Re: Dr. Mont resurf surgury

[Guest guest]

Steve:

The standard procedure at Sinai with Dr. Mont is that you will get

together with the anesthesiologist (sp?) to discuss your preferences

and the pros and cons of various options. They will probably do this

the day before (if you go to their Multi-Discliplinary Day, they do it

then - but that's not too convenient if you are from out-of-town).

> Well my surgury is set for 3/25 and will be flying in to Balt from

> Calif on 3/25.

> I so much appreciate the advice, and support of the members of this

> support group.

> It helped me figure out so many of my concerns.

> I am wondring if those who had surgury with Dr. Mont could tell me

what

> to expect.

> I have never had a surgury before. Even though I feel good about

this

> decision I

> still fell nervous about the actual surgury and anesthesia.

> Could some give me a blow by blow more or less description of the

> experience.

> What is anesthesia like, do you get to meet the anesthist before, I

know

> I will see

> Dr. Mont the day before. any issues about the surgury i can

anticipate.

> Any problems or difficult things to prepare for . what can i expect

for

> pain, and rehab.

> anyone have a problem with the surgury , leg lenght differences

> What helps prepare and get through the experience.

> how important is it to strenthen your affected muscles prior to

surgury

> What helps cope with anxiety the night before surgury.

> How many days would you recommend before flying home.

> Any advice would be greatly appreciated

> thank you

> steven

[Guest guest]

:

Drop me a note offline with your phone number and a good time to call

and I will discuss my phone call with the anesthesiologist.

Ken

> > Well my surgury is set for 3/25 and will be flying in to Balt

from

> > Calif on 3/25.

> > I so much appreciate the advice, and support of the members of

this

> > support group.

> > It helped me figure out so many of my concerns.

> > I am wondring if those who had surgury with Dr. Mont could tell me

> what

> > to expect.

> > I have never had a surgury before. Even though I feel good about

> this

> > decision I

> > still fell nervous about the actual surgury and anesthesia.

> > Could some give me a blow by blow more or less description of the

> > experience.

> > What is anesthesia like, do you get to meet the anesthist before,

I

> know

> > I will see

> > Dr. Mont the day before. any issues about the surgury i can

> anticipate.

> > Any problems or difficult things to prepare for . what can i

expect

> for

> > pain, and rehab.

> > anyone have a problem with the surgury , leg lenght differences

> > What helps prepare and get through the experience.

> > how important is it to strenthen your affected muscles prior to

> surgury

> > What helps cope with anxiety the night before surgury.

> > How many days would you recommend before flying home.

> > Any advice would be greatly appreciated

> > thank you

> > steven

[Guest guest]

Even though I feel good about thisdecision I still fell nervous about the actual

surgury and anesthesia.Could some give me a blow by blow more or less

description of the experience.

,

I am one of those people who is only comfortable when I know as much as I can

know about something. My mother kept telling me I was going to worry myself to

death--I told her if I didn't keep reading, I would worry myself to death about

what I DIDN " T know! My surgeries were done by Dr. Boyd, so the experience may

be a bit different, but maybe some of my story will help. BTW, there is a good

book called Going Under that explains a lot about anesthesia. Also the website

for the Oregon Anesthesiology Group has a lot of good information (I found this

AFTER my first surgery). I had never had surgery before either, and expected to

be terrified at some point. Amazingly, I never was terrified. I stayed up

until after midnight (I was told to stop eating at midnight, so I drank my last

diet Dr. Pepper then, hoping to stave off a caffeine headache), then even after

my can of pop, promptly fell asleep!

I spoke to the anesthesiologist shortly before my surgeries. I was told I might

get a call the night before, but never did, and didn't even think about it. I

was set up with an IV and the anesthesiologist injected something into it (found

out later it was versed) which was supposed to help curb anxiety. I didn't feel

any different, but wasn't anxious to start with. After my family was asked to

leave, I remember joking with some guy across the room-he was REALLY loopy from

whatever they gave him, and we were having a great time ;-).

They wheeled me into the OR, had me sit on the edge of the bed, put some local

anesthesia into the skin on my back (little pinpricks was all they were), and

did the spinal. I was nervous while they were doing the spinal, but someone in

the OR just had me lean into his chest and he held me in a bear hug while they

did it (I'm needlephobic). Had me lie back down, they poked my legs

occasionally to see if I could feel anything, hooked me up to all sorts of

monitors (explaining all the while exactly what they were doing), and I heard a

country/western CD start to play. My last thought was " There is NO WAY that I'm

going to be able to listen to...zzzzzzzzz " I woke up a few times, commented on

the proceedings, and promptly went back to sleep. There was no fear or concern

on my part when I woke up-in fact, I found it fascinating, and asked if I could

watch. My request was denied...

Woke up in the OR, vaguely remember being wheeled to recovery, spent time there

listening to an old lady who had no idea that she was in the hospital and had

just had surgery, finally got wheeled to my room, and dozed off and on most of

the evening. My mom was there after my surgery, and says we talked, but I don't

remember that at all-lol.

All in all, very good experiences for both surgeries, and I'm confident you will

do as well.

