"Never doubt the healing quality of cold surgical steel."
M.D. Wachs, MD Retired Orthopedic Surgeon Ca 1975
"What is the difference in 'Major' surgery and 'Minor' surgery ?''
The answer, often heard, "If you have it, it's Minor surgery.
If I have it, it's Major surgery !"
My left hip had been increasingly bothersome for a couple of years and my college friend, Dr. Ben Zambrana, assured me that I would know beyond doubt when surgery was indicated. Both my younger brothers, each a veteran of several orthopedic surgeries, had expressed their incredulence that I had not joined the club, though I have had several non-orthopedic procedures.
Dr. Z was right and 'my time' arrived. My physician assured me that my being 87 years old was not a deterrent, so plans proceeded for the 'grand opening'. Somethings remain unchanged ----'dignity' quickly vanishes when the 'gown' complete with open derriere becomes the official uniform. On previous occasions, I received general anesthesia but my surgeon recommended the spinal option with a 'counsciousness suppressant'. A logical but unanticipated result was my total paralysis below the waist. Willing my legs to move became a futility, and increased my empathy with those for whom this is a permanent realtity.
Lewis Grizzard once commented that "surgery will change your attitude towards narcotics". Beyond whatever pain-control meds may have been administered during the operation, I have had no narcotic meds nor significant pain. The anterior approach to the joint has significantly reduced post-op concerns. Same day hospital discharge occurs frequently. By contrast, my brother, a retired orthopedic surgeon, remembered that 50 years ago when he began doing hip replacement surgery using the posterior approach, patients stayed in the hospital for a week. Thereafter, they had to use a triangular pillow
between their legs when in bed for a month post op.
The title of a 1970's pop psychology book, I Ain't Well but I Sure am Better, aptly describes my post op experience. The first few days definitely are not 'do it yourself' challenges. Along with my wife, our son took vacation days and came in from L.A. to assist in the numerous necessary (and sometimes unpleasant) tasks. Being alone in the immediate aftermath of hip surgery is a HUGE no-no.
If this procedure is in your future and you are near the Greensboro, North Carolina area, I give an unequivocable recomendation for Dr. Brian Swinteck of EmergeOrtho and for the staff at Wesley Long Hospital (of the Cone Health System.)
Maybe the 'Cone' part was a playful pun on the blanket a friend gave me :
Someone asked "What does that surgery cost?" While I do not yet have a final accounting, the benefit will be greater than a monetary price tag ---as important as that reality may be. Because of my age, Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance likely will significantly reduce my personal responsibility. HOWEVER, the future of that program as well as Medicaid apparently is facing strong political headwinds that could possibly mean that basic medical care as well as life-saving surgical procedures will be beyond the financial ability of many people. . . and that would be a MAJOR catastrophe !
Satchel
