Is there, like, a yelp for surgeons?

I've been referred to a surgeon for an excusion of a liver adenoma, which i'm totally ok with in a rational, makes sense kinda way. better to get rid of the thing in a scheduled, routine surgery that i can research and prepare for that run a significant chance of having it rupture and ending up with whoever happens to be on duty at the nearest emergency OR. or having it turn into a carcinoma and then having both surgery AND other major complications. It's nice and defined, kinda dangly off the liver so should be relatively easy to lop off. Apparently there are very few surgeons in the Portland area who specialize in livers, and even fewer who don't specialize in transplants. Apparently livers are a little tricky, what with all the blood vessels and bleeding and such. Anyways, while i'm fully in favor of going for it, of course i'm also a little...aprehensive...about any kind of surgery. So I have a consult next week and have been researching and actual proceedure as much as dr google has to offer. But it seems harder to research the Dr. I can get all his background and education and everything his practice wants me to know...but no non-subsidized testimonials from actual patients. Maybe it's asking too much to be hoping for first hand survivor stories for a procedure that is apparently pretty rare to begin with it...but I do enjoy researching. Makes me feel that teeny bit more in control of my own body and future.

Annoyingly, this is in no way related to my ongoing pain issue. Had another MRI (this one with x-ray guided needle placement for injection dye) yesterday and should have the results of that by the end of the week. Fingers crossed it is a minor labral tear that can be fixed with PT and some injections. Signs point to 'very plausible' and dear dog the day after the dye injection is MISERABLE. Pain (already present at all times) +4 walking, +5 standing, +3 sitting on anything less squishy than my sofa. Sitting on sofa tolerable. Looking forward to lying on back on even squishier bed. Left work early to come home, pop vicodin, alternate ice packs and hot epsom salt bath. The itchiness is worth the lessening of pain tonight.

Dear liver: sorry about the vicodin and ibuprofen. It's for a good cause. Feel free to have words with hip about stopping the hurtiness.

Angie's list maybe? I suppose there is no guarantee that enough people who use it would have opinions on liver specialists.

If you can't find a liver specialist who inspires confidence, could a vascular surgeon get the job done?

No lack of confidence...just...no standard for comparison.

eta: and a healthy helping of apprehension. I've never had anything removed from my body except wisdom teeth and blood. Hospitals are scary places to me.

Call your library, Erin. There are books that have background about doctors- or there were. Not sure if it will get you any more than you know, but it is worth a phone call

Just popping to amuse you with this article on fan fiction. Going against tradition, DO read the comments - they're better than the article.

What you might find in your bird house.

(My gran had a Martin House that was on a very tall pole.)

Finally getting my new leg braces today. Hoping they fit well.

Todd, that was funny even for a non-reader of the fan fiction.

Poor bear! That is quite the accomplishment.

Yay for mobility without cracking braces! Can't be soon enough I am sure.

I have no advice on finding a good surgeon. Usually the people who work with them know best. A plan to go forward is a good thing. You need to get this behind you.

I went for my follow up today. All good. They don't want to see me for 6 months. The only interesting thing was that they had done some gene study thing, which although was not surprising was useful. The one thing that it stressed was my inability to take most pain killers, as in I can't tolerate them and will easily overdose and possibly die. Now I already had figured out in life that I couldn't tolerate them as they make me sick. They don't work either which makes them all that more something to avoid. They had a long list of stuff I couldn't take, but I didn't see anything listed I could. Note to self, avoid pain.

Erin, here's a site [link] that lets you filter by board certified, etc., and has reviews.