Pre & Post surgery time?

[berta@aloha.net]

I need to know how much time I will need to be on the mainland before and after my surgery. I don't know how all this will work for me since I have to fly far from home to do this! Since there is not an adult scoliosis spinal surgeon with enough experience here in Hawaii, I'm looking to go to the SF area.
After reading all of your posts, I see I need to do a lot before, and of course after! Besides giving blood, the mylogram, etc. what else is there before and how long will it take!? Then after, oh my!! How long until I can fly 5 hours, besides all the other stuff involved in flying. I'm sure I'll be in a wheel chair, but then, after a while, what about check ups? It's almost like I need to move the Ca. for awhile! But that's tough with family and business, etc.
What are all the steps before and steps after? Any feedback would be appreciated!
Berta

[berta@aloha.net]

Anyone out there?

Well, I posted a really important question and didn't hear from any of you that has had surgery. I really would love some feedback! I am learning so much from all of you, but still don't have a time frame for all of it.
(See my above post from yesterday.)

Linda, thanks for the info on bathing suits too. I will check out all those links.

Berta

[Suzy]

Hi Berta,

I saw your question yesterday and wanted to think about it before answering. Others maybe doing the same. By the way, I had been wondering how your search for a Dr. had been going.

The time you will need to be here before your surgery will TOTALLY depend on the tests your surgeon needs and the scheduling those Dr's. who will do the tests have available. My biggest hurdle was getting on the specialist's schedules. Many are booked way in advance. Plus, if you need to give blood you can only do a pint a week, I think. (I only gave 1.) As to post-op I was not in a wheelchair nor have I read of anyone other then Pips using hers for comfort. If you mean in the airport, most airlines will give you a ride on the electric carts to your gate. You will have to go through security different then most due to your hardware so why not ask for a airline chauffeur? At 4 weeks I attended a school function for my daughter. Had to sit straight upright on hard bench but had the foresight to take a pillow. If you can recline in the plane it will help to take the pressure off your back plus, you will be able to get up and stretch a bit. It would probably be a good idea to check with the airline you would use and see if you could go to first class if there was a seat available or ask about a medical discount. I haven't flown 1st class but I think the seats go flatter then in coach. Plus, you could always up your meds and sleep the whole way.

You will need to have someone with you post-op as I'm sure you have read all we have told of what we need help doing. As for check ups, I had a 1 week post-op check then 7 week then 3 month and yesterday 6 month. You may be on the frequent flyer plan for a bit. I will go again at 9 and 12 months.

I hope this helps you figure out what you need. It is so tough to say as we do heal so differently. I know you might be frustrated with all the unknowns and dealing with it long distance makes it tougher. Maybe your Dr's. office can call all the specialists and get you on the schedules in the most timely fashion so you will know exactly how far in advance you need to arrive. All this headache will be worth it when you are done and recovering and your life begins anew post-op. Keep us posted.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Berta...

It depends entirely on your surgeon. If you have your surgery done at UCSF, you can have your myleogram (if required) done at home. And, while they talk to patients about donating their own blood, they will probably also tell you that it's perfectly safe to use blood bank blood. Since you'll be traveling for surgery, I'd encourage you to consider using blood bank blood. Having the blood transferred from Hawaii to wherever you have your surgery may be a big ordeal.

Most out of area UCSF patients come in a day or two before surgery. You'll have a clinic appointment, along with a PREPARE clinic appointment the day before surgery.

As to afterward, I've found that most patients travel home within a day or two of being released from the hospital. I think that mostly they find that the benefit of being home outweighs the potential pain of flying. You'll almost certainly want someone traveling with you, as you won't be able to lift anything more than 5-10 lbs.

Regards,
Linda

[berta@aloha.net]

Thank you Suzy and Linda,
Since I'm with Kaiser, I had to have my first consultation in my state, so I flew from Kona to Honolulu, and saw Dr. Kaan, "the best there is in Hawaii" But I don't have that much faith that he has done that many adult scolioisis surgeries, even though he says he has. I didn't push him too much since his name has not come up at all in any of my research and I was just waiting to be able to get a 2nd opinion elsewhere. Anyone heard of Dr.Kenneth Kaan?

Now I'm in the process of having my primary care physician get a referral approved to see Dr. Gorek at the Oakland Kaiser, whom I have heard of. In fact, Linda set me up to email a past patient of his who had her surgery at 70 and was happy with the results. We exchanged emails, so that was good.

I wonder if Kaiser in Honolulu can do the Mylogram and any other tests? (would there be others?) That's only a 30 minute flight. Hope so. And yes Linda, I think I will just go thru a blood bank.

Suzy, yes, I was only referring to the airport when I was talking about using a wheelchair, I hope! I would probably stay for that first one week post op check up and then head home and come back for the later ones. Kaiser may even be paying for most of this travel. I will definitely inquire about traveling 1st class as a medical issue. My husband will come with me for all of it. (doubt he'll be free, but may be right after surgery) I am very lucky that he is the caring patient type. He has already been thru some tough times with me and my open heart surgery (mitral valve) and again with a twisted intestine, an iliostemy, and a reversal of that. OH MY. Three major surgeries within 14 months.

Thanks again and anything else you can think of is appreciated! I'll keep you informed. Berta

[bbest]

Berta -

As Suzy and Linda pointed out, your surgeon will go over everything with you ahead of time. This should help with your planning concerns. You should be able to get your pre-surgical testing done at home. As far as donating your own blood, I agree with Linda, it's probably a logistical nightmare. Blood bank blood is very safe these days. I donated 2 units of my own blood before surgery and was transfused with those units plus two additional units of bank blood. I wish you the all the best and hope you will keep us informed. This is a great support forum and I am glad you found it when you did. Most of the people on here genuinely care and I would have been lost without their help.

[jgbphoto]

preops far from home

Dear Berta,
Here's my mom's experience with the before surgery scheduling. We live in San Diego and flew to UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco. Their Spine Clinic was very good. Mom made a trip up there to interview with the surgeon, Dr. Hu, then another trip was scheduled for a month before the operation. She had some of her pre-op physical done by her regular doctor at home, then saw the UCSF lung and heart doctors for the final go-ahead.

For post operative checkups she's been told of a doctor about an hour's drive from home. She won't have to go back up to UCSF for every check up that way, just some of them. We told the surgeon that we'd prefer to do some of that at home and she was understanding.

Yes, frequent flyer mileage can be racked up this way! It's a great place to visit though.

I don't know how it will be coming home after the operation. Mom's is tomorrow. We're planning to drive home over a two-day period, just because we have that option. I think flying would be ok though.

Best of luck,
Laura

[JanM]

Donating Blood

Hi - just to throw in my two cents. I'm in Hawaii also and was originally scheduled to have surgery in Chicago. I donated a couple pints of blood here in Hawaii and they froze it. The doctor's office in Chicago said it's a common practice and easy to have it sent to them frozen. The blood bank people here were very familiar with the procedure - I guess it happens often.

[berta@aloha.net]

Hi all, and thanks so much for your feedback! Laura, you are a wonderful daughter to be there for your mom. I have a daughter too that says she wants to be there for me and I so so appreciate it.
Jan! I didn't know about the freezing thing, but have common type O blood, so I wonder if it's still important. I'll see you soon, so we'll talk!

Thanks, Berta

[LindaRacine]

Hi - just to throw in my two cents. I'm in Hawaii also and was originally scheduled to have surgery in Chicago. I donated a couple pints of blood here in Hawaii and they froze it. The doctor's office in Chicago said it's a common practice and easy to have it sent to them frozen. The blood bank people here were very familiar with the procedure - I guess it happens often.

Hi Berta...

Unfortunately, I've never heard of an insurance company that covers freezing blood. And, while it sounds like it shouldn't be all that expensive, it is! Because my surgeon wanted 8 units from me, I ended up having to free two units. It was the most expensive out of pocket expense of the entire ordeal.

--Linda

[lelc2002@yahoo]

I agree with Linda Racine... I was told that frozen blood was a very expensive route to take! I'm sure you will do just as well with donor blood if it has to be that way. Keep us all posted & I wish you nothing but the best with your up coming surgery............Lynne

surg. was Aug 1st-ant/post/ribs removed
Dr. Boachie/Dr. Kim at HSS in NYC. fused T-11 to L-5
95% thorocolumbar curve reduced to 42%, rib hump-gone!
Http://lynnebackattack.blogspot.com

[JanM]

Frozen Blood

The frozen blood cost me $290 per unit. To me, it was worth it, but I know it's a decision everyone has to make for themselves. Best of luck to you!