WE’VE ALL OF US HAD OUR UPS AND DOWNS with doctors. As a profession, they are not immune from the reality that exists in all technical, academic, and professional schools: half of them graduated in the bottom of their class. When you are in the doctor’s office, you may see the diploma upon the wall, but there is no indication of grade point average, class standing, or educational attainment. I’ve been a member of this website long enough to have seen too many posts reflecting what appears to have been poor to mediocre doctoring. Too many people have reflected upon having to undergo multiple surgeries following problems with an initial surgery. They will always be given some medical reason, but it’s never “oh, sorry, I fucked up.” Sometimes it’s a not too dramatic error, such as thoughtless stoma placement where it then causes the patient years of inconvenience. Surgeons never really seem to grasp, or care about, the practical intricacies of living with an ostomy. This is not a new phenomenon. “Though the doctors treated him…and gave him medications… he nevertheless recovered.” (From Tolstoy’s novel War & Peace.) Among other things, this is why we have to ask questions, don’t assume that they know what they’re talking about, and depend upon the knowledge and experience of qualified ostomy nurses for immediate aftercare. And perhaps, avoid surgery on Mondays and Fridays.
Hello HenryM.
Your thoughts ring true as usual. However, looking on the bright side of this perspective: Half the doctors graduating must have been at the top of their class. It is always a wise move to do some research into the efficacy of your surgeon and get some reliable references before submitting yourself to the knife.
Best wishes
Bill
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If at all possible, before the surgeon performs your surgery, ask if the hospital has an ostomy nurse. If they do, talk to your surgeon about having the ostomy nurse check your abdomen before the surgery, and she or he can mark the best spot for the stoma. The surgeons don't really care about where they place it; they just want to complete the surgery. They will adjust the site if the ostomy nurse marks the correct spot. Usually, if a nurse marks it, you will not have problems with creases and bumps after the surgery, and your appliance will fit much better!
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TY. Great note. I had an ostomy nurse, but it was after the fact, unfortunately. The first surgery went downhill. The second surgery was at midnight. But my stoma is too close to my belly button, and I've had a real learning curve on bag placement.
A lot of the doctors don't want to include the ostomy nurse, not sure why but maybe it makes them feel insecure. Lol. But if you know anyone going into the hospital for the surgery and the hospital has an ostomy nurse, please tell them to insist that they see the nurse prior to the surgery. The really good colorectal surgeons will be very happy for the certified ostomy nurse to come in before he operates. The general surgeons, not so much.
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