2 surgeries in 1 day?

[mmglobal]

I've faced this issue with several clients.

> You need cervical and lumbar surgery.
> You have to self pay for the surgery because your insurance company won't pay for ADR.

There is a substantial cost savings in overlapping the hospital stay, or time, surgeons fees, etc. However, this all comes a hugely increased risks.

Some of the surgeons I know will NOT do 2 surgeries too close together. They feel that you must heal up from the first surgery and recover completely before undergoing the second surgery.

Some of the surgeons I know will do 2 surgeries, 1 to 2 weeks apart if everything is OK. That way, they get to see how you tolerate the first surgery. If it's not well, they can wait for you to be adequately recovered before doing the second one. If you handle the first surgery nicely, they will know your neuro status from the first surgery and watch your condition and do the second surgery a week or so later. Informed decisons... safe and effective.

One place I know will do 2 surgeries in the same day. I know someone who recently did this and unfortunately, has had to endure a worst-case kind of experience. The story is hers to tell and I'll leave it to her to post the details. I will not answer questions about the place or details about the surgery unless she wants me to and wants to tell her story.

But, I cannot keep from posting this important message. Do not do surgeries on your spine based on wishful thinking. You must learn about your options and do what is most medically appropriate. Going into the surgery, saving thousands of dollars may seem important. If it goes as you wished for and all goes well, it will seem as if you made an OK choice. If things don't go as hoped for, that money will seem insignificant compared to your ordeal and potentially permant injury.

We've all heard stories about people who have died in cosmetic surgery when the surgeon does many procedures at once. Undergoing lengthy surgeries by choice is far too dangerous. (We may have to endure lengthy surgeries because we need a surgery that takes long... but doing it on an elective basis is completly different.)

If you have neuro deficits after a multiple surgery, how do you know where the problem lies. It's not always obvious based on testing. If you have bladder problems, bowel problems, sexual dysfunction, weakness in your legs, burning in your feet..... and on and on.... these things can be caused in your lumbar spine or your cervical spine (and elsewhere too.)

If you don't know the results of one surgery before you do the second surgery and you have problems, how do you sort it all out? If you have complications related to the first surgery, you should not undergo the second surgery... but if you do them both at the same time.... it's too late. If you have complications from both (hematoma, seroma, sympathetic nerve chain issues, excess drainage or bleeding.... )... you are in more trouble.

Please heed this warning. Do what is medically appropriate. Don't make compromises in the quality of your care by choice.

Mark