Hi, I have a couple questions.

If you traveled across country to see a TOS specialist in DENVER to be evaluated or to have surgery, were you happy with the follow up care? Did they return phone calls, emails etc. promptly?
Also did you have another doctor after you got home for any problems associated with the surgery to turn to for help?
It's quite intimidating to think of having surgery so far from home, especially if you have problems which it seems alot of you have had. Thanks in advance.
ihtos

I had surgery in Denver by Dr. Sanders. I only live 150 miles away but it was too far for me to go back and forth for post surgery care. He made arrangements with my PCP to help me with any pain meds and problems I might run into. He gave me prescriptions for pain meds himself but my Dr. had to change them to what I could take and he kept an eye on my cut and everything else. They both took care of my PT. Dr. Sanders gave a list of the PT he thought would help me and my Dr. kept me in it as long as I needed by watching how I was doing with it.

Dr. Sanders emailed me and called me to check on me. I had surgery by him again in 2005 and he just called me in Oct. of last year again to see how I was. He's a very nice man. He came into my room on Halloween with a woman's red wig on to get a laugh out of me.

I was happy with all my care from him and he knows what he's doing.

Ada

Likewise with Dr. Annest. He was great about answering questions, returning phone calls and his staff awesome about staying in contact via phone and email. They are accustomed to patients who have to travel and coordinate a multitude of appointments, tests and flights.

Before I went out, I asked my PCP and PT people if they would mind working with and taking direction from my surgeon. Everyone was fine and cooperative with my request. Actually, they were happy to learn about this from the Denver Docs and PT/Pain Mgmt crews. Kinda like some free OJT!


I had some complications and again, all teams (Denver and FL) took direction from Dr A and I had apropreate medications and therapies. Now that I am in GA, I'm still 'asking' Dr's if they would 'mind' doing what my surgeon recommends. I think phrasing it like that takes the heat off, as if to politely say "I already know you don't know about this, so don't try to pretend like you do."

Don't mean to sound harsh. but I guess after having 1 FL Dr 'pretend' thru a surgery... I learned that while, yes, traveling for surgery IS intimidating, it's fool-hardy to NOT travel. This stuff is too serious and too important not to go to the top.

Anne

Thanks to Dreambeliever and Astern both for for your answers. Nice to hear such Doctors exist!

Any replies about Dr. Brantigan anyone>?

I had TOS surgery by him about 8 yrs ago and I am doing great! A Top surgeons in the nation magazine came out and he is again listed in it.

This subject has caused many fights on here and I don't want to cause anything, but since you asked, in my opinion, (don't everyone get their undies in a bundle over this) but I think he's the best choice. He has more long term success rates then any doctor for TOS. If he doesn't feel you have it he will send you to anthoer doc that may be able to help or do labs abnd tests to make sure what is going on.

BUT you have to let him do his job. Not go in thinking you know more then he does about it. If one travels so far to seek a DX from a top doctor, let him to do it. List your symptoms, & let him tell you what he thinks.

If you want, PM me and I will give you a number of fantastic success stories of people who would talk to you.

tosser, my panties(or my wives that is)*my boxers* are secure.. I feel we are adults here and I, like you have an opinion... which should be expected and I need all the input that can be given as there is little info. elsewhere... I flew from Pa to Denver to see Dr Sanders for a pre-suregery consult... still playing with workmans comp.. he has clled once himself to see how I was doing and Cathy from his office another time, so I can imagine follw-up! he did send both my TOS DOC and PCP results of his findings also... very caring, thorough, and expect to spend at least 2-3 hours consult time with him... all the guys in Denver seem to have their own following, but damm good at what they do!
MARK~n~GOOBER

I remember reading that many of those who went to any of the Denver docs - most had good things to say about the follow up care and concern. They will work with your PCP/main doc at home after also.

Most of those members from the other site don't post often yet, or they haven't found this new site.

Generally - many seem to have some level of ongoing symptoms after surgery due to scar tissue, postural issues and the fact that the nerves had been compressed for a long time before the surgery.
They take a long time to heal- and scar tissue or adhesions may stick to the muscles and nerves again, causing more symptoms.

we have threads for preparing to travel, pre , post & away from home surgery .
If you need help searching for them let us know.

ty ddaymbb bettertoser and jo. I just wanted to be sure not only of their surgeon skills but also that they follow up promptly if you contact them. Sounds like they do. Thanks to all that posted.

Hi,

You have to remember that 20 yrs ago all docs called patients back. Some docs do have more time then others because they may not have as many surgeries to do or as many complicated ones that take more time.

I know after my surgery I had some questions and Doc Brantigan called back, but not the same day. Still, in a very reasonable time since it wasn't a critical care type question. But I had a great PCP to help me out when I needed it. You HAVE to have a doc in your town that is willing to be a partner in your care with any out of town doctor.

To expect any doc to call when a patient wants them to is asking too much no matter what type of doc.

We have questions, many of them. But the nurses that work with these specialty docs also may know the answers and we need to listen to them too if the docs don't have time to call.

The last thing is, if a doc has more "office time" they have more of a chance to call, but if they are in surgery more then the office, it may be harder to call back. You don't want to go in looking like this really needy patient.

But, calling a patient back should never be what one judges a surgeon on. It should be their skills and positive outcomes post-op.