Ski Club 2.0 Home
Snow Reports
FAQFAQ

Mail for help.Help!!

Log in to snowHeads to make it MUCH better! Registration's totally free, of course, and makes snowHeads easier to use and to understand, gives better searching, filtering etc. as well as access to 'members only' forums, discounts and deals that U don't even know exist as a 'guest' user. (btw. 50,000+ snowHeads already know all this, making snowHeads the biggest, most active community of snow-heads in the UK, so you'll be in good company)..... When you register, you get our free weekly(-ish) snow report by email. It's rather good and not made up by tourist offices (or people that love the tourist office and want to marry it either)... We don't share your email address with anyone and we never send out any of those cheesy 'message from our partners' emails either. Anyway, snowHeads really is MUCH better when you're logged in - not least because you get to post your own messages complaining about things that annoy you like perhaps this banner which, incidentally, disappears when you log in :-)
Username:-
 Password:
Remember me:
👁 durr, I forgot...
Or: Register
(to be a proper snow-head, all official-like!)

Medical people: how long is a month?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Sounds a bit obvious, but bear with me Toofy Grin

I've just had facial reconstructive surgery (on Mon 27th) and there is nice fresh snow, which I am surviving by telling myself it's windblown and wet and I don't really want to go out in it Confused I'm allowed to do exercise after two weeks, so that's 10th Feb, but because of the pressure difference I'm not supposed to go up mountains for a month. January is a long month, and I'm more likely to find a buddy at the weekend, so assuming conditions are worth it (fresh) is 3 weeks 5 days close enough? Laughing wink

I'd normally think of a month in this context as four weeks, but I was just wondering if medical school teaches you to count differently?
snow report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
The term "month" is being used to be deliberately vague. After all they could have said 30 days 11 hours and 42 seconds.

I'm not sure there is an answer to your question
latest report
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@Scarlet, probably longer that it takes you to turn into a grumpy grump.
Just to cheer you up...
https://www.bergfex.at/kitzbuehel-kirchberg/wetter/berg/
snow conditions
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Well 4 weeks sounds a reasonable definition but if the pressure difference is that significant maybe best to ask the Doc if a few days matters!
snow report
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Steilhang, Well you know where you can stick that! Absolutely beautiful day here, though the avi risk has shot up.

As you might be able to tell, I'm not a very good patient, but at least I'm not stuck in hospital any more.
latest report
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Scarlet wrote:
@Steilhang, Well you know where you can stick that! Absolutely beautiful day here, though the avi risk has shot up.

As you might be able to tell, I'm not a very good patient, but at least I'm not stuck in hospital any more.


Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Scarlet, listen to your body, mild pain , your body is advising you that the envelope is being pushed. Pain like a thousand demons hitting you with red hot club hammers is a sign the the envelope has been well and truly torn up and you should probably ease off slightly. Caveat. I am not a medical practitioner , but find this ethos has served me fairly well. snowHead
snow report
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
@prometheus, Yes, I agree with that, though I don't really have any pain from this beyond what you would expect from having a surgical wound.

I am fit and healthy and youngish. I was told I would need to be in hospital for 3 to 4 days. I argued my way out of there in two (NHS boots you out after 24hr, so nothing really unusual there), so I am doing better than the expected average. Physically, I feel fine, but I am aware that there is internal healing going on which is harder for me to judge. Injury porn on the other thread if anyone wants to see.
snow report
 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@Scarlet, there's definitely never a push to expel you from hospital here in Austria. Gute Besserung!
snow conditions
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
3 weeks 5 days is probably fine - it's not like 2 or 3 days are going to make a massive difference but caveat emptor.

sez he who was only technically released from medical supervision re a brokey leg on the morning he was driving out to the alps.

I think the real risk is not air pressure but skiing conservatively enough that you aren't chancing a repeat..
snow conditions
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Dave of the Marmottes wrote:
I think the real risk is not air pressure but skiing conservatively enough that you aren't chancing a repeat..

You'd think so, but no, exercise is all good after a fortnight (contact sports excepted, though no-one except @k has mentioned that – they're not that popular around here compared to ski/snowboard) so I'll be down at the climbing wall pretty soon. It's to do with my sinus being opened up (if I blow my nose, it will inflate my eye Shocked Laughing ).

