Visit to Surgeon and Orthopedic Doctors’ Offices

Posted on by Julia

April 13, 2026

Surprisingly, later on April 2 (Thursday), Bruce got a call from the orthopedic doctor’s office. They had an opening next week because someone canceled. Bruce was happy to get in so quickly.

My surgery consultation was on April 7 (Tuesday), Bruce came back with me because he wanted to understand what would be involved. The surgeon was very honest with me. She talked to me about the results of the surgery and how it might not help as much as I hoped.

She answered my questions and Bruce’s questions. She drew diagrams and explained how the stomach and gallbladder work together. She explained how everyone’s body was different. She didn’t push for surgery and talked about how changes to my diet might be able to prevent the pain. I explained I was on a low fat diet and it was no longer helping with the constant pain.

She explained how the surgery works and the healing process from the surgery. I felt she did a much better job explaining than my GI doctor.

I went in thinking I needed surgery. After talking to the surgeon, I felt I needed to think about having surgery some more. She said, “If you decide you want surgery, just call the office.”

I was a lot less stressed about the surgery before talking to the surgeon. Now, having to decide if I want surgery, I am stressed.

By the way, she mentioned that people taking GL-1 for weight loss often have their gallbladder swell up like a balloon. Those gallbladders have to be removed.

Bruce’s appointment with the orthopedic doctor was on April 8 (Wednesday). I went back with Bruce. The doctor asked Bruce about what was wrong. Bruce explained that 30 years ago while sledding, he landed with his full weight on his right shoulder. Bruce also talked about all the various test done to try and figure out why he has shoulder pain. The doctor asked about Bruce’s range of movement. Bruce showed his range of movement and where sudden movements hurt. The doctor had Bruce push against his hands from various directions. Bruce has good strength in his arms.

The doctor explained how some soft tissue is between the bones and can’t be seen by the tests. He sent Bruce off for X-rays.

When the results of the X-rays came back, the doctor told Bruce that he had developed arthritis in his shoulder. Bruce also had grown a bone spur in his shoulder joint. The bone spur catches and causes a lot of pain. The doctor said to not let anyone talk Bruce into a shoulder replacement until he couldn’t do things he wanted to do.

The doctor thought a shot of medication in Bruce’s shoulder might help. The doctor said if it helps then he would have Bruce come every three month for a shot. If it didn’t help, in three months they would try something different to deal with the pain. Bruce said his shoulder hurt from the shot for three days and then it felt better for a week. It is once again giving him fits.

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26 thoughts on “Visit to Surgeon and Orthopedic Doctors’ Offices”

  2. Dang! You all have a lot going on!

    I’m glad your doctor didn’t pressure you to do something that might not be necessary. Of course, making that decision on your own isn’t easy! . Pray over your surgery options, and you’ll find the answer. (We’ll pray too!). ❤️

    Ouch. Three days of soreness and not even aa week of relief. Those aren’t the most encouraging numbers. Does Bruce think he would like to try the next pain option instead of continuing with this one?

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  4. It’s always a crap shoot when talking with doctor’s, especially ones that tend to push surgery. Glad your surgeon is not one of them. It’s not comforting to receive a steroid shot and it not provide much relief. I guess that’s why they call a doctor’s business a ‘practice’ because they seem to practice on their patients to see what can or can’t be done. Let’s just hope the next round for Bruce is better and he gets better relief and return on the ‘practicing.’ Good luck to you both.

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  6. My orthopedic doc let us look at the x-rays. On the left, where the hip met the leg, there was a considerable amount of fluid but on the right hand side, there was nothing as it was bone on bone. I was very glad my husband was there to add his thoughts and questions! I will be getting a cortisone shot, my first one, the end of May. The nearest appointment and am on the list for replacement of the right hip. Weight had little to do with it. Although I would like to lose 20 more lbs. to move more easily until my operation.

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      1. I believe the doc mentioned a gel….both my husband and I have medical things going on, so I can bear everything until then. I have faith it will work. It can’t hurt. I wish the best for both of you. I know your farm is lots of work.

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      2. You have so much on your plate. I really feel for both of you. I am keeping you in my thoughts. I wish the best for both of you.

        Thank you for your well wishes.

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      3. We do but we are lucky the VA is only a 15 minute drive and we are in the center of things. We still have our garden, our pugs to take care of, but we got lucky on a few things! Thank you!

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      6. Would you be able to get home health in to help out some? I know they can’t be there all the time, but sometimes a bit of help can make a lot of difference.

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      7. Yes, there is a program through the VA if we do need it. I believe for the future, it is something we have talked about. I will stay in the rehab area as long as I am able to. My cousin, Maria, and I talked. She had a hip operation and needed lots of help afterwards for the first couple of weeks.

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      8. Bruce’s father needed a lot of help after his hip replacement. He wasn’t allowed to drive and his children took turns staying with him to make sure he got to PT and to help him as needed. Once he recovered from the surgery, he felt great and he was able to walk without a limp and with no pain. It was a huge relief for him.

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    2. It is so helpful when the doctor explains with examples and points out the problem(s) with your own test results. It is very helpful to have someone you trust to listen to the doctor and help you with questions.

      Bruce’s orthopedic doctor showed us Bruce’s x-rays. The doctor pointed out the arthritis and bone spur on the x-rays. Bruce was happy to finally get answers.

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Published by Julia

I am a retired software solutions architect. I have been married to my husband, Bruce, for over forty years. We went full-time RVing for 3.5 years and saw much of the United States. We bought a ranch house on a hill in the middle of five acres. We are working on creating our homestead. I love cooking and enjoy sharing recipes. I am also an artist and I’ll share my current projects. Reading is my favorite hobby.