surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi . I’m

not sure where you are so you may already be in bed sleeping in preparation for

your big day tomorrow, but I wanted to add my sincere wishes (along with

everyone else’s) for a most wonderful outcome. I, too, will be undergoing

my own surgery on the 14th. Please know that you will be in my

thoughts and prayers. I look forward to seeing an email from you on the forum

in the not-too-distant future telling us you’re back and well on your way

to recovery. God bless and God speed.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of misgrrl

Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007

9:34 AM

Subject: [ ]

Surgery

Hello everyone! Just wanted to say hello and wish me

luck. My surgery

is tomorrow Feb 6th with Dr Rand. He is going to try to accomplish

everything in one surgery, so it will be a pretty long day. They are

suppose to keep me sedated on a breathing tube overnight and the

thought of loosing 24 hours of my life is really scary, but here I go

anyway.

If anyone would like to email me at the hospital it is New

England

Baptist. http://nebh.org/default.asp?node_id=7443

Talk to you soon I hope.

[Guest guest]

HI Nan,

My cousin is recovering from hip replacement surgery and is just thrilled with the results. A few friends have had it, too. All feel like they've gotten their lives back. I hope your result is just as good. I also hope it's quick so you can come to the retreat in NC. I would love to meet you! Best of luck to you on Tuesday and please let us know how you're doing afterwards.

Bonnie

[ ] Surgery

CamHi! I don't know if you have talked to Martha lately, but I wanted to let you know that the hips just couldn't take it anymore. I am scheduled for hip replacement next Tuesday. Didn't know whether to post it on the flatback site as it really isn't. I still intend to be there in April barring any unusual circumstances. The dr. said that I should be OK to travel by the 6 wk mark, which is when some patients of his return to work also. I am so looking forward to it!I tried to hold out as long as possible (per Dr. Bridwell), but after exhausting all other treatments for pain, I am out of options & in considerable pain. If you could squeeze out one more "flatback prayer" for me, I would appreciate it.Thanks so much!Nan

[Guest guest]

Dear Nan,

Here's wishing you a very sucessful hip surgery. I have had several friends have this done and boy they sure popped back really quickly, and said they wished they had done it sooner, the relief from the pain was immediate. Holding good thoughts for you!

[ ] Surgery

CamHi! I don't know if you have talked to Martha lately, but I wanted to let you know that the hips just couldn't take it anymore. I am scheduled for hip replacement next Tuesday. Didn't know whether to post it on the flatback site as it really isn't. I still intend to be there in April barring any unusual circumstances. The dr. said that I should be OK to travel by the 6 wk mark, which is when some patients of his return to work also. I am so looking forward to it!I tried to hold out as long as possible (per Dr. Bridwell), but after exhausting all other treatments for pain, I am out of options & in considerable pain. If you could squeeze out one more "flatback prayer" for me, I would appreciate it.Thanks so much!Nan

[Guest guest]

Hi Nan, I had both hips replaced in 2001, 4 months apart. It was wonderful to be out of pain and to walk and hike again!

Phyllis Ponvert

From: Kirkaldie <.Kirkaldie@...>

Reply-< >

Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2007 11:07:46 -0700

< >

Subject: Re: [ ] Surgery

Dear Nan,

Here's wishing you a very sucessful hip surgery. I have had several friends have this done and boy they sure popped back really quickly, and said they wished they had done it sooner, the relief from the pain was immediate. Holding good thoughts for you!

[ ] Surgery

Cam

Hi! I don't know if you have talked to Martha lately, but I wanted to

let you know that the hips just couldn't take it anymore. I am

scheduled for hip replacement next Tuesday. Didn't know whether to

post it on the flatback site as it really isn't. I still intend to be

there in April barring any unusual circumstances. The dr. said that I

should be OK to travel by the 6 wk mark, which is when some patients of

his return to work also. I am so looking forward to it!

I tried to hold out as long as possible (per Dr. Bridwell), but after

exhausting all other treatments for pain, I am out of options & in

considerable pain. If you could squeeze out one more " flatback prayer "

for me, I would appreciate it.

Thanks so much!

Nan

[Guest guest]

Dear Peggy,

I know all the info they give you can be overwhelming. Your surgical plan sounds like so many of ours, and sounds very valid. I have two points to make about what you have listed here. First, no doc should give you a guarntee of pain relief, or being pain free, " his take care of it comment", this is hopefully what will happen. There is a spectrum of pain relief after surgery, there are some of us who are painfree, many of us who have had a great reduction, and there always will be some who got no relief or the pain following surgery is different. Most are glad they did it, I certainly am, but this is very complicated surgery, and outcomes and pain levels differ. More than a few of us required more than one surgery to get us to the promised land. I want to tell you that while being painfree is everyones ultimate goal, there is a wide range of outcomes when it concerns pain. So when your doc say it will take care of it, take that knowing that might mean reduction, being painfree, or the same.

