It's becoming real...

Munchkin · Sep 13, 2017

Oh dear. OK, I am not worried about you because you are smart and I am sure you can advocate for yourself. When it's time to sign the permissions make sure it has the correct length on the CC. If not, write it in there yourself and be sure to remind the surgeon as well as anyone else who will listen! You have every right to insist on what you want!

I hate what they told you about pain meds. Make sure they know you are going to insist on adequate postop pain control. The DS is not wart removal or a splinter. Boneheads. It is true that patients recover better and faster with adequate pain control.

Best of luck! And you are brave! I am sure it's not easy after what happened to your brother.

Clematis · Sep 13, 2017

As munchkin says, GET IT IN WRITING. Have him sign it too. You don't want him "forgetting" in the middle of surgery. (If it were me I'd duct tape a sign to my belly that said "two anastomoses DS with 100cm common channel" but thats just my crazy way.)

As for the pain meds, I was kept in the hospital for a lap DS for 4 nights and had IV morphine for 2 days then nothing. Not even a tylenol and I was fine. But I did appreciate the morphine those first two days. Morphine has been given for 200 years because it is effective. What do they intend to give people with debilitating pain??? Get this all settled BEFORE and in writing BEFORE surgery so it can be in the chart. The nurses can't give you anything that isn't what the doc ordered, and when you're in pain at 2am, your surgeon isn't there.

Larra · Sep 13, 2017

Others beat me to it - get your cc length in writing and get it before you go there. Write it in on your consent form. Make a little sign that the OR nurse can post in the room where the surgeon can see it. Write in on your belly or your forehead or wherever. Accept no substitutes!

southernlady · Sep 13, 2017

CaitlynR said:
So...in the end he says he does at times perform a traditional 100 CC DS and as he knows my wishes and to remind day of surgery that is what he will do. I was a nervous wreck that I came across as some know it all. Though he did say all patients should be like this and have these kind of debates as I understand the variables and risks and benefits of the tool.

What you can do is let him know that deciding day of surgery is not optimal. You want to know now so that if finding a different surgeon who uses the Hess method or at most 125 cm is needed you don't waste HIS time any further.

CaitlynR · Sep 13, 2017

southernlady said:
What you can do is let him know that deciding day of surgery is not optimal. You want to know now so that if finding a different surgeon who uses the Hess method or at most 125 cm is needed you don't waste HIS time any further.

Sorry, I may have worded that poorly. He did agree to a 100 cc and said I should remind him that is our plan the day of surgery also.

Ray_Of_Fricken_Sunshine · Sep 13, 2017

@CaitlynR They made such a big deal about doing every thing possible to keep you opioid free, however when I was there, I hardly ever had to ask for anything. The nurses were so attentive, and incredibly focused on my comfort.
Dr. Guerron was so happy that I knew so much about the surgery, he didn't mind that I was challenging his methods. He was almost obsessively cautious about excessive bowel movements with the 100cm CC. I had frequent bowel movements the first month, but nothing even remotely close to what he warned me of!!