Pre-Op questions to ask
 

I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr Donahue at MGH on December 2nd. While I got a lot of my questions answered by the TOS coordinator, I will be talking with him soon. For those who went through with the surgery, what questions do you wish you asked before the surgery?

Welcome JulieJem. :Wave-Hello:

Someone will be along to help.

Ask if they will be doing a sympathectomy ---- I didn't want that. Other questions: what do you do with the anterior and middle scalenes. Also, what area do you do the neurolysis. I have/had median nerve problems that seem to originate on the side of my neck --- those might not have been taken care of as well as the ulnar nerve probs that seem to originate near the front/base of my neck --- near the attachment of the SCM muscle.

Hi and welcome
Excellent? Wish I found this forum bf my 1st surgery.
I had wished I had asked Dr Donahue whether or not he had thought Pec Minor Syndrome might also be contributing to my sx. I didn't bother thinking he would of said something if he did. I am 1 yr postop tos on Rt side and due to having worse sx in the shoulder, chest, armpit, arm and hand, he thinks I have Pec Minor S and is suggesting a tenonomy surgery. I also wished I asked what new sx can tos surgery cause? I woke up from surgery w new numbness in several areas which is now permanent. Dr told me after surgery the numbness can lasts up to 6 mos. At this point, he said its very rare for the numbness caused from surgery to lasts past 6 mos., and that I have an extremely sensitive nervous system.
I guess I'm a rare person or he just has not had a pt w this problem bf.

Good Luck!

Hi! Dr. Donahue did my surgery, and I am doing really well. I too had new numbness after surgery, but at one month post surgery, my numbness in the arm and fingers is almost all gone. I'm doing great, i have more energy than before, and can't wait to get the other side done.

I wrote down a list of questions and he happily answered each and every one of them.

Make sure to tell him if you want to keep your rib!

Anything special he should know about you, you should write down so you don't forget. For example, I turn crazy and get easily nauseous from opioid pain medication, this is the kind of thing you would want to share.

Can I have my rib (if you want it)

Great thread. I will most likely be having surgery with Dr. Donahue in a few months and would like to know the questions to ask, especially from the people who had surgery.

I hear that the a Beacon House is a great place to stay, but reservations should be made early.

Did u really keep your own rib?

What kind of surgery are u having? Maybe u and Julie will be on same day.

Best of Luck to u !

You can keep it if you want, make sure to ask beforehand if you want your rib.

If you are having surgery on the left side, Dr. Donahue tells people to eat a really fatty meal the night before surgery so that he can see your lymph tissue easier.


Items that may be helpful:
Bandeau bra with straps a size larger than you would normally wear, so that it is more comfortable and easier to get on post surgery. I only use the strap on my non-surgical side for now, but then will reverse it when I have surgery on the other side.
Dry shampoo/foaming body wash
Chapstick
Check your luggage when you travel, it's worth the $25.00, every penny of it
Your favorite pillow(s)
Increase calories, protein and calcium intake post-surgery to make sure you have the nutrients to heal, maybe a multivitamin

Remind the doctor to sleep well and get plenty of rest the night before your surgery! Tell him to eat a good breakfast too. :)

Thanks to everyone for responding. I had my list of questions ready for the doctor and like Eight mentioned, he patiently answered every one. I'm scheduled for surgery December 2nd and now I have a good idea of what to expect. In addition to the suggested questions, I asked how many incisions to expect and where they would be; what nerve work would be done in addition to the rib resection; pain management post-op; and what possible complications would be worst case scenario. I was pleased with his knowledge and feel pretty confident going into it. Thanks again for your thoughts!

Wow!
U weren't kidding were u !
Too late for me, already had both sides done. I'm sure my dog would of loved the treats!
Then again I think they could of been a great conversational piece on my fireplace mantle!
Haha

Hahaha, I talked about giving it to my dog and my daughter thought I was a sicko. I thought it would be a good way of practicing Zen and becoming one with my dog. Haha, when she wakes up I'll ask her if she will grind it up and bake it into bread to eat in remembrance of me after I die.

Seriously though, on an emotional level having body parts removed has a slightly traumatizing effect on the ego. By the time I am 35, I will have had at least half a million dollars worth of medical treatments. I am beginning to fell obligated to donate by body for medical students to dissect after I die, I would make a great case study. Thus far, I have had 11 surgeries for various things. That's insane.