Re: cannot chose between surgeons

[Guest guest]

Hi

My two-cents is this... they can't know whether you need upper and/or

lower for sure until they do the surgery on your molds and see xrays.

My first surgeon said upper only, even though I've been told for 25

years that my lower jaw was the problem. Surgeon #1 did not have

molds, only had xrays from 1 year prior - before braces, and NEVER

looked in my mouth. So that was a no-brainer, I was looking for

another surgeon. #2 did molds, already did a pre-surgery on them,

took his own xrays, and will get a second set of molds at my preop

appt. He is very thorough! And he will do both upper and lower.

(Sure I'd love to get away with only upper but I knew it would be

taking a shortcut, in may case!)

I don't blame you for being cautious. You can look at experience,

education, bedside manner, etc. But ultimately you have to go with

your gut feeling.

Hopefully someone else will come along with a magic formula for

picking the right one!

Sue

>

> Hi to all,

> Well, I have backed myself into a dilemma. I have recently been

told by the OM that my dentist referred me to that I would need

surgery. First he said upper. Then at the next visit he said both

upper and lower (after studying the models). So, that is when I went

seeking a second possibly 3rd opinion. Well, I go to other doctor. He

seems to think I need only upper jaw surgery. At least so far. He

said he would like to look at models before he could be for real

sure. The dilemma is that now I cannot make up my mind which surgeon

to hire to do the surgery.

> My first surgeon was very nice, seemed to be really interested in

my appearance, the surgery, etc. Definately had a good bedside

manner. However, he did not do a very good job explaining the risks

to me. After a search about him, he has not had his license in OM

very long. He has been a dentist for quite some time, but not an OM

but since 1998. That bothers me. Also, he only has hospital

privaleges at two hospitals. One I would not take a pet rock to and

the other is not much better. I do hate to hurt his feelings. He has

spent quite a bit of time on the case already, meeting w/my dentist

to make sure everything was done properly and good.

>

> And then there is surgeon #2. He appears to be more experienced. He

does not seem to have the individuality that the other guy has in

that I am probably just one more " patient " to him. But, he did seem

to know what he was doing. He is in the same office as one of the top

OM surgeons in Oklahoma. His name is K. . He works in the same

office as Dr. Sullivan. I tried to get Sullivan but he did not take

my type of insurance. Anyway, this guy seems to be experienced

although I think he has only been in practice since like 1996. Plus,

he works out of Mercy which is where I had my last surgery and I have

a anesthiologist whom I love there. He is VERY GOOD. So that is a

plus.

> I now am wondering which one would do the best job? I am so scared

of this surgery that I am trying hard to get the very best treatment

possible.

> Anyone else find themselves in this type of mess?

> Thanks for your advice/help.

>

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