history etc, explains the operation and takes/arranges for tests such as blood pressure, blood test and ECG (i think only if you have any heart problems)
She also swabs you for MSRA (nose last time but previously was armpits and perineum!) and gives you a bottle of liquid to wash with for a few days before the operation.

On the day you arrive at 7am (but do be late as nothing happens at that time) to ward 37 admission area, get seen by the dr and consent form signed then taken to the ward ready for your new cornea.

Dont worry about the pre-op its nothing more than formalities, even the op itself is not something to worry about, focus on how to manage the weeks & months following the operation with low vision in that eye and how to avoid lifting, bending down and avoid any dirt/dust/smoke etc. I am now 2 months since transplant and still told not to do any of this (maybe longer cos of the new stitches too). The limitations plus low vision is a bit frustrating, but I would do anything to give my eye the best chance of a good outcome.

I had some how despite 3 general anesthetics in the past year blocked out the MRSA swabs from my brain till you said that...

during one of my ops last year they refused to do surgory on someone who arrived past 8am, it is not worth taking that risk, they give you a time for a reason, even though it doesnt often mean you ahve your op done at that time, it is so theatre lists can run, anesthetics can have all in place, etc , etc. Don't take the gamble by arriving late.

I live a 10minute walk if taht from the hospital, for one of my ops I mis heard the time i should of been there was for a afternoon op, got there at 6am! oops, don't know waht put that in my head.

Lea x

Thanks for the info everyone. Not to fussed about the pre op ( or the op itself, although I reserve the right to change my mind in a couple of weeks). Only thing that is a bit concerning is for some daft reason i am one of those people who's blood pressure goes up when a doctor takes it. I mentioned my concerns to my GP last I saw him. He recommends I take it at home and take a log with me ( I have a monitor at home). I am not on any tablets and the GP said that it's ok when i am at home (i had one of those 24 hour monitors on back in November) Should be fine but I don't want anything to throw a spanner in the works.

Ian

Space cadet: I wasn't advising to arrive late because I think its ok to do so.... I was told by the staff that its fine to arrive after the 7am given on the letter, so long as I was there before 8am (preferably 7.30). I am not talking in general terms or suggest that any one under a different hospital or consultant should arrive late, GrandPaClanger is having the same operation under the same consultant in the same hospital as I did and only a few weeks later, so I believe my experiences to be current and valid.

I have the same problem with blood pressure, its always a bit high in hospitals. I guess that shows that behind the smile I am hating every second there and cant wait to go home!

Just booked next wednesday off so I can chill in the moning and not have the stresses of work. I work in IT support and the last thing I needed is a system to crash 5 mins before I am due to leave for an hours drive to the hospital .

Had the meeting yesterday. As Helen said it was with Isabella and the test Helen mentioned. Not keen on the swab up the nose. They took an ECG and some blood as well. Given leaflets (no new information in them due to the power of this site and YouTube).

They confirmed the tissue has been requested from the eye bank in Bristol who have acknowledged the request. So it's a case of waiting for "C" day on the 3rd

Ian

All the very best for 3rd, Ian. Meanwhile have a sunny and relaxing Easter break!
Anne