kenai12

Good Experience All Around

They will provide you with a fairly strong anti-anxiety med. And yes, they will tell you, you cannot drive. I had to drive to A2 from Kazoo alone. I parked in the ramp and told them my friend was going to pick me up...she was supposed and at the last minute could not. As they have you sit in the waiting area afterward with ice packs, you do have some time to allow the meds to wear off. I have a very high metabolism and any type of med, including anesthesia, wears off quickly. When my pal informed me she couldn't pick me up, I told the office staff she was waiting for me. I got my car and drove to her house, a few miles from the Clinic near the stadium. I had a few cups of coffee with her and then drove back to Kazoo.......no problem. Just don't let them know that you are driving yourself. If need be, you can always hangout in the hospital lounge for a while. No one will notice your face...the patients coming and going from U of M have such critical illnesses, others seldom if ever would notice or think to pass judgment. Good Luck. Dr. Orringer does a fabulous job! And don't tattle on me LOL My surgeon caught me last spring when I had to drive myself for a brief stay in the hospital ... as i had my car, I sneaked out of the hospital for a chocolate shake from the Washtenaw Dairy...They are THE best!!!! Even though she was in surgery at the time, she caught wind of my escapade and I was busted. Luckily she has a great sense of humor...

This article is from the U of Michigan Cosmetic Dermatology Center. You may want to research more articles on laser resurfacing by Jeffrey Orringer. Your explanation differs from my doctor's and his research. Laser Resurfacing / Fractionated CO2 Laser Treatment (UltraPulse Encore Total FX/Deep FX/Active FX™ Laser) We are pleased to be able to offer to our patients treatment with a new type of CO2 laser that we believe may change the way sun damaged, scarred, and wrinkled skin is treated for years to come. Combining the safety of fractionated laser therapy with the unparalleled efficacy of CO2 laser treatments, the UltraPulse Encore Total FX ™ (fractionated CO2) laser is revolutionary technology that is certain to help thousands of patients look their very best. With this device, microscopically small but deeply penetrating and highly effective CO2 laser "microbeams" ("Deep FX ™") remove old sun damaged and scarred tissue and stimulate the body to produce new, healthier collagen. In addition, most patients also elect to have the surface of their skin treated with a second laser pass designed to blend color imperfections ("Active FX ™"). The result is a significantly improved appearance of the treated skin with wrinkles and scars substantially diminished and skin color made more uniform. Patients especially appreciate the laser"s ability to safely treat both facial and neck skin, resulting in a very natural outcome. Healing after this treatment is rapid with minimal care required for just a few days and redness of the treated skin generally resolving over the subsequent week. Most patients' appearance will continue to improve for months after this unique laser therapy. Only one or two treatment sessions are generally required to achieve our patients' goals. Because of extensive research done here at the University of Michigan regarding the molecular effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy, we are uniquely positioned to maximize the benefits of this treatment for our patients.

Hi Jane; Actually, it is my understanding that Deep FX would be the more likely choice for scar removal. I'm not positive. Again, if you search "Jeffrey Orringer" and "laser skin treatment" or "Total FX" I think you'll find your answers. I'm in Kalamazoo and the 90 minute drive to A2 has been worth it from day one. The docs in the cancer center designed the treatment plan for my 84 year old dad in 2005 when he was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. He lives in a small community in Wisconsin and his doc was recommending a treatment plan that had not been protocol for more than ten years. I finally convinced him to go the the "U" with me. They saved his life! When he became gravely ill from the radiation treatments, he tried contacting his oncologist in Wisconsin. He was told to call back on Tuesday, this was a Saturday. I told my dad to email his doc at the 'U". This physician had seen my dad one time for about 20 minutes. My dad emailed him and Dr. Al-Ziubi(sp?)called my dad the next morning,Sunday,at 9:00 AM. My dad stills tells this story because he was so moved that this man cared enough about him to call him on a Sunday morning. I think the docs at the "U" are all, for the most part, very special folks who care deeply about their profession, their patients and their research. I'd stick with Orringer! Merry Christmas to you, too. Stay warm!

I found my Dr. through my plastic surgeon, Amy Alderman M.D., MPH, at U of M. Amy is the head of cosmetic plastic surgery and breast reconstruction at the U. She was my surgeon following a mastectomy. I was her first patient as an attending physician. Needless to say, she is a phenomenal surgeon and a brilliant and empathetic young woman. There is no person,other than my own father, who I trust more than Amy. My Dr. is also a brilliant young doctor who treats you as though you are family. He is an expert in the area of laser treatment and I would recommend him without reservation. It may take a while to get an appointment but it is worth the wait! He is in Cosmetic Dermatology at the U and if you "Google" him, you will find quite a bit of information about his research.

Yes, the doctor SHOULD put shields on your eyes. I did not find them at all uncomfortable. Basically the shield is like having a contact in your eye. No big deal. Then again, I've had two retinal tears that had to be lasered........now THAT is painful! I've also had a mastectomy and reconstruction, a blood clot which led to thrombophlebitis, and several arterial blood draws after I was accidentally poisoned by carbon monoxide in a college apt. The Total FX procedure was basically painless. I had a great doc, and probably have a high pain tolerance. I used a relaxation program before and during the procedure. I downloaded the program off Amazon onto my Ipod for a whopping $.99. It helped me stay focused on deep breathing and relaxation. It worked so well that the doc's assistant asked me, at one point during the procedure, if I was still with them. The team told me I was the most relaxed patient on whom they performed Total FX. For $.99, it's worth a try. The name of the download is "Drifting Downstream" by Kimeron Hardin. Good Luck