Did anyone else watch "Surgeons, A matter of life and death tonight (Thursday) on Channel 5 where a 71 yr old lady had two valves replaced that had been totally destroyed by a tumour in her stomach. She had been at end stage heart failure. I assume this is what so many of our members have had done although maybe not two valves. I haven't been utterly glued to a TV programme in years. It was absolutely amazing.
Another man had his jaw and most of his tongue removed because of cancer then rebuilt using his fibula. The skill of those surgeons is just incredible.
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No! I will have to watch it on catch-up. My friend's older wife had one valve replaced and two repaired on her 70th biertday. Now he can't keep up with her!
No, will have to watch it on catch up. I did record an open heart surgery operation once and found it amazing what they do as just part of their normal day.
I usually avoid them too or I start to wonder if it's a problem I have although I do want to know the complete details of anything done to me but this sounded so good I had to watch.
I watched the programme because I've had two valves operated on and though I watched some processes before my op to make myself more knowledgeable about what was going to happen, for some reason, the enormity of it all hit home last night. These surgeons are are amazing and going through any major surgery makes you feel more confident when you see the 'magic' they perform.... incredible. The chap with the mouth cancer.... though I watched it through the gaps in my fingers ,the end result was so amazing and to see him afterwards made me have a tear. You would have never imagined he would look so good after such a brutal operation. My own partner has just had his osophegus removed due to cancer....another brutal operation but again, he has been given a massive life line by the expertise of these wonderful surgeons, along with the fantastic care he had from the rest of the medical cal staff who attended him in ICU and on the ward when he was moved.
With the negativity going on regarding the NHS, my partner and I are forever grateful for our operations and the care we received as I am sure the people are who appeared in this programme.
I watched the programme last night. Absolutely loved it. The guy with the tongue cancers incredible operation was the most incredible thing to watch and then see him afterwards looking great. Having had quite a bit of major surgery myself it’s always fascinated me how amazing these surgeons are. Your life is literally in their hands. I’m hoping one of the episodes will be about one of the surgeries I’ve had!!
Didn't they say it was only 2 weeks after his operation that the surgeon was talking to him? Unbelievable. I had to laugh when he said all he wanted was a taste of cake. That he could even speak after that was amazing. I felt the heart surgeon did make a very big thing about the risks when coming off bypass but then I guess that's what makes good TV.
I was impressed with the scar healing after just two weeks. Our body’s are incredible aren’t they? How we heal and bounce back, thanks to the brilliant surgeons doing such a great job to begin/finish with 👼👼
I found the programme gripping. I was fascinated by the woman having valves replaced. I’ve had two valves repaired some years ago and the programme brought home how big the surgery was but how calm everyone remained throughout.
The gentleman having mouth surgery was amazing. It was very touching when he asked the surgeon “You will do your best won’t you?” My goodness he did too, you wouldn’t know he’d had anything done until he spoke.
was amazing I watched this too. I love this sort of program. When I had my bypass asked the anaesthetist if he could film my heart beating in my chest. He did and have a 6 second video of it. Wish he could of filmed the whole surgery
Wow that was a thoughtful surgeon. How amazing to see your own heart. It never ceases to amaze me what they can do now. I clearly remember the first heart transplant being reported.
me too. I am a nurse and as a young newly qualified nurse worked in a heart hospital and got to see loads. Bypass surgery and heart transplant so I’m afraid although I hate being on the receiving end of things I do find it fascinating. We are all different and what is one persons thing it is not another’s. By the way after the heart hospital 35 years ago I went into orthopaedics so most heart stuff is a mystery to me
Having had multiple valve surgeries, I have absolutely no interest or fascination in these operations. Not watched a single programme or ever intend too, nor even read up on how they're done.
Everyone's different. My husband would never be able to watch that one. He's been refusing to have his own knee repl;ced for 10 years. They've now given up seeing him and realised he will never do it.
I used to think my lack of interest was strange, but, the first op was in early 90's when resources weren't readily available. The second op was very problamatic and the third wasn't without it's dramas either. From a Mental Health perspective, I found that it made me stronger not reinacting the operations in my mind, and eventually they fade away for the best part. In some ways that's odd in itself, as I will talk and write about the problems, but, there is still much buried away.
When I've had operations in the past, it has never occurred to me to think about what was done but I now wish I had thought about the first big one which has left me with chronic severe pain in a wheelchair since 1989. I should have asked a lot of questions before it was done instead of just trusting the surgeon.
Hi, like you my wife and I watched in amazement at the skill involved in both cases as well as well as how many staff were involved. Those skilled people should be rewarded and paid a wage consistant with their ability to cary out such complicated life saving surgery. What would that have cost if we didn't have the NHS, and it had to be done privetley? This is part of a series and we have watched all of them.Unfortunately most operations are to remove cancerous growths and heart surgery, but although there are some distressing moments and hard to watch surgical intervention, it is still riveting TV.
I am so happy that the surgeons have the skills needed to help so many people—but I would never be able to watch a program like that! My anxiety would be above the roof, and I would need help myself.
My Mom had lower eyelid surgery to remove cancer in 2020. I sat for hours in the waiting area while she was in surgery and recovery; drove her home; searched three different pharmacies looking for the exact eye drops that she could use in her eyes; and took complete care of her during her recovery. BUT I could not really look at her eye. I have an eye phobia, and it is horribly difficult for me to even look at my own eyes. I had cataract surgery in both eyes this last year—very difficult to get through, but I had a great doctor!
About two months ago, my Mom’s surgeon did some small cosmetic/reconstruction surgery on her eyelid. I actually went with her two days ago for the last follow up visit for this surgery, and I even went into the exam room with her. I have to say that her eye surgeon did an excellent job on her eye. It actually looks basically as good as it did prior to the first surgery in 2020. I have no idea how he accomplished this, but it is amazing! So, I agree with you that surgeons are remarkable in their skills!
The jaw surgery was gruesome but how on earth could he identify which bits were cancer, which were lymph nodes and that vagus nerve as thin as a cotton thread? Just unbelievable
Yes they can do amazing things ‘if’ you’re at the right place and you’re selected. My 70 year old sister was left several years till her aortic aneurysm popped.
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