Help! How do I choose a surgeon?
Wed, March 02, 2011 12:36 PM
It is really looking like we are headed for surgery. We can not get Mitchell into remission. He has a picc line feeding him now which has helped slow down the pain and diarrhea but nothing is helping to clear the inflammation. Scope showed lots of disease. How do I know how to pick the right surgeon? I am so overwhelmed right now. I'm in a great hospital but I want to know I have the best person working on my child. He is only 12 years old!
Joined Jun 20, 2008
Sat, March 05, 2011 10:36 PM
Reply posted for SherwoodMaZ.
I agree with the other reply who said you want a colorectal surgeon. We were in a similar spot only 1 month ago with our daughter, except we went from a CT scan right to a surgeon recommended by our GI (not how we thought our day would play out). It was a colorectal surgeon, but am very thankful it was not a general surgeon. You want someone who does just colorectal surgery. We did quickly find out that certain surgeries are not routine for even specialists. Even a surgeon in his mid-40s had not done a lot of this type of surgery (ileocecal resection with the removal of 2 abscesses). In the end, he was very conscientious with a great bed-side manner, came highly recommended. Most of these surgeons work on someone 70 years old plus. However, they were highly conscious of my daughters age . . . trying everything laparascopically first which thankfully worked well. If you are lucky enough to live by a big city, you may be able to get a pediatric colorectal surgeon, but don't shy away from someone who is not pediatric focused. It worked out well for us.
Best of luck! And don't be afraid to ask the surgeon the tough questions. I had never met this surgeon before, he was my age, and I asked about his background and experience. I'm not sure he was used to that, but he handled it well. In the end, it is your "baby". They should expect and be prepared to answer questions on experience.
I hope all goes well. As a happy note, surgery was a welcome relief for her. She had so much pain prior to the surgery, that the post-surgical pain was not a big deal at all. Within days, she felt much better than she had in months.
knaussddJoined Jan 13, 2011
Sat, March 05, 2011 10:02 PM
Reply posted for zorba.
I apologize, I mean't to say "he", not "she".
zorbaJoined Apr 9, 2008
Sat, March 05, 2011 9:58 PM
Reply posted for SherwoodMaZ.
I don't know where you live but you want a surgeon who specializes in colon surgery. I had surgery in Jan. for an small bowel obstruction but wound up having most of my small intestine removed due to complications of crohn's, radiation damage, adhesions, etc. I also have a pic line.
I live in the Albany NY area and the surgeon who did my surgery was Gennaro Daniels of Capital Region Colon Rectal surgery. I will not let anyone else touch me for intestinal problems, he is truly a master at what he does.
I'm 57 and think I'm too young to have these problems. I can't imagine being 12 and having to deal with these issues. I hope you can resolve her problems sucessfully.
Good luck,
G. Blanas
zorbaJoined Apr 9, 2008
Wed, March 02, 2011 7:04 PM
Reply posted for SherwoodMaZ.
I couldn't agree w/you more. I wouldn't feel confident w/such a minimal number of surgery experiences. (good grief, I even want a more experienced mechanic working on my car). If you have a good relationship w/your pedi gi, then I would ask his/her opinion in these terms: "If this were their own child, who would THEY have do the surgery?" Thankfully Mitchell is improving somewhat and you have a little time to make the best decision for him.
You all are in my prayers.
Lizzies Mom
Joined Sep 9, 2009
Wed, March 02, 2011 4:17 PM
Reply posted for SherwoodMaZ.
I think it is more than fair to say, "Who does the most?" They can surely understand that you need someone experienced on the case. Please let us know how you all are doing....I know all too well how hard it is to have your baby in the hospital - and we weren't facing surgery.
Take care,
Claire's Mom
Joined Jul 20, 2009
Wed, March 02, 2011 1:35 PM
Reply posted for AZMOM.
Yes, I am in a Children's Hospital. I have spoken with one surgeon and when I asked how many of these surgeries he does a year; the answer was 2. That just sounds like too few. I would like to talk to some more.
Joined Jun 20, 2008
Wed, March 02, 2011 1:03 PM
Reply posted for SherwoodMaZ.
Are you in a children's hospital? Who does your GI suggest? He/she should know who has the most experience with pediatric GI surgeries.
Continuing to think about you all......hang in.
Claire's MOm
Joined Jul 20, 2009
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