Marginal Risk??

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bitshird

bitshird

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Adamsville, TN, USA.
Any one here ever been rated as a marginal candidate for an Elective Surgery, namely hip replacement?? I'm hoping it means a better than average chance of waking up!! but any one ever hear of such a thing??
 
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Ken, IDEAL or Optimum candidates for surgeries are usually people in such good condition that they shouldn't need surgery to begin with! People over 55 are at more risk (according to my doctors, anyway), those who are overwieght, smokers, alcohol users, those with histories of diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, or who have been diagnosed and chemically treated for mental disorders are also riskier. Also, the condition of your hip may cause some concern that surgery might not be helpful.

Sounds to me like you need to "coral" your doctor and make him speak to you in "real life" terms rather than clinical terms. Sometimes health care professionals have a way of scaring the crap out of you by just talking in "hospital code".
 
ed4copies said:
What WE think it means is immaterial.

Find out what your SURGEON THINKS IT MEANS!!!!
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Ed, My Surgeon called today and told me that my Cardiologist told him that I was Marginal for the surgery, and he thought it would be OK, OF course with probably 15 to 20 K on the line, for about 3 hours work, I suppose I'd give it a whirl, but he's not the one with the problem if I don't wake up!!
I'd just never heard that word used in connection with an operation. Particularly on ME!!!
 
Typically...it means it may or may not improve your condition and/or quality of life. I see cardiac surgery on 90+ patients on a daily basis...hip patients are in danger of not moving much, developing embolism's and clots. Also pneumonia and pulmonary edema from the same. Suck it up and do what the recovery team tell you to do...it is not fun...I know, but it beats the alternative.
 
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Andy, The hip holding is a pretty good chance, the bone density is good, BUT I got most of the other crap diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, and sure can blow off the over 55 thing, I was looking forward to getting this done so I could get off the Vicoden and or Percaset after 3 years, now I'm bout ready to change me drawers!!
 
Well Ken,
As I said at the time, I had cataract surgery. Scared to death I was going to be the one out of thousands that goes blind. But, the first question I asked the surgeon was, "How do you feel when you start a surgery?" He said, "Confident but nervous". I asked, "Why". He said because he KNOWS he COULD have a bad result. THAT was the reason I picked HIM.

Confident---every one so far has turned out well.
Nervous---only one lapse of concentration could cost ME my vision. As long as he is thinking about that, it probably WON'T happen!!

Nearly every time I "blow up" a blank it is because I stopped concentrating---I think the same is true of most endeavors.

May you have a good outcome, no matter what path you choose!!!

Ed
 
Jim Burr said:
Typically...it means it may or may not improve your condition and/or quality of life. I see cardiac surgery on 90+ patients on a daily basis...hip patients are in danger of not moving much, developing embolism's and clots. Also pneumonia and pulmonary edema from the same. Suck it up and do what the recovery team tell you to do...it is not fun...I know, but it beats the alternative.
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Jim, Thanks, as long as I wake up I'm ready for the hard work, my problem is not being an ass and trying to do too much,
 
Ken,

I suggest that you call your Cardiologist and ask him/her what the marginal means since they were the ones saying it.

Tomas
 
I'd speak with my cardiologist. Sounds like he has no "vested" interest in doing the surgery or not, and I'll bet you pay him a wad of money for professional advice. I'd make an appointment and speaker with him/her.
 
tomas said:
Ken,

I suggest that you call your Cardiologist and ask him/her what the marginal means since they were the ones saying it.

Tomas
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I think I'll do that first thing in the Morning, I really want this operation, but this did kind of alarmed me a bit. I just saw the cardiologist last Thursday, I wish he'd said something then, but my Surgeons Nurse called me about 4:30 today..
 
Yes, it is common to use the term marginal when you have those additional factors in the pot. The cardiologist wants you to be aware of the increased risks involved. Definitely call and see what you need to be aware of. The main concern is the anesthesia and what side effects it will have with you when it comes to a hip surgery. Other factors are the same for all surgeries with nerve damage, blood clots and or bleeding but I'm sure they have covered all that. 9 times out of 10 it will be fine, but the cardiologist when consulted has to give the whole picture to cover his behind.
 
OK I spoke with the Cardiologist's nurse, The concern is the Anesthesia and blood loss, I'm off blood thinners and have been for over a year, but I still have to take Aspirin, and rather than stop the week before surgery, he want's me to continue up to the day of the surgery, the main risk being I may not wake up, but he said that was a minimal chance since I handled my finger amputation well and made a fast recovery from that and they were concerned because my Diabetic meds. could really mess with the anesthesia, and since I did the amputation with a table saw, there wasn't much they could do besides cut off a little more, but this time I stop taking it 48 hrs prior to getting sliced and diced.
Just for grins and stuff, I think I'll back off on the aspirin as well, just eat a lot of Co-Q10. But I'm also aware that will qualify me for instant admission to the ID ten T club.. Maybe I could be the Presidink!!
 
From another who is on the edge of going forward with a hip surgery good luck Ken. Make sure you ask alot of questions like how will you be monitored while under anestesia for unusual conditions. My father in law had a stroke and they did not react for hours because they were not monitoring him closely nor try to wake him up right away after the surgery. When I had gut surgery they woke me up as soon as I got to the post op room.
 
:rolleyes::rolleyes: Ken; About 4 years ago I could hardly walk, the pain in my hip and knee were extreem. My doctor said I would need Knee and hip replacement in the near future, but to hold off as long as I could stand the pain. I could not sleep on anything soft and spent two years sleeping flat on the floor. During this time every night a did leg lifts, switching off one leg over the other or both feet together. About 3 years ago my wife and I started working out 1 hour a day 3 times a week. I did the tread mill 40 minuets and any leg machines they had plus some arm exersizes. Today I can walk with no problems or pain. The doctor said I built up the muscle around the hip and knee and that was holding everything tight plus it increased bone density. Not only did I not have sugery, I took no pain pills, got back to woodworking, and I feel great. Start slow and with small weights. It may be worth a try. Jim S
 
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bitshird said:
Andy, The hip holding is a pretty good chance, the bone density is good, BUT I got most of the other crap diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, and sure can blow off the over 55 thing, I was looking forward to getting this done so I could get off the Vicoden and or Percaset after 3 years, now I'm bout ready to change me drawers!!
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Ken,
My wife had a hip replaced about 3 years ago... she's over 65, diabetic, has high blood pressure, atrilfibulation, overweight(but working on that), and has very severe varicose veins and bad circulation in both legs, but the right is worst which is also same leg she had the hip replacement in..... she came through with flying colors... today, you'd hardly know she's ever had a problem with her hip... her left hip is beginning to give a little problems and she'll probably need that one done in a few years.... key is get to know your doctor, learn to trust him, follow the directions of the rehab people, do everything they ask and you'll do well also.
 
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