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Choosing a spine surgeon
I have a problem in that I have interviewed many surgeons and there are at least two who have very good reviews and I'm having a hard time deciding who to go with. One of the surgeons had one bad review out of all good reviews. The other one had no bad reviews at all. I had a minor surgery/decompression with one of them that was successful only for 4 months and then my symptoms came back. He's very likable guy has great reviews and would do the fusion but I am a little worried since the first time it didn't really stick. It's very hard to decide since I already have a relationship with him and I do like him. Can anyone identify with this kind of dilemma and share a way to choose which surgeon to work on me? I keep getting more recommendations also which you and makes it more complicated.
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@jenniferhunter
I have to see if he accepts me. I sent my images. Also, do you know anything about using the TOPS method with osteoporosis? I well know surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, said he would use that on me, but I then read it can be dangerous for osteoporosis. I'm in a quandry now. He is offering me an appointment, and I would have to go to Cleveland.
@annie1 I don't have experience with spine surgery and osteoporosis except that my elderly mom had a compression fracture due to osteoporosis. Sometimes surgeons ask patients to do bone building with an endocrinologist before performing spine surgery. That question should be answered by your specialist. I would also be careful about how you ask because surgeons don' want to feel like their opinion is being challenged by something a patient reads online. My therapist would say let them be the brain in the room. You can ask if your condition of osteoporosis creates more risk with the procedure they suggest.
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2 Reactions@jenniferhunter
I am on a bone building medication for my osteoporosis. I haven't asked the surgeon who is offering the tops procedure yet any questions about it as it's very difficult to even have any conversations with him. His nurse or whoever it was just called and offered me a surgery date and I've never seen him in person only virtually. That didn't sit right with me so I asked for an office visit in person which means I would have to go to cleveland. At any rate I might be equally good surgeons like the person in Boston who don't use tops. But thank you for the coaching on how to frame my questions.
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1 Reaction@annie1 In answer to the specific question you asked above:
“Can anyone identify with this kind of dilemma and share a way to choose which surgeon to work on me?”
My answer is to pray about it. We do everything we can to come up with the right answer and we need to ask God about it. This is what led me to my surgeon and I had peace throughout the whole process.
I will pray that you are guided to the right surgeon.
Wishing you the best, Sherry 😊
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