one more try for this question

October 1, 2004

Hi all! I've asked this question before but I didn't get any

responses, so I thought I'd ask one more time. I've been reading

over the posts a lot, and I can see that after surgery, you must see

your surgeon quite a bit. I'm considering having surgery in North

Carolina, which is 12 hours from my home in NY. I'm planning on

staying there for a week to recover initially (and to see the

surgeon after a week), and then drive home. About how often do you

have to visit your surgeon after surgery? i.e. how often can I

expect driving to North Carolina for check-ups? Would anyone feel

comfortable seeing a different surgeon for simple check-ups, or for

complications? I am concerned about the distance, how often I'd

have to drive there, and what would happen if I had complications.

This surgeon was the only recommendation my ortho would give me due

to my condition. I'm not sure if it would be wise to go against his

strong advice and do my own research of surgeons that are closer.

I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks! - O.

October 1, 2004