Do it and then tell me how it goes because I need two minor surgeries that I'm putting off. lol.

How bad will your nose hurt? Did they tell you?

I need to have a hernia fixed and a polyp snipped out of my nose. I'd love to do both at the same time. I have allergies too and I dread the nose work even though it's so minor. Just how does someone with allergies blow their nose after having work done INSIDE it?

Seriously, if you can do them both, then do it, and I think it would save you money wouldn't it? Is there anyone who can help you out other than your husband?

Can you hire help so that you can have the surgery done without major disruption for your child or husband? Or maybe get a friend or someone in your church to help?

Well ... I honestly don't think I would do it. I just envision dealing with post-surgery pain in the foot and face at the same time, and I get kinda queasy just thinking about it.

Even if you did them separately, you still wouldn't be able to drive for a month, yes?

I think you are right to get it over with. Your DS is so little .. .the less time you are away from him the better, the less times you have to go into surgery, the better. The pain won't last forever no matter what, and you won't have yet another surgery hanging over your head.

I DO hope you have some help no matter what you decide!

No, you are not crazy. I just had the same conversation this week about 2 types of hand and wrist surgery I'm going to need. According to my doctor, one other big thing is that doing 2 at once is cheaper to you. One anesthesiologist instead of 2, one charge for the facility fee - and that's a big one - instead of 2. Your out of pocket expense will be lower if you combine them.

I would probably do it at the same time to avoid 2 recoveries, 2 anesthesias, etc.. DH had the septum repair/turbinate reduction surgery about a year ago, and it was a huge success. He had not been able to breathe through his nose since he was about 8. The recovery was not nearly as difficult as we anticipated, though his doc made him take a week off from work.

Good luck!

Excellent points from Lido. Actually, the out of pocket cost factor might motivate me to change my tune!

Yes! I really thought it was a pretty good idea...then started second-guessing myself in response to some people's reactions.
The nose surgery will probably be awful for a few days, but I will only have a little splint in for one day. The dr. said you can't blow your nose for several days- so gross. TMI alert-you just have to snort and spit. YUCK.
The ankle will take a long time to heal- probably 3-4 months. I can't drive while I'm wearing the big "boot" so hopefully I'll recover enough to get in a smaller brace soon.
I have a wonderful mother who takes care of DS while I'm at work. I will probably stay with my parents quite a bit of the time, since they live close to my work. I have a 40+ minute commute from my house. My mom has offered to take care of me and DS, and chauffeur me around. She is just so good to me that I don't want to take advantage of her. She is 1000x better at being a nurse than my DH. He has great qualities, but is really and truly lame when I am sick or hurt. Not to mention that it will be hunting season (please no flaming, not my choice) and DH is unhappy that it will cut into his plans. Give me a break is all I could say. He suggested that I do it over Christmas. ????? No thanks.
I am really pretty eager to take care of both of these problems. I feel like an 80 year old woman with all the health problems I've had the past couple years. I would just like to be healthy and feel good!
Thanks,
Jen

The nose surgery isn't much of a problem, although, due to my asthma, I had inpatient surgery, rather than outpatient.
The foot surgery, which sounds as if you really shouldn't postpone it, is a big deal. Your mobility will be nil for a few weeks. You will need to be off your feet. You really will not be able to drive. You will need to take time off from work. You will not be able to do your usual household routine. If your DD has to be at preschool, you will need to arrange transportation for her.
Where will you have the surgery (in a hospital or other location), and how are the surgeons scheduling the work? Are you otherwise in excellent health? Surgery is an assault on your system, and that's a lot of assaulting to recover from.

Well, whatever you decide, I hope it is smooth sailing! Sounds like you have a good support system in place!

I understand about the DH thing . . .I told my mom, next time I have a baby, DH will go with me to the hospital to drive me, I will probably labor alone (that's how I do it best), but once the baby is born, I want my MOM to stay with me. When DH is there he complains how tired he is . . .and I think, oh, did you have to stay up all night recovering from giving birth while taking care of/nursing a newborn???????

I'd get it all over with at once. IME with surgeries, the first three days are the worst but after that things improve and you start feeling better and it gets much easier.

If the biggest challenge is getting around for one month, I wouldn't be sweatin' that one because if you really are stuck for a ride, you can always call a cab. It won't be free and it can be kinda knarly sometimes, but it is an option and worth it if you don't want to inconvenience someone else.

I think you should do it together. And I would do it sooner than later. If it's your driving ankle, it might even be dangerous for you to be driving right now with an ankle that is sore or not functioning well. If you had to quickly move your foot to slam on the brake, would you have problems?

Most men are so lame when it comes to being the care giver. I would just look after yourself and your little one. You're fortunate that your mom is willing to take care of you!!

Actually hunting season would be a good time to do it, your hubby wouldn't be around much anyways. My only thought about doing it in November is you're going to be really sore and hobbly at Christmas. Have you thought about doing it more like mid October?

I vote for having both done at the same time. Did the ortho doc tell you how long you have to wear the large walking boot? In my experience, most people have to wear them at least 6 weeks post-op. Like you mentioned, they're so bulky that you def. can't drive with them so you need to plan for someone to drive you. Good luck with the surgery.

I am scheduled for Oct. 1. Both surgeries will be at our local hospital in the outpatient surgery center, and they are scheduling them back to back, first thing in the morning. I am in fairly good health--I am 37, overweight, and have hypertension and terrible allergies. I take meds for both. No other big problems.
The ENT said to take 4-5 days off work. For my ankle, the dr. said a few days to a week. I am planning on taking off about 12 days--weekend, work week, weekend, and then back to work. He said I will be in the big boot for about a month, but I will be up walking and doing PT throughout that month.
I have one friend who said he propped his right foot over the center console in his car, and drove with his left foot. I think that sounds so dangerous!
Thanks for your advice!
Jen

I am glad you have your parents to help. I broke my ankle, and I don't know what I would have done without my DD's help.
I am only a mile away from work, and I drove with my left foot at first. I gradually started using my toes on my right foot to drive, but I still used my left foot to brake. I was in a cast or boot for almost six months, so I had to do something.
Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

Just wanted to chime in--better late than never! I had a boot on my right foot for about 2 months and did learn to drive with my left foot. I started that when I was off the narcotic pain meds. Like mary52 said, you have to do something! I've also had sinus surgery that sounds like what you are having--I had the turbinates reduced and the septum repaired. I'd say that having the two together is a good idea.

I think that having the two surgeries together will work out nicely for you, actually. You'll have a LOT of time for your head to feel better before you need to go back to work. My ENT SAID I'd feel better in a few days, and I did--just not well enough to consider working for a full day. IMO, I personally feel that docs tend to underestimate the amount of time the recovery will take...or maybe I'm just a wuss!! I'm glad to hear you'll have some help. Let DH go hunting, and you enjoy some pampering from doctor MOM.

Best of luck!!

Whenever I have a patient who needs multiple procedures while under anesthesia, I try to do them at the same time. It's not because I give a heck about the owner's schedule, I truly believe it's better for the patient to have one anesthetic event and to be on pain meds for as short of time as possible. I start with the most important or most invasive procedure first in case of anesthetic complication.

I hope your procedures go well. I think you are very smart to do everything at once. Pain meds are wonderful!