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is it wise to do surgery in Hong Kong instead of singapore

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Posted 9/16/2011 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I just check the price for surgery in singapore, it costs more money compare doing in Hong Kong, also there is very high living standard, the hotel and food also cost more money, I am afraid I can't afford. Because I original plan to stay there for 2 months because I predict I will have severe dirreha in the first 2 months.

One thing I still scared is the laxative still not working, all doctor in HK said it is very dangerous when I still have poop inside the intestine during surgery.

Only 1 doctor said she said she can do for me in HK. If she cann't remove the poop for me, can I still go for surgery ? She said she just need to clean the rectum and the rest no need to clean because it will throw away.

All my family don't know I plan to do surgery ? They insists it is very risky and I may die immediately. But I really couldn't stand for constipation.

Anyway I will come back to see that doctor, see how's her suggestion. My family always give me too much pressure about the surgery.

Any comment ?

smarty
Posted 9/16/2011 9:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Smarty. I'm really glad to hear you're planning to get the surgery. It's very sad that your family can't understand your suffering and support you, but you're doing the right thing.

Are you talking about using a laxative to clear out the colon before surgery??? In my experience my surgeon wasn't worried about it at all and I didn't have to do laxatives/bowel preparation to clear out before any of my operations. When I had my colon resection, they got me in the night before and did an enema but that was all.

Some surgeons obviously prefer to work with an empty colon, but I'm not entirely sure it's necessary. What about people who have to have emergency surgery when they haven't done bowel prep or laxatives? they don't have time to clean out the colon and they still have surgery.

I'm pretty sure you'll still be able to go for surgery even if you can't get your colon completely empty with laxatives. Others on here may have different experiences or knowledge, but that's my experience in the UK.

Keep us posted and stay strong.
Sarah
Posted 9/16/2011 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Smarty,
I can't tell you if you can afford it or not, but I can tell you this: if you eventually want a j-pouch, and I'm assuming that's why you're worried about diarrhea, you need to understand how the j-pouch is created. It is normally a 2 or 3 step process. Are you aware of that? By your post it sounds like you think this will be done in one surgery.
Posted 9/16/2011 11:22 AM (GMT 0)
I had my surgery done as an emergency so I didn't need to be cleaned out first, there was no time to, and I did not get sick after surgery from that at all. I am in Australia and know of a few people that have had the same surgery and didn't need to be cleaned out either. Good Luck
Doreen
Posted 9/16/2011 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
Smarty,

I can't offer much advice on doctors over there, but I sure do wish you the best of luck!  I hope you are able to get everything figured out (and financially).  Keep us updated!

Posted 9/16/2011 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
You shouldn't have to stay in Singapore for 2 months? I did not have my surgery near home and traveled. Lots of people do. You can have your surgery in Singapore, stay there for maybe a week post surgery, then fly to family in HK.
This is very common.

Sue
Posted 9/16/2011 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Sue. Talk to the doc in Singapore about the poop in the colon issue. I agree with the above posters. I think when they remove the colon they tie it off first so no poop can escape. The doc you mentioned in Singapore sounded great. Ask him I'm sure he will tell you his thoughts.

It is VERY hard to do something without family support and in different cultures family support and approval carries much weight. I believe in your culture there is much pressure to have family approval for most things, but remember you are the one with the problem not them.

You are bravely dealing with 3 things: 1. Needing to make the best choice you can for yourself as you have to deal with this inert colon 2. You are having to do this alone 3. You are having to advocate for yourself. NOT an easy thing to do. You're doing great.

Have you had a defecogram (xray or video of you pooping out contrast paste) and anorectal manometry (very thin tube put into rectum to measure pressures in the rectum)? These tests are crucial to be sure your pelvic muscles and rectum work correctly so that you will be able to expel the stool once the small intestine is hooked to the rectum. Let us know if you have had these tests.

Good for you. And keep strong and keep going on this project. You will feel much better with an option to your situation now.

Rosemary
Posted 9/18/2011 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
HI Ironmum

I do want my family to support me, actually I don't want to do this by myself. But everytime I talked they get mad. Enema is not working for me.

I will consult the doctor and see how's they suggest.

keep in touch

smarty
Posted 9/18/2011 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi 80schick

I am not quite understand the J-pouch surgery, but I prefer to do 1 surgery, I am a low pain tolerance. I still feel scared about the pain after surgery, I heard this like a truck ran over the body.

Mostly, I prefer to do in HK, less money compare with singapore, but if complication happen, I can't have enough money to pay the extra surgery.I also afraid if I have the bag.

thanks
smarty
Posted 9/18/2011 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Andorable

I have one brother he immigrant to Australia, he told me that Australia medical is very advance. I haven't been there before.

I really feel more comfortable to do the surgery if I can clean out the poop.But the chance is very low. Will check with the doctor.

Thank you
smarty
Posted 9/18/2011 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Hurtboy

Thank you for your support, will keep you post how's going in the future.
Hoping you can fully recover soon.

thanks again
smarty
Posted 9/18/2011 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sue

If I have 20 times dirreha per day, How can I take the flight. I am now waiting for the line of credit approval in calgary. Mostly I would like to do it in HK, because much cheaper.

I know singapore's doctor is very knowledge, but I am afraid I can't afford it.

smarty
Posted 9/18/2011 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rosemary

In HK, I will live with my brother because I can safe the accommodation fee, but I am scared they know me doing surgery they will get mad.

I think I had done the x-ray or video before about the poop out but didn't had measure the rectum, I will ask the doctor next time.

