Has anyone had Peripheral Artery Angioplasty & Stent Placement?

[left-of-center2012]

I see a doc next week for an ultrasound of my legs and think he may want to put stents in the arteries of my lower legs in the near future due to possible blockage.

Looking online, there’s a 6 to 8 week recovery afterwards at home and lots of possible problems in the following couple years.

I’m 74, many health issues, and live alone, Pretty much a hermit.

Any personal experiences?

Thanks

[flying_wahini]

1. Not personally but worked as a home health/hospice nurse for over 20 years...

The key to recovery is a good diet, plenty of vitamin C and getting up and Moving!
Walking Is key to recovery.


Stasis ulcers are a bitch to cure and In the absence of stints/surgery.... amputation is no fun.

The surgery will help a lot. It’s not as bad as it sounds. Be brave and do it.
Keep your activity level UP and keep your legs elevated.
The longer you wait to do the harder it is to recover.

You can do this!

[OhNo-Really]

2. Let Docs know you have no home help. If they keep you in

You need some help when you get home

I’d take the nurse’s advice

[Timewas]

3. I did

Actually not stents but had my right femoral artery opened and cleaned. The blockage was right at the hip crease and stents are not good for that position..recovery was not too bad depending on differences in people and their definition of recovery it was not 6 to 8 weeks more like a month or so and I was pretty much doing normal things....When they open and clean they put a patch on to close it back up which leaves the artery more open..

BUT everyone recovers at a different rate so just do as Dr advises

[left-of-center2012]

4. Was it 'day surgery'?

Or were you hospitalized ?

My primary care doctor said I may be in the hospital a day or two.

[Timewas]

6. over night

ICU room...this was a femoral artery and can be very dangerous if it springs a leak. I have also had both carotid arteries cleaned in the same manner one was 98% blocked and was causing vision problems

[The River]

5. Double Femoral Bypass

back in 2001 at age 50. No stents, just artificial arteries from lower abdomen into both legs. Not a lot of fun but the results were great. I went from being unable to walk a block to riding my bike 100 miles at a time.

[Timewas]

7. Yup

Only right for me but same results pretty much could not walk 100 feet without have to stop and catch up

[mitch96]

10. " I went from being unable to walk a block to riding my bike 100 miles at a time. "

Another benefit is the blood flow is restored to ALL the vessels.. My father in law had it done and after the surgery could not leave his wife alone!!! She said it was like he got his "toy" back working again..
YMMV
If your blood vessels are clogged ask the doctor if the stents will clog up also and how long before that happens... Roto Router? Did they check your carotid arteries also? Ultrasound test quick and easy
m

[The River]

14. Stents Clog Over Time

I have a few in my heart (RCA). I grew a new artery to bypass the stents. I seem to have great collateral artery development abilities.

"Exercise dramatically increases blood flow through the coronary arteries. The inner lining of the arteries responds to this "stress" much as it does to the stress of atherosclerosis, by stimulating collateral blood vessels to elongate, widen, and form new connections.".

https://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/do-it-yourself-cardiac-bypass-surgery

[patricia92243]

8. Diabetic husband had it done about 4 years ago. No problems

and the sores on his feet completely healed - blood flow made the difference.

I HIGHLY recommend it.

[kimbutgar]

9. My sister had one two months ago

She was in the hospital for 6 days and Has been recovering g at home. She is doing better and has more energy and it almost back to normal. She has someone taking care of her who makes her walk everyday now. She is 70 years old. She was a smoker up until 2010

[left-of-center2012]

11. "She was in the hospital for 6 days ...'

Were there complications?

6 days seems long.

[kimbutgar]

12. She's diabetic also and they wanted her to have it sooner but because of Covid they put it off

[left-of-center2012]

13. She's diabetic also

As am I.

I guess I have to have it done, but it scares me.