sooner or better???

Hi , me again. I am sorry to eat up the board with my postings, but I am at a place where I need advice.
I saw the NS today who can perform the decompression without reconstruction in only a few weeks. Time wise, that relieves me, because I am beginning to see from reading these stories that the longer I leave it, the more there is opportunity for nerve damage that could be irreversable.
If I wait, I could see a Chiari specialist or two in about two months. So that begs the question: Which is more important, timeliness, or expertise?
If two more months is a consultation, I don't know when the surgery would be. I already cannot walk without falling, and I have such a restricted flow that it spikes sometimes and leaves me utterly debilitated. I want a healthy life with my husband and kids again, but I don't want to make a hasty decision that would cost me in quality of life.  The NS here can do the decompression, and he does about 2 a month. But I have questions as to whether I would get better care in the hand of a specialist.

What is the general concensus? Is time more important? or Specialty?

[pamk5]

I agree with Selma.. you absolutely want to see a specialist.  The risk of complications and increased risk of needing a revision is worth the wait for a specialist.  The Chiari Institute's website says that 49% of their patients are redos from inexperienced surgeons.  Thats my opinion.  Not worth the risk!

Pam

[selmaS]

BETTER!!!! U deff want a true chiari specialist....or run a higher risk of cerebral ptosis or other issues from a dr that is less experienced. JMHO

  "selma"

[pamk5]

I agree with Selma.. you absolutely want to see a specialist.  The risk of complications and increased risk of needing a revision is worth the wait for a specialist.  The Chiari Institute's website says that 49% of their patients are redos from inexperienced surgeons.  Thats my opinion.  Not worth the risk!

Pam

[Sabbynal]

Thank you for setting me straight on this. It's tricky figuring out how to navigate the sea of information out here, and knowing what matters most. You both make sense to me, and I appreciate your input.