Hernia Surgery........Again !

[TAB]

There are times a hot nurse is not the best option 

Having a hot doc is always heplful.  I met my wife during a er trip.

[billt]

any updates bill

Well here is the deal. When I noticed the bulge on my right side last Thursday and went to the doctor, they made the appointment for me with the surgeon after my doctor diagnosed it. The problem is it isn't until October 20th. These guys are backed up further than a toilet at the ball park! I just got off doing 3, 12 hour shifts this past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There is no way in hell I can wait that long! I'm going to call them this morning and try to get the appointment moved up. This thing is killing me!

Not only that, but the October 20th appointment is for consultation only, not for the surgery itself. God only knows when that will happen. Most likely not for at least a couple of weeks after that. That means I'll be all cut up, sore, and healing just in time for the holidays. That stinks on ice! If this guy can't get the ball rolling quicker, I'm going to try and find someone who can. So much for a bad economy and people not having health care. You would never know it by the business they're doing.  Bill T.

[billt]

Here is another kicker Melanie found out. I had this done before in the Spring of 2003. The doctor who did the surgery was a younger woman in her mid to late 30's. She had a very large practice here in town. I asked my doctor how come he didn't go with her, and he simply said, "she wasn't practicing anymore." That just didn't sit right, so Mel got on her computer and got out the shovel, and started digging up the dirt.

As it turns out this doctor lost her whole practice, or else sold it, because they pulled her prescription pad for over dispensing pain medication. There also were charges of drugs missing from her office that were unaccounted for. Anyway she is filleted and fried as a M.D. We never would have known this if it weren't for the Internet. It's unbelievable what you can find out about professional people. I don't have the patience to look for that kind of stuff. My general rule is if I can't find it in 5 minutes, I'm done looking. But Melanie has the patience to peck away at these leads and links for hours until she uncovers the body. She checked up on the new guy who is scheduled to go Benihana on me and his record is spotless, and he's got all kinds of recommendations from people, and has been on the knife for over 18 years with zero issues, so I hope I can get the date moved up. Otherwise Mel with have to do Colombo with whoever can get it done. Hard to believe someone can trash a good career like that. All that school, time, and money down the drain just for some happy pills. It's not just the scum that gets hooked on that garbage.  Bill T.

[Hazcat]

These aren't the ol' fashioned country Drs anymore.  You need to check them out!

[billt]

What a difference a phone call makes. I got an appointment for tomorrow at 1:00 PM.   Bill T.

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

COOL!!!!!!!!!

Now "get r dun" 

[fstraz]

I had the same surgery last Feb here in NY. My doc used a "pain ball" & I highly recommend it if it's available in your area. Basically, it's a small plastic ball filled with a pain killer like Novocaine that you wear around your neck. During the surgery, they insert a tiny catheter just above the surgical incision and it steadily drips pain killer for 4 to 5 days. Then you take it out yourself - easy & pain free.  Even though I have a 4 inch scar, I didn't have to take ANY narcotics - just a bag of frozen peas for the swelling! Hope this helps.

[ellis4538]

That pain ball sounds pretty good but after what they had me on in the hospital in 2008 the stuff after my hernia operation was a piece of cake.  Really don't think I needed it but took it just in case....I'm not into pain although I'm married for the 2nd time!  LOL


Richard

[MikeBjerum]

Any good reports Bill?

[billt]

Any good reports Bill?

I'm going in for the surgery on Thursday, October 13th. This will be much like a Maaco automotive paint job. In by 7:00, out by 4:00. He told me he is going to try to repair it Arthroscopically by punching 3 small holes. One for a light, the other for a camera, and a third for his cutting tools. By doing so he will be able to repair the damage from behind, much like patching a tire from the inside. This method cannot be used 100% of the time in all cases however. If in my case it can't or won't work, he'll simply go to "Plan B", pull the camera and Arthroscope, slice me, and fix it conventionally. Either way he said when I wake up it will be fixed. Because it is a re-repair from a previous surgery he said the recovery time will most likely be a little longer. He told me to plan for 4 weeks off. In that time I won't be able to do much, or lift a thing for 2 weeks. After that lifting under 10 pounds is permissible. Most of my guns weigh less than that, so hopefully I'll be able to salvage some of the time off.     Bill T.