Re: Reinterpretation

1

Is it just my browser (IE), or why can't I see what you want me to see? The center window is blank.


Posted by: Belle Lettre | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 10:49 AM
horizontal rule
2

It worked fine for me (Firefox.)


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 10:50 AM
horizontal rule
3

Ah. It is my browser. Thanks, I will try it on Firefox.


Posted by: Belle Lettre | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 10:51 AM
horizontal rule
4

OK. That was cool indeed. But I like George Clooney.


Posted by: Belle Lettre | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 10:55 AM
horizontal rule
5

This one, too, works better the wrong way.


Posted by: Populuxe | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 11:05 AM
horizontal rule
6

Another.


Posted by: TJ | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 11:34 AM
horizontal rule
7

Waterson's expressions all seem wrong to me.


Posted by: washerdreyer | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 11:48 AM
horizontal rule
8

Suppose one were having minor surgery and one were meeting with the surgeon for the first time, having received a referral. Suppose further that the last time one was in the hospital one had an umbilical cord, and so one has no idea what to expect and has no idea what to ask. Any suggestions? "Hi, you're going to be cutting me, anything I should know about that?"


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 12:32 PM
horizontal rule
9

Michael Douglas' is definitely better if you assume it's all the first scenario.


Posted by: Timothy Burke | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 12:33 PM
horizontal rule
10

8: "Hello, Dr. ____. It's nice to meet you. Yeah, a little nervous, sure. Uh, hey, if you fuck this up I will hunt you down and kill your family. So! Anything I should know?"


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 12:34 PM
horizontal rule
11

8: I'd say "remember to have everyone wash their hands", unless he looks like the kind of guy who would respond with spite.


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 12:36 PM
horizontal rule
12

"If you leave a clamp in me do I get to keep it?"


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 12:38 PM
horizontal rule
13

If you're having something amputated that comes in pairs (a.g. an arm or a leg), write "Not This Leg" on the good one in magic marker. Not a joke.


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 12:43 PM
horizontal rule
14

"This limb intentionally left attached" also works.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 12:44 PM
horizontal rule
15

The most recent wrong-side operation I've heard about was by a brain surgeon. So much for that cliche.


Posted by: mcmc | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 12:46 PM
horizontal rule
16

After the operation you should insist that the surgeon actually didn't do anything, and say "Pix or it didn't happen".


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 12:46 PM
horizontal rule
17

Neat.


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 1:44 PM
horizontal rule
18

Cala, the thing you should definitely ask is how many of precisely this kind of procedure he's done. Depending on just how major/minor the surgery is, it can be very worthwhile to talk to other surgeons and get a sense of how various people approach it. You might also want to do some research into the procedure beforehand so you have some idea what to ask.


Posted by: ogged | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 1:48 PM
horizontal rule
19

Oh, sorry, it's coming back to me. Ask about his complication rate, ask him to explain the complications and explain what he does about them.


Posted by: ogged | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 1:52 PM
horizontal rule
20

Depending on just how major/minor the surgery is, it can be very worthwhile to talk to other surgeons and get a sense of how various people approach it. You might also want to do some research into the procedure beforehand so you have some idea what to ask.

Agreed. Learn the options. Ask the surgeon about the options. If you have time, ask other surgeons about the options.


Posted by: Will | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 2:06 PM
horizontal rule
21

all good advice.
when my wife was in for pretty major surgery a few years ago, we quizzed the guy on his training, where he had been a resident, the whole pedigree. you want someone who was trained relatively recently, unless they are still working around a teaching hospital or have some other reason to be up on the latest techniques.
and as ogged said, you want a surgeon, and a hospital, that does this procedure *a lot*. frequency is highly correlated with good outcomes.
you have choices. shop around. ask other doctors whom you know, even socially, 'if your child were getting their x removed, which surgeon would you use?' sometimes they'll be willing to be honest, or at least hint in useful ways.


Posted by: kid bitzer | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 2:15 PM
horizontal rule
22

Oh, if you can, ask nurses who work in the surgical units or at the hospital. Sometimes it is just rumor or slander, but sometimes you get good info.

I have a friend who is a urologist, but he doesnt use as many pain medication as other docs in his practice. Great doc. Not going to him.


Posted by: Will | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 2:19 PM
horizontal rule
23

many s/b much


Posted by: Will | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 2:19 PM
horizontal rule
24

I'm with 18 - 22. The more info you have going in the easier it is to detect BS. I'd ask lots about what to expect afterwards, knowing what to expect cuts down on anxiety.

J.E. is correct, writing a underlined "No" if there's the possibility of left-right confusion is definitely a good idea.


Posted by: Biohazard | Link to this comment | 11-28-07 3:04 PM
horizontal rule
25

No possibility of left-right confusion. Just a minor outpatient thing that will be done at the hospital, presumably due to the whole sedation + local anaesthetic combo.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 11-29-07 4:34 PM
horizontal rule