I know reading here there might be a element of " not me, I surely won't need all that". There is no easy fix to this, anterior/ posterior surgery is the norm, with rod removal, or partial rod removal, osteotomies, a lot of new hardware and rods. For me, I needed the surgery, and I am and was a fulltime stay at home Mom. Being at home and doing all the work of wife and mother got me to surgery the same as if I worked outside the home. Once you start on the downhill cycle, and I went several years like that, the only chance for relief for me was surgery, I had exhausted all the other coping mechanisms, and I was a pro at it, I used a cane, knew where every bench was at every place I went, so I could sit and resolve my pain. I only shopped where there was a shopping cart that I could lean on, and only went when I knew I wouldn't have to wait in line. I did massage, physical therapy, got steriod injections. Like I said I did all this for years, all the time my world got smaller, less and less I could do. My sunny, fun disposition was gone, replaced by a painful, sometimes mean and short with people person I didn't recognise. There comes a moment where you have to be honest with yourself, and ask the hard questions, how far have I gone downhill, how is my disability affecting me and my family, will the chances surgery give me be better than what I'm going through. I got a real reality check after the surgery was over. Family and friends really started telling me just how bad I was before, my stance and inability to get upright, how concerned they were about my weight because I was unable to exercise or even walk more than a few feet at a time, and how my pain had changed our relationship. I guess before the surgery they felt I was " sick" and didn't want to pile it on then, but afterward they felt it okay to release all that. You think you are a pro at hiding it, that the med's and compensating will cover it, that I had adapted, and everyone has something. Those around you are truly affected by your downhill spiral, they are just too kind most times to make you aware.

So Peggy, you need to evaluate where you are at, ask honest questions of not only the medical people, but your friends and family. I was at the place that surgery was my only hope at getting function back and a reduction in pain, and even if you are at home and don't have the responsibilities of a job, you still need to be able to walk, stand, be upright, and be in less pain or have it gone, if at all possible. While there are no guarntees, it was my only shot, and while it took three surgeries to get me where I am today, I'm glad I pushed on to get where I am. Only you can make the decision, and I wish only the best for you.

[ ] surgery

I saw Dr. Reeg today. He agreed that I need surgery, now or later, whichever is most convenient for me. What put me in shock was what he said the surgery would involve - an anterior and posterior approach. He will make an incision through my abdomen to get to the vertebrae, cut out the bad discs, wedge huge chunks of bone in the disc spaces to restore the height, and restore the natural curve of the spine so I my spine is no longer flat; then he will flip me over, cut me open in the back, cut the Harrington rod in half and remove the lower portion, fasten down the upper portion, then fasten new rods and screws to hold all the new "stuff" in place. The new rods would go from my thoracic spine down to my pelvis. I will have to wear a brace after surgery. Recuperation time will be 4-6 months. I will be able to drive after approximately 2 months. Right now surgery is tentatively scheduled for June 25. Most importantly he did say that surgery would take care of the pain and the imbalance.

Since the pain significantly increased after starting to work full-time, I did tell him I was quitting my job and returning to working from home where I could rest or change activity when the pain starts. I asked if it was possible the pain might return to pre-work levels and I could cut back significantly on the pain killers, and he said it was very possible. So if I find being home again full-time eases off the pain and I'm able to stop taking all the meds, I will probably cancel surgery and wait until later. If I find I still have to live on pain meds, then I'll go ahead with the surgery in June.

I'm still pretty much in shock right now. I wasn't expecting to hear that I need an anterior as well as posterior approach and I was never expecting to hear that part of my Harrington rod would be removed!!!! I will schedule another appointment with the doctor as a million questions are now coming to mind that I didn't think to ask.

Peggy

[Guest guest]

Peggy,

My surgery was very similar except the entire 18 " rod was removed.

I had anterior surgery to work on my lumbar, new spaces, etc.

Posterior surgery the very next day, remove entire rod, new hardware,

ostiotimes? and screws....It was intensive but like you I was 40 degrees

forward and torqued to the left most of the time. I just wanted to say,

though it is hard to digest, some have been there before you and we

will support whatever decision you make. Take care,

[Guest guest]

Peggy--your doctor's approach sounds like what I'm going to have done

next week. Anterior and Posterior seems to be what a lot of docs are

doing now. The lower part of my rod will be removed also and I will

have a bunch of other " metal parts " added to stabilize everything

afterward.

