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					Originally Posted by  cathexis
					 
				 
				Know how you feel about going an out of state surgeon.  I've gone to VT round trip once now I have another appointment for a follow-up (why I don't know why whatever couldn't have been done the first visit), then the top surgery and immediate post-op follow up.  How long will that last?  I am a SICU RN, and know how to pull a drain.  I just won't know at what point he will want it pulled.  Can't really afford to spend a week at a motel or hostel (if I can find one). 
 
Wonder how many office visits before the surgery.  It costs me $100 a pop for each trip, and the driver is iffy.  Like I have an appt. at the end of the month, and she still hasn't given me an answer as to whether or not she can take me.  It's 2 hrs. away so I can't just get a ride at the drop of a hat.  Not only do I have to worry about the appt. but how I'm going to get there. and what's going to happen after surgery.  I have 2 cats to worry about, too.  My Partner won't just leave me in Burlington, and go back home to care for the cats.  I know Her.   
 
Dapper, what usually happens from this point?  Do I have the surgery on the appt. after this one?  How long will I need to hang around Burlington?  It takes how long until the drains come out...the sutures?  How much pain should I be in?  Do I need pain meds.? I'm a little scared right now.  Please!  Oh, and by the way you were right about GQ, just not talking about it with anyone, yet. 
cathexis 
			
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 Hey, Bud.  I don't know if your surgeon will schedule your surgery after this appointment. 
 I have never heard of a surgeon asking for a second appointment, so I have no idea.  We have already talked about this guy, though.  You know my concerns.  
I was right about GQ?  What does GQ mean?
The surgeon may not use drains.  If they do, yes they pull them at 7 days post op.  Most surgeons expect people to stay in the area for a week.  However, if you are only two hours away, maybe you can just stay one night and then go home the day after.  Then just travel back for the post op appt.  I strongly recommend you stay at least one night.
You can see if you can get this surgeon to let your PCP pull your drains, but I can't imagine a surgeon being ok with not having any post op appointments.
They use dissolvable sutures.
Some people have a lot of pain, some don't.  I do not have a high pain tolerance (when looking at other surgeries), yet I only took pain meds for the first few days (don't remember how many days, exactly), and then went to Tylenol.  I assume your surgeon will prescribe you pain meds.