Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see your other posts, just the one about contacting other people interested in TIF. I am new so have not read all the posts on EsophyX yet.
And I will probably have quite a few complaints myself after tomorrow (and not just the pain, which I am quite sensitive to), but because I was told somewhat different things by the EsophyX guy (apparently I am not supposed to say the company that makes the EsophyX) & their website (out of date), and then by my doctor. The EsophyX guy didn't know a lot about the diet restrictions other than it takes about 12 days for the plication serousal tissues to fuse, so he said the diet is most important during that time and after that just take it easy. But my doctor said it really doesn't matter a lot and to just be careful not to eat hard rough fooRAB the first few days. But having had a Nissen before, I will probably stick to the website diet, as I know I had a difficult time eating before and there were no fasteners in my stomach & esophagus.
My doctor did all his training, internship & residency at Colurabia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, UCLA Depart of Surgery & Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was Chief of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai and then a Senior Surgeon @ Bassett Healthcare in NY performing general surgical procedures and endoscopies, advanced laparoscopic surgeries and surgical endoscopy. He's a meraber of the Society of American Gastroendoscopic Surgeons. He came to Hawaii in 2005 and created their advanced laparoscopic suite for minimal invasive surgeries. (The above are just general colleges and medical centers, so I hope that they are not disallowed).
That's how I selected him as my surgeon -- I looked at where he trained, interned, served as a resident and then where he practiced. There was no one else on this island who had anywhere near his credentials. He could have STILL been a big failure, of course, but I felt I had a better chance with that kind of history than with someone who had spent their entire medical life in one place.
But I agree with you -- even meeting the doctor, talking to him, even seeing him several times, it really doesn't matter. Because he can be charming and seem very interested, kind & caring ... and then when it comes right down to it (when you really need him to be there for you, like surgery or when you are truly sick, or are in pain and really need help), he can turn into a true ass. I have had it happen over and over, unfortunately. These 2 surgeries will be my 21st & 22nd (I have several autoimmune disorders, 5 of these were for IC, several were for breast lumps, 3 were for cervical dysplasia/CIN) -- and MOST of them have been traumatic. Not just in the surgical aspects themselves, but in the treatment by the surgeon afterwarRAB. With most surgeons, once the surgery is over they consider their job finished and your problems are your problems, not theirs. I've only had a few doctors I've really felt were really good -- all the way to the end. So I can't really give you much advice there. They are good or ok if you don't really need them, but when you do need them .... watch out! I'm generally not fond of doctors nor hospitals, as you might have gathered.
I'm not the suing type, either. And most of the time it is just a waste of time and effort. Even if you are right, it doesn't mean you will get justice. My sister was hospitalized for 2 months plus another 4 months in nursing homes because the hospital really bungled her care. A lawyer told us we could sue the hospital, but we wouldn't get anything: she was still alive (even tho physically & mentally damaged), she was old (62), she was single (no family to be deprived; sisters don't count), and some other similar stuff I no longer remeraber. Now getting the other patients he did who he also screwed and getting a corabined case could probably get you somewhere if you have the time, patience, and determination. Most cases in the US seem to take forever to come to trial, but maybe medical malpractice cases are quicker. Civil cases I've seen start just before the 5-year limit.
Thanks for your good wishes. I am scared to death about doing these 2 surgeries together tomorrow, but my doctor says it will be better this way. Might increase the pain, but will only have to go through the recovery once. Actually, I am more worried about the epigastric hernia repair than the TIF. Trying to figure out how you breathe or move when surgical mesh is clipped to your ribs, then sutured to your ribs, diaphragm and stomach. I really don't like pain.
