Lucy

[Laurlie]

Hi there,
I am 31 yrs and I have graves disease.
I am very nervous about having decompression surgery because of my age and I also have a 9 month old little girl to look after. However this has been an ongoing problem for a couple of years now. My eyes are very bulgy and very sore, so much so I find it hard to sleep at night and in the morning I look like someone has stabbed my eyes with needles. Has anyone had this surgery done at my age and is there a long recovery? My doc has told me a few of the facts but I would appreciate anyone elses advise.



This discussion is related to Orbital Decompression.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

That is very tricky surgery with high chance of complications and a very slow recovery. You best consult at least two oculoplastic surgeons; one at least at a univeristy medical school department of ophthalmology.

JCHMD

[golden_goddess]

I had orbital decompression surgery 2 years ago and have developed eyelid retraction in my right eye again and some bulging.  My thyroid was removed prior to decomp surgery and I am on Armour.  My vision has gotten worse/double vision over the past 2-3 months and have pressure and headaches almost everyday.  I want another decomp surgery and want to know if anyone has had more than one decomp surgery.  At times my thyroid antibodies have been elevated making my body think I have my thyroid and it is in Graves mode.  HELP!!!  I am stable now...thanks, Catt

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[monster512]

I had decompression sergery several years ago the area in which the skull was remove has increased in size, the whole has gotten larger the doctor i'm now seeing has told me thats impossible it does'nt happen well it did happen now i need a bone donor to replace bone i've lost in my skull not sure i even want to have anything done but im having headaches sometimes 3-4 days at a time at this point i dont know what to do.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Ratsmouth]

I'm now two days post-op.  My eyes are open, more or less, and I'm able to focus and move around the house.  There is still some swelling.  Actually, it's more pronounced swelling today than yesterday, which I'm told is normal.  I am still tired from the anesthesia and have not done anything except sit around, listen to the TV and keep ice on my eyes.  My hunch is that you'd need to have someone look after your nine month-old for several days, at least, since you should avoid lifting and bending.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Ratsmouth]

Well, I'm having Orbital Decompression Surgery at age 60, so......tell ya what:  If it's okay for me, after nearly half a century of Graves' Eye Disease, maybe it wouldn't be so bad for someone who's 31.  Talk over your concerns with your doctor, for sure.  

I'm so excited about this, I could dance into the OR if they'd let me!  

September 22nd is my surgery date.  It's my mom's birthday.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

We have many, many discussions of orbital decompression surgery. Read them by using the search feature on this page.

JCH MD