Scary doctor visit.
Ok so I went the week before Christmas to see this plastic surgeon who is checking me out for surgery on my armpits for the HS. Needless to say the visit scared me.
He wants to cut out affected areas at the top and bottom, and leave the crease of my armpit so he can make a bridge for the other skin to attach to. Needless to say..these areas are also affected by the HS. So what the hell kinda good does it do to cut out some of the bad areas, but to leave affected skin just sew it to non affected skin??
I asked about not having skin grafts, which he said we didn't have to take it from me (so no secondary pain), so that was good.
But then I asked him about wound vac therapy, and was told they would only do that if the wound wasn't healing properly. So that screwed me up.
I tried to talk to him, but it was like the whole time I was there HE was doing all the talking. I don't know if he was trying to dazzle or overwhelm me with his expertise or whatever, all I know is when the appt was over, my head was swimming and they were trying to shuffle me off to a room to schedule surgery. So I used my hubby as my excuse to wait a day or two to give them my answer.
So now it is off to my doctor's again, this time for a visit for a second opinion.
I'm not looking for gorgeous or even semi normal armpits, I could care less really. I'm only concerned with trying to keep this mess from coming back in that area so at least I have one or two areas that aren't affected, at least for a little while.
I just want them to go in, take as much skin, glands or whatever out of my armpits, and then seal up the wounds with a wound vac. I know that the healing time can be kinda long with some junk, and I know that them sponges can hurt like hell when it comes to dressing changes. I just want to make damn sure that all that can be gotten out is gotten out.
Praying I can find a surgeon that will listen instead of talk.
He wants to cut out affected areas at the top and bottom, and leave the crease of my armpit so he can make a bridge for the other skin to attach to. Needless to say..these areas are also affected by the HS. So what the hell kinda good does it do to cut out some of the bad areas, but to leave affected skin just sew it to non affected skin??
I asked about not having skin grafts, which he said we didn't have to take it from me (so no secondary pain), so that was good.
But then I asked him about wound vac therapy, and was told they would only do that if the wound wasn't healing properly. So that screwed me up.
I tried to talk to him, but it was like the whole time I was there HE was doing all the talking. I don't know if he was trying to dazzle or overwhelm me with his expertise or whatever, all I know is when the appt was over, my head was swimming and they were trying to shuffle me off to a room to schedule surgery. So I used my hubby as my excuse to wait a day or two to give them my answer.
So now it is off to my doctor's again, this time for a visit for a second opinion.
I'm not looking for gorgeous or even semi normal armpits, I could care less really. I'm only concerned with trying to keep this mess from coming back in that area so at least I have one or two areas that aren't affected, at least for a little while.
I just want them to go in, take as much skin, glands or whatever out of my armpits, and then seal up the wounds with a wound vac. I know that the healing time can be kinda long with some junk, and I know that them sponges can hurt like hell when it comes to dressing changes. I just want to make damn sure that all that can be gotten out is gotten out.
Praying I can find a surgeon that will listen instead of talk.
Replies
Gorgeous armpits? LOL (sorry, that one made me giggle. Can\'t say I think of armpits as a sexy area, they just exist!) As for the second opinion opinion you are going for....do it! U need to feel like u are listened to for surgery and have your questions answered well, and be able to express your concerns. Also, how much did this doc even know about HS? I know that doctor choices can sometimes be limited depending on insurance but hopefully you\'ll have some luck! Hang in there!
I know.I think of feet the same way really..ROFL..Saying sexy armpits is akin to saying sexy feet to me. (how the heck some folks can have a foot fetish is beyond me, with them being jammed up in shoes all day..ew? lol)
Oh I\'ve already called my doc today and informed her she needs to find me a second opinion and why. It will be limited by my insurance I know, but I know ALL of \'em can\'t talk like this guy did..was non stop chatter the whole time I was there. At one point I felt like I was in the middle of an auction, was wondering when I should jump in and say SOLD! ROFL.
But his \"bridge\" idea was what killed me. The creases of my armpits are already affected..so why leave that tissue there..I mean it wasn\'t like it was hard to see that it affects those areas..grief man. >.
goodness gracious! I know you told me a little about this doc, but to leave affected areas for a bridge?! That is th emost ridiculous thing I have ever heard! I hope your second opinion goes much better.