Second Opinion

It seems like a whole lot of you have had or are scheduled to have your children undergo some form of surgery.

Did you seek a 2nd opinion before going through with the surgery?

As I posted yesterday, the specialist is recommending surgery for Robbie. It took us 2 months to get in to see him, and it will take another month or so to schedule surgery. Getting an appointment with a specialist is very difficult and I know that in order to get another opinion it will be another 2 months to see someone.

My pediatrician recommended the specialist because he felt there might be a need for surgery - would his opinion count as the first?? Or should I see another specialist.

There is no 'rush' - the doctor said anytime in the next 6-9 months would be just fine.

I am EXTREMELY anxious about my child having surgery - as I am sure you can all understand. The thought is making me sick. It's a relatively minor thing and he will be home the same day.. but ..

Those of you who had or are scheduled to have your child undergo surgery - did you get a 2nd opinion first? I am wondering if my desire for a 2nd opinion is really hiding a desire to put off the surgery - or if it is just smart thinking.

Thanks!

Message edited 10/10/2008 7:25:55 AM.

Re: Second Opinion

I haven't had to take my children for surgery, but my son has had a variety of medical issues and I've never considered the pediatrician a first opinion. For some things we've seen 2 specialists, for more minor things we'll go with the first specialists opinion if they came recommended to us and the treatment really made sense to us.

I'd be very anxious about surgery too.

Re: Second Opinion

DS had a urological surgery at 6 months---we saw a surgeon when he was born, but ended up with a different one bc the first wasn't in our insurance plan---so I guess that was like a 2nd opinion. that being said, I felt very comfortable with the 1st surgeon and if our insurance would have covered her,i wouldn't have gone for 2nd opinion. For me, I felt like the surgery was fairy common, I did my research and there wasn't much else another surgeon could tell me---they weren't going to make the decision for me that he needed surgery,that was up to us KWIm? GL--its tough, but you get thru it EtA--do whatever makes you as comfortable as possible

Message edited 10/10/2008 8:06:38 AM.

Re: Second Opinion

well, my son hasn't had surgery yet but i have twice. and both times i didn't get a second opinion because i knew what the problem was, i knew surgery was the only solution (we exhausted every other simpler solution and none worked) and i trusted the specialist. i knew he wouldn't put me through surgery if i didn't need it.

when it comes to my child, if i knew in my heart surgery was the only fix (as it was with me) i wouldn't get a second opinion. if i wasn't sure, or the specialist gave me other options, i would get a second one. surgery is hard for anyone, especially a little kid.

i hope robby gets better soon!

Re: Second Opinion

Sorry for bumping.. but I really just need a few more answers to my poll.

Thanks!

Re: Second Opinion

This was my issue 2 months ago, when we first met with the pediatric urologist (who was referred to us by our pediatrician, and several ladies on here loved him too).

DD didn't need a surgery, she just needed a testing procedure (which required anesthesia though). I trusted the ped. urologist, but I questioned whether we should seek a 2nd opinion before we subjected her to anesthesia & an invasive test. Her pediatrician said he could recommend someone else, but that this ped. urologist was very anti-surgery/invasive things and overly cautious, and if he felt it was best to do it, then it was. But that we could definitely get a 2nd opinion.

We didn't get a 2nd opinion. They did the test last week and discovered that DD *may* need surgery in the future if certain issues develop. I'm at a crossroad again-- do we get a 2nd opinion on the test results? How does that even work? I don't want to give her the same test again, but do they just give test results over to other doctors?

So, I don't have any advice for you, but I can sympathize...it's SO HARD to decide what do to with our kids.

I've never needed any medical test or surgery where I would need a second opinion for myself, so I'm not familiar with how that whole process works.

Good luck

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When my DD had a lump on her leg we were told she needed surgery. I took her to two specialists, I wouldn't count the ped as the first opinion.

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I would get a second opinion. The several times I had surgery, I always got a second opinion. Can't hurt.

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Re: Second Opinion

Posted by rojerono

Posted by nbc188

Posted by rojerono

Posted by nbc188

This was my issue 2 months ago, when we first met with the pediatric urologist (who was referred to us by our pediatrician, and several ladies on here loved him too).

Which Urologist did you use? It happens to be a pediatric urologist that is needed in this case since Robbie has bi-lateral undescended testicles.

Dr. Wasnick, Stony Brook Associates. His office is in East Setauket or Setauket (not sure if this is near you or not though).

Dr. Wasnick was who we saw! He was great. Robbie screwed his eyes shut and put his hands over his face when the doctor pulled his underwear down - so Dr. Wasnick starts chanting"I see your weiner! I see your weiner!" which totally made Robbie laugh and relax. He was fantastic!