surgeon - what would you do?

[bednobs]

Hiya, following giving birth 3 weeks ago, i got in touch with my orthopaedic surgeon to let him know i was now in a position to have the knee replacement that was scheduled to be done before i was pregnant. Because i am now on mat leave, i asked if he could do it quickly because i am off (it's actually been postponed from before i was pregnant in feb 2010, and in the meantime i had to have a hip replacement so it's well overdue and very deformed now (valgus deformity for anyone that cares))
Anyway, i recieved a letter this morning saying it had been scheduled for 24/june (Two weeks away!!) However, it is to be done by a surgeon i don't know. I really trust the surgeon who did my other knee. Not that i won't necessarily trust this one.
Anyway my question is should i wait till i can have the surgeon i trust, or just get it over and done with? Also, how do you find out about surgeons and what other people think of them - i put the name in google but couldn't find him

[Bbbananas]

What is his name bed?

[China Doll]

Hmmmm... Phone up and see if you can find out what the waiting list is like for the surgeon you're comfortable with. The PA should be able to advise you of that at least. Personally, I think it might be best to get it done but that said, my recent op which was pretty minor really I guess, I did ask for the consultant to do it (turns out he would have anyway) as I just felt happier with that. I don't anything about your condition, would a delay (jf your surgeon has a long list) cause really bad damage?

[Euphemia]

I'd get it over and done with now that you have the chance. The surgeon wouldn't be in the job if he wasn't competent.

[bednobs]

Mr john morley

[Sqad]

Euphemia

<<<<The surgeon wouldn't be in the job if he wasn't competent.>>>>???????????????

Knee replacement is a major procedure.............wait until YOUR surgeon is available.

[Euphemia]

When I had major cancer surgery last year I would have accepted to have it done by the first available surgeon in order to get rid of the problem.

[Bbbananas]

I can't find him on my usual specialist website that we have here at the surgery. However, that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Personally it would depend on how much pain I was in & how long I could wait. If I were in a lot of pain I would have it done by the new chap. If you feel you can wait, follow china's advice and get in touch with his secretary.

[bednobs]

hmm i googled him and couldn't find anything either (ok so i didn't look THAT hard)

[Sqad]

bednobs.....don't do it.

Euphemia.......the 2 cases are not comparable............bednob's operation is done for "function" to enable the joint to work again.....your operation was done for survival.

[China Doll]

I tried to ask my consultants PA about him and she's on leave I'm afraid til 13th. (Just on the off chance the docs here have met him). Sorry.

[237SJ]

If it was me and I felt comfortable with, and trusted a certain surgeon, I would be inclined to wait for him. Just my opinion though. Can you find out how long you`re likely to wait for the one you want?

[bednobs]

I suppose i could find out. Another think is that when i was due to have my hip relacement, it was postponed because i got pregnant, and then i had a three month gap and was due to have the knee done when i found out i was pregnant. See a pattern here? Perhaps i'd better get it done quick!

[237SJ]

Well I would definitely write or e mail and ask how long you are likely to wait for the surgeon you have established a good relationship with. You could make it clear that you`re off work anyway and are open to last minute cancellation vacancies (assuming you are of course)

[anneasquith]

a date for june 24th, if i were you id have it done, and get it out of the way. good luck

[Jan1957]

According to this link he teaches so must be ok.

http://www.millerfrcs...course-presenters.php

[Philtaz]

I'd go ahead and have the op, if you're up to it so soon after having the little one.
Knee replacement surgery is bread and butter for an orthopaedic consultant these days.
I understand you'd like the surgeon who operated previously but that's not always possible for whatever reason but as I said a TKR (Total Knee Replacement) is now very routine so try not to worry too much.

[bednobs]

it dosen't fill me will hope that he's a hip specialist! Lol

[Sqad]

bednobs...it does say "and Arthroplasty"...which will include knees, to be fair.

philtazz

<<<<Knee replacement surgery is bread and butter for an orthopaedic consultant these days>>>

Maybe but the end result often varies......which is the important thing from the patien's point of view.

[Philtaz]

Sqad

How does the end result often vary in a TKR?

bednobs,

Not sure what your last post means.
Why do you hope that he's a hip specialist when you're having your knee replaced?

Anyway, here's a link that may give you some re-assurance, particularly the paragraph entitled Success Rates.

http://www.privatehea...-and-hip-replacement/

[mike11111]

I would put myself in the hands of the professionals. Unless you are paying for a private operation then you have no right to demand who performs it. Be grateful that the chance is there for you to be healed.