Cindy

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

_______________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Steve,

You are in good hands. I am sitting at my desk, having driven back

today (Sunday,5 hours) after surgery with Dr. Mont on Thursday PM,

for one hip....which is all I need.

The staff is top notch, as is the modern facility. Bonding with the

anesthesiologist before surgery is a good thing, as he is a key part

of the process. He will visit you in pre-op to ask your preferences.

I took a general, and suffered no ill affects.

The post op pain meds worked for me, in this case a morphine pump

which I used sparingly in the first (Thursday) evening and not at all

that first night. It is metered to prevent you from tripping out. The

second day as the general exited my system, I needed a few shots. At

that time you are given percoset as well I believe, so the third day

Saturday I was w/o the morphine pump. Without a diary, details are a

little sketchy, but at the time you feel entirely coherent, but

tired. Physical therapy is immediate, and in my case, initially not a

good thing, as I needed a little Valium to relax the muscles so the

therapist could work them. They show you how to get around on walkers

and crutches, and supply some key picker-upper gizmos and sock

intallation tools. As you are lashed to the leg wedge, the first

evening w/o the catheter (holy ouch Batman)which was Friday night I

used the thunder jug in the bed. The nurses are very attentive,

checking in all night to take vitals, give meds, empty the jug, and

provide encouragement. The meds bring on constipation, so don't worry

about that exercise. Might not happen for days, and by then you are

feeling flexible and pretty chipper. Today's therapy before departure

was 180 degrees from yesterday's....when I could not imagine getting

into a car. On our 5 hour trip, we stopped twice to walk around,

urinate, and get liquid refreshments. People take great pity when you

walk on crutches as though an Amtrac train hit you.

Mont is an amazing surgeon, and exudes the confidence you appreciate.

You will do fine. Feel free to reply directly for more details, as I

will be at home for a few weeks to be sure. I am 56, in good shape

otherwise. Have suffered 7 years since diagnosis of OA. Desk jockey,

but former runner, skier, etc,

Fred Becker

---

In surfacehippy , Desertman wrote:

> Well my surgury is set for 3/25 and will be flying in to Balt from

> Calif on 3/25.

> I so much appreciate the advice, and support of the members of this

> support group.

> It helped me figure out so many of my concerns.

> I am wondring if those who had surgury with Dr. Mont could tell me

what

> to expect.

> I have never had a surgury before. Even though I feel good about

this

> decision I

> still fell nervous about the actual surgury and anesthesia.

> Could some give me a blow by blow more or less description of the

> experience.

> What is anesthesia like, do you get to meet the anesthist before, I

know

> I will see

> Dr. Mont the day before. any issues about the surgury i can

anticipate.

> Any problems or difficult things to prepare for . what can i expect

for

> pain, and rehab.

> anyone have a problem with the surgury , leg lenght differences

> What helps prepare and get through the experience.

> how important is it to strenthen your affected muscles prior to

surgury

> What helps cope with anxiety the night before surgury.

> How many days would you recommend before flying home.

> Any advice would be greatly appreciated

> thank you

> steven

[Guest guest]

Fred,

Sounds like you things went well for you in Baltimore. Congrats and

good luck with your recovery. Keep us posted.

Toledo

Rt. C+, 2/23/01, Mont

> > Well my surgury is set for 3/25 and will be flying in to Balt

from

> > Calif on 3/25.

> > I so much appreciate the advice, and support of the members of

this

> > support group.

> > It helped me figure out so many of my concerns.

> > I am wondring if those who had surgury with Dr. Mont could tell

me

> what

> > to expect.

> > I have never had a surgury before. Even though I feel good about

> this

> > decision I

> > still fell nervous about the actual surgury and anesthesia.

> > Could some give me a blow by blow more or less description of the

> > experience.

> > What is anesthesia like, do you get to meet the anesthist before,

I

> know

> > I will see

> > Dr. Mont the day before. any issues about the surgury i can

> anticipate.

> > Any problems or difficult things to prepare for . what can i

expect

> for

> > pain, and rehab.

> > anyone have a problem with the surgury , leg lenght differences

> > What helps prepare and get through the experience.

> > how important is it to strenthen your affected muscles prior to

> surgury

> > What helps cope with anxiety the night before surgury.

> > How many days would you recommend before flying home.

> > Any advice would be greatly appreciated

> > thank you

> > steven

[Guest guest]

The efficiency of the entire process is quite refreshing. A visiting

nurse (arranged by Mont's staff) came to the house today to draw

blood, change the dressing, and explain her role in her twice-a-week

visits. She will liase with my local PCP to monitor my hematocrit

level, which was a tad low upon discharge.

Even though I opted for the crutches as the perambulation of choice,

my wife went to the local Red Cross today and borrowed a walker for

the bedroom floor. I wish I had 2 more, as they make much more sense

in the initial days of unsteadyness. I also borrowed the short

version crutches that grip the arm, but find them a little shaky

compared to the under-the-armpit version.

