This question is for surgical veterans and their families...
Sometimes surgery is the obvious choice in life; sometimes it's a difficult option, when other remedies also are available... There are times when surgery is the ONLY option, which kind of negates the word "option."

When making a decision on whether to choose between having surgery, or some more conservative modalities, or simply doing nothing at all, do financial concerns ever figure into any of your calculations? Or, the dollar value of the surgical procedure as it relates to the added quality of life or anticipated length of life?

In short, has anyone ever decided that the surgery under scrutiny is simply not worth the cost, considering the expected life remaining of the patient?

Thanks!

very good question ponyboy.

i am a prime canidate for surgery. i'm told that my age ( do i have to tell? ), health, physical shape, besides the back, that i should heal well. have less pain hopefully and stop any future slippage of the vertebre.

one...i'm SCARED to death of having the surgery, but i also think that the money would be better spent on da monkeys educations. not to mention the legal fees i'm still incuring over the custody of grandmonkey. nothing really to do with my expected life i guess, but that maybe their lives would be better...kwim?

Ponyboy,
I hate money, and important issues that come down to whether there is enough or not to do what is necessary.

You cannot put a pricetag on life, or the quality of it.
It has also been mentioned to me, that the amount of a hospital or doctor bill can be negotiated, depending on the circumstances.
If this were your daughter, it wouldn't be a question as to what to do, you would just do what was necesary and find a way to deal with the cost.
You are just as worth it, plus, she NEEDS you.

I would get opinions about conservative therapy, and opinions about surgery.
Ask your doctor, that if you were his son, dad, brother, etc, what he would suggest you do.
Also, I have heard that some insurance companies make you do the conservative thrapy before they will pay for surgery.

It is a hard decision to make, but your life, and the quality of it is just as important as someone who is 10 or 80, rich or poor.
Just my opinion, and I hope it helps!
Carolyn

ponyboy, i asked my mom your question, since she has had many spinal surgeries.

for her the cost never played into the picture. to have less pain...she couldn't put a $$$$$$$ figure on it.

i think back at even the first surgery. i was pretty young. i agree with her. if she hadn't done it ( and all of them ) i'm not sure what type of mom i would have had. it was really hard to see her in so much pain. i had to grow up fast. she couldn't take care of herself, let alone the house.

i'm way different than my mom. not sure if it is a higher pain tolerance or i deal with pain differently. my famliy and ESPECIALLY the monkeys don't know how much pain i have.

i think if your quality of life would better with surgery...then there is no question on the amount of money.

for me right now.....i'm not at that point. if i have more slippage, then i won't have a choice.

This is an interesting thread. I am seeing a new NS tomorrow. And I have decent insurance. That is kind of my dilema. I wonder if I should have the surgery while I know for sure I'm covered. Not wait til my insurance is no good. One of many concerns. Most of them are that I'm a baby

(((nappsie)))

i have had bad experienes with surgery. if just local and set of head phones with good tunes was all it took...i might not be a baby about it either. the final straw was a c-section ( emergancy one ) before the anesthesia hit.

insurance is a major factor too. sure does cut back on the stress.

My spine is a mess to put it simply and I have had more surgeries than I care to discuss. I would never have surgery unless all other options had been ruled out and I was incontinent and falling. MHO!!!!

Jane

I had C-spine surgery ONLY because I was facing a wheelchair, wearing diapers with someone feeding me. Didn't like the sounds of that! So...surgery and now we are struggling to pay what the insurance did not pay. At my age I would have to be desperate to have surgery again!

Ponytail, I have had 6 spinal surgeries. Not all were sucessful. I did my researh and try my best to do all that I am told to do. Each time I think I'll never do it again, BUT pain drives me there once again. They will get to the bottom of this.

Each person has to make up there mind whether they can stand these surgeries. And how do they expect the outcome will be. beleif in you Dr is very important.belief in yourself is important too it.. They are not for people that stand a lot of pain, Most have to have repeated surgeries too. There is a lot to think about before here. Read all yoou can and if you do think you would profit from a surgery, I say do

Best Wishes,
Billie

OK my friend Billie, you got me laughing and THAT is a miracle. I don't laugh at anything anymore so thanks. LOL It was the Ponytail that did it. I thought I was THE only ONE that can spell like that! I love ya, sis