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Here in Oz there are suggestions about how to check. How many of these surgeries have you done? What has been the result? How do your results compare with other similar surgeries elsewhere? Will you be doing the surgery yourself, or will it be done by someone junior under your supervision? What is the recovery time? Can I talk to someone who has already had this procedure done by you? And the suggestions include getting the answers in writing.
These suggestions first came up here particularly related to IVF procedures, where it was revealed that different clinics had totally different success rates. Knee surgery also got serious criticism, when it was shown that ‘success’ was often no better than exercise and ‘putting up with it’.
I don’t go along with all the criticisms, I just wanted to share my own experience of facing a similar issue. You have to be quite brave to ask the questions! Sympathy, Margaret
Look. You are absolutely right to think carefully before you consent to any treatment or procedure. Indeed, it is impossible to give informed consent to a procedure if you have not been helped by your surgeon to understand the risks involved both in having the recommended treatment, and in not having it, so that you can compare them.
So write down your questions, and put them to your surgeon, and don't make your decision until you are satisfied that you have all the information you need. But other people are not you, and what is true for them may not be true for you. How does it help you to hear that X in Alberta was fine, but Y in Zanzibar was never the same again?
so if someone is desperate.. and in pain, they usually jump into the hoop.
do yourself a favor... do your homework... and if insurance will not pay for extra opinions... pay out of pocket if you can...
look for other options on internet,,, find people who have gone through these surgeries...
so,, the last time my aunt was in hospital.. doc told me " this is her new baseline".
so, now when I visit her every day... "this is her new baseline".
you are 67.... aunt is going on 90.
my friend who has gone through multiple surgeries (note: some were not necessary) is going on 72... and her freezer is packed with ice packs. she is not comfortable....
this really does come down to you and your physical issues.....
I have known many people going through surgeries.. one man said he that he wished got his hip surgery years earlier, and he would not wait again for the 2nd.
another said he would not wait for total knee replacement again, the first was great.
another got both knees done at same time, told insurance company, and they placed him in a nursing home physical therapy place so he could get the right care he needed.
surgery nowadays are better than years ago, but our bodies react differently.
And if they say you need 5 infusions... upper, lower, in a row,, closer to neck or farther down? one relative described a back surger: "like they were pulling out pieces of crab meat to release then tension on the spinal cord.."
I am not a surgeon or in medical field what so ever... can't give advise... But is there an urgency for this? if so, try to get another professional opinion and see what your insurance will pay... my friend paid over $70K for something she didn't need...
so you remember that old song... the neck bone is connected to the shoulder bone, which is connected to the back bone, which is connected to the hip bone..etc etc...
someone I know... had a back surgery that was connected to the hip surgery that was connected to the knee surgery.. don't know if the issues were related...
and then I know only one person who had a :::: TOTAL ANKLE REPLACEMENT !!!!
UCK... AND YIKES... AND YUCK..
Is he ok? Not much better than it was prior........ REALLY????
and he had to have it fixed 3 days in a row... that means going into surgery under anesthesia 3 days in a row.. got out of surgery.. sorry, youre going down again, it didn't hold,,, oops we got to put you under, the angle is not quite right.. and his answer is,,, ya,,, it didn't help much...
so they perfected hip surgeries... and knee replacements are as normal as hips now,,, and ankle ones are new..... and from the hip to ankle the space and bones seem to get more delicate...
do your job, and get professional opinions about your surgery.. take your xrays and other important info and ask... some doctors may not want to answer due to "legal issues", but do seek advice...
Good Luck!
I had cervical spinal fusion surgery in 2008 with 100% success and no pain afterward but terrible spasms beforehand. The herniated discs were protruding into the spinal cord area so I had no other choice but to have surgery or face paralysis if I fell or had a car accident.
My cousin had lumbar spinal fusion surgery at the lowest vertebrae where they met the tailbone and her recovery was long and terribly painful requiring an extensive stay in rehab.....2 months if I recall. It took many months for her to recover completely. She was about your age at the time of her surgery. She was plagued with sciatica beforehand and the surgeon assured her he could fix her up like new, neglecting to mention what the recovery process would look like so she was totally blindsided. She did ultimately get rid of the sciatica once she finally recovered.
So, there are all sorts of back surgeries out there, all sorts of outcomes, and all sorts of scenarios which are impossible to comment on. You have to know what the recovery will look like, what the chances are you'll have less pain afterward than beforehand, and be able to weigh the pros and the cons of the risk. Mostly though, you have to trust your surgeon to tell you what to expect and not blindside you so you be prepared to have the best outcome and arrange the best support.
Good luck!
I still don’t know if I did the right thing. I can understand your hesitancy only too well. Is there any chance of a second opinion? You have my profound sympathy in a difficult decision. Margaret
If you have had 2 consultation and they each say different things get a 3rd opinion. If you have had 2 consults and they say the same thing probably no need to muddy the waters with a 3rd.
Next is to make sure you are as healthy as possible prior to the surgery.
I would suggest get all the facts. I am assuming you are in a good deal of pain and have really no choice in this matter to speak of?