Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
^^^^
I think you may have misunderstood my comment because your response has nothing to do with what I was talking about. I was using an inflamed appendix as an example of something thagt needed to be addressed right away, as opposed to a cataract which can wait until the individual is ready and able to schedule the surgery. My comment had absolutely nothing to do with what transpires after an appendectomy.
New question. I am questioning the need to drive all the way to Chattanooga and I found a local clinic that offers cataract surgery in a nearby town. The question is how do I know if they are any good? Maybe my eye doctor has a deal for referrals to the Chattanooga place so that's why he suggested it?
Does anyone know of a website you can get honest reviews of medical results? If I went to the local place I wouldn't need a hotel, or a kennel stay for my dogs and would probably be able to get a friend to drive me.
Google the name of the local clinic and add “reviews” to your search. Keep in mind, though, that people who have good results are much less likely to post reviews about their experiences, than people who are unhappy with their results. So take negative reviews with a grain of salt, be on the lookout for a specific type of complaint that shows up in several reviews.
At this point the eye has slightly blurred vision and it bothers me slightly. I have a month and a half until I get it evaluated but I want to see what they say.
I will ask them at the evaluation what I need to do about this rule. I'm sure I am not the first person with this problem. I just wondered if someone else figured out a solution.
I think going around to ask neighbors and asking them to do this with compensation would work. For some people, they could take PTO and make $200.00 for the day or negotiate on what they want. Some might not mind doing this provided the cost of transportation is covered. Ask the doctor's office for suggestions too.
My eye doctor discovered a cataract yesterday during an exam. I am going to have it evaluated in August by a specialist. I've been reading up on the procedure and noticed they require someone to be there with you and stay with you after the procedure.
My problem is I live in a rural area and the nearest surgery center that my eye doctor recommends is 70 miles away in Chattanooga. I have no nearby relatives and am not close enough to anyone to ask they give up a full day and drive me down there and stay with me overnight.
I wasn't planning on driving afterward but instead getting a hotel room and uber or taxi to/from the surgery. Apparently, they do not allow that.
Has anyone else faced this problem? I might not need the procedure soon; it all depends on the evaluation.
Any ideas?
That rule really means they don't want you to navigate home by yourself. Basically saying don't drive so soon after.
I forgo all that when I go for monthly eye injections. I take a taxi to and from and I count the driver as "some one picking me up". Have some dark glasses with you in case you need them.
1. I once hired a nursing assistant to stay in hotel room with me overnight. The dr. required someone be w/me for 24 hrs. It was an extra cost, but it was reasonable, as I recall. There are nursing services for the public, where they hire out for this sort of thing. It's also possible that the assistant could pick you up and take you to a nearby (VERY nearby) motel/hotel that you've pre-arranged. The dr office will likely release you to the assistant. But if the dr doesn't require someone stay with you for 24 hrs, then you don't need an assistant, unless you want one.
2. In larger cities there are now Medical Service Transportation services. For a fee, of course. The dr. office may know of one, or you can check local listings. I don't know if Chattanooga is large enough for one of those.
I doubt you'll be able to drive the next day, will you? You may have to let the assistant go, and then stay in the motel/hotel another couple of days.
Cataracts don't have to be removed immediately, is my understanding. My 71 yr old brother has cataracts but hasn't had to have them removed yet. I just got cataracts (or found out about them) last yr or yr before. Dr. didn't recommend removal until later.
This is what I did too, when I didn't want to involve family or friends. The hired nurse took me to her own house overnight since I needed to be under watch for a night. Then drove me home the next day. This was 20 years ago, and it was around $300. The doctor had her name on hand and suggested it. (not cataracts but same idea)
because what I want more of is people who just had anesthesia driving themselves home.
I think people are talking about not being able to use a cab or uber. They won't release you to one of those. That leaves people who are alone in quite a pickle. (Of course they're not going to drive.)
You only need to have some one pick you up and take you home. Your Doctor's rules may be different. They use a general anesthesia. They absolutely don't want you driving till the next day. No pickup-no surgery. I imagine the office you deal with have their own rules and restrictions. You are not to bend over or lift heavy objects since it will put pressure on the eye. You will be instructed to wear an eye patch at night for 1 week, so that you don't rub your eye. You otherwise function normally, Surgery itself is fairly quick, about 20 minutes. Its getting you sedated and recovery that takes time, total about 80 minutes.
This was my experience with my eye doctor Jan and March 2022.
age 72.
My dr said they don't use anesthesia. They give you a valium or something. That's all. Scary.
That rule really means they don't want you to navigate home by yourself. Basically saying don't drive so soon after.
I forgo all that when I go for monthly eye injections. I take a taxi to and from and I count the driver as "some one picking me up". Have some dark glasses with you in case you need them.
Good luck.
They won't let you take a cab or uber, either. They want someone who knows you to be responsible for you. Liability issues. Or a medical transportation service...who would be responsible and probably signs something for the care center.
An outpatient place wouldn't let me call a cab after outpatient surgery that used anesthesia. I knew I couldn't drive, of course, but thought I could call a cab. They said no. It had to be someone who knew me. I arranged to have a friend take off work...so I paid her well, since she had to use a vacation day.
Another time I had to be watched overnight, so I hired a nursing assistant thru a service. She didn't charge that much.
because what I want more of is people who just had anesthesia driving themselves home.
I think that poster was referring to not being allowed to use Uber or Lyft. Cataract surgery doesn't leave you feeling groggy. It's not like a lot of medical procedures.
My eye doctor discovered a cataract yesterday during an exam. I am going to have it evaluated in August by a specialist. I've been reading up on the procedure and noticed they require someone to be there with you and stay with you after the procedure.
My problem is I live in a rural area and the nearest surgery center that my eye doctor recommends is 70 miles away in Chattanooga. I have no nearby relatives and am not close enough to anyone to ask they give up a full day and drive me down there and stay with me overnight.
I wasn't planning on driving afterward but instead getting a hotel room and uber or taxi to/from the surgery. Apparently, they do not allow that.
Has anyone else faced this problem? I might not need the procedure soon; it all depends on the evaluation.
Any ideas?
Chattanooga?
Contact Seniors Helping Seniors. You'll find someone your own age who can help you and will be glad for the company, too.
FWIW, cataract surgery is a cake walk. Nothing to it. You'll be mostly awake during it, but sedated so you won't care what they do.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
