I’m due fairly major and unusual orthopedic surgery. I have a very good consultant but even he’s never done an operation like this. Last time I saw him he was pulling slight faces and saying he knew what needed to be done but wasn’t sure how to do it. He did a steroid injection and told me if that worked that would confirm what the issue was and I’d then be booked for fairly significant surgery. But that it’s something he’s never done before.
So injection worked and I went back for an appt expected to see him but it was some guy I’d never seen before, not even his regular Reg. no idea if this was a different consultant or a reg as he never introduced himself. He said great, steroid injection worked and I could be discharged.
I had to stop him and say that wasnt the plan, that my consultant had said I’d need surgery. New guy pulled faces and said it was risky, my leg bone might collapse as I’m going to have a massive hole, etc. I said nope, my normal guy seemed to think he could do something and I want it done.
My pre op appt next week has been cancelled. His secretary rang me on Friday to tell me. Apparently I’m just to turn up on the morning of the operation and they’ll consent me then.
So I’ll have no time to think about it, to think of any questions, to go away and google anything. No time to weigh up pros and cons and make a decision.I’ve no idea if my leg is going to have a bone graft, pinned/plated, whatever. No idea if I’ll be on crutches afterwards. Don’t even know if it’s under a general anaesthetic. Secretary didn’t know. I’ve no idea how real the risk of losing my leg is.