Thanks so much for this info. Happyladi, that is SO helpful! I like to hear of first-hand reports from someone who has actually had the ReStor lenses. On the web, I have found more comments of dissatisfied results than good ones, although I think people tend to report back more if they are unhappy. I guess millions of people have accommodated to reading glasses, so I can, too. All my life I have had to contend with my nearsightedness. My array of eyewear is mind boggling. Regular glasses, prescription sunglasses, contact lenses, readers for over the contact lenses and regular sunglasses for over the contact lenses. Plus, carrying contact lens solution, lens container and my regular glasses just in case I need then while wearing my contacts. I had to wear contacts while skiing because the goggles didn't fit over my glasses. On the other hand, when snorkeling the water magnifies things so I could see fine without glasses. Of course, I had to have glasses handy for when I got out of the water!! For those of you with good eyesight, count your blessings!

The ortolani sign means there is hip joint laxity, a predisposing factor to degenerative joint disease associated with hip dysplasia. It is great that your friend has a vet who is familiar with both the test and the TPO surgery. Unfortunately I know that the surgeons here prefer to do the surgery at 6-16 weeks of age (sometimes they push it back a little bit, but not to 18 months for sure), because they feel there is limited benefit after that time. The surgery consists of breaking the bones in the pelvis in such as way that the head of the femur fits better into the hip socket. Well, that's the short version anyway. But if the bones are not growing the conformation of the hip is not changed drastically enough to prevent signs of DJD and hip dysplasia. Also dogs that already have any radiographic signs of DJD are not good candidates for the surgery, which is why they are usually very young dogs. The radiographic signs of hip dysplasia, including DJD, are usually apparent much earlier than physical/clinical signs such as pain or altered gait. It is very possible that since last year they have discovered that doing the surgery later is still beneficial, but I haven't heard that yet. Hopefully for your friend's dog is a candidate for the TPO because it seems to be the best option, and the only one (besides breeding non-genetically affected dogs) that is a preventative measure.

Good for you CR!! I had the bypass on 05/03/00 and you can bet your boots I'd do it again! Why I waited until I was 55 yrs old to have it-I'll never know. The best advise I can give you is to have ALL of your ducks in a row. By that I mean for your insurance company. If you have had to go to any type of Dr. for back, feet-whatever ailments that undoubtedly was due to your weight, call them & get a copy of any of your medical records of that visit. When I turned in my required info for the Ins Co-I added a great cover letter to them...explaining how I needed them to allow me to have this 'tool', to help me get my life back. AND..don't get discouraged if they deny you the surgery? There's an appeal board that will guide you & a great percentage that get approved after that! I weighed 325 lbs the day I went into sugery and lost 220 lbs by July of the following year! I had 12 lbs of tummy skin removed and literally got down to 105lbs but my surgeon made me put on 25-30lbs. Imagine that! Today, 8 years later, I weigh 134. I have enclosed a link for you..this is where I did my research, found my surgeon & a zillion other things-even you can see the big list of Insurance Co's that pay for the surgery. This site is a wealth of information as well as before & after pics..message boards, the 'library-full of everything, Q&A's, etc. If you register into the site? (it's free)..you can go to a list of states & you can find my name under Florida (Largo) and read my profile. All the best to you sweetie & I'm here if I can help you in any way. ((CR)) Here is a link that might be useful: Obesity Help

We went back to see the surgeon on Monday afternoon, to have the staples out. They fit Moe in at the end of the day. Apparently it wasn't as bad an experience as I was imagining. Moe said that about 10 out of the 60 pinched or stung a bit, but other than that it wasn't bad. And it was a relief to have them out. They had started to pull as they healed and that was making him uncomfortable. The doctor was happy with his progress. Apparently good blood flow and a strong pulse in his foot. Still going to be another 7 or 8 weeks for recovery. I refuse to drive home through the Malahat Mountain in the dark and rain so we stayed the night in Victoria and came back early yesterday afternoon. It was the right decision as it was already a tiring day for Moe and he really didn't need another hour or more in the car.