Also, that's why I said fresh conditions – this is very much a piste injury (hard snow) and the other two in my room were helivacs from skier collisions. Pootling about on blue runs does not sound the slightest bit appealing, even though that's what most people would consider post-injury.
ski holidays
 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
I always figures docs are conservative with their estimates for this sort of stuff and/or they build in contingency based on the fact punters will often cut it short and/or to cover their back bottoms.
snow conditions
 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@Scarlet, Take up cross country skiing? Removes all pressure difference wink
snow report
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@Scarlet, the advice is based on the average situation, most likely with a conservative margin for error. No one is average, and none of us know whether you are recovering more or less rapidly than the fictitious average person.
Your doctor might be able to assess this, but your doctor would likely also say that you should wait at least a month, because they don't want to be blamed if something happens. 26 days is less than any month.

In your position, if I felt up to skiing, I'd be going Very Happy
latest report
 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@PaulC1984, Yay.... Look who is back. Happy
ski holidays
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
28 days.

Learned in med school. Makes it easier to schedule follow ups / pill repeats as it falls on the same week day. Wink
latest report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Scarlet wrote:
Sounds a bit obvious, but bear with me Toofy Grin

I've just had facial reconstructive surgery (on Mon 27th) and there is nice fresh snow, which I am surviving by telling myself it's windblown and wet and I don't really want to go out in it Confused I'm allowed to do exercise after two weeks, so that's 10th Feb, but because of the pressure difference I'm not supposed to go up mountains for a month. January is a long month, and I'm more likely to find a buddy at the weekend, so assuming conditions are worth it (fresh) is 3 weeks 5 days close enough? Laughing wink

I'd normally think of a month in this context as four weeks, but I was just wondering if medical school teaches you to count differently?


today is january
saturday is february
thats a month Cool

maybe learn snowboarding on the nursery slopes at low altitude?
snow conditions
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@motdoc, 15 posts to get a non-drivel answer wink 26 is almost 28 though, right?
ski holidays
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Mr.Egg wrote:
today is january
saturday is february
thats a month Cool

maybe learn snowboarding on the nursery slopes at low altitude?

I actually quite like your thinking. I don't like the idea of returning to hospital with a broken wrist rolling eyes
latest report
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
And regardless of the technical answer the real answer is - if it's epic powder that weekend you'll do it anyway, if it's crusty mank you'll be saying "well I would but doctor's orders.. "

your real anxiety should be about 10cm on a base of a week or more's drought. Dust on crust or worth calling a powder day?
latest report
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
@Dave of the Marmottes, sounds about right Laughing
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I suppose it depends in part on how bothered you are about your face. That "knocked about" look might be regarded as quite sexy in some circles.
ski holidays
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
motdoc wrote:
28 days.

Learned in med school. Makes it easier to schedule follow ups / pill repeats as it falls on the same week day. Wink

Scarlet wrote:
@motdoc, 15 posts to get a non-drivel answer wink 26 is almost 28 though, right?

Assuming you have an appointment scheduled on the 28th days, try move it up to day 25. Smile

Scarlet wrote:

It's to do with my sinus being opened up (if I blow my nose, it will inflate my eye Shocked Laughing ).

So you could almost self-diagnose whether you're ready for the pressure change or not.
latest report
 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
pam w wrote:
I suppose it depends in part on how bothered you are about your face. That "knocked about" look might be regarded as quite sexy in some circles.

Laughing Though, as above, it's regarding pressure changes at altitude rather than more face braking. I won't win any beauty contests this week, but should be back to normal in a fortnight. The blue stitches do have an element of gnar though Cool

abc, good plan, though I don't know if I even need more appointments beyond my stitches removal next week.
latest report
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@Scarlet, Ski low down, then less pressure change?
FWIW, my surgeon (post hernia op) said no skiing for 3 weeks, I really pushed the boat out and went up after 2 weeks 5 days cos it was New Years Eve and everyone was meeting up for lunch Very Happy
Oh, and for sure we need pics!!!
latest report
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
better not sneeze either... You'll be fine.
snow report
 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Presumably some of the ways your sinuses, including those behind your eyes, adapt to pressure changes might not be working perfectly, post surgery. Think of what happens in Val Thorens to a bag of crisps bought in Bourg St Maurice. wink
latest report
 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@KenX, Well, as a percentage, that's definitely worse Toofy Grin Skiing low down would kinda work, but all the lifts go fairly high around here and the best snow is usually higher up. @PaulC1984's langlauf suggestion would work though, I can do that at Seefeld. Low risk too, I think.
Pics would break the no photo rule, so you'll have to use your imagination! It's nowhere near as bad as a week ago anyway, so the best opportunity was (deliberately) missed. CT scans on the other thread though.

