SwissVan Posted November 5, 2012 Share Just a quick update... I had the patch (using a vain from my thigh) done on my left iliac artery on Monday, the specialist also released the inguinal ligament on both sides to prevent future artery irritation. I now have a nice pulse in my left leg! The sad news is that my right iliac artery is also 50% blocked and may need a patch in the future if it restricts me too much. But at least the ligament is cut and it shouldn't get any worse. The post op recovery is going well, not too much pain. He cut my abdominal muscle so laughing, sneezing of coughing is not a good idea. I should be able to start active recovery in a week. In the meantime I need to keep the HR low not to burst the patch! The fact that both my iliac arteries were slowly getting blocked explains why it was so difficult to find out what was wrong! So if you feel your performance has dropped badly, is irregular and one or both legs go dead/numb after a hard interval best to get an ABI or Ankle Brachial Index test done! The cycling position can cause the artery to kink, stretch or narrow! Hope you have a good recovery, take it easy and dont rush it...there will still be plenty of races next year... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massiveboy Posted November 5, 2012 Share I just finished chatting with Yolande as I am booked in for my procedure for Monday 12th November so trying to get a bit more info. Must get this done now as need time to prepare for 2013 Joberg2C. Who did your op? and so soon back into slow recovery?? nice to hear your op went well, makes me feel more confident! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flemish Lion Posted November 5, 2012 Share Hi MB, I had the op on Monday and I'm already back at work (desk job though). I just need to take it easy for 2-3 weeks to make sure I don't damage the patch. E.g. you also can't drive a car for 2-3 weeks - perhaps an automatic will be fine. So make sure you plan this properly, a slow walk is all that is allowed. Dr Levien (Sunninghill hospital, Joburg) did my op, he also did Yolande (the first one - without releasing the inguinal ligaments, hence it returned). So make sure they release the ligaments! I went for a angiogram and aortogram the Wednesday before the op so he knew exactly what to do. I researched the topic a lot and not one case is the same. Here's a nice picture of the CYCLISTS position and the narrowing: http://uvahealth.com/services/vascular-center/treatment/external-iliac-arteriopathy Good luck and don't hesitate to ask any questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massiveboy Posted November 5, 2012 Share My Prof. has a pretty good idea already (of the area), reason being is i had a Balloon angioplasy about 2 months ago - he was not overly satisfied with outcome but at leased we gave it a try. Yolande told me Prof Levien did hers and that the Inginiel Lig was not released the first time, will def let my Prof. know! How long where you in Hospital for? you seem to be back in action pretty quick, I am told 1 month nothing whatsoever (training wise)? My Profs. only concern is my expection after the op - he says he will def better the blood flow but hopes my expectations arent to win TDF for example! what ws your docs take on outcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flemish Lion Posted November 5, 2012 Share I stayed in the hospital till Thursday am. My Dr. expects the flow to be 100% again, but I will be hampered by my right leg. Annemiek Van Vleuten for example, the Dutch Pro women cyclist was an ok rider before the op and now she is winning World Cup races! But as before every condiotion is different. I have another appointment tmrw so will know better then what I can and can't do training wise - will keep you posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massiveboy Posted November 5, 2012 Share I stayed in the hospital till Thursday am. My Dr. expects the flow to be 100% again, but I will be hampered by my right leg. Annemiek Van Vleuten for example, the Dutch Pro women cyclist was an ok rider before the op and now she is winning World Cup races! But as before every condiotion is different. I have another appointment tmrw so will know better then what I can and can't do training wise - will keep you posted! Great thanks, chat soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flemish Lion Posted November 6, 2012 Share Just came back from the Doc. He took out my alternative staples and all is looking good. I've also stopped taking any pain killers as the pain was minimal. Although the patch is at its weakest at 7 days I can now start taking brisk 1-2 km walks. Driving a car should be kept to a minimum, the motorbike will have to wait a bit longer, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissVan Posted November 6, 2012 Share What are the dangers wrt the patch, i.e. if the patch fails does that mean it could lead to massive internal bleeding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flemish Lion Posted November 6, 2012 Share Indeed, and I doubt one can put enough pressure on it to stop the bleeding - hence the recovery must be well guided. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissVan Posted November 6, 2012 Share Indeed, and I doubt one can put enough pressure on it to stop the bleeding - hence the recovery must be well guided. Hectic... I'd be to scared to move at all untill i'm certain its 100% patched/grown together or whatever is supposed to happen.Take care Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massiveboy Posted November 6, 2012 Share Nice, i am very encouraged by your recovery. my wife is probably going to tie me to the bed for a month - emailed my prof. yesterday and told him to get the big knife out to cut the inguinal ligaments!! take it easy and keep up the updates of how you doing. hopefully all will go as well as yours come next week Monday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flemish Lion Posted November 14, 2012 Share Let us know how your op went MB. I got my last staples out yesterday and am feeling so much better, my body was fighting these foreign objects! Two weeks and a day after my op I can now start cycling (indoors) and gymming albeit keeping the HR below 110 beats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massiveboy Posted November 14, 2012 Share HI FL, i am still in hospital after my op on Monday, was a 3 hr jobbie as the surgeon had to do both the internal and external iliac art. he did say that all went well and there was no issues what so ever. I was in ICU over night but moved to a Private ward (thank god) yesterday where i will be for another 2 days and hopfully released Thurs/Fri. 2 massive cuts one on my inner thigh and another from about hip bone right up till just under my ribs - when i stand up to go for a piss it feels as if my tummy wants to popout!! you same thing? cant believe you already back on bike well done - the way i feel now it seems impossible. feel bit easier today but pretty swollen round tummy and scars> thanks for you imput nice I am not the only one, spoke to yolande speedy yesterday she had it done twice ----- JUSSSSUS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flemish Lion Posted November 14, 2012 Share Good to hear all is going well! So you have two patches? I opted to leave the catheter in my blatter for two days so I didn't have to get up! So I was flat on my back for two days. After two days I found the pain to be very minimal, I was waiting for it every time I got up, but never materialised - I'm sure the pain killers had something to do with it, but still. I have the same two cuts plus one extra 8cm cut to release the ligament on my right side. You'll be surprised how quickly your body heals, but the first two weeks are VERY unpleasant! But the daily progress is amazing! To go for the same procedure a second time knowing what you are in for must have been tough... poor Speedy! My Doc seems more curious than me to know the difference when I start cycling / racing again. I hope my right iliac artery recovers (50% blocked) and doesn't hamper me too much - else I'm in for a second op too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Part time Biker Posted November 20, 2012 Share Hi Guys After reading your posts it gives me a bit more comfort, I am booked to go in on the 28th, originally it was going to be only the left side but after closer investigation we have decided to repair both sides, my main problem being the kink in the artery and very bad narrowing on the left artery. Due to both sides being done the procedure will be done from the centre of the abdomin, The Dr (Dr David Snyders, a cyclist himself) also indicated a recovery of 4-6 weeks but did say it may be shorter. Good luck with your recovery, and I will let you guys know how mine goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.A.K. Posted November 20, 2012 Share How common/rare is this problem? What was your first symptoms and how many hours do you spend in the saddle each month? PS Massiveboy, your avatar pick looked very odd on the small screen of my phone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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