Tues. is my big day. My doctor told me she thought the surgery would

take care of most of my pain. At least the disc/nerve pain. The

arthritis pain, probably not.

Carol V.

>

> I saw Dr. Reeg today. He agreed that I need surgery, now or later,

whichever is most convenient for me. What put me in shock was what

he said the surgery would involve - an anterior and posterior

approach. He will make an incision through my abdomen to get to the

vertebrae, cut out the bad discs, wedge huge chunks of bone in the

disc spaces to restore the height, and restore the natural curve of

the spine so I my spine is no longer flat; then he will flip me over,

cut me open in the back, cut the Harrington rod in half and remove

the lower portion, fasten down the upper portion, then fasten new

rods and screws to hold all the new " stuff " in place. The new rods

would go from my thoracic spine down to my pelvis. I will have to

wear a brace after surgery. Recuperation time will be 4-6 months. I

will be able to drive after approximately 2 months. Right now

surgery is tentatively scheduled for June 25. Most importantly he

did say that surgery would take care of the pain and the imbalance.

>

> Since the pain significantly increased after starting to work full-

time, I did tell him I was quitting my job and returning to working

from home where I could rest or change activity when the pain

starts. I asked if it was possible the pain might return to pre-work

levels and I could cut back significantly on the pain killers, and he

said it was very possible. So if I find being home again full-time

eases off the pain and I'm able to stop taking all the meds, I will

probably cancel surgery and wait until later. If I find I still have

to live on pain meds, then I'll go ahead with the surgery in June.

>

> I'm still pretty much in shock right now. I wasn't expecting to

hear that I need an anterior as well as posterior approach and I was

never expecting to hear that part of my Harrington rod would be

removed!!!! I will schedule another appointment with the doctor as a

million questions are now coming to mind that I didn't think to ask.

>

> Peggy

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Bee, this is Cary in Oklahoma. I have a couple of questions. I

just had surgery to have my tubes tied, it is a laparoscopic

surgery. While the doc was in there, he looked around at all my

vitals (as they usually do) to make sure everything was okay. I

asked him if there was any yeast anywhere in there and he said no,

and that my liver looked beautiful, and the only thing wrong he could

see was a couple of adhesions from my c-section. He did not appear

to be lying, but I wonder how could my liver look wonderful and as

many female problems as I have had, where is the yeast? What do you

think?

==>That's good your liver looks healthy. Many people with rampant

candida have had liver function tests done and they come out

negative. My girlfriend's son was hospitalized at 10 years old with

severe liver pains and they couldn't find anything. She took him to a

holistic doctor who put him on the candida program and his liver

normalized.

==>You wouldn't have candida in the space your doctor is looking at,

which is the interstitial space between the organs. Candida

overgrowth occurs mostly in the digestive tract and vagina and its

candida toxins that are creating havoc throughout the body.

>He also told me to expect heavier bleeding and worse cramping since

I will not be on birth control. I don't know what to think anymore.

==>Cary, if you stay on this program your periods will normalize.

Your body needs nutrients and a normal immune system in order to heal.

Bee

[Guest guest]

With Tort there can be surgery to release the muscle in the neck. For Plagio - if there is Craniosynotosis, a premature fusing of the skull - Surgery is needed.

Jen and Luli (16mo)

Left Tort - Right Plagio - Hanger Band Grad - CA

tallulah jayne

http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jens5th/

surgery

I saw some photos re: surgery. What kind of surgery?? I thought with torticollis and plagio that there was no surgery?

**************************************

See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

[Guest guest]

You can also have surgery like our daughter did with severe plagiocephaly too.JenandLuli@... wrote: With Tort there can be surgery to release the muscle in the neck. For Plagio - if there is Craniosynotosis, a premature fusing of the skull - Surgery is needed. Jen and Luli (16mo)Left Tort - Right Plagio - Hanger Band Grad - CAtallulah jaynehttp://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jens5th/ surgery I saw some photos re: surgery. What kind of surgery?? I thought with torticollis and plagio that there was no surgery?**************************************See what's free at http://www.aol.com. AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

[Guest guest]

