Surgery for adhesions...My response to Jackie's message...

From: Helen Dynda (olddad66@runestone.net)
Sat Sep 28 17:07:49 2002


Surgery for adhesions; From: jackie (Hensle_j@bellsouth.net); Sat Sep 28 01:19:45 2002

My response to Jackie's message is with the use of: H> ...and numbers:

Jackie: I went to the doctor the other day and he said that I have endometriosis and that he would by standard of the AMA have to put me on birth control for 3 months along with ibuprophen three times a day for three months.

1.) On what dis he base his diagnosis of endometriosis? What kind of symptoms were you having??

2.) He told you that " he would by standard of the AMA have to put " you on birth control for 3 months. I have never heard about this; and I doubt very much that this is true!!

3.) Did he perform a diagnostic laparoscopy for you? A DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY IS THE ONLY WAY ENDOMETRIOSIS (AS WELL AS ADHESIONS) can be diagnosed!!!!! Birth control will "temporarily" provide some relief from pain; but once birth control is stopped, the pain returns - many times worse than before!!

Jackie: He then at that time think about going in to do a hysterectomy. H> A HYSTERECTOMY IS NOT A CURE FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS!!! There are far too many doctors, who perform hysterectomies for the wrong reasons!! DO NOT agree to a hysterectomy - unless your doctor has diagnostic evidence (such as cancer, etc.) that a hysterectomy is needed. I don't believe that you need a hysterectomy; but I do believe that you need to find a new doctor!! If you do indeed have endometriosis, then you need to find a gynecologist, who specializes in endometriosis.

Jackie: "I just want my bowel problems fixed and the adhesions gone but he didn't seem interested."

H> Have you had prior surgeries? Surgery itself is one of the causes of adhesions!! Unfortunately, there is no easy way to fix adhesion problems! Each surgery will only cause more adhesions to form - and will only increase your level of pain. Adhesion formation - by the human body - is a completely natural and normal way that the body attempts to heal and protect itself. Surgery IS a trauma to the body!!

H> The best surgeons -- who are not only technically skilled but also have years of experience in performing laparoscopic surgery -- are located at Frankfurt, Germany!! These surgeons are opening the very first International ENDO, ARD and Myoma Center at Frankfurt. In addition to their skill, these surgeons also are able to offer the following: Gasless laparoscopy, SprayGel adhesion barrier ( http://www.confluentsurgical.com/ ) and a second look laparoscopy. None of these are offered/available in the United States. Compared to the cost of surgery in the United States, surgery in Germany is much less expensive!!! To learn more about the EndoGyn - Institute for Endoscopic Gynaecology, please go to: http://www.EndoGyn.com/ .

Jackie:..."also, they found a small 8 mm calcium deposit inside my bowel they think, I overheard them say to another doctor, she doesn't know what she is talking about and it has nothing to do with her endo,,I was very disturbed by that. He didn't even want to look at the adhesions."

H> I have no idea what "a small 8 mm calcium deposit" is; but your doctor should have told you - rather than another doctor - what this is all about. Since he did not explain this to you, you need to request copies of your Medical Records (and if you've had surgery, Operative Reports); so you will know what is going on. Since you were "very disturbed by that", this a very good reason for you to look for a doctor, who will listen to you, share information with you and treat you with dignity and respect.

Jackie: I have been in pain for 2 months now. Today I actually had a decent day no pain pills and only a little bit of pain...tolerable. I did have a few pains up next to where my gallbladder is and across to my left side, but that comes and goes. I can't explain it. I explained to him about the spray gel and the other barrier methods, but he seems to think it would be better not to operate.

H> There are many surgeons in the United States, who refuse to perform surgery - unless they have no other choice (when a patient presents with a complete bowel obstruction - an emergency situation). There are also many surgeons, who do not possess the skills, techniques and experience so necessary for the best results with adhesiolysis procedures!! The surgeons at Frankfurt are among the best laparoscopic surgeons in the world - they thrive and do their best work in the performance of techically difficult adhesiolysis procedures!!

Jackie: "He is a uro-gynecologist. Never heard of one."

H> Neither have I heard of a uro-gynecologist. I assume he is not only a gynecologist - but also a urologist. Basically, he is NOT an endometriosis specialist!!

Jackie: What should my next course of action be. Why is he so adamant about not doing a laparascopy. The other doctor was going to do surgery this week but my insurance didn't cover the doctor, but covers the surgery. This doctor said that he can't do the surgery until he covers me for 3 months. I don't want to be debilitated till after the new year. This is quite painful. As if you don't know. Could their be other problems they don't know about? Advice please..

H> I hope by now you will begin to understand that surgery - with just any surgeon - is not the answer. You asked, "Why is he so adamant about not doing a laparoscopy?" My answer to your question is:

1.) ARD is NOT recognized as being either a disease or disorder by the medical community!! Consequently, surgeons are very poorly reimbursed for time-consuming adhesiolysis procedures. I know someone, whose surgery took 10 hours. NO surgeon wants to spend hours upon hours performing an adhesiolysis - knowing he/she will be paid for 1 or 2 hours at the most!!

2.) There is a lot of risk involved in performing an adhesiolysis; and surgeons are not willing to take that risk!!

3.) Surgeons are aware how futile it is to perform adhesiolysis procedures; because hey know that the adhesions will return - and worse than before surgery!!

4.) NO hospital wants to have their operating rooms tied up because of time-consuming adhesiolysis procedures; because hospitals - and anesthesists - are also very poorly reimbursed by insurance (including government insurance programs (Medicare and Medicaid). Thanks,

--
Jackie

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