I live with the mess up of hip replacement and often think If Only I Had Not done it, where would I be today. I'm on a couple replacement groups and believe me there are plenty of problems with these replacements.

I have heard so many stories on the fusion surgeries. My back issues are pretty narley but I would not do a fusion unless I was so crippled or....

When my dad was close to death back in 2005, 3 cardiac surgeons came to my sister and I to try to talk us into getting him a pacemaker. He was 95 and so ready to leave this earth. We told them NO every time.

I found this link and can't help but believe so many surgeries are not necessary.


http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/h...dical/2439075/

My brother earlier last year told me that his doc told him he "needed" a back surgery. Mike is 73 soon and has been a golfer all this adult life both workwise and recreationwise. So golfers do end up with nasty backs, many of us do...I'm one also but not a golfer.

So today talking to him, he's on East Coast I'm West Coast, he said he was doing pretty good, working again in his field and playing golf weekly. He said his back is no worse and he's doing exercise and chiro work and some PT now and then, but no surgery...thank goodness. So glad he heard me.

I am 73 and had spinal decompression surgery nearly ten years ago which stabilised my symptoms - poor mobility and ever present neuropathic pain. Last year my symptoms suddenly worsened and I was reassessed in the local hospital after struggling to get a referral. The back specialist recommended an early operation which he said could restabilise at my current (worsened) level but carried not inconsiderable risks, including blindness. I was then given a pre-op assessment summed up by an anaesthetist who advised that the best thing I could do for my back would be to lose weight - at the time I was just, by a few percentage points, on the wrong side of the obesity line. No prizes for guessing which choice I made.

Now, ten weeks later, I have lost 14 pounds and am still overweight but not obese. No particular diet - just eating and drinking less, particularly alcohol. Symptoms haven't changed much. Aim is to lose another 20 pounds by the middle of the year then reassess perhaps seeking a third opinion.

Just one path through the maze.

I just lost 25 lbs rather easily... too easily. I hope I don't have a hidden cancer... sigh.

But my pain levels have gone UP with the loss...I suspect toxins hidden in my fat, have been released. That is the only explanation.

Carrying around extra weight does the joints no good for sure. I could lose 20 lbs below the waist but I don't work hard enough to do it. I'll lose it my already thin face.

We have a PRP/Stem Cell MD on the radio weekends and when people call in with all their joint issues, the first question he asks, how old are you and what is your weight.


Hope no hidden cancer and the pain could be from detox.

I live with a Mindset that surgery should be BE LAST RESORT... And many who know me here have heard my gripes/complaints on a hip replacement outcome I live with.

Today, the first caller on the PRP/Stem Cell program with the MD who does PRP/Stem Cells...was a 50 yr old man who had done 4 surgeries each on both knees. No replacement but 8 surgeries. The man says he lives in chronic pain and he sounded in pain from his voice. He says he wants no more surgery. I still "THINK" about these and if only they were less money.

Then a 38 yr old woman called in about a knee surgery and it pushed her into the other term for RSD...CRPS . Wanted to know if the MD could help her.