Donna, My original surgery was in 1981. I am scheduled for a revision on July 23. The doctor I choose, Dr. LaGrone in Amarillo, does his revisions in "one stage." I asked him about that at my consult. He stated the reasons as follows: less overall blood loss, better for the patient not having to be "under" more than once, less chance of infection. I can see the pros and cons for both approaches, but for me the one stage makes sense. I personally would be overwhelmed with having to have another surgery approx 1 week after the first one. That is just me. I hope this helps. If you google "LaGrone" I think he discusses reasons for one stage revisions on his website. Take care and good luck, Melinda in Dallasdturovac <dturovac@...> wrote: I have not posted in quite some time, and as others have mentioned, it is mainly because I was doing well. Just to give a little background, I have Harrington rod fusion (thoracic and lumbar) in 1975 and have little or no problems till about six months ago with the sudden onset of constant low back and right hip pain. I began pain management and did very well with my first epidural in November. I did so well with it that I did not have the second shot till early March and it has been downhill ever since. I am seeing Dr. Tom Errico (from NYU) and he is changing my meds, but obviously the need for surgery is

eminent and I have more or less decided to go through with it, but am hoping to defer it till February, basically because that is a better time in my life workwise and lifewise to take 3-4 months off. Quite honestly, I'm not sure I can live with this pain till then, but maybe my new meds will kick in and I can wait. I am very happy with Dr. Errico; he is my "second opinion" and I do not feel the need to see another physician. Let me state here that I work in an orthopaedic department in a hospital and I know that he is more than qualified to do this type of surgery and that he has a lot of experience. However, in our discussions regarding surgery, he states that he does not remove the old rods (which I find to be a relief) and he does the revision in one procedure, not in stages. I guess I'm looking maybe to hear from someone that may have had a "one-stage" revision and if there is any literature regarding pros

and cons of either. Thanks for any information anyone can offer.Donna

Finding fabulous fares is fun.Let FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains.

[Guest guest]

Dear Donna,

My revisions ( yes, I had more than one) were both one day proceedures and were not staged. My doc prefers to do them in one day, a personal preference of his. I can only weigh the differences by what I've seen here.

Drawbacks compared to a staged surgery:

1. length of surgery all at once. Both mine were ten hours.

2. Bleeding, with this long of a surgery blood loss can be great, I went through quite a lot, even beyond what I had donated.

3. Swelling, I had a lot of blood and products and fluids, and had a lot of facial swelling, so I had to be maintained on a vent for a couple of days in ICU.

4. Exhaustion, I think that big of a surgery takes a lot out of you in the short term, I would say by comparing how others that were staged, they were doing more earlier, but it all seems to work out to be about the same at the six week mark.

Pro's for me for a one day proceedure:

1. A shorter hospital/ rehab stay. I was in the hospital one week. I really didn't want to have a surgery, wait up to a week and have a second one, and then more days of recovery at the hospital, my preference alone.

2. Just wanted it done and over with.

3. My kids were school age and I didn't want to be away for upwards of two weeks or more.

4. I wasn't sure if I could mentally handle a second surgery so soon after the first stage, guess I would have if needed, but didn't have to make that choice, took me months to get my head wrapped around needing the second revision.

Hope that helps!

[ ] Surgery

I have not posted in quite some time, and as others have mentioned, it is mainly because I was doing well. Just to give a little background, I have Harrington rod fusion (thoracic and lumbar) in 1975 and have little or no problems till about six months ago with the sudden onset of constant low back and right hip pain. I began pain management and did very well with my first epidural in November. I did so well with it that I did not have the second shot till early March and it has been downhill ever since. I am seeing Dr. Tom Errico (from NYU) and he is changing my meds, but obviously the need for surgery is eminent and I have more or less decided to go through with it, but am hoping to defer it till February, basically because that is a better time in my life workwise and lifewise to take 3-4 months off. Quite honestly, I'm not sure I can live with this pain till then, but maybe my new meds will kick in and I can wait. I am very happy with Dr. Errico; he is my "second opinion" and I do not feel the need to see another physician. Let me state here that I work in an orthopaedic department in a hospital and I know that he is more than qualified to do this type of surgery and that he has a lot of experience. However, in our discussions regarding surgery, he states that he does not remove the old rods (which I find to be a relief) and he does the revision in one procedure, not in stages. I guess I'm looking maybe to hear from someone that may have had a "one-stage" revision and if there is any literature regarding pros and cons of either. Thanks for any information anyone can offer.Donna

[Guest guest]

Thanks - I happen to agree that one procedure should be enough

physically and mentally

>

> Dear Donna,

>

> My revisions ( yes, I had more than one) were both one day

proceedures and were not staged. My doc prefers to do them in one

day, a personal preference of his. I can only weigh the differences

by what I've seen here.

>

> Drawbacks compared to a staged surgery:

>

> 1. length of surgery all at once. Both mine were ten hours.

> 2. Bleeding, with this long of a surgery blood loss can be great, I

went through quite a lot, even beyond what I had donated.

> 3. Swelling, I had a lot of blood and products and fluids, and had

a lot of facial swelling, so I had to be maintained on a vent for a

couple of days in ICU.

