surgeon appointment

[neava]

hi all

im off to surgeon in two days, i was wondering how to deal with this and what questions to ask, last time i saw him it was for back surgery, so didnt have to ask about chiari.
please help

thanks
neava

[neava]

i went for appointment this morning,
yahhhhh they are re doing MRIs, whole spine and brain, but will sometime within the next 3months, then i booked to see surgeon again then,

he is interested in the chiari, he was surpised that there havent been any followup on this, and thinks that operating is a factor,
it diff needs investigation he said,

so im pleased that he is looking at it, i was really worried i would be told it was in my head like the last NL.

neava

[selmaS]

Good luck with ur appointment : )

[neava]

thanks for that, i see why its best to write things down, it all seems ove whelming.im abit worried they wont re look at me or do MRIs i need follow up MRIs, its been awhile since last ones,
i must admit im not looking afford to this appointment, im guessing i will have to find and NS or NL for a second opinion,
you get to a point where you cant be bothered, but then you are driven by some force, to push for results.

i will keep everyone posted on thursday

[n40066]

how many of his patients required additional surgery
take a tape recorder....this way you CAN'T miss anything!
what is the anticipated recovery time?
what lifestyle changes will you need to make after surgery and for how long?
how often should you have follow up mri or cat scans....or is it needed only if you are having problems?

and i'm sure you will find many others to add to the list when you are there....i stroooongly suggest taking a tape recorder, because even with someone else there, there is just too much info to remember!!  let's face it....the person with you loves you.  they will most likely be as overwhelmed as you are!  i had my parents with me and between the 3 of us, we still missed a lot!!  lol!

good luck and i look forward to hearing how it goes!

elizabeth

[selmaS]

HI...I want to wish u luck with ur appointment and we do have a list of questions to ask the NS....it can be diff to have questions ready when u have no idea what he/she might say...but #1 in my book is ...how can u reach the dr if/when u develop more questions after the visit...we tend to be like deer in headlights.....even with a list.

Be sure to take someone else along to catch what ever flies past u.....and a sounding board.

below is a copy and pasted section from the thread:


Well.....until he gives u his dx and suggestions it can be diff to have all the questions ready u will want to ask....so,

I suggest u have someone go along to take notes...bcuz we can bcome deer in headlights and forget to write things down....

Ask how to contact the dr afterward in regards to questions u thinks of after u get home.

U want to know how they do surgery if it is suggested....endoscopy.... bony decompression or PFD...w/ duraplasty...and what kind of patch.

Will he check u for tethered cord...Ehlers Danlos....and other related conditions.

What % of benefits does he feel this will offer.

If no surgery then what treatment options r available..... pain management.....will he monitor u...how often.....

After surgery...how often will he monitor u.....

Is everyone in the OR covered by ur insurance and do they get all the info when u sign up w/ the drs office.....how much do u need to do extra?

How long after surgery do u need to remain in the area?

I am sure someone else will give a few more ideas.....