Healing after surgery

[MYSTERY]

I was wondering if anyone could help me with this question. I ended up rutpuring my Achilles tendon as I was running in a 5k benefit run. I ended up having surgery a couple days ago. I am worried because of HIV I will not heal as well as I should for a full recovery. I am also on atripla, and was concerned that it might interfear with the healing process as well. Has anyone had any experiences with recovery after surgery. I hope I will be able to run again, I would be lost without it. I am sure my age being 43 will have its roll in recovery as well. Worried

[jennynyc7]

Your immune system does play a big role in recovering after surgery. You didn't mention what your latest cd4 count was. I know this may be a little different but for example, cigarettes can lower your immune system and they tell you not to smoke when recovering from surgery. Well, when I had my first child via c-section, I started smoking again almost minutes later. I was back in the hospital the next week with an infection at the incision site and it took a long time to heal. With my second daughter I did not smoke and had no problems. Sure it all could have been coincidental but yes, immune function does come into play when trying to heal-from anything.

[dixieman]

I would follow my doctors instruction with that type of surgery... You will not be running for a good while. You do not have your age listed... if your over 40 its going to naturally take longer than a twenty year old. Your cd4 count if below 200 would possibly be a major factor but, if your doing well on your meds the time out from from running really should be relatively little difference than someone whose hiv-... some people heal faster than others... but, its going tobe a slow process especially with that type of injury. Since your a runner in the first place I presume from doing 5k your should be in good physical health but, I would suggest you see a sports specialist relating to injuries such as yours. your doctors aware of your hiv+ status so I would check with him... there are too many variables to take into account. I had surgery almost 3 years ago... and I'm just getting back into the swing of things but, I had no complications more so than anyone with the type of surgery I had also recently I had to have 38 stitches and my doctor was amazed at how fast I healed... I have to thank God for good genetics for that and an excellent physician. First you'll have to walk... running will take time... you do not want to reinjure yourself and complicate matters.

[michaelman333]

I just had major surgery in august and it didnt have any wierd reaction or healing time due to my HIV... the doctors said that I should be fine and my numbers havent changed.... I am thankful for that part... as long as you are in good health otherwise you should be fine in my opinion...

[MYSTERY]

Thanks for all the helpful advise. My current CD4 is just over 500 and Vl. undetectable. So hope that will help with situation. I am 43 so I do understand that it will take a little longer to heal. Just wanted to make sure my hiv status would not play a big role in my recovery. I guess I was also concerned because it does not seem like you retain your muscle mass as easy as I once did. I also lift and find that the results dont stay around as long. It may also be the age thing playing a role.

[SoSadTooBad]

I had a tonsillectomy will less than 200 t-cells.  Recovery was not a picnic, but wasn't the end of the world either.  The post-surgical antibiotics were pretty important, but otherwise, I did fine.  With 500 t-cells and a body that can run a 5k benefit run, I bet you will do great.   

[Graywolf]

I had spinal surgery 2 years ago for degenerative disk problem plus spinal fracture due to falling from muscle weakness. I was tossed around like a hot potato due to the HIV and age issue (Im now 61) when they finally decided to operate there was spinal cord damage. I'm also a smoker that needs to quit, and doctor were amazed how quickly i healed considering it was an 8" incision, the dsacr is barely visible today. I have been off all meds for 3.5 years due to life threatending side effects from viread, abacavir and nerve/muscle damage from azt and d4t. my t's have varied from 420 to 600 and v/l has remained <75.

i fell a fe wmonths  ago and a few days later my right arm was all pins and needles plus crushing pain in legs and feet and have lost another inch of both calves, but doctors refuse to believe it's my back

[Desertguy]

I had knee surgery May 23, 2008.  My T cells then were 420, & 3 weeks after surgery they were 207 !!!  Doc wasn't worried but all healed up now.  I am back to running & biking Oh I was also on Atripla at the thiem

[MYSTERY]

Well my incision seems to be healing fine, and I have started therapy. I think its going to be awhile before I run. It will be interesting to see how my T-Cells are after I have my blood work done in 3 weeks. Hope everything will be fine.

[Basquo]

Since becoming poz I've noticed that little nicks and scrapes seem to take forever to heal, or perhaps I'm just more conscious of them?

Ironically, it was a surgery that lead to my diagnosis, and that scar (hernia-type in the groin) healed just fine, very quickly, and 8 years later is only visible if I groom and you get right down there to look.  

But I'm facing surgery in January, or at least it's planned, and I'm second-guessing it every day. My numbers are good, but I'm worried about the recovery time.

[Moffie65]

Had third hernia fix on the left side last friday.  My numbers have been respectible since March, so I went ahead with the surgery.  My recovery is as well as can be expected for the third attempt, and my age of 62, and being AIDS since '94.  You should be fine.  Just take it easy if you start to get more fatigued than usual.  Being a hero is usually counterproductive; besides you have almost 20 years to catch up to me. 

[MYSTERY]

Thanks for the advise Moffie65,

 I have been going to the gym and doing work outs for the upper body and have noticed that I am getting tired alot faster. I suppose it has to do with my crutches and not training very hard for the last month. Its hard to get back into the swing of things. But I will take it easy until I get off these darn crutches. I am impresses that my incision has been healing very well, and I didn't get any infections at the site of the operation.