Getting Ready for Surgery

These resources can help you get ready to have an AV fistula:

Maintaining Your Lifeline
12-page newsletter has a page on the topic of getting ready for access placement, with information for the week before surgery, night before, and during the hospital stay. From ESRD Network 12 (the Heartland Kidney Network).

Caring for & Developing Your New Fistula: What You Should Know
Tri-fold brochure tells you what exercises you can do before fistula surgery to help your fistula to develop well and mature faster. From the Heartland Kidney Network (formerly ESRD Network 12).

Putting "U" in Fistula
12-page newsletter shows you isometric exercises to help prepare your veins for a fistula. It also describes the day of surgery - what to expect, what to bring, and what to do. From ESRD Network 12 (the Heartland Kidney Network).

Conquering Your Fistula Fear
3-page fact sheet presents tips for coping with fear about fistula surgery or the hospital stay. From the Heartland Kidney Network, with input from the 18 ESRD Networks across the nation.

Kidney School Module 8 - Vascular Access: A Lifeline for Dialysis
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Illustrated, 27-page module describes exercise you can do to help develop your fistula blood vessels. From Life Options' Kidney School (MEI).