> 4. Exhaustion, I think that big of a surgery takes a lot out of you

in the short term, I would say by comparing how others that were

staged, they were doing more earlier, but it all seems to work out to

be about the same at the six week mark.

>

> Pro's for me for a one day proceedure:

>

> 1. A shorter hospital/ rehab stay. I was in the hospital one week.

I really didn't want to have a surgery, wait up to a week and have a

second one, and then more days of recovery at the hospital, my

preference alone.

> 2. Just wanted it done and over with.

> 3. My kids were school age and I didn't want to be away for upwards

of two weeks or more.

> 4. I wasn't sure if I could mentally handle a second surgery so

soon after the first stage, guess I would have if needed, but didn't

have to make that choice, took me months to get my head wrapped

around needing the second revision.

>

> Hope that helps!

>

>

> [ ] Surgery

>

>

> I have not posted in quite some time, and as others have

mentioned,

> it is mainly because I was doing well. Just to give a little

> background, I have Harrington rod fusion (thoracic and lumbar) in

> 1975 and have little or no problems till about six months ago

with

> the sudden onset of constant low back and right hip pain. I began

> pain management and did very well with my first epidural in

> November. I did so well with it that I did not have the second

shot

> till early March and it has been downhill ever since. I am seeing

> Dr. Tom Errico (from NYU) and he is changing my meds, but

obviously

> the need for surgery is eminent and I have more or less decided

to go

> through with it, but am hoping to defer it till February,

basically

> because that is a better time in my life workwise and lifewise to

> take 3-4 months off. Quite honestly, I'm not sure I can live with

> this pain till then, but maybe my new meds will kick in and I can

> wait.

>

> I am very happy with Dr. Errico; he is my " second opinion " and I

do

> not feel the need to see another physician. Let me state here

that I

> work in an orthopaedic department in a hospital and I know that

he is

> more than qualified to do this type of surgery and that he has a

lot

> of experience. However, in our discussions regarding surgery, he

> states that he does not remove the old rods (which I find to be a

> relief) and he does the revision in one procedure, not in stages.

I

> guess I'm looking maybe to hear from someone that may have had

a " one-

> stage " revision and if there is any literature regarding pros and

> cons of either.

>

> Thanks for any information anyone can offer.

>

> Donna

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

I'm just a little more than 5 weeks out of posterior/anterior/posterior surgery

all done in

one procedure. The operaton was 10 hours for me and included partial rod removal

and 3

osteotomies.

Personally, I know there are many arguments for having multiple stages to this

surgery,

but my doctor and I discussed this at length, and to tell you the truth, I could

never even

consider multiple surgeries for all of the same reasons indicated below.

The biggest

reason for me was emotionally: No way could I envision having the strength to

put my

body through 2 major anaesthesias that closely together. I don't respond well to

anaesthesia, plus my surgeon felt it was very risky to do surgeries so close

together. He

worked with an entire team of surgical specialists that each did their part in

my surgery. I

have never once regretted the decision to do the whole procedure in one go.

I hear Dr. Errico is wonderful. I had surgery with Dr. Bendo at the

Hospital for Joint

Diseases in NYC. I know of one other person who had revision surgery with Dr.

Errico

there, and she thinks he is wonderful. Is that where you are planning your

surgery, or

would you have a choice of hospitals? The reason I am asking it because, up

until my

recovery experience, the hospital was wonderful. But post op, I had real issues

with the

spinal ward nursing staff, so it's something to consider. I have written them a

very explicit

letter of complaint, so I hope things will improve for future patients there.

It's something

to be aware of when making your decision about which hospital can provide you

with the

best postoperaive care.

Anyway, good luck with your decision, and in regards to hanging in until

February, I had to

hang in from October 2006 until April of 2007. I managed with pain meds and

swimming

religiously--5 mornings per week before work. It was exhausting, but I don't

think I could

have gotten through without the swimming. Just a suggeston to help you squeak

out a

little more time.

Edie

..

> >

> > Dear Donna,

> >

> > My revisions ( yes, I had more than one) were both one day

> proceedures and were not staged. My doc prefers to do them in one

> day, a personal preference of his. I can only weigh the differences

> by what I've seen here.

> >

> > Drawbacks compared to a staged surgery:

> >

> > 1. length of surgery all at once. Both mine were ten hours.

> > 2. Bleeding, with this long of a surgery blood loss can be great, I

> went through quite a lot, even beyond what I had donated.

> > 3. Swelling, I had a lot of blood and products and fluids, and had

> a lot of facial swelling, so I had to be maintained on a vent for a

> couple of days in ICU.