The combination shower seat/elevated commode that the hospital

provides works very well, at least in the latter environment. Haven't

been able to shower yet, but the wash cloth/sponge ritual is fine,

and with a walker, shampooing at a sink is easy.

Much of the early days seem to be about organizing your life, and

anticipating issues. As a temporary " invalid " I am much more aware of

what could go wrong, at home, in public places. Leave more lights on.

Anticipate people bumping into you, and avoid them. Easiest advice,

is stay out of the way until you can move easily, and that isn't

expected for a few weeks. Otherwise, a good time to read some books,

take measure of your new life.

Fred Becker

Connecticut

Rt. C+ 2/26/04 Mont

> > > Well my surgury is set for 3/25 and will be flying in to Balt

> from

> > > Calif on 3/25.

> > > I so much appreciate the advice, and support of the members of

> this

> > > support group.

> > > It helped me figure out so many of my concerns.

> > > I am wondring if those who had surgury with Dr. Mont could tell

> me

> > what

> > > to expect.

> > > I have never had a surgury before. Even though I feel good

about

> > this

> > > decision I

> > > still fell nervous about the actual surgury and anesthesia.

> > > Could some give me a blow by blow more or less description of

the

> > > experience.

> > > What is anesthesia like, do you get to meet the anesthist

before,

> I

> > know

> > > I will see

> > > Dr. Mont the day before. any issues about the surgury i can

> > anticipate.

> > > Any problems or difficult things to prepare for . what can i

> expect

> > for

> > > pain, and rehab.

> > > anyone have a problem with the surgury , leg lenght differences

> > > What helps prepare and get through the experience.

> > > how important is it to strenthen your affected muscles prior to

> > surgury

> > > What helps cope with anxiety the night before surgury.

> > > How many days would you recommend before flying home.

> > > Any advice would be greatly appreciated

> > > thank you

> > > steven

[Guest guest]

Fred:

You sound like you are doing great!

My life was much like yours exactly one year ago. The best part is that it

improves oh so much. At your stage, you will see improvement daily. Oh,

just wait until that first shower. It's paradise!

You can read books! Wow....I was in such a confused state that I could not

concentrate on reading, even though it is my favorite thing to do. But I

did join NETFLIX (Hint for all you about-to-be-hippies) and caught up on ALL

the movies I had missed recently. That was so much fun.

Best of luck.

Lois C+ 3/27/703 Dr. Mont

Re: Dr. Mont resurf surgury

The efficiency of the entire process is quite refreshing. A visiting

nurse (arranged by Mont's staff) came to the house today to draw

blood, change the dressing, and explain her role in her twice-a-week

visits. She will liase with my local PCP to monitor my hematocrit

level, which was a tad low upon discharge.

Even though I opted for the crutches as the perambulation of choice,

my wife went to the local Red Cross today and borrowed a walker for

the bedroom floor. I wish I had 2 more, as they make much more sense

in the initial days of unsteadyness. I also borrowed the short

version crutches that grip the arm, but find them a little shaky

compared to the under-the-armpit version.

The combination shower seat/elevated commode that the hospital

provides works very well, at least in the latter environment. Haven't

been able to shower yet, but the wash cloth/sponge ritual is fine,

and with a walker, shampooing at a sink is easy.

Much of the early days seem to be about organizing your life, and

anticipating issues. As a temporary " invalid " I am much more aware of

what could go wrong, at home, in public places. Leave more lights on.

Anticipate people bumping into you, and avoid them. Easiest advice,

is stay out of the way until you can move easily, and that isn't

expected for a few weeks. Otherwise, a good time to read some books,

take measure of your new life.

Fred Becker

Connecticut

Rt. C+ 2/26/04 Mont

> > > Well my surgury is set for 3/25 and will be flying in to Balt

> from

> > > Calif on 3/25.

> > > I so much appreciate the advice, and support of the members of

> this

> > > support group.

> > > It helped me figure out so many of my concerns.

> > > I am wondring if those who had surgury with Dr. Mont could tell

> me

> > what

> > > to expect.

> > > I have never had a surgury before. Even though I feel good

about

> > this

> > > decision I

> > > still fell nervous about the actual surgury and anesthesia.

> > > Could some give me a blow by blow more or less description of

the

> > > experience.

> > > What is anesthesia like, do you get to meet the anesthist

before,

> I

> > know

> > > I will see

> > > Dr. Mont the day before. any issues about the surgury i can

> > anticipate.

> > > Any problems or difficult things to prepare for . what can i

> expect

> > for

> > > pain, and rehab.

> > > anyone have a problem with the surgury , leg lenght differences

> > > What helps prepare and get through the experience.

> > > how important is it to strenthen your affected muscles prior to

> > surgury

> > > What helps cope with anxiety the night before surgury.

> > > How many days would you recommend before flying home.

> > > Any advice would be greatly appreciated

> > > thank you

> > > steven

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/1/2004 8:16:13 PM Eastern Standard Time,

lois@... writes:

> did join NETFLIX (Hint for all you about-to-be-hippies) and caught up on

> ALL

> the movies I had missed recently. That was so much fun.

>

What is NETFLIX?

Diane