If anyone feels called to give a quick "read" on a situation...

[teenagebambam]

...I have a surgery scheduled for next month - outpatient surgery, totally voluntary but "suggested", not associated with much risk.

BUT

I just accepted a singing job for two weeks after said surgery, a big job with a symphony that I've been trying to sing for for several years, that will likely lead to more and bigger work.

The singing is such that I could probably impress even if I was a little "under".

The singer's I've talked to, half say err on the side of caution, the other half say not to worry.

The health professionals I've talked to unanimously say not to worry.

I'm a worrier, I'm just covering all my bases!

[I Have A Dream]

1. I'm only going by my own logic rather than anything else but...

I'd personally delay the surgery if it were at all possible. The singing job is possibly a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I wouldn't take a chance with it. I tend to be cautious though.

Congratulations on your "gig". :)

[Kookaburra]

2. I agree with IHAD on this

If the surgery is elective, and you can put it off until after the gig, it might be better to do so. I'm not feeling that you won't impress them post surgery, but I am feeling that it will be taxing to your body.

Congratulations!

[mysticalchick]

3. Yep, agree with IHAD and Kookaburra

If you can wait, wait. Be at your tip top condition and go for it! :)

[Cleita]

11. I also agree with IHAD.

The opportunity is there and right now. The surgery can be postponed.

[teenagebambam]

4. I guess I left out one piece of information....

...I scheduled it next month because my deductible for this year is already paid. Delaying to after New Year's means I'll be spending every cent that I make from the Symphony and more. Ain't life grand?

[I Have A Dream]

5. You know, I was actually wondering about that.

Is the performance at the very end of the year? Is there any way at all that it could still be done this year? (I know that many people have vacation then, so that may not be possible.)

I guess the issue for me is the following. If you do a less than stellar job, would you always wonder whether your having that surgery was the thing that caused it?

Is the surgery something that is likely to affect either your voice or your stamina? (Surgery is always draining, but is your type of surgery even more likely to cause this?)

Sorry that you have this dilemma. I hate things like this. :(

[OneGrassRoot]

6. The same questions IHAD raised were my thoughts as well....

Geez, I'm sorry you're faced with this dilemma. :(

But, hey, I guess there are two points to your situation that are really good: 1) a great professional opportunity and 2) you have insurance coverage!

Good luck....:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Matariki]

8. Is the surgery in any way related to your singing?

What are your concerns about the surgery?

On edit - fwiw, my intuition says that it's not related to your singing and you can safely go ahead w/it. If you pm me, I'll happily pull some tarot for you.

[Cleita]

12. You still need to follow your destiny. n/t

[MorningGlow]

7. Is it nodes, TBB? n/t

[teenagebambam]

9. No, not nodes!

Thank goodness - and I needn't have been so mysterious. Having my gall bladder out. Really no direct correlation to my voice, I'm only concerned about the effect on my abdominal wall (for breathing purposes). And the intubation tube, but I'd worry about that whether I had to sing or not.

[MorningGlow]

14. 'Kay then

(And as even an amateur singer, I can say PHEW on the "no nodes" news!) I would say, if your gall bladder is not causing you great pain/producing stones at the moment, go ahead and do the concert and knock folks' socks off to establish yourself in their minds as someone to call on for future projects, then have the surgery afterward.

But if it's going to cost you beaucoup bux if you postpone it till next year, I think you can safely have things taken care of if you have the surgery early enough before the concert so you're back on your feet and your throat safely healed.

Bottom line: it feels like this is going to work out just fine, whichever way you decide to do it! :hi:

[Dora]

17. The odds are that you'll be fine.

I assume the surgery is laproscopic, so that will significantly reduce the length of your recovery. A friend's husband recently had emergency gallbladder surgery, and less than two weeks later he was traveling by himself in Peru without a problem.

Be very good to yourself in the first few days after surgery. Drink lots of water to detