Questioning competence of medical surgeons

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I do not know of anyone that had surgery that came out better and sometimes worse, than they went in, myself included.
For myself:
1) fibroid embolization - did not shrink fibroid as promised.
2) broken middle finger of left hand - did not set properly, finger has a "hump" now.
3) retinal detachment (3 surgeries) and I still can't see very well in that eye.

I know several people that went in for orthopedic procedures such as knee replacement, spinal alignment and rotator cuff, and now are in constant pain in the affected area. Another person had back surgery and did not survive the procedure.

What is going on with medical services? Makes me think twice about agreeing to any more, if I ever have that situation again.
 

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debodun said:
I do not know of anyone that had surgery that came out better and sometimes worse, than they went in, myself included.
For myself:
1) fibroid embolization - did not shrink fibroid any as promised.
2) broken middle finger of left hand - did not set properly, finger has a "hump" now.
3) retinal detachment (3 surgeries) and I still can't see very well in that eye.

I know several people that went in for orthopedic procedures such as knee replacement, spinal alignment and rotator cuff, and now are in constant pain in the affected area. Another person had back surgery and did not survive the procedure.

What is going on with medical services? Makes me think twice about agreeing to any more, if I ever have that situation again.
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Even assuming all procedures are well-tested, it's impossible to predict long-term outcomes.

I've had 3 major back surgeries. The 2nd one was to correct issues caused by the first, and the 3rd one was to correct issues caused by the 2nd.

broken middle finger of left hand - did not set properly, finger has a "hump" now."
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That might be arthritis, which tends to grow on weakened bones. No surgery makes an organ or body-part good as new. There's no such thing as a complete repair.
 
Age and experience is how I check up on who cuts on me.

To research a doc I call and ask: What his/her infection rate is for this procedure and all procedures they have done; how many SUCCESSFUL procedures have you performed of this type on (men or women; their age groups). Then I want to know how old the doctor is. I don't want someone less than 5 years out of their fellowship; and I don't want one that is "father time" - there comes a time when eyesight and hand steadiness becomes pretty darn important in surgery....LOL
 
My wife had surgery to replace her shoulder joints and her knee joints, and she's doing pretty well now. She had severe arthritis and was in a lot of pain. She was confined to a wheelchair for a couple years. Now she can walk without even having to use a cane!

But she was lucky. She got recommendations from friends who also had joint replacement surgery and has a good primary care physician, who also helped.

Along the way, she had a few close calls with bad doctors.
 
As far as evaluating orthopedic results, many times it's the pre-hab and re-hab that's totally at the control of the patient that determines the success or failure of the procedure. People in general are pretty weak so they don't have an easy time doing a strenuous rehab after knee replacement for instance.

Some wait far too long to have these procedures done so they've often worn out other joints compensating for their newly installed or repaired part so there is virtually no chance of success.
 
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Short story made shorter. Immediate need, life or death situation. I'm still here. No complications years later. My only expectation was if I don't wake up I won't know. I'm good with it.
 
debodun said:
I do not know of anyone that had surgery that came out better and sometimes worse, than they went in, myself included.
For myself:
1) fibroid embolization - did not shrink fibroid any as promised.
2) broken middle finger of left hand - did not set properly, finger has a "hump" now.
3) retinal detachment (3 surgeries) and I still can't see very well in that eye.

I know several people that went in for orthopedic procedures such as knee replacement, spinal alignment and rotator cuff, and now are in constant pain in the affected area. Another person had back surgery and did not survive the procedure.

What is going on with medical services? Makes me think twice about agreeing to any more, if I ever have that situation again.
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I am so sorry to hear about your issues. Medical care in flyover country has been unbelievable so far and SO had his share of surgeries and then some.
 
I think something ia going on, there is a medical problem you have to address and it is scary. I understand, when facing a surgery you want the very best care possible. To compound the problem, you will have to go thru it alone. I do understand, I am a widow. I do have a son, but I don't like to depend on him unless necessary.

If you are facing a procedure you need to investigate your choices. Does your insurance cover in home care, not only medical but general everyday care. Cooking, cleaning, personal care. Is your home set up where you can move around easily? Are your bathrooms handicap accessible and safe?

My neighbor across the street is 91. She is a widow. She has many children, but they can't provide everything that she needs. She has a aid that comes 3 days a week to take care of everything. She is there from 8 to 5. She has only Medicare, as far as I know. The sons come every week to do the yard work and any household needs above what her caregiver can do. If you are in this position, please let us know.

Someone in your area may have a lot of knowledge of the care that should be available where you live. As far as the surgeon, investigate, ask friends, your church, the medical board. I wish you the best!!
 
againstthegrain said:
As far as evaluating orthopedic results, many times it's the pre-hab and re-hab that's totally at the control of the patient that determines the success or failure of the procedure. People in general are pretty weak so they don't have an easy time doing a strenuous rehab after knee replacement for instance.

Some wait far too long to have these procedures done so they've often worn out other joints compensating for their newly installed or repaired part so there is virtually no chance of success.
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Spot on.
Add a good body weight - especially with weight bearing joints such as mid to lower spine, hip, knee, ankle, foot surgeries.
No diabetes.
 
CooCooforCoCoPuffs said:
Check with the infection control dept of any hospital they have privileges in. They have the numbers.
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Numbers of infections? Like sepsis, for example?

againstthegrain said:
You've misinterpreted my point, but I found this for you.

Review your doctor here
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You don't consider a review anecdotal? It's a person's opinion about his/her experience.

Unless it's a survey with check-the-box questions. That's what my doctor's office gave me (under the guise of a review). I love my doctor, but I tossed the stupid survey because there was no way for me to say exactly why.

Does medical staff treat you respectfully?
Do you consider the wait times excessive?
Does your doctor explain your treatment(s) clearly?
etc.
 
I worked in the Surgical and Trauma ICU for six years and the Operating Room for eight. When I needed surgery, I knew which surgeon to choose.

If you know anybody who works in that hospital, especially in the surgical suite, ask them! They know who is good and who isn't.
 
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