 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2011-07-02 03:00
In the next month, I will be having major abdominal laproscopic surgery. The recovery period is expected to be about three weeks. At the end of August, I play in a concert. If I miss it, I have to secure a replacement because I'm the pricipal. Haven't yet had luck finding anyone.
So...how soon after surgery can I reasonably expect to return to my clarinet? Those of you who've undergone surgery, what was your experience with post-op practicing/performing?
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2011-07-02 04:48
Why aren't you working on your BeeDees!!! A reference that will only have meaning to you if you look at your other post!
Claire--I don't have a clue--I'd be a pinhead to suggest I do. Clarinet playing gastric surgeons on this board, let alone me, would be fools to give you a time window without knowing more medical details---which I completely respect that you may not wish to disclose here. More, I've never had such procedures.
So why the heck am I commenting?
At best, let me give you some of the relevant questions/things to ask/consider?
First, "major" as in surgery, not musical scales, and laproscopic, I'm glad to say, and I suspect you realize, are to some extent contrary terms.
Laproscopic approaches generally involve 3 small incisions where instruments get inserted. 3 insertion points give the surgeon the abilty to navigate pretty much anywhere (up, down, left, right, in, out) within a particular 3 dimensional space, to do what they need to do.
Once completed, these 3 holes are suppose to make convelescene much quicker, as opposed to a 3 -4 centimeter surgical closure.
Damaged tissue, if that's what their after, can be liquified and extracted through one of these incisions, and cuts can be made, or sewn/quaterized as needed (is it hernia related---don't answer that if it makes you uncomfortable to do so).
Are you in pain. Are you in good general health. Are you overweight, diabetic, a smoker. Are you in pain? Are abdominal muscles that control breathing going to be sore? Is this post obstetric? What's your age. What meds are you on already.
(All none of my business)
When I'm hearing a 3 weeks (how many of which are hospital days) on a lapro..that does sound long. Yeesh..imagine if what you need done was done through conventional surgery.
May you play many BeeDees beautifully for many years to come. All the best wishes on a successfully, quick, painless, and convelescene quick/complication free outcome.
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2011-07-02 12:54
TPR, it took me the same amount of time to read your reply as it will for my recovery!
I've had my gallbladder removed via laprascope and that surgery was a piece of cake. This upcoming surgery is more complicated and is considered major.
Hubby and I considered ordering the Time/Life "DYI Home Surgical Procedures" DVD serires for $19.95 but decided, instead, to apply that money toward a new box of reeds.
Bee-dee-bee!
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Author: kimber
Date: 2011-07-02 13:55
You said they predicted recovery to be about 3 weeks. Ask what the specific recovery restrictions will be...there will probably be graduated lifting/pound restrictions (maybe starting at 10lbs, 15lbs, 20lbs, etc.) Not that not lifting will affect clarinet playing (weight your clarinet case/bag - it's heavier than you think) but the lifting restriction is to reduce abdominal pressure and pulling...which clarinet playing can cause. Check with the doctor or his nurse. I would have someone ready as a backup, just in case.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2011-07-02 17:36
It took my friend whose stomach had moved into his chest area about two months to get back to playing when they moved his stomach back and repaired the damage, but I don't know if that is relevant.
When I had a left side abdominal protruding hernia repaired with a plastic mesh about 15 years ago on a Friday, I played the oboe in an orchestra on the next Monday. The surgeon said I could do anything that did not hurt. It used to take three weeks to get over such surgerys. Best of luck!
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2011-07-02 20:01
Claire--
I had open heart surgery last December, with an estimated recovery period of eight weeks. My cardiologist thought I should be able to play clarinet again within four weeks or so, but neither he nor I knew just how much pressure playing puts on the chest, stomach, everywhere--even when relaxed. It was several months before I could play again without pain (I'd say about five months).
If you're having major surgery, I'd recommned clearing as much time afterwards as you can, and just take care of yourself--that way you also clear the anxiety factor ("will I be okay in three weeks? Should I have gotten a sub?").
Hopefully you'll heal quicker that way, and come back stronger than ever.
All the best,
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2011-07-02 20:16
Eric and Claire, I think David Blumberg had open heart surgery awhile back. I don't recall him saying how long he was unable to play though.
Maybe he is reading this and would tell us??
CarlT
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2011-07-02 22:04
Often the doctors don't know what's involved in something as specific as clarinet playing. Although it was over forty years ago, so perhaps things would be different today, the surgeon who removed my tonsils (I was 21 at the time) told me to expect ti be able to resume playing in 2-3 weeks. This was an otolaryngologist (spelling?) who had been the house doctor for the Budapest Opera at an earlier stage of his career, and I guess he saw singers get back to work that quickly so he assumed the same would be the case for a clarinettist. The surgery took place in early September and it took until late November before I was able to blow through the resistance of a clarinet without most of the air leaking out through my nose. It wasn't the doctor's fault - he had no real idea of the resistance I'd be working against. And I had no idea beforehand what kind of questions to ask that would have produced a more accurate prediction.
Your surgery is entirely different, and your ability afterward to do the blowing needed to play might not be a specific problem beyond the doctors' expectations. But you'd probably be wise to plan as though you may not be ready for your August concert. Can't one of the members of your section cover your part? If not, doesn't someone have overall responsibility for arranging personnel, especially in emergencies? If so, that person may have contacts you aren't aware of. What would they do if you were suddenly taken ill the week before the concert and couldn't make the calls yourself?
Karl
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2011-07-03 02:57
The director has given me specific names to contact. I've had difficulty, so far, getting anyone to commit.
Karl, you basically said aloud what I've been thinking--the doctor is likely not aware of the resistence and the role the diaphragm plays in the type of breathing we do when playing.
I think I'm probably being too optimistic to think about playing a full concert that soon after abdominal surgery.
Hey! If any of you capable performers happens to be in the region or are looking for an excuse to vacation near the Smokey Mountains, send me an e-mail! I got a gig for ya!
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2011-07-03 17:01
Perhaps you could contact a clarinet playing surgeon offline who could ponder the facts.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2011-07-04 04:27
Heh! I actually DID contact said surgeon offline before I'd even read the above post! The pondering was very much appreciated.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2011-07-04 12:44
Glad to be of service.
[smile]
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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