Cataract Surgery

GeorgeB

Anyone here with cataract surgery experience and when to resume playing the trumpet ?

I had surgery this past Tuesday. The surgeon requested that I put down the horn for at least a week to 10 days, but admitted that although she had performed cataract surgery on many musicians she couldn't recall doing one on a trumpet player per se and suggested I talk to other players who have had cataract surgery for a more precise time frame.

George

oldpete

@georgeb I have had that. Buzzed my mouthpiece some for a few days. No problems. I dozed a lot

GeorgeB

@oldpete

Yeah, seems the operation does tire you out a bit. I sometime doze off in the afternoon, probably normal for most 86 year olds, other than myself. I could never nap during the day before I had cataract surgery.
How long before you actually played the trumpet again ?
George

Trumpetb

Not all trumpet playing is the same.

I would be inclined to begin with gentle playing in the lower register at first so internal pressures do not build.

Then gradually lift the playing to the upper register.

Driving out high notes has been suggested as a contributing factor to eye problems in some players when taken to excess so some care in this area may be wise.

GeorgeB

@trumpetb

I fully intend to do what you suggest, but when should I start playing again. Did you have cataract surgery ?
George

Trumpetb

No I havent had cataract surgery, I am not qualified to comment of the time you should wait before returning after this procedure.

I posted my comments to suggest that you allow yourself the best chance of a swift and issue free recovery.

The doc suggested 10 days, enough said, we are talking health here. Trumpet playing can be stressful on the body as we all know.

I would add the following anecdotal comment, some years ago a severe motorbike accident left me with spinal injuries several fractured vertebra punctured lung and several major broken bones, the neuro surgeon in charge of my case said that a significant number of patients have been discovered to be very slow to recover while others are swift.

We cannot know in advance which group we are in.

I would therefore for safety sake assume myself to be in the very slow to recover group and allow longer than the doctor recommends for recovery unless I have definite evidence to the contrary.

In my opinion it just is not worth gambling my prospects of recovery for the sake of saving a day or two in the recovery.

Just my 2 cents.

Good luck.

GeorgeB

@trumpetb

And a sensible 2 cents it is.
George

J. Jericho

Interesting timing, GeorgeB. I had my first cataract surgery a week before yours, and my next one is set for next Tuesday. My post-op instructions say normal activity is OK after a week. My experience with surgery in general is that full recovery takes a lot longer than predicted by my doctors, so I take a conservative approach. I may try to play this weekend to get a feel for what it's like, and Easy Does It is my plan. I registered for Taps Across America https://www.tapsacrossamerica.org/ today for Memorial Day 2023, but it remains to be seen If I'll be able to participate.

I wish you a remarkably good recovery and the best of health!

SSmith1226

George,
My first recommendation is that you listen to the advice of your operating surgeon. He knows what he did, how securely the lens is seated, etc. I have had Cataract Surgery. My surgeon was and is the Chairman of the Opthalmology Department of an internationally respected University and Eye Institute. His recommendation to me was not to play trumpet for at least one week. After a week, I started slowly with prolonged whisper tones, Clarke’s One at pp or softer and didn’t push to force anything that was not coming easily.
I slowly advanced to Clarke’s two over a few days gradually increased the range when it was easy and kept it pianissimo.
I hope that this helps.

GeorgeB

@ssmith1226
Hi, Steve, I fully intend to listen to her. She was particularly happy with the surgery and though she said a week to ten days, but she did add she felt a week would be fine if I did exactly what you suggested in taking things slow and easy. Look, I am two months away from turning 87 and I hope to be playing the trumpet when I am 100 so I am not a man who takes foolish chances. Thanks so much for your expert input, Steve. And thank you, too, Jericho
And, BTW, the eye is coming along just great with no pain and no discomfort.
George

barliman2001

I can't recall whether I answered this question or not; so I'll retry. I had cataract operations in both eyes in 2014, done by a rather eminent surgeon who is a trumpet player himself. He suggested that I continue with exercises like "pencil between the lips" right after the operation, but re-start gentle practicing about a fortnight later.

GeorgeB

@barliman2001

Thanks for the reply. The surgeons seem to vary in their instructions and I do believe that has a lot to do about how well the surgery went. BTW, I own a P.E.T.E. that I do a daily exercise with the chops. The Doc had no problem with that.
So I stopped playing on Wednesday and after 7 days I will start up in a very gentle soft and easy manner, and sticking to the staff. After that I'll see how things are going and act accordingly.

Thanks everyone for your excellent help and advice.

George

ROWUK

Let us not forget that for a good doctor, there is no difference between a 1week, 10 day or 2 week break. That is simply their way of saying that we have had a significant medical intrusion and a "little time" is required for our bodies to recuperate.

They want to see us again before we "strain" anyway and it is to our benefit to let it heal a "bit" longer than to risk chapter 2 of the same issue. The pencil trick is a great way to maintain muscle tone without any additional air pressure.

GeorgeB

@rowuk

As usual, Robin, all good advice and I will definitely keep your words in mind.

George

Dr GO

Intraocular pressure does increase significantly, as much as 9 - 10 mm Hg pressure in high resistance wind instruments (i.e. trumpets). In one particular trumpet player the intraocular pressure increase by 27 mm Hg! See below:

So yes, it is best to rest until healing of the tissue has been achieved (approximately 4 weeks). Good luck and when playing again, my I suggest starting back with "I Only Have Eyes for You". However if you ignore doctor's advice, perhaps playing "Under Pressure" may be more apropos.

GeorgeB

@dr-go

I Only Have Eyes For You ...
Good one, Doc. It will likely be 4 weeks by the time I am able to play the way I usually do.
George

BigDub

I would say, ( hope I'm not repeating anyone else here…) different players, different set of precautions.
Some guys and girls look like their head is going to explode. Then there are others who you almost can’t distinguish the difference between them playing and just placing the horn on their chops.
So, depending where you fall into that group, judge accordingly.

GeorgeB

@bigdub
I get what you are saying, Wayne. I am one of those players who don't look like they are playing. I use only the tension necessary to get the job done. And if I can't hit a high note easily, I drop an octave.
George