ThailandBound wrote:
One consideration. Clavell uses a nerve block that will keep you pain free for 3-5 days. Works like a charm and made my trip home (3 1/2 flight + 2 hour drive) comfortable “enough”. Not going to lie, traversing the airport having been implanted only 2 days prior is a bit unnerving.
This 3-5 day block, i think, spares the patient the initial post surgical pain.
Just a word of wisdom about nerve bocks. They aren’t created equal and it’s impossible to predict exactly how long they’ll last.
I had both rotator cuffs done. They were supposed to be 3 months apart but I did so well they did them 6 weeks apart. They did a nerve block on each. Told me to expect them to last 48 hours.
On the first one, 48 hrs came and went. So did 72. Then 96. I called the doc. They assured me it would wake up (entire arm was numb and motionless, I couldn’t wiggle fingers.) finally, after 5 days, I started to get a little feeling back and could move hand, fingers. It was freaking weird while it lasted. Absolutely no pain, though.
Six weeks later we did the other shoulder. I expected the same thing. Day surgery. Got in car, daughter driving us home, about 70 miles. We didn’t get 30 miles from hospital before arm started to wake up. Fortunately, the pain wasn’t bad and I had meds and all was well. It (the shoulder) healed as well & quickly as #1. Bottom line is anerthesiology is an art, not a science, and sometimes the anesthesiologist artist doesn’t get the nerve medicated exactly like he thought he would.
As far as doctor, pick either. I personally would rather deal with Houston over Atlanta but that’s just me. Which one will your insurance pay for? Where can you get the most convenient flight? Decent lodging? Whose staff did you like the best?
