[davebahm]

Hi All,
Okay, I'm scheduled for the surgery first thing in the morning on June 23rd and expect to spend just one night in the hospital (I was shocked to read the post here about the person in Australia who spent two weeks in the hospital). The surgeon said I have to lay flat and not sit up for the first day and night so that spinal fluid doesn't leak from the back incision. Have you all heard of that happening? He said I may be able to get rid of my walker and use canes. I said, "Doc, I've used a walker since age six, so don't hold your breath!" He said he's done five of these procedures total with no problems on any of them. He did have to repair a catheter that another surgeon had installed in a patient. He's excited to see how well I do.

Do any of you have photos of what the pump looks like under your skin? I am getting the biggest reservoir version I can so that I don't have to get it filled very often (the USDA says the medicine cannot reside in the pump longer than 180 days, so I hope to go almost that long). But I'm wondering how much of a bulge to expect. I'm not overweight, so I know it will stick out somewhat.

Dave

[bdmpastx]

I'll see about getting a picture for you...

[lori2050]

davebahm, on May 17 2006, 11:34 PM, said:

Hi All,
Okay, I'm scheduled for the surgery first thing in the morning on June 23rd and expect to spend just one night in the hospital (I was shocked to read the post here about the person in Australia who spent two weeks in the hospital). The surgeon said I have to lay flat and not sit up for the first day and night so that spinal fluid doesn't leak from the back incision. Have you all heard of that happening? He said I may be able to get rid of my walker and use canes. I said, "Doc, I've used a walker since age six, so don't hold your breath!" He said he's done five of these procedures total with no problems on any of them. He did have to repair a catheter that another surgeon had installed in a patient. He's excited to see how well I do.

Do any of you have photos of what the pump looks like under your skin? I am getting the biggest reservoir version I can so that I don't have to get it filled very often (the USDA says the medicine cannot reside in the pump longer than 180 days, so I hope to go almost that long). But I'm wondering how much of a bulge to expect. I'm not overweight, so I know it will stick out somewhat.

Dave

Don't have a picture, but when they replaced mine and put it in my hip area it is a different story. I have lost 20 lbs and now it shows morethan it did. As far as refills go, all depends on what dose you have your pump set at. I am on like 65mcg and go about 3 months.

Lori