United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Does anyone recommend one doctor over the next. Please e-mail privately if you feel more comfortable. My son may need surgery and as EVERYONE can relate, I'm not too trusting of doctors. Any input would help.

I have only had experience with Drs. Lee, Laurent, and Nath. Drs. Laurent and Nath operated on my son and I was worried at first because we live far from TCH, so the time they spent with my son was very limited. But I have to go with my gut and my gut says to trust them. I believe that all of our children are in great hands there. I will admit, I do not have all the knowledge that some people on this message board have, my son is still very young and I am learning more everyday, but as mothers there comes a time when we have to trust the feelings we have, whether positive or negative; no matter how much "knowledge" we posess. We are our childrens only advocates. Anyway, I am sure that you are looknig for facts on these Drs. and I don't have that, all I have is my experience with them, yours may be quite different. They do not sugar coat anything, they tell it like it is, they gave me no promises, beacause every child is different and I must admit, at first that was not an easy pill to swallow,but I will trust them with my son again and again until they can help him no more.

I'm not going to give a specific recommendation, but here's something that I learned along the way. Each Dr. has their own philosophy and their own method of performing surgery. I think you need to find one that matches your own goals for your child and your comfort level on the conservative/aggressive scale. Even at the same place, two Dr's. perform the same surgery differently. I was told at TCH that Shenaq and Nath have different methods for the mod quad procedure. I wouldn't even begin to speculate who's method is "right" or better, but I bring it up only to illustrate my point.

I also think that it is important to understand the surgeons philosophy on outcomes, is surgery worth it for a 1%, 3%, 5%, 15% gain? That will help you understand why one may do things one way and one another way.

Just some things to think about.

Lisa D.

Lisa D - you couldn't have said it any better!

My daughter has had several surgeries with different doctors at TCH for her BPI.I believe they are all great. She has more problems then just BPI and they have cared for her and stayed with her after surgery for hours to make sure she is o.k. We have been to several different hospitals and doctors and I will never go anywhere but TCH now.

I agree with Lisa D.
However, Juliana has had the benefit of surgery performed by Laurent, Shenaq and Nath. Though I know they each have their own style, I have been very happy with all of them. I like the differences in style, as they give me different perspectives.
If I were given an option of which doctor I would pick, I don't think I could.
I think you need to feel comfortable with whomever you have. We all know the feeling of betrayal by the medical community. One of the things I like the best about TCH in general is the positive way they deal with parents.
Good luck,
claudia