> > 4. Exhaustion, I think that big of a surgery takes a lot out of you

> in the short term, I would say by comparing how others that were

> staged, they were doing more earlier, but it all seems to work out to

> be about the same at the six week mark.

> >

> > Pro's for me for a one day proceedure:

> >

> > 1. A shorter hospital/ rehab stay. I was in the hospital one week.

> I really didn't want to have a surgery, wait up to a week and have a

> second one, and then more days of recovery at the hospital, my

> preference alone.

> > 2. Just wanted it done and over with.

> > 3. My kids were school age and I didn't want to be away for upwards

> of two weeks or more.

> > 4. I wasn't sure if I could mentally handle a second surgery so

> soon after the first stage, guess I would have if needed, but didn't

> have to make that choice, took me months to get my head wrapped

> around needing the second revision.

> >

> > Hope that helps!

> >

> >

> > [ ] Surgery

> >

> >

> > I have not posted in quite some time, and as others have

> mentioned,

> > it is mainly because I was doing well. Just to give a little

> > background, I have Harrington rod fusion (thoracic and lumbar) in

> > 1975 and have little or no problems till about six months ago

> with

> > the sudden onset of constant low back and right hip pain. I began

> > pain management and did very well with my first epidural in

> > November. I did so well with it that I did not have the second

> shot

> > till early March and it has been downhill ever since. I am seeing

> > Dr. Tom Errico (from NYU) and he is changing my meds, but

> obviously

> > the need for surgery is eminent and I have more or less decided

> to go

> > through with it, but am hoping to defer it till February,

> basically

> > because that is a better time in my life workwise and lifewise to

> > take 3-4 months off. Quite honestly, I'm not sure I can live with

> > this pain till then, but maybe my new meds will kick in and I can

> > wait.

> >

> > I am very happy with Dr. Errico; he is my " second opinion " and I

> do

> > not feel the need to see another physician. Let me state here

> that I

> > work in an orthopaedic department in a hospital and I know that

> he is

> > more than qualified to do this type of surgery and that he has a

> lot

> > of experience. However, in our discussions regarding surgery, he

> > states that he does not remove the old rods (which I find to be a

> > relief) and he does the revision in one procedure, not in stages.

> I

> > guess I'm looking maybe to hear from someone that may have had

> a " one-

> > stage " revision and if there is any literature regarding pros and

> > cons of either.

> >

> > Thanks for any information anyone can offer.

> >

> > Donna

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

Welcome back to the group. I meant to answer you before today but I

have been home with a sick child and the day got away from me. So, in

a bout of sheer laziness I am going to cut and paste two answers I

wrote previously on the subject of staged surgeries. To find them I

just typed " staged surgery " in the search box above and you do to you

will get plenty of posts to look at. I also went to www.pubmed.gov

and did a quick search on staged spinal procedures and got

interrupted...but you can do that yourself if you are looking for

hard research instead of anecdotes.

It is a difficult decision either way...but I believe once you find a

surgeon who you have confidence in you really have to go with their

recommendation since it makes no sense to insist that they do

something they don't want to! I am glad Edie alerted you to the

difficulties she encountered at the Hospital for Joint Disease. I do

think it is worth considering what the post op care situation will

be. And if enough great doctors are told that a patient is deferring

or reluctant to have surgery with them because of what went on with

other patients like Edie (and others) then I am willing to bet there

will be positive changes. They may take some time....but the internet

allows for patients to know information such as that and it really is

for the best, at least that is what I believe. Anyway...I hope this

below helps clarify my thinking on the subject.

Take Care, Cam

From my post #4823 to CarlaKay:

As to picking out a surgeon before you have spoken to one about your

situation based on reports that they only do " one day " a/p

prodedures...well,I would caution you against using that as a sole

criteria in narrowing your list. Each of us have very different

spines and, therefore, needs as to which procedure is best suited to

your particular situation. For example, I too have read patient

statements that LaGrone just likes to do posterior revison, and then

lo and behold I have read a patient story that includes the

anterior/posterior approach by him. Likewise, my surgeon, Dr Rand,

seems to very often do as he did with me, the staged two day a/p,

but I have been in contact with many of his patients who he has

accomplished in one day...so I wonder if you might be making a

mistake by using internet " chat " to lead you into believing that you

would be best served by one approach over the other. I believe it

is somewhat patient specific and you should hear from the surgeon

him/herself why they are advocating a particular approach for you

before you commit. I know I went into my " opinions " with a certain

mind set and came away after seeing Boachie and Rand with new things

to think about. I think the main thing is you go to these

appointments understanding that there are choices the surgeon will

have to consider, and because you are somewhat conversant on what

the choices are, you will ask fairly specific questions that will

get you to the point where you can tell what is truly best for you.

