I had my surgery on june 17th on my right side. My Dr. wants to do a blood flow study around Sept.   Dr. is concerned with tight fitting glasses near my right temple area where artery passes for right side blood flow. I will need to have my left side done this year also. My concern is returning to my job when all is done. I work in a Steel Mill and must wear a hardhat most of the day along with tight fitting safety glasses with side shields. My job is a maintenance tech electrical which involves climbing,working on overhead cranes and other large industrial equipment. Sometimes the work is strenuous and hot. My concern is with the retaining band in the hardhat and safety glasses choking off my newly found blood supply. Has anyone else dealt with this type issue ? Would my employer need to be involved with this. My Dr. said "Let's deal with this when I do your other side and declare all is well". I guess I am just looking for some advice and seeing if anyone else has already dealt with a similar type issue.

I haven't dealt with that particular issue - but I was wearing glasses at the time and was told to get looser fitting glasses - specifically near the temple area so as not to put pressure on it.  I have since switched to contacts - so it's not really an issue anymore (except, perhaps, with sunglasses!).

I would definitely involve your employer when it comes to your work environment.  You also will need to stay hydrated - so be very careful of the heat as well. 

-Shari

Larry,
I do not wear a hard hat at work but i do wear safty glasses. My emploryer supplies a randge styles of safety glasses to choose from so i picked the most comfortable to my needs. As for the hard hat. I do wear a helmet when i bike and i went through multiple models to find one that didn't irritate my soft spot.

I would deffintly work with your employer to find safety equipment that fits your needs. since you probably can't where contacts due to the nature of you job I would look into getting better fitting prescription safety glasses since they should remburse you for them. your employer has to provide you with safety gear that fits your needs. i believe it is a law, and they should not beable to fire you because you need special grear. What should happen is they would pay for "normal" cost of the grear and if  what you need is more expensive then you would pay the difference. That is how it works at the company i work for.

i agree with Shari's hydration comment. Stay cool
I hope this helps,
becky

Great advice above, Larry. I was warned about tight fitting glasses and hats for Luca too.

A suggestion for the tight retaining band on the hard hat would be to loosen it and attach some sort of chin strap to keep it in place.

Take care
Mark (Luca's Dad)

I have an appointment scheduled for tues. at the Cleveland Clinic with my Dr.'s P.A.  He is an older gentleman (my age)that used to work in industry. I am bringing my hardhat and safety glasses I must wear at my steel mill job. We will be looking to see if I will have any contriction to my STA that goes by my ear that now supplies my rt. side brain. I met with my employer's medical dept. and they have never encountered anyone with this problem. I guess my Dr.'s office and employer's  safety dept. will have to get together to work something out so I can return to work. Met-Life which pays my temporary disability benefits (sick leave) has cut me off until they get more information about this problem as their rep called me and said they never heard of this before. I would appreciate anyone my age (56) male that works in heavy industry that wears a hardhat in the course of their employment with MM would you let me know how you handled this issue please respond.

Larry,
I am not sure this will help you much as I don't wear a hardhat, but after my rt & left bypass's in Aug 2006 I felt my eyeglasses were impinging on my grafts.
My solution, was having Lasik surgery early 2007 at the Cleveland Clinic and I have since, loved the results. It was more expensive at CC, but I voiced my concerns about the price and they worked with me and offered to do it at the equivalent cost of someone that "had" Vision Insurance and took about $1000 off! With that, it was only about $500 - $700 more than the Lasik "Mills" and with Cleveland Clinic Expertise and Skill. (I figure in 10 yrs, it'll have paid for itself from the lack of purchasing Rx eyeglasses....and I am am enjoying its benefits in the present)

In your case, even with Lasik, you would still need a hardhat and protective glasses, so your quandary is yet to be solved. Do let your Employer know your situation and the vital importance for a custom fitting glasses & helmet.

Best Wishes and take it slow.....you have been through quite a lot!
Diane

Larry,
I may not be as old as you or the same gender or work in the same kind of conditions but I understand that kind of frustration. All you want to do is get back to work to get the sense that you are still normal.

My companies medical rep had never heard of it before either but after they contacted my neurologist they worked something out. I am shocked that they would cut your sick leave benefits because they don't understand the problem.

I would do some personal research and maybe buy your own hardhat and safety glasses that don't cause any pinching then ask your companies safety team to approve them and then ask for a reimbursement up to the cost of a normal hardhat and safety glasses. Don't give up they will understand it just may take alot of work and pressure on your part.
Good Luck,
Becky

I met with Dr.Rasmussen's PA today and we tried my hardat and safety glasses on. He said the band on my particular hardhat rides abut 1 inch above the opening where my STA goes to my brain. So he forsees no obstruction with that. My safety glasses were another issue.. way too tight in the temporal area. I brought along an older pair with meatal frames that we were able to bend as not to cause any pressure in the critical area. I will have to get Severstal to get me a new pair with my current Rx.   Dr. says I can return to work  Monday assuming I pass Company physical.  I will have a short stay however as I have a MRI/MRA/MRP scheduled Oct 6. After the results of that I will probably schedule my left side surgery. Not something I am looking forward to but understand I must get it done. Thanks to all who have responded to my posts and for all advice and support offered.

Larry,
I am happy to hear your company is finally working and understanding the issues. I am also super happy that you were able to find a work-around untill you next surgery. I hope you have a speedy recovery!
Becky

Well I made a full week back to work. Actuallt working tomorrow for a 6th day. I had no problems physically with strength or stamina. My safety equipment (hardhat and safety glasses) were ok too. It was nice to see some co-workers who were concerned about my well being but some who are not .. oh well. Some derogatory comments such as "zipperhead" "Braindead" "I've seen paper cuts worse than that scar" "With that new bloodflow You should be an Einstein". But it is nice to feel somewhat normal again and to feel useful.. not that my wife hasn't been fully supportive and caring. I guess I am trying to convey I have some normalcy back in my life again and want to thank all posters on MM.com for their responses and support. I am not looking forward to my next surgery but I know it is necessary and will update when it happens.

Larry, So glad 2 hear u had a good week. Great 2 hear u had good stamina & strength. I hope next week is just as good or even better. Your Co workers sound alot like the guys my husband works with. Shop talk. Anyways thanks for the post. My daughter wears glasses & never thought about them being 2 tight. Very helpful info. Danielle

Hello again Larry....just checking in and checking up on you! Hoping each week gets a little bit better. Do take it slow. You may think you are well, but actually need some more "recovery" time. It is a physical AND emotional healing after a major surgery! Don't worry about the jokes or the scar(s)...wear them proudly...after all, YOU earned them!

I tell my friends I have done my repairs early.....and I'll be there to help them through theirs in a few more years!

Larry,
Thank you for the update. I am happy you found a solution so you can return to work. I agree don't push your self too hard. Also don't let the jokers get to you. I think it is there way of dealing with your situation. Unless it gets really bad. Stay strong!
Becky

PS: A craniotomy is used on crazy people to help relieve skitosophrenia and other mental instability like Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde, or jack the ripper. Also your "zipper" is so you don't have to buy a halloween costume!