General surgeon vs colon surgeon specialist

Hi Ohmy‍ , I would always chose the cancer specialist over a general surgeon. If the cancer specialist can get you into surgery fairly quickly I would go that route. I had my mastectomy performed by a surgeon who works in the Breast Cancer Clinic. They know what they are looking for regarding diseased tissue and abnormalities because this is what they do.  A general surgeon may be an excellent doctor but may not have the same experience operating on different types of cancers.
The key is to make sure you are comfortable with your choice. You can look up most doctors under Rate My MD. Remember to ask lots of questions. Write them down and take someone with you.
I hope some of my comments help you during your meeting tomorrow.
Best Wishes
Wendy Tea

Hello. Thanks so much for your comments. I'm.so anxious i am awake ar 4am.. I have my. Ote paper ready And my husband and I have written a number of questions down already.

Ohmy‍ , ok I too was awake at 4 a.m.! I am on the road to recovery, building up my strength, stamina, thinking about either exercising more or eating less! Or both.
Please let us know how you managed your visit today. Even a general surgeon who works with cancer patients all the time is a good option. I have noticed that doctors and surgeons make a lot of presumptions about the knowledge that a patient has. They forget that even an intelligent patient is not a medical specialist and likely does not understand what is being said unless it is fully explained. Often you are so shaken by what is being said, you cannot even think what questions you need to ask. Never be shy to ask for a second appointment!
We are in your court, hoping for the best possible outcome.
Keep up posted.
Cheers
Wendy Tea

Hello OhMy
I too have/had Colo-rectal cancer.
I would entrust the COLON SURGEON.  He-she will have specific skills and experience in "that area".
I am sure a general surgeon is "skilled".....but I would wish for a surgeon who has seen colons and more for a LONG TIME.
Experience "down there" is vital.
I had a surgical oncologist for ONLY colo-rectal surgeries, do my TWO surgeries.  I had NO STRESS.   I trusted him, with my CABOOSE.

Wishing you well,
Lillian
Whitelilies 

Hi everyone. It was a long day with many emotions. The colorectal surgeon I saw today said that he is not available to remove my cancer for 2-3 months and suggested a general surgeon who specializes in resection. I have no choice but to go to a general surgeon because waiting is not something I can manage. I was told my cancer is an aggressive cancer and i cant bare the thought of it growing even more. I already have met a general surgeon who was referred by my gp and she seems thorough and knowledgeable.  Unfortunately, the general surgeon requires me to go through yet another colonoscopy. The 2 colonoscopys I had, showed different locations of where my cancer is-and they arent sure if the cancer is in the left or right colon. The general surgeon wants to view this growth herself. The prep for a colonoscopy makes me very ill with alot of vomiting so just the thought of it makes me want to cry but I have no choice. This is surely not how i pictured my summer. Today I also had blood work to measure CEA in my blood. Next week is the colonoscopy and the chest xray in preparation for surgery which I was told will be within 30 days.thanks for listening folks. I hope I made the right choice given my options for surgery. 

Ohmy‍ , what a day for you! You have absolutely made the right choice. Losing part of a summer is a small price to pay. I have missed most of mine. And who likes colonoscopies? Yuck!  Every doctor has their protocols that they prefer. I have seen some weird ones. Find out if maybe you can take gravol when you are doing the prep. Or ask if there is a different prep you can do that will give the same results.
Prep for the actual surgery can be intense. I had blood work, xrays, scans, etc etc but it was well worth it. If you get a chance, look at my blog. The post Preparing Chai Tea is Complicated. You can find my blog website address in  my profile. This post shows details of the pre-surgery prep done in my part of the world. Cleanliness is next to godliness. They are super cautious. I had no complications as a result.
Remember you have made the right decision. The sooner the better. You are now in their system and time will fly by and the surgery will be over.
Wishing you all the best. Stay calm, cry, laugh, go for a walk, read a good book, and watch a movie you can escape into.
Cheers
Wendy Tea

Ohmy‍ , I’m not sure if this will help, but years ago they found pre-cancerous cells in my mom’s colon, and I believe it was a general surgeon who removed what turned out to be an 18 inch section of bowel. 

Personally, I’ve never had issues with preparing for a colonoscopy, and I’m sorry to hear that it is so hard on you. Last time around, though, I was sick the day before I had to start my prep (possibly a flu bug), so I ended up being really cleaned out, because I only had some dry toast the day before I started taking all the stuff. I wish I could send you my usual “mojo” for that part of your workup!

Thanks for your support

Ohmy‍ Hello.......please let me share in the HOPES that it brings you knowledge/comfort.....My surgeon ALSO wanted ANOTHER colonoscopy done by HIM !  (I just had one weeks earlier).  The reason he told me was HE wants to see with HIS eyes exactly, what he is facing.  He does NOT wish to "entrust" the notes of even a colleague.  Respectfully.  He wants to know EXACT location, and then he is bettered prepared to REMOVE.  THIS IS ALL GOOD.....for you!!!
Re: feeling nauseous at prep (pico salex is gross; agreed!).....try to sip Ginger Ale with a sip of Prep drink...the bubbles will make it taste "better".....A day or two in advance of date of colonscopy, try eating LESS already.....so less will "exit with prep", and less discomfort.
Hey; think of it all as weight loss!!
I wish you only strength and more.

regards
Lillian
Whitelilies

Hi Lilian. I will eat less for sure to hope for the best colonoscopy. Agreed that my.doctor just.wamts yo be thorough. I was happy tosay because I was just told I will be asleep during this colomoscopy- small.pleasures I know but I was awake for the last one and it was painful. Thanks for your advice about the prep also.

Ohno‍ 

I'm glad you got some answers and things are move forward for you.

I wish you all the best with your upcoming tests. Please know we are thinking of you and here to listen anytime.

Take Care,
Lacey

Hello everyone. Surgery is over. One week today. My general surgeon did the surgery and I feel I made the right choice. The surgeon is attentive and knowledgeable. My recovery has been a bit of a challenge becuase of severe nausea that I cannot seem to shake. Up until this medical diagnosis, I had never taken pills. Anyone else have some tips that may help me? I will be released today from the hosptial and I am happy to say no colostomy bag and the surgery was done by laparoscopy. 

OhMy
YEAH Surgery completed
YEAH You are heading home
YEAH (BIG YEAH) To NO Bag
Start PARTYING now !!

For Nausea....nibble on dry crackers.....bland tea (no milk no sugar)....ginger flavours......of anything.....or ask Dr for something stronger....I too take NO meds.....hope this too shall pass quickly......

HURRAY.......NEW BEGINNINGS

Lillian
Whitelilies 

I take over-the-counter Gravol for nausea, and my Dad’s anti-nausea drugs look like larger versions of it. The pharmacist got a chuckle out of me when I referred to them as his “Gravol with attitude.”

Sometimes just a half a tablet will resolve my issue. (And they also help me sleep, so you might want to watch when you take them!)

So good to hear from you Ohmy‍

Im so glad surgery went well! 

I hope the nausea resolves soon. 

Lacey

Hello to you. Nausea is gone. I have decided to listen to my body more and use less strong meds. I take meds when needed but not every 4 hours like in the hosptial.  Things are looking up. Thanks for asking..