Trouble finding surgeon

[afidz]

As a lot of you know, I have had 15 surgeries on my abdomen trying to correct a recurring hernia. Last year I spent months looking for a new surgeon. I have a very complex case and need the most skilled doctor(s) that I can find. Eventually I did find two that said they could help me. At that point I had seen countless surgeons. They did the surgery last March but unfortunately the surgery was unsuccessful and the hernia came back, worse than before.
Today, I went back to the surgeon that did my surgery the last time. He told me that he doesn't think he can help me anymore. Then he tells me to Google the hernia group in Dallas, I should be able to find the number that way and they can probably help me. So I did, sure enough, there is a whole team of doctors that work on complex hernia cases!
I'm honestly pissed off that it took this long to be referred to that group! I've been complicated since surgery #4, why has no one thought about this before? I even had a consultation with a surgeon at the same hospital!
At least now I may finally have the answer I have been looking for.

 

[Myhappyplace]

Wow, that is so frustrating! Sometimes I think doctors just don't want to give a paying patient to any of their "competitors". That is SO not how medicine is supposed to work. I really hope this group has all the talent and answers you're in need of! Good luck and here's hoping you're in your way to a permanent fix.

 

[afidz]

Finally got a call back from the hernia clinic this afternoon. After talking with the receptionist and doing research on my own, I have a lot of confidence that I finally will have the care that I need to put this behind me.
The receptionist said I will be going to the multi-disciplinary abdominal Wall center. I will have 2 surgeons, a plastic and a GI surgeon. (I don't understand why I need a GI over a general, but they are the experts).
I found this article in doing my own research, reading it gives me hope that I can someday lead a better, fuller life.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20...ciplinary-abdominal-wall-surgery-program.aspx

Edit: my consultation is January 24. I was told that I will be scheduled for surgery 2-4 weeks after that.

 

[2thFairy]

Wow, 'fidz--that's some serious BS right there! I'm so glad you found a group and have an appointment scheduled. Even better that you can have surgery so soon after that. wooHOO!! I'm curious about your new doctors.

 

[afidz]

2thfairy, they are out of UT Southwestern, The GI surgeon is Robert Regge and the plastic surgeon is Ron Hoxworth. Heard of them?

I have a lot of faith in this clinic. Everything I have read about it gives me a good feeling. According to the research I have done, after surgery I will have access to a team of specialist to help me recover and heal properly. I will have to wait until my consultation to find out more, but at the very least I believe I will have a physical therapist to help me start rebuilding my abdominal wall. I am honestly hoping that I will be sent to an inpatient rehab facility after the surgery to start me off in the right direction. Keeping my fingers crossed, I need this one to work.

 

[afidz]

All day today I have had a very uplifting, everything is going to be okay feeling. I don't know why everything seems so different today, it just is.
Andrew (my boyfriend) has been so unbelievably supportive through everything. he doesn't get enough credit. Yes, I have had a very hard time in the last 3 years, but he has had to deal with it too. He is just as tired and beaten down as I am. He seems different today as well. So happy and carefree. Its like all of a sudden, the stress has been lifted and removed from our household. We are both beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I sent in the last bit of paperwork that the hernia clinic needs before my appointment at the end of the month, now we just have to wait and see how it pans out.

 

[Jennifer]

Hope it finally goes your way this time. No more hernias and no more infections after surgery either. :hug:

 

[afidz]

Appointment with the new surgeon is next week (finally)
This time around is so much worse than it was before. I am miserable. Can barely get out of bed. Hopefully surgery is soon. I can't go on living like this

 

[Jennifer]

Hope it's soon too! *HUGS*

 

[Liam-Sman]

I really hope this works for you afidz and you get a good break from it all!

 

[afidz]

I guess you can count my appointment today as a success. But I am far off from having the surgery. I am over weight, have been most of my life. But recently, because it is so difficult for me to do anything I have gained about 30 lbs. Both of the surgeons want me to loose some weight before the surgery, but neither specified how much. They also need a lot of time to plan and colaborate on how the surgery will be done.
I took Andrew with me, he thinks these doctors are going to be the ones to finally out this all behind us, so I guess thats good. I just don't have the slightest idea on how to loose any weight