I'm starting a new thread because i see this issue expressed in parts of many threads. I am a recently retired 59yo ENT surgeon. In my career I performed over 30,000 surgeries, major and minor. I have had 2 minor back surgeries already and am now scheduled for T11 - sacrum fusion with Dr Lenke in a month. This gives me perspective from the point of view of doctor and patient. I think the following points might reassure those who fear upcoming surgery:
1. it is human nature to first think about the worst possible thing that could happen, so it is entirely normal to worry about complications; all the fears expressed on this forum are ones i heard from my patients on a daily basis
2. dire complications are rare; with advances in anesthesia monitoring and nerve monitoring during the surgery, the risks of death or paralysis are miniscule
3. almost all complications are treatable; they may cause some increased discomfort, length of hospitalization and inconvenience but, in the end, will not effect the outcome of the surgery nor your satisfaction with the result
4. keep in mind, this isn't cancer; our biggest problem is pain and pain is always treatable
5. there is dual responsibility: the surgeon does his part, then the patient has to do his/her part in the recovery/healing process; it is best faced with a positive attitude as one would face life's other challenges
i remember, with our third child, my wife needed a C-section; a lawyer friend asked me, "weren't you worried, since you work at the hospital you know about all the 'screw-ups' that happen;" i told him that, on the contrary, working in surgery impressed on me the almost mind-numbing boredom with which things go RIGHT; as a surgeon it can be a challenge to maintain one's vigilance against the possibility of problems because they are so unusual
as i said once before, i have no fear; as it is, my degenerative scoliosis is slowly getting worse every day; the day of surgery is the day i finally begin to get better; i am thankful that help is available
1. it is human nature to first think about the worst possible thing that could happen, so it is entirely normal to worry about complications; all the fears expressed on this forum are ones i heard from my patients on a daily basis
2. dire complications are rare; with advances in anesthesia monitoring and nerve monitoring during the surgery, the risks of death or paralysis are miniscule
3. almost all complications are treatable; they may cause some increased discomfort, length of hospitalization and inconvenience but, in the end, will not effect the outcome of the surgery nor your satisfaction with the result
4. keep in mind, this isn't cancer; our biggest problem is pain and pain is always treatable
5. there is dual responsibility: the surgeon does his part, then the patient has to do his/her part in the recovery/healing process; it is best faced with a positive attitude as one would face life's other challenges
i remember, with our third child, my wife needed a C-section; a lawyer friend asked me, "weren't you worried, since you work at the hospital you know about all the 'screw-ups' that happen;" i told him that, on the contrary, working in surgery impressed on me the almost mind-numbing boredom with which things go RIGHT; as a surgeon it can be a challenge to maintain one's vigilance against the possibility of problems because they are so unusual
as i said once before, i have no fear; as it is, my degenerative scoliosis is slowly getting worse every day; the day of surgery is the day i finally begin to get better; i am thankful that help is available
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