@endoman, Yep, even though I did so about 10 min before the second scan was done! I suffer with dust allergies, and often can't stop a sneeze. It does mean I'm off cleaning duties for a few weeks Laughing
ski holidays
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@pam w, I once opened a new tube of moisturiser up in Val T. I think about half of it emptied into my hand rolling eyes
ski holidays
 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@Scarlet, I presume you’re not allowed to fly either?
snow conditions
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@under a new name, nope, but I have no plans to till the summer anyway, so it's not an issue for me.
snow conditions
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
pam w wrote:
Presumably some of the ways your sinuses, including those behind your eyes, adapt to pressure changes might not be working perfectly, post surgery. Think of what happens in Val Thorens to a bag of crisps bought in Bourg St Maurice. wink

Can't help to laugh out loud! The visual image (and the sound effect) is quite entertaining.

Almost spill my lunch all over my keyboard. (like @Scarlet's tube of moisturizer...)


Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Thu 30-01-20 18:03; edited 1 time in total
snow report
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@Scarlet, beware that if you go even a day early, an insurance company is likely to declare you to be skiing against a doctor's advice and use this as a reason for not paying out in the event of an incident.
snow conditions
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
@Alastair, A good point, but I don't *think* any of the insurances I have (SVA and Alpenverein) work like that. I will check though. And as discussed, the timeline is deliberately vague... Also, nobody has defined "altitude". I live at 600m, but the resorts at e.g. Seefeld or St Anton are more like 1400-1500m and therefore at altitude comparatively. I think they mean something more like 2000m+ though.
snow conditions
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Scarlet, I'm not an ENT doctor.

But I've had a fair amount of injuries so have some experience in recovery. I'm suspecting there's probably a fair bit of swelling inside your sinus as a result of the injury and the surgery combine. The "one month" is probably the average time for those swelling to calm down. Until then, rapid pressure change could be quite uncomfortable. You can't exactly jump off a chair if, halfway up, your sinus felt like it's about to explode.

You could always ask the surgeon on how far ahead of "average" you are on the day of your stitch removal.

(or, whether it's alright you skin up instead of taking the chair lift/cable car )
snow conditions
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Scarlet wrote:
@Alastair, A good point, but I don't *think* any of the insurances I have (SVA and Alpenverein) work like that. I will check though. And as discussed, the timeline is deliberately vague... Also, nobody has defined "altitude". I live at 600m, but the resorts at e.g. Seefeld or St Anton are more like 1400-1500m and therefore at altitude comparatively. I think they mean something more like 2000m+ though.


You can always have a weekday ski up Patsch to see where your head explodes (do borrow a Go Pro if you try this - inquiring minds want to know)
snow report
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Scarlet wrote:
@pam w, I once opened a new tube of moisturiser up in Val T. I think about half of it emptied into my hand rolling eyes


A bit premature, was it?
snow conditions
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
GlasgowCyclops wrote:
@PaulC1984, Yay.... Look who is back. Happy


Im always lurking Happy . jist getting my fix befpre heading off to finland next week and flying straight over to Norway for a follow up Happy
latest report
 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
PaulC1984 wrote:
just getting my fix before heading off to finland next week and flying straight over to Norway for a follow up Happy

What, here, on my injury thread?! I don’t know whether to be flattered or slightly disturbed Shocked

@Tom_Doc, rolling eyes
latest report
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Along the lines of the skinning up suggestion, go for a drive that takes you up to altitude (Kuhtai?). A lot easier to return should you feel anything amiss than on a chair/gondola with no escape until you're much higher.
latest report



Terms and conditions  Privacy Policy