Dr Peter Turner

[LEELEE85]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering if there's anyone from Melbourne Australia who has been to see Dr Peter Turner? His a specialist for Spinal Deformity.

Just wondering if anyone know's him and if his good?

Thanks

[Shari]

Hi Leelee,

I can't answer your question. I thought I would just say Hi and Welcome!!!

Shari

[LEELEE85]

Thats ok thanks very much.

[MadeinMelb]

Hi I'm new here. I gather from your response to Jacinta (Cina2005) that you are now more acquainted with Peter Turner, but for the benefit of others who may come along in future I will say what I do know. Lee, perhaps you and Cina could tell me more.

I have seen Peter Turner once and am going back on May 2nd 2007, having had my bending x-rays. I had seen Ian Torode a few times over the years but he no longer sees adults, so he referred me to Peter Turner, which I was happy about. Torode and Turner usually operate together anyway and I believe they are the leading guys in Melbourne so I have no concerns. Another woman I met recently was a patient of both and and I have heard no negative comments at all.

Re the waiting list perhaps Jacinta does not have private hospital cover. I'm hoping that once I decide (pretty soon now) it will be a short wait.

Re contacts in Melbourne I recently joined the Scoliosis Association of Australia, here's the link
http://www.scoliosis.org.au/

I'd encourage you to join and support them. The site is a bit low tech compared with this site but they will put you in touch with others your age etc. I think Georgie Parker is a patron. The woman who leads it, Susan, has met up with me and has been quite inspiring. I'm not sure I could ever reach a decision without the help of people like her and this site, which is fantastic. Susan has had the surgery and she looks great.

Let me know how you go; I think I saw on another site that someone in Melb is down for 7th May - was that you? Good luck
Gen

[Cina2005]

I've seen both Doctors

Hey Gen.

I've seen I've seen Dr Ian Torode when I was at the Childerns Hospital and I also saw Dr Peter Turner a few times while at that same hospital. I've since been told I was to old for the Childerns hospital (this was going back to when i was 18 yrs old). I dont have private hospital cover thats why I'm on a waiting list compared to Lee.

Jacinta

[MadeinMelb]

Hi Jacinta,
A few years ago Ian Torode said he would do my op at the Children's but I think things have changed and I have since been told by others that there's no way they'd do an adult at the Children's. I wonder which of the public hospitals they use for adults? As a private patient, I'm assuming it is Epworth for me.

I hope you don't have to wait too long - let me know how you go.
Good luck
Gen

[LEELEE85]

Hi Gen,
I'm also seeing Dr Turner again on May 4th for my last appt before my surgery. I did see Dr Torode as well when i was a child and now that im 21 yrs old i had been referred to Peter Turner, i think his wonderful and i know im in good hands. My surgery is Monday May 28th im getting operated on by both Turner and Torode and also Michael Johnson as well. I booked my surgery in Feb and this was the first date available which is pretty good, but i know Peter had around 13 operations to do in May.

I am already a member of the scoliosis association i have spoken to Susan a few times she is acutally going to come and see me while im in hospital, she does make you feel good about making this decision. i have spoken to a lot of people around my area but they are mainly girls ageing from 13 - 16 yrs old.

Where abouts in Melbourne are you from???

Lee

[MadeinMelb]

Hi Lee, I live in Hawthorn and work in the city. It's good to know others are around. I'll be interested to hear how you go. If you want to talk on the phone some time send your number privately.
Take care
Gen

[LEELEE85]

Well Gen make sure you let me know how you go after you see Peter on the 2nd May. I just got all my hospital stuff today now it feels more real.

Did Dr Turner say what kind of surgery he will do?


Lee

[MadeinMelb]

I don't know, you girls seem to be more up with all the lingo than I am. I do know there will be an anterior and a posterior (?) op and we have not discussed wether they are done as one operation or two. There will be rods inserted and fusion of thoracic vertebrae but not sure which ones - no lumbar - he did say my op would be less complex than another patient who had lumbar fusion and outcomes are less risky. He also said lumbar patients typically do get an improvement on pain whereas thoracic-only surgery may or may not improve pain - not sure why.

Hopefully I'll be able to tell you more after 2nd May.

Keep me posted on your side, I guess it will come round before you know it. What surgery are you having??

Gen

[MadeinMelb]

will set a date soon

Hi Lee, I saw Peter Turner yesterday. He will advise a date soon, he said it would be within 3 months. It will be anterior and posterior, he has not decided whether 1 or 2 ops yet, depends on theatre availability. He will fuse T5 to L1, I don't have to have lumbar.
I think you were going back to him on the 4th? and surgery on the 28th. Let me know of any last minute questions you get answered tomorrow - I am following your journey anyway as you are doing lots of asking for me (flying and pyjamas).
Anyway good luck
Gen

[Cina2005]

I'm seeing Peter Turner on the 13th of june to find out whats happening. I think. Anyways have an awersome weekend all

[LEELEE85]

Hi Lee, I saw Peter Turner yesterday. He will advise a date soon, he said it would be within 3 months. It will be anterior and posterior, he has not decided whether 1 or 2 ops yet, depends on theatre availability. He will fuse T5 to L1, I don't have to have lumbar.
I think you were going back to him on the 4th? and surgery on the 28th. Let me know of any last minute questions you get answered tomorrow - I am following your journey anyway as you are doing lots of asking for me (flying and pyjamas).
Anyway good luck
Gen

Hi Gen,

Well at least you know now it is happening for sure. That sounds about right i had to wait three months the actual date i wanted was 7th May but he said he was really busy from mid april to mid may i think he said he had 16 operations for scoliosis coming up.... Yeah tomorrow i see him just to go over whats happening and for any last min questions. Well keep me posted on whats happening with you. And i'll let you know what happening with me.

My email is lee_rouw@hotmail.com

Love Lee

[MadeinMelb]

Hi Cina, keep us posted on how you go on 13 June. Hope you get your dates sorted out soon,
Gen

[Cina2005]

Hey Gen
I'll keep you posted on that. Its just starting to feel more real now. Very few friends said that they'll visit me when i'm in hospital which has kinda got me a little dissapointed. My close friend sai he'll visit me when i'm in hospital.