Re: Re: meeting anesthesiologist

[Guest guest]

Hi

Have been on the list for a year, and have been waiting to get my hips replaced

as I had to wait for Medicare with no insurance I could not afford it. I was

using crutches and walker for a year. My hips are both Nasty as can be,

horrible.

I had my LHR done on Monday. anterior approach and will get the second one done

on Dec. 21st.

I have about a 4 inch incision with small staples. on blood thinner for 3

weeks, only restriction is 50% weight on operated leg for 2 weeks then I can

have 100% weight on this leg. My right hip, cannot support all the weight so it

is different then when a person has a good hip and bad hip, if that makes

senses.

I have home health care in, they do blood work, physical therapy and whatever

else is needed. Medicare pays for it all I have my deductible to meet for the

doc and hospital. Very fortunate that the surgeon and hospital both take

Medicare assignment..

Dr. Gannon and another Dr. designed the Tri-Lock Bone Preservation Stem. Dr.

Gannon is in Bozeman Montana, he lectures in Europe, Dr. come to watch etc.

People from Europe come to have him do knees and hips etc.

I was going to have a spinal, but there was too much arthritis in my back to

get a needle in so they knocked me out. The Dr. and the anesthesiologist both

said with a spinal it is easier to use the pain meds after surgery etc. and

easier on the patient. Anesthesiologist said with a spinal he keep the

patient sedated enough that you only rem bits and pieces, he said most people

do not want to rem much all though he has had a few who want to be alert....

I was alert after coming from the recovery room,talked to my husband , slept

for an hour and then visited with my sister and father in law, slept good

through the night etc.

next day did the exercises and walked 2 times,,,,

I can lift my leg up, knee towards my head when laying in bed, which I could

not do before. I can get in and out of bed by myself, in and out of the

shower/bathtub....

Anyway I'm doing good and if all goes well I will do even better with the next

surgery and recovery.

Barbara

________________________________

From: judymcglothlin <dreamcatcherdoxi@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Sun, November 7, 2010 4:08:59 PM

Subject: Re: meeting anesthesiologist

The hospital that I went to for my THRs had the anesthesiologist call me at home

the night before my surgery so that any questions I had might be answered. I

also met them right before the surgeries.

Judy McG

>

> Almost universally the anesthesiologist is met just prior to the

> operation in my experience. I don't see how it could be otherwise

> since typically they are employed by the hospital - I don't know

> anyone who has ever had an appointment to see one.

>

> I'm not sure what would be gained anyway - I've never seen anything

> with information on selecting one nor heard of anyone who ever hired

> one for a specific operation.

>

> One just has to rely on the reputation of the hospital and your

> surgeon since they are selecting them just as many medical personnel

> aren't really selected by a person - i.e. you don't select a

> pathologist who reads your biopsy even though he/she provides critical

> information.

>

> There really isn't much to discuss -- spinal, epidural or general. In

> my experience, these options are discussed with your surgeon. In my

> specific case, I met with the anesthesiologist who wanted to do a

> general but I insisted on local and wound up with a spinal - which was

> fine for me.

>

[Guest guest]

Congratulations Barbara. You are on your way.

Larry