There is no doubt that the top revision surgeons are all capable to

doing a one day a/p, posterior only or staged surgery. Why they do

or do not in any one patients case must be more that preference.

and from post #10527 to :

I had a 2 day surgery with DrRand, 7 days apart...which is about as

close as he ever seems to do them....10 days to 2 weeks seems to be

closer to the average time frame between surgery dates.

I had mixed emotions about the 2 day surgery plan, but to be honest,

once I decided I wanted DrRand to do the surgery, I didn't see any

advantage in not accepting his recommendation.....which in my case

never included a one day surgery. I don't know for sure, but I am a

tall woman, and I think it may be that size has some relation to the

amount of anesthesia needed, on top of other reasons in favor of

staging.

I know many have a successful one day surgery...I know of another

gal who had a long one day surgery who, like , had very painful

breasts for awhile after surgery. I had little facial swelling or

other by products of one long surgery.

Doing the two day surgery does require being able to stay " up " for

the challenge....you need to rally your energy in fairly short

order. It does seem, however, that the way DrRand stages, the first

day is often a little shorter and for most of us was just posterior,

so the first few post-op days are awful, but then your start to

bounce back a little. By day 4 post -op I was up and around ( not

that the PT people will let you lay around!)

My personal views about the possible " pros " of staging probably stem

partly from my own work situation. I just retired as an air traffic

controller, my husband is a pilot for Continental airlines. Both of

these career fields have duty time regulations to improve safety by

ensuring work ceases before fatigue sets in. I made peace with the

idea of the staged surgery after I realized there were possibly

advantages in having a well rested surgeon and team in the OR while

they were drilling into my spine! You have to tell yourself

something!

[Guest guest]

Hi Celia,

I had colon cancer 2 years ago and last summer, I had major back surgery and

came thru it just fine.

Joyce

HR Consultant

________________________________

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of CELIA DANKS

Sent: Monday, June 25, 2007 10:47 AM

Subject: [ ] surgery

Has anyone with cancer had major surgery and if so, did you get through

it without flaring the cancer back up?

Thanks

Celia

[Guest guest]

Hi, Celia.

My opinion and experience:

Certainly there are people who have had major surgery for cancer,

subsequent to which the cancer did not come back.

But if you are trying to compare the cancer you are diagnosed with,

or that a relative or friend is diagnosed with, and are trying to

base your decision on whether or not to have the surgery on the

experience of others, I do not advise it because:

the success or failure of surgery depends greatly on what kind of

cancer it is, what stage the cancer is at, whether the cancer is

encapsulated or not, whether it is a sarcoma, neuroma, melanoma,

lymphoma, lipoma, or any one of many other " omas. "

Each person is different. Each cancer is different. Each cancer

progresses differently in each different person. Success of surgery

even and particularly depends on the skill of the surgeon.

Major surgery is, again in my opinion, something that should only be

done as a very last resort. Also, in my opinion, extensive surgery

could very well spread the cancer throughout the rest of the body.

Best wishes,

Elliot

[Guest guest]

Thanks Elliot and Joyce, the surgery is not for the cancer, that is 'quiet' at

the moment, it is for a severe hip problem, and the pain is driving me nuts!!

Joyce are you - and were you clear when you had your back surgery?

Many thanks

Celia

[Guest guest]

Celia,

I had been all done with the chemo for an entire year before I had my

back surgery. I had a disc fusion, a disc removed and arthritis build

up " shaved " away.

Joyce

From: CELIA DANKS

Thanks Elliot and Joyce, the surgery is not for the cancer, that is

'quiet' at the moment, it is for a severe hip problem, and the pain is

driving me nuts!! Joyce are you - and were you clear when you had your

back surgery? Many thanks, Celia

[Guest guest]

Thanks Ann! I had my pre-op apt with LaGrone yesterday. I was able to donate 3 units of blood, but not the 4th b/c my iron was down to 30. I'm getting nervous, but know I'm making the right decision. I also toured the hospital and thought the people were really nice as well as the facilities. I will see you in Amarillo, Melindaanniebeanone <anniebeanone@...> wrote: I want to wish everyone who is having surgery in the next few weeks the very best. I have not been on the list very long and

I don't think I always "get it right." I know Tami and Melinda are having surgery because we will be in the same place. But I want evceryone to know that I wish for the best possible outcome for all. Best regard, Ann

Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Ann. I wish you the very best too. I am getting very, very

nervous and anxious to be on the other side as I'm sure we all are.

See you in Amarillo

Tami

>

> I want to wish everyone who is having surgery in the next few weeks

the

> very best. I have not been on the list very long and I don't think I

> always " get it right. " I know Tami and Melinda are having surgery

> because we will be in the same place. But I want evceryone to know

> that I wish for the best possible outcome for all. Best regard, Ann

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Surgery Gals,

Here's wishing all of you luck with your surgeries, that you find the inner peace that comes from knowing your doing something to make you lives better, to give yourselves more function and hopefully tons less pain. I'm holding healing thoughts for all of you, and look forward to the updates about all of you!

[ ] Re: surgery

Thanks Ann. I wish you the very best too. I am getting very, very nervous and anxious to be on the other side as I'm sure we all are. See you in Amarillo :)Tami>> I want to wish everyone who is having surgery in the next few weeks the > very best. I have not been on the list very long and I don't think I > always "get it right." I know Tami and Melinda are having surgery > because we will be in the same place. But I want evceryone to know > that I wish for the best possible outcome for all. Best regard, Ann>

[Guest guest]

Melinda, I don't know how I missed this post before now but now that

I've found it I just wanted to ask what the pre-op was like. How

long did it take? My pre-op isn't until after your surgery the day

before mine so I won't have much time to prep afterwards. Did they

tell you what you should, could and should not, could not bring with

you to the hospital? I'm trying to pack here and am not exactly sure

what to pack. I was going to call but I hate to bother him

again so if you can tell me I won't have to .

Sorry about you're low iron. At least you'll have 3 units. Did Dr.

Lagrone think there's a chance that might be enough? What was your

favorite part of the hospital? Have they opened up the new wing

yet? Wouldn't it be nice to be able to stay in a new room? Did you

tour rehab? Oh boy, sorry about the long list. Can you tell I am

also getting very nervous? (oh dear, another question)

Talk to you and see you soon,

Tami

I want to wish

everyone who is having surgery in the next few weeks the

> very best. I have not been on the list very long and I don't think

I

> always " get it right. " I know Tami and Melinda are having surgery

> because we will be in the same place. But I want evceryone to know

> that I wish for the best possible outcome for all. Best regard, Ann

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel.

>

[Guest guest]

Tami, The pre-op was just meeting with LaGrone and the vascular surgeon and they told me what the surgical plan was. LaGrone's office took x/rays. We went to the hospital and met the charge nurse on the 7th floor as well as the case manager. They were both really nice, The case mgr. gave us a tour and took us down to the rehab floor. Not sure if it was the new wing or not. There was some construction going on. They have a nice new cafeteria. As far as what to bring to the hospital, ck the "file" section of the group and it has lists from people who have had the surgery. I was unable to do my labs, EKG and chest x/r when I went for my pre-op b/c it was too far out from surgery. I have to do those the Sunday before surgery. We are flying in around 2:00 on Sunday and will go straight to BSA for the rest of the pre-op. As far as how long it takes, took about an hour at LaGrone's office... x/rays,

waiting, talking to him. Took about another hour at the vascular surgeon's office, Dr. Neilson. Are you seeing him also? Probably not since you are doing posterior only. The vascular surgeon assists with the anterior part of the surgery. LaGrone thought the 4 units of blood would be enough- I gave 3 and my husband gave 1. Best part of the hospital- the hospital itself is very nice, but I thought the people were friendly and helpful. West Texas people are known for being friendly When are you going to amarillo? I hope I answered all your questions. Melindatlsun2462 <tamisun@...> wrote: Melinda, I don't know how I missed this post before now but now that I've found it I just wanted to ask what the pre-op was like. How long did it take? My pre-op isn't until after your surgery the day before mine so I won't have much time to prep afterwards. Did they tell you what you should, could and should not, could not bring with you to the hospital? I'm trying to pack here and am not exactly sure what to pack. I was going to call but I hate to bother him again so if you can tell me I won't have to . Sorry about you're low iron. At least you'll have 3 units. Did Dr. Lagrone think there's a chance that might be enough? What was your favorite part of the hospital? Have they opened up the new wing yet? Wouldn't it be nice to be able to stay in a new room? Did you tour rehab? Oh

boy, sorry about the long list. Can you tell I am also getting very nervous? (oh dear, another question)Talk to you and see you soon,Tami I want to wish everyone who is having surgery in the next few weeks the > very best. I have not been on the list very long and I don't think I > always "get it right." I know Tami and Melinda are having surgery >

because we will be in the same place. But I want evceryone to know > that I wish for the best possible outcome for all. Best regard, Ann> > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel.>

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[Guest guest]

Lynn ~

Girl, best wishes for perfect painfree nipples ! !

I am happy you are getting them done now, and

you dont have to wait. You are in my prayers

always ~ LoveDedeSee what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.