questions to ask before surgery

This is a list based on my research and preferences. I am not a doctor nor do I work in the medical field. It is in no particular order of importance. You will have to decide which ones are the most important for you. This is just for information and it is not conclusive. (how is that for a disclaimer?)

- How long has the dr. been performing trs? (more experience = more knowledge)
- How many does he/she do a week or for the year on avg.? (practice makes perfect)
- How old is the doc? How is her/his health?
- Is a microscope used during surgery or are loopes? (my preference is micro.)
- Does the doc. use a dye injected into the newly repaired tubes during surgery? (good for checking potency of tubes)
- How long is the surgery?
- How is the incision closed? (steri-strips, staples, or disolvable sutures. I prefer steri-strips)
- Are post op pain meds included in the price?
- What pre-op tests are required? Are those included in the price?
- Does the doc have additional training in Reproduction and Endocrinology? Do they have additional training in reproductive surgery past ob/gyn degree? (more education = more knowledge)
- Do they sew tubes in 1 layer, 2 outer layers individually or all 3 individually? (sewing outer 2 layers individually is good. If interior lining of tube is not sewn there is less chance for scar tissue to build up. Scar tissue on interior lining of tubes will result in increased chances of an ectopic preg.)
- Does the doc use a stint? (stints are very, very bad. stay away from them like the black plague)
- What type of suture is used for closing the tubes? (Nylon or vicryl are good. Nylon will not dissolve, but it has the least reactionary properties of all the sutures. Vicryl will dissolve, but it does require the body to react to it in order to dissolve.)
- How large is the incision? (smaller the better for recovery, scar tissue build up, and adhesion)
- What type of anesthesia is used?
- Is the procedure done in a surgical center or a hospital? (hospital is better if you have any conditions which may make the surgery a little higher risk, like high bp, heart conditions, etc.)
- What is the infection rate of that center or hospital? (some states require this to be public knowledge)
- Is there any kind of guarantee or refund if the tubes are inoperable or are closed after 1 yr. and no pregnancy? Or is there any kind of additional help (like meds) if having trouble conceiving?
- How long has the surgical assistant been working with the doc? How many yrs. experience do they have?
- What is the soonest apt. available?
- What are the docs surgery days? (if you must go out of town, this may be a deciding factor)
- What is the distance in miles or time to the doc?
- How accessible is the doc? Is he/she willing/able to answer your questions?
- If the doc gets in and finds other problems such as cysts or adhesion, do they address those issues while they are in there?
- After the doc has your op report and pathology report. Ask them what their best guess success rate would be with you?
- How much in total will this cost? Specifically find out the cost for the doc, anesthesia and anesthesiologist,and hospital or surgical center. Some docs have been known to say "full price" or "all-included" and they just meant their fees.


list compiled by Christine (FTBU)

CHRISTMAS GIVE AWAY!!

Well, here it is!

To enter please reply to this thread with your favorite Christmas/holiday memory.

OR

Post your "YEAH! GOD!" moments when He did something most awesome in your life and all you can say it "YEAH! That is my GOD Who brought me through that!"

My 10 and 7 yr old daughters will be picking the winner around the 12th of Dec. :)


THE PRIZE!!! I FORGOT THE PRIZE!!!

A handmade bracelet in red stones!

The Great Christmas Blog Give Away!

in celebration of almost 500 visitors I am going to do a give away!

DETAILS COMING FRIDAY!!!

This will be good!
The winner will get a new pretty just in time for Christmas!

Italian Stew

A good hearty stew for fall and winter. Recipe given to my mom in Chicago

2 links smoked Italian sausage
2 large cans of diced tomatoes
half dozen large potatoes cut in chunks
can of large stew tomatoes
butter
red and green bell pepper chopped
onion diced
Italian seasoning
garlic salt
ground black pepper to taste
I add a large can of mushrooms with stems and juice

butter the bottom of a large roasting pan. layer in potatoes, sausage, and veggies. sprinkle with seasoning. cover with tin foil and bake til potatoes are soft. about 350 degrees for45 min

this feeds our family of 5 for 2 meals
at times we add in other veggies and rice

best after sitting in the fridge overnighte

Mamaw M's "son-in-law" salad

This is Mamaw M's recipe. She was Mamaw S's mother's mother, making her your kids' great-great-grandmother. It was named in honor of "Daddy Bill."

I usually double the pineapple, cherries and marshmallows for my family.

The more marshmallows you put in makes it bigger also.

1 can pineapple tidbits drained

2 small jars of red and green Maraschino cherries drained and cut into fourths

leave out 6 cherries to be cut in half

bag of baby marshmallows

1 bag of crushed pecans or 1 bag of whole pecans to crush and leave about 12 whole

Lg.sour cream

Lg. Cool Whip

Combined pineapples, cherries, marshmallows, & crushed pecans in a mixing bowl

Blend in just enough sour cream so all is covered and pour into a pretty bowl

Spread Cool Whip over complete top of mixture

To decorate the top cut 6 cherries in half and use whole pecans....You can also just sprinkle crushed ones on top

Arrange all in a pretty pattern.

Good News and Bad News

Yesterday we got up and drove the hour into the city before the sun came up for my daughter's EGD and colonoscopy.

It was a quick procedure that lasted about an hour. The dr came out and gave me pictures he had taken of her insides. EWW! HE sat with me to talk about what he had done and what he had found. He said the good news was he found nothing obviously wrong. Her colon, large intestines, throat and stomach are perfect. No signs of Crohn's, cancer, IBD, ulcers or polyps. Nothing life threatening or needing surgical treatment! AWESOME NEWS! But that is also the bad news...he found nothing that is causing the pain and bleeding. He took biopsies just to 100% rule everything out.

So now he is leaning towards a metabolic disorder or a small intestine issue. We go back in 4 wks unless the biopsies come back abnormal. He will do a breath test for the metabolic disorders and he wants her to swallow a camera pill so he can image the small intestine. We talked about how since birth all 3 of my children have had times of 'sweet breath' like someone waking from anesthesia or something fermented. The Dr said that does sound like a metabolic disorder esp since all 3 have it.

It is a load off my mind and heart that the really bad thing are ruled out.
Praise the Lord!