A special plea to everyone!

[Guest guest]

Dear Feisty Friends,If there is one question EVERYONE seems to ask, it is this: "Where can I find the best flatback revision surgeon?" New members are often in profound need of information on surgeons.Many surgeons have been discussed in some detail, but only in messages to the Feisty group. Unfortunately such messages are likely to be buried in our vast message archives. Few of us are willing to spend endless hours plowing through historical conversations to get the valuable answers we need.I send out a request each month for more doctor-reviews in the "Database" section of our site. I don't know why there is so little response, but here are two of theories. I have written a brief response to each possible objection.(1) You don't want to go on record with your candid thoughts about your surgeon, especially since you have an ongoing relationship with that surgeon or might need the surgeon again some time. Response: Please don't worry about this at all. Opinions of doctors are completely anonymous. Whatever you may have to say, no one need ever know it is you. (Of course you are free to add your name to what you write, but generally members choose not to do so.)(2) Someone has already reviewed your surgeon. Response: Please don't let this stop you! The more reviews the better. We are all different, and we may have drastically different needs and preferences when it comes to finding the right surgeon. Many surgeons in our data base have only one (1) review, even though many of our members have sought their help. (One surgeon has a positive review, even though the last person we know of to have surgery with him came out of the operation paralyzed from the waist down.) If someone has already written a review of your doctor, please just click on "Add Record," input the doctor's name again, and give us your own opinion.If no one has yet reviewed your surgeon, that is all the more reason for you to do so. This may be an invaluable help to others with flatback syndrome. Our database is woefully partial -- there are so many more surgeons than those whose names appear in the member-listing at our site.If you do nothing else to help your fellow flatbackers, won't you just take a few minutes to do this one fairly easy thing? After all, when it comes to saying whether Dr. So and So is a fantastic expert with the perfect bedside manner -- or is, conversely, a slipshod surgeon, lazy diagnostician, and all-round horse's behind -- YOU ARE THE ULTIMATE EXPERT! You are the person whom we most want and need to hear from: An actual patient of Dr. X's.Writing up a few comments on your surgeon, posting your remarks in the data base for posterity, does not need to be a big deal. No fancy English or award-winning composition skills are necessary. Just the facts, ma'am. Also, if you change your mind later on, or want to add something, or want to delete an earlier opinion, you are free to o so.As you may know from our ongoing discussion, many of us have started our journey to revision in tremendous fear, confusion, and despair. Some members who have healed beautifully, who now walk upright and enjoy each day, were at one point suicidal. They did not know how to proceed or where to turn. When they finally got to an outstanding surgeon, someone they could work with and trust, that was a major turning point.If you enjoy helping others, if you want to make a long-term contribution to this forum, why not write an anonymous summary of your experience with your revision surgeon? Say what you liked or what you didn't. Comment on any aspect of this surgeon's practice you consider important. Explain why you picked this surgeon, or why you kept on looking.You never know. You might just help to save a life.Thanks,