Medical Disclaimer

I know. You already read the OTHER medical disclaimer and now you're wondering why I have a second disclaimer on my site.

Well, if you're reading these pages in the order in which they've been presented (and not jumping around from one main menu topic to another), then you've just finished reading about all of the choices that I've presented and some of the diagnostics as well. At this point, you need to know that what's been presented on this site, through either my written words or the links that you've traveled to, may well NOT be all of the information you need to really make an informed decision.

The internet is a wonderful tool for gathering information, but it should NEVER be substituted for a LONG talk with your doctor.

I am NOT a doctor. I am a provider of information -- and even that {information} has it's limitations. I freely and willingly share with you my personal experiences and thoughts about those experiences but do not believe for even one second that your experiences have been exactly the same as mine or will be exactly the same as mine. Similar in some ways, perhaps. But, not the same.

So, if you're about to undergo any kind of surgery, I would hope that your latest visits with your doctor were at least 1 to 2 hours long. There is no way on this planet that your doctor can possibly explain everything you need to know in any lesser amount of time. If you're being skiddaddled out of your doctor's office in 20 minutes or less, you need to be wondering just what you forgot to ask about and just what your doctor isn't telling you. Any surgery is serious business. It could mean the quality of your life from there on out. In fact, it could mean your life. Stand firm and make your doctor accountable for giving you the appropriate information regarding your medical situation.

Something I didn't do that I would highly recommend: Ask your doctor to put into writing all of the potential consequences of the procedure you're about to undergo. They usually don't do this until you're already checked into the hospital and signing those last minute forms that waive the hospital's liability should any of those items occur. It can be frightening to suddenly be signing paperwork with a long list of potential consequences thrown in on some back page that you just don't remember your doctor ever discussing. Get that list while you're sitting in the doctor's office--not in a hospital gown outside the operating room. And make your doctor write it down or present it to you in written form. You need to be able to go home, read the list, and discuss it with your family. Don't depend on your memory for this information. You already have too much bouncing around inside your head and simply can't be expected to remember everything. Get it in writing so you can refer to it later.

Think about asking your doctor for a list in this way--you'll have a tool before you to open the door to discussing everything you need to discuss pre-procedure. But whatever you do, do NOT let the doctor give you a pamphlet for you to "read on your own" and then shove you out the door. It's important that you read it together. (Some doctors reading this are groaning right about now. . .TOO BAD! It's your job to ensure that your patient is truly informed about what you intend to do to them so stop whining and do what you SHOULD be doing--talking to your patients!)