POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Optimistic on June 26, 2006, 05:28:12 pm
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Hi Everybody,
I was wondering if anyone ever had jaw surgery or any type of surgery performed on them before? I have an appointment on Wednesday to have my jaw corrected, which had been hurting for a while. I am worried about this procedure since I am Poz and never had never went under the knife before. I sopke with the doctors and they had explained to me the entire procedure. They also assured me that jaw surgery is a fairly common procedure and that they perform such a surgery almost every week. So, I have a vague idea of what to expect after the surgery. My concern is whether my health (cd4 and vl counts) will deteriorate after this surgery. If anybody can share their experiences regarding surgical procedures, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
Hugs,
Justin
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I've had surgery, it was elective, and I didn't have any impact to my health, (specifically my tcell and viral load counts remained constant). I was also put out for another procedure, (I forget the name of it, but it's when they tear your innards to shreds and you can't have a decent potty for weeks). No impact there either.
I wouldn't worry about HIV. My HIV doc said that sometimes he'll see a rise in a patient's viral load (if they're not on meds), but not always, it just depends on the patient. And even if there is a rise, it's usually only temporary.
Plus they usually put you on antibiotics (at least for my two procedures), which probably helps out your immune system.
Good luck to you....jaw surgery doesn't sound too pleasant, so I wish you a speedy recovery.
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Relax, and take a positive approach for Wed's Surgery. You will be fine.
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Hi Justin,
I had a minor surgery done last October 10th and here's what my numbers over that time looked like:
August 2, 732, 28%
Ocotber 12, 320, 25%
November 8, 786 28%
August and November were regularly scheduled blood draws, October 12 was to satisfy my curiosity two days after surgery. (I was still in hospital then) I only have viral loads for June 05 and November 05 and they were 6,580 and 10,200 respectively. That doesn't mean much though, because my viral load in June 04 was 7,740 and August 04 was 11,000. My viral load bounces. :D So do my CD4s for that matter. I've been positive for nine years and I've never taken an hiv med in my life. Not yet, anyway.
Don't be surprised if your numbers wobble because of your surgery. You don't say what your numbers currently are, but your surgery shouldn't cause a unreversable downward turn. Don't sweat it.
Ann
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Justin. Me and my Partner asked the same questions to our HIV Doc and to the Surgeon who will eventually be cutting on my husband. They said there was a study (cant tell you which one) out of California that did alot of comparisons between pos and neg surgery experiences and the result was no one was negatively impacted on surgery being hiv +ve.. Thats what our to docs told us.... Take it for what you will...
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Hello Justin,
I had hernia surgery done in 2002, just about a year before beginning on meds, and it was also at a point, when I was not in the best of health. But, the surgery needed to be done, there was no way of getting around it, as I had a lump the size of a baseball, in my groin area. The surgery went well, with no problems, and the healing and recovery also went very well,Considering, that I was not in the best of health back then.( took about 8 days off from work, and was light duty, for another 4 to six weeks).
Jaw Surgery. Just curious, You don't have TMJ, do you ? I have suffered from that on occasion, through the years, but haven't had any problems, in quite a while.
The Best----Ray
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I've had two operations on my foot in the last year and a half. While the recovery was awful (and still not complete) it had nothing to do with my HIV status. I'm sure you'll be fine. They give you the anesthetic and the next thing you know it's all over. You'll be fine!
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Hi Justin,
I had surgery on my back to remove a herniated disc exactly one year ago. There was no problem at all concerning my HIV. I was really worried about that too.
Good luck!
You'll do just fine. ;D
Peace,
angels4kelly
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Justin,
A few weeks ago I had a hernia surgery done. Everything went well and I had the best sleep in years. No adverse side effect at all on my T-cells. They were over 1000 before surgery and the same after. I'm going in for a prostate biopsy on Thursday and it looks like I'll probably have to have surgery or some kind of treatment for that. I’m; not looking forward to it but I’m not worrying about it. I just want it over with because I have better things to do with my time.
Good luck, Terry
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I was infected sometime in 1984/85 and had good health without medications for years. In 2002 I had elective surgery and shortly after that my health deteriorated. My CD4 counts plummeted and my VL rose out of control. I had to go on the meds. I don't know if it was related to the surgery or whether my weakened immune system pushed the virus over the edge. Who knows with this virus? If your doctors think your CD4 counts are good and your VL is low, then you probably won't have any problems.
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Thank you everyone for the responses....now I can go into the surgical room with a lil more ease. You guys are wonderful....I really appreciate it very much. I love you guys.
J.R.E...yes, it's TMJ issues.
Hugs,
Justin
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I have had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders. No hiv problems either time. Just watch out for the vicaden, very addicting for some.