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SHOCKED - PART 2

Posted , 18 users are following.

sarah22500
sarah22500

          I  really need your help with this new information ( please read SHOCKED if you haven't already)

Ok well lets call the three surgeons in question A B and C.

A is my original surgeon, the "top dog" , the most sought after at the hospital, takes the longest time in theatre and has a waiting list up to 30 weeks due to impressive recommendations. He spends ages on just one patient so isn't the quickest in theatre. He does around 2 to 3 ops a day. My surgery with him would take place next February/March at the earliest.

B has also been at the same hospital for a  long time, he is good too, but has a shorter waiting list due to the fact he is much quicker in theatre than A. He does about 6 ops a day. My pre assessment with him would be around the 20 week mark so about mid November for this and then maybe another month after for surgery.

C is the newbie, Consultant level, this hospital is his first post and he's just started builing up his patient list. He's been working for the past month in trauma A&E at  this hospital to familiarise himself with the theatre. He has a couple of hip operations booked for this week. He's spent 10 years as a registrar and has done around 3,000 ops on hip/knee. He has the shortest list. My pre assessment with him is already booked for  2 weeks time and surgery soon after if everything ok.

I got all the above information from the admissions secretary today. She siggested I come along for my pre assesment and meet him, ask as many questions as I need to and then go away and think about things. Apparently if I choose to not go with C, I would be put back onto A's list again and not lose my place or I can go with B.

My biggest concern is my level of pain. I'm wearing two morphine patches and take liquid morphine as well when I need it.  Also high strength iboprufen, paracetamol and amitriptiline. My friends all think I should get the op done as quickly as possible but none of them have had THR so I'd value your opinion very much.

 

0 likes, 26 replies

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  • michael11283
    michael11283 sarah22500

    Posted

    Sarah

    I don't think I can make this decision for you. Tghere are reasons for choosing A B or C but you are the one in pain and wil;l have to live with the outcome.

    In any event it would be a good idea to do and talk with C but more than that I can't say

    Mike

    • sarah22500
      sarah22500 michael11283

      Posted

      Hi yes I suppose your answer is the only answer really - I think I just needed to write everything down to get all the confusion out of my head. I'm just so worried I'll make the wrong decision when it's too late but I totally get where you're coming from.....

  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie sarah22500

    Posted

    It is a difficult decision but I wouldn't touch B, 6ops in a day  when the average hip replacement is 3 hours! He must be exhausted. 

    • jacq23288
      jacq23288 auntiebeanie

      Posted

      Hi auntie beanie the average hip replacement is 60-90 minutes so six operations in a day is not that bad, it is only longer if there are complications or if it is a more complex hip to start with.

      Big Hugs 

      Jacq x

  • RichardKen
    RichardKen sarah22500

    Posted

    Dear Sarah

    If I was happy with the quality performance of surgeon B this is who I would go with. Also I would want as short a time under a general if used as possible.

    Good luck

    Richard

  • jacq23288
    jacq23288 sarah22500

    Posted

    Hi Sarah I think only you can make the choice I personally said I would not go with any other surgeo except the one that done my first hip as I trusted him completely as he had a really bad time with me, but I have now been on the waiting list for 26 weeks and on high doses of morphine, gabapentin and paracetamol in total agony so I would go with anyone that I could get to do it quicker but unfortunately I can't as my hip is a more complex operation and requires two surgeons and not all surgeons will do my hip.  So really just have to think if you can cope with the pain and wait for your original consultant or just decide you can't cope and go with one of the others.  I think they must be good or they would not be operating.  Good Luck with your decision. 

    Big Hugs

    Jacq x

  • chuck24117
    chuck24117 sarah22500

    Posted

    MY surgeon here in USA, does 3-6 a day. He is Hip only posterior. And no real complaints. Hes been doing it a long time. I don't know how old you are, but if pain is that bad, I think that would push me towards a much sooner surgery. Why wait in pain? I had major leg swelling and hematoma, worst my surgeon ever saw. But I probably overdid it when I came home.

    I hope this helps. Good luck

  • bridget32982
    bridget32982 sarah22500

    Posted

    If you do go with B try just hope that you are early on the list, I would not want a tired surgeon
  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 sarah22500

    Posted

    A difficult decision, but I would at least go and talk to C. Find out where he was a registrar and how many of the hip ops he did as the major surgeon. During his time as a registrar he will have progressed from assisting the consultant to doing the op under the supervision of the consultant to almost certainly doing the op as the person in charge. 

    You may have more information then to base your decision on.

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen maggie93798

      Posted

      Dear Maggie

      Sometimes it is better to make a decision based just on factual information rather than allowing one to be swayed by personalities.

      It is also difficult to ask those searching questions one needs answers to whilst directly facing a surgeon!

      Cheers Richard

    • maggie93798
      maggie93798 RichardKen

      Posted

      Surgeon C is a newly sponged consultant having undergone 10 years of specialist training. He and the hospital are being very upfront about it all. Questions and background research is expected
    • renee01952
      renee01952 maggie93798

      Posted

      I am with you Maggie ... The hospital is very open and transparent (!) about it -

      Sarah is not losing her place on list either -

      Of course it is a personal decision.. s

  • jillypops
    jillypops sarah22500

    Posted

    My suggestion is go along with your list of questions and talk to C. You need to make an informed decision. From what you say, he has had a good amount of experience, so not strictly a newbie to the surgery.

    I had bilateral total replacements. My surgeon (who is marvelous) took around 2 hours to do the 2. I am in UK.

    Wishing you the best of luck.

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