Ibanezcollectors surgery or lack there of...

[ibanezcollector]

Well I have a polinadal cyst on my back, and it gets infected from time to time. This morning I was supposed to have a routine operation that the doctor said and I quote "At least a week off work and activitys"

Well I decided last night to just read up on what to expect from the surgery. Untold to me this would be a major surgery and the average healing time is somewhere between 7-10 weeks just for the wound to close.

The wound would be 2.5" by 2.5" and almost 1.75" deep and would be left open to heal on its own with a infection chance of 25-30%. It would also have to be redressed every other day by a wound care facility.

This doctor never told me a thing about that, other than its routine surgery. So I went to surgery this morning and first thing I did was tell the receptionist, I need to speak to the doctor before we do a damn thing. She said ill see if he will talk to you. I told her if he doesnt were done for sure. So he comes out and I begin asking him about the stuff I read, and he basically agreed and confirmed it all. So I asked him why wouldnt he tell me something like this, and immediatly cancelled the surgery.

There is no way in heck I can go that long with out being able to do regular activitys especially when my job dictates I have to bend up and down all day(im a shoe salesman -insert Al Bundy jokes here)

I am so glad I decided to just see what it was about, otherwise I would be really screwed.


Doctors should really be upfront and tell the person everything not give them some false sense of security.

[supermau]

Back surgery can be a scary thing. I had (still do) a slipped disk years ago. Had me damn near crippled for a couple months. I decided to wait on surgery. My back's still screwed up but I'm fully functional again. My regular doc told me that I probably did the right thing so that made me feel better.

I guess it really depends on how bad the problem is. Second opinions, and thirds are always a good plan.

[JJEMMER777]

Always get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. You'll be surprised how different they can be from one another. Don't even get me started on doctors Glad you didn't have to go through with it, but eventually you'll have to have it removed......no??

[satchboogeyman]

I too wish Dr.s' would be more upfront. I am pretty lucky I have good Dr.'s mine are straight forward compasionate and caring. Shop around, I know its tough but there are good Doc's out there. I wont deal with the ones that try to BS ya or treat there patients like cattle. Just my opinion you oughta get that cyst taken care of cuz it won't go away. Don't make peace with it. Just my 2 cents. Hope everything works out for you.

[jemplayer55]

AHHHHH....you just wanted to stay home and play that "new" guitar!!! Good excuse though.

[GilkyBear]

Yeah, he figured he'd just milk you for the next few months. After all, once you got the surgery what choice would you have? Thank god for google.

[andy7jem]

It probably is "routine surgery" to those performing the operation!!
Lucky you asked.

[bluealien]

Sorry to hear, back surgery is tough, my brother had back surgery done, he had a crack bone, and slipeed discs, which later caused shooting pains down his legs or numbness. He also would miss a lot of work, when he pulled his back out. His operation was not bad, but it did lay him up for a month, and now he fine.


So what can be done about the cyst? I always see on House, that cyst can go away in time, or based on medication or eating on a specific diet; but that’s on TV.

[jemsite]

in a couple of weeks - assuming it's not giving you trouble now - get a second opionion. you NEED to transfer your records (or get a copy) and bring a list of questions regarding treatment options, chance of reoccurance (with or without treatment), specifics about pre-surgery and post surgery, including recovery time, when you'd be able to drive a car and realistic "back to work" projections... glen

[Rich]

If doctors told the truth about their routine operations, they'd never have any patients

[VanWyck]

Surgery is routine to a surgeon. Get info and ask questions. Research your operation like you were looking for a new guitar or amp.

[Mr.WizardNeck]

Make sure they treat you like an Ibanez JEM and not a Chibanez. Extra care and top tools.

[katrina]

I'm really glad that, for your own safety, you read up on it!!
Way to do your homework!

~ Katrina

[Flobanez]

Originally Posted by Rich

If doctors told the truth about their routine operations, they'd never have any patients

So true.


Sorry to hear about this, Ibanezcollector. I hope you can get a better opinion on this matter and I hope things go well for you.