Jan 28 day one post op

Today was kind of disappointing. The only symptom that has gone is my right foot is warm instead of freezing cold. I thought I'D be out dancing but no such luck.

The follow up appointment was a eight, which we were a little early for, but the office was locked. Dr Grewal showed up just before eight, but she did not have a key. We chatted in the hall for about ten minutes while someone found a key. We finally got in and continued the discussion in her office. I told her how disappointed I was and she said don't be too anxious. Actually only a few people experience an immediate effect. She said give it one too three months....and some people see no change at all. She said I'm right in the norm, just be patient. I told her I stayed in bed all last night, on my back, trying not to strain my neck veins. You don't need to do that, she said, continue your life as normal.

But isn't the vein split open from the operation? I asked.

no she said. Veins are very elastic. The blockage is not so much the vein but the little values in the veins. In our veins there are narrowings in the veins where essentially little flaps stop the blood from flowing backwards. In our arms and legs these are critical, but not in the neck. In the neck blood returning to the heart is not fighting gravity. These little valves in the neck veins is where the narrowing and blockage occurs. Dr Grewal said these valves are what they were rupturing and breaking, not the walls of the veins.

I thought I needed to be extremely careful with my neck from now on, but apparently I need not worry.

So, I pretty much misunderstood the procedure all the way along.

Now all I need are some positive results. More than just a warm foot.