🩸 Vascular Surgery Aftercare
AV Fistula Creation Aftercare Instructions
A day-by-day recovery guide for av fistula creation: what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.
Typical recovery: about 30 daysVascular Surgery
What to expect
Vascular Health
- •Take blood pressure and cholesterol medications as prescribed
- •No smoking (the single most important thing for vascular health)
- •Regular exercise improves blood flow
AV Fistula Creation recovery, day by day
Day 0 (Procedure Day)
Immediate Care
- Keep the procedure site clean and dry
- Follow all discharge instructions
- Some bruising and soreness at the site is expected
- Do NOT let anyone draw blood, start an IV, or take blood pressure on the access arm
Activity
- Walk frequently to prevent blood clots
- Avoid heavy lifting for 2-4 weeks
- No hot baths, saunas, or hot tubs for 2-4 weeks
- No crossing legs while seated (restricts blood flow)
Day 1-14
Recovery
- Monitor the access site daily
- Keep incision clean; shower as directed
- Feel for the 'thrill' (vibration) in your fistula daily; contact your team if it changes
- Take prescribed blood thinners or aspirin as directed (do NOT miss doses)
Day 15-30
Ongoing Care
- Resume normal activities as tolerated
- Attend all follow-up appointments and vascular imaging
- Fistula maturation takes 6-12 weeks before it can be used for dialysis
- Lifelong healthy habits: no smoking, regular exercise, balanced diet
When to call your provider or 911
- •Changes in pulse or sensation near the access site
- •Sudden severe headache, vision loss, or slurred speech (stroke symptoms)
- •Wound opens or starts bleeding heavily
- •Fever above 101.5°F
- •Loss of thrill/bruit in the access (fistula may have clotted)
- •Chest pain or shortness of breath
When in doubt, call your clinic. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Recovery milestones
- Day 5
Initial healing
Wound healing, pulses stable
- Day 14
Follow-up evaluation
Vascular imaging and wound check
- Day 30
Expected recovery
Fistula maturing and ready for use
For clinics
Stop photocopying aftercare sheets.
QR Rx sends this exact av fistula creation recovery plan to every patient, branded to your practice, opened by a QR code. It checks in automatically, answers post-op questions, asks for a review at the right moment, and brings patients back for their next visit. The aftercare you already owe every patient, doing the work of keeping them.
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