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Q: Disc Fusion Surgery
asked by: dmaxson72 on September 8th, 2007
New User
Hello,
I have been fighting with my surgeon for the past 6 months on my disc fusion that I was originally supposed to have in May of this year. They have moved my surgery date 4 times now because of issues that they say the surgeon was having with his family and a couple of other excuses. I finally called the patient affairs department and filed a complaint and was scheduled for surgery on 9-14-07. I went for pre op this past Thursday and got a phone call from the surgeon's assistant telling me that the surgery was now on hold because my blood clot numbers were outside the range of what the surgeon accepts and that I have to now see my primary care physician to get clearance for surgery. They gave my some numbers for a PT/PTT count in my blood and told me they were higher than normal and asked me if I was taking Coumadin or some big word like that Smile. I am now worried that my surgery will be postponed again because of this. I have had several people tell me that the Acetometophin in my pain medication can cause abnormal readings. I have been on my pain medication for over 2 1/2 years and have been taking a total of 4000mg total per day of Acetometophin. Has anyone had any issues like this before? Is this something that is going to require a bunch of testing? What are the chances of my surgery being cancelled again? Is the surgeon just covering his butt? Please, any suggestions or input would be very appreciated.
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yogahoneybunny
replied on September 13th, 2007
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Why do you insist on having this surgery so much? Wouldn't 4 cancellations make you pause and wonder why? What are some of the misgivings that the doctor has voiced? I have the feeling that there's a story beneath the story ...

I did find some info on medicines to avoid from the Spine Institute of NY ... They list the following MEDICATIONS TO DISCONTINUE BEFORE SURGERY:

Please do not take any of the following medications for at least seven (7) days prior to surgery.

* Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID’s):
Advil, Aleve, Anaprox, Ansaid, Arthrotec, Bextra, Cataflam, Celebrex, Daypro, Diclofenac, Feldene, Ibuprofen, Indocin, Ketoprofen, Lodine, Mobic, Motrin, Naprosyn, Naproxen, Oruvail, Toradol, Relafen, Vicoprofen, Vioxx, Voltaren
* Medications containing Aspirin:
Alka-Seltzer, Anacin, Asprin, Bayer Arthritis, Bufferin, Darvon Compound, Ecotrin, Excedrin, Fiorinal, Pepto-Bismol, Percodan

If you have spinal fusion surgery, you will NOT be able to take NSAIDS or medications containing aspirin for about 3 months (until your doctor tells you that your fusion appears solid).

* Estrogen Products:
All oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy
* Anticoagulants and Antithrombotics
Aggrenox, Coumadin, Ecotrin, Fragmin, Halfprin, Heparin, Lovenox, Orgaran, Persantine, Plavix, Ticlid. You will need to consult your physician regarding plans for stopping these medications.
* MAO Inhibitors
Nardil (Phenelzine) Parnate (Tranylcypromine)
* Herbal Medications and Supplements:
- Echinacea
- Feverfew
- Garlic
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Ginseng
- Siberian Ginseng
- Kava
- Ma Huang
- Saw Pilmetto
- Valerian
- St. John’s Wort
- (14 days before) Vitamin E
- Multivitamins (containing Vit.E)
* The following medications MAY be taken prior to surgery:
- Acetaminophen
- Darvocet
- Darvon
- Dilaudid
- Duragesic
- Fioricet
- Lorcet
- Lortab
- MS Contin
- MSIR
- Oxycontin
- Percocet
- Roxanol
- Tylenol Codeine
- Tylenol
- Vicodin (Hydrocodone)
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