Thanks for your always support, I am very appreciated.

thank you

smarty
Posted 9/18/2011 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Smarty,

Thanks. we are all here for you and we all understand. Wish you all the best where ever you decide to do the surgery. Be strong. Rosemary
Posted 9/20/2011 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rosemary

I just got the chance to talk with you, my family locked my computer. If they found I am talking about surgery they will locked immediately.

yesterday I talked with my friend about severe constipation, he said he just had prostate cancer surgery in taiwan, his brother is a doctor in that hospital. It's only cost him C&5000 something. He stayed in the hospital for 13 days. He is living in one person room. He suggest me to go there to see the doctor. I am now thinking about this. He said he will ask the doctor to call me, to see they can help me or not.

Thanks for your always support, thank you.

take care
smarty
Posted 9/20/2011 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
WOW! Smarty,

Your family is over the edge with this if they are locking the computer on you! Thanks for the communication while you could do it. Go ahead, if I were you I would investigate all possibilities. Based on what you say, your family sounds like they are basically denying your rights to act on your own behalf. As you are obviously capable of doing so, what they are doing borders on the illegal. Use your friends as support and outside contact like you are doing. Good luck. Update as you can.

Rosemary
Posted 9/21/2011 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Smarty, I haven't been reading all of your posts, but I did have a thought about your travel and accommodation concerns.

You said that you expected to have to stay in an hotel for at least twenty days, and then to have to travel home afterwards. Have you thought of travelling by a cruise ship instead of an aeroplane? That way, you'd have your "hotel room" on board the ship, with your own private bathroom, and you'd be able to get from home to wherever you choose to have the surgery and then home again, without the additional expense of an aeroplane fair.

I know ships can be expensive, but it *might* work out cheaper in the long run.

Very best wishes.

Ivy.
Posted 9/21/2011 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Ivy,

That is a great idea for Smarty. I have travelled extensively by ship. They are cheaper in the long run as everything is included. AND they have great medical staff who are used to dealing with EVERYTHING if she ran into any issues.

Rosemary
Posted 9/21/2011 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Ivy6 and Rosemary

I will check the price of cruise ship, but I don't know hk or Taiwan have cruise to Canada or not., I am still waiting for the Taiwan doctor feedback,but I am not sure their colectal doctor is good or not.

Will keep you post and thank for your valuable opion.

Thank you

Smarty
Posted 9/21/2011 11:33 AM (GMT 0)
smarty, you poor thing, so much to consider and so many worries. about preperation, as you know, i didn't have to do any prep before surgery. my surgeon said he doesn't care whether my colon is full or empty.

Stephanie, she's having surgery for colon inertia, it's a one step surgery.

you don't need to stay for 2 months after surgery, there will be no need to stay there that long. 1-2 weeks tops.

i wish you the best of luck! keep us posted. thinking of you!
Posted 9/21/2011 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Smarty,

I agree with Rosemary that what your family are doing is bordering on illegal. I know things are different in your country but they must not continue to treat you that way. Its just not right with all of what you have to deal with already. Also I am a little confused you commented on Sue's post saying you would have problems travelling by plane since you have diareah up to 20 times a day but I thought your problem was severe constipation?

Good luck with everything

Doreen

Posted 9/22/2011 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi 2bcolonfree

Thanks for your opinion. Yes, I am a scary cat, so much to worry.hoping that can solve this problem asap.


Hi Doreen

Yes I have severe constipation not dirrehea, I mean diarrhea 20 times is if I did the surgery I may have 20 times diarrhea. Sorry my English is not so good.

Now, I want to search more information, from the internet.

thanks smarty
Posted 9/22/2011 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Smarty,

Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Regent cruise lines all do world cruises and segments of world cruises. I think some would get you where you need to go. I do think at first one does have many bowel moves if they have the rectum and small bowel connected minus the colon, so your logic is good. Keep persevering. Rosemary
Posted 9/23/2011 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Being someone who hates to fly, I have cruised from the west coast of the US to Asia and back. The issue is going to be what time of the year as the cruises across the Pacific Ocean from Asia to North America only happen in the spring (late April, early May). Princess has a ship that goes from Singapore and from Hong Kong back to Vancouver by way of Alaska. Holland America also has a ship that takes a similar route. As far as I know, both of them are NOT stopping in any Japanese ports (which is a shame because those ports are fantastic). Actually, if you're going to travel with another person, the cost would be a little more expensive than flying, but not terribly more expensive. If you do go by ship, make sure you get a copy of your medical records from the hospital and from any of the doctors that you see and give that information to the ship's medical staff when you board. My brother-in-law (who is a helicopter flight nurse) and I actually toured the medical facilities on a Princess ship that is the same size as the one that goes from Asia to Vancouver and he was very impressed. There's not much they wouldn't be able to handle in the unlikely event something went wrong.

By the way, just my two cents worth on Singapore versus Hong Kong. Both are very expensive for hotels, but I think the food in Singapore is very reasonably priced, assuming someone could get you food from the hawker centers there. Plus, as much as I loved the seafood in Hong Kong, I think the variety of food in Sing is a lot better. But then, my wife is from there, so maybe I am a little biased.

Whatever you do, good luck and all my best wishes for you.
Posted 9/23/2011 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Bay Area Guy,

Great info on the specific ship routes for smarty. I have cruised a lot, but could not give her specifics. I can vouch for your info regarding ship medical facilities for Smarty. They are state of the art and the docs know everything as they have to, or they know who to contact. Also they air lift real emergencies.

Smarty, One thing I have learned is to get travel insurance for you and your companion if you do cruise that covers transport to the "nearest best" hospitals in the event you had to be air lifted. This differs from insurance that just says the "nearest" hospital. I have never so far had to use this travel insurance but that is the kind I take. It is through Travel Guard and covers pre-existing conditions too, it is not the cruise line basic insurance. If you get the insurance, that is one sure way to insure that you WON'T need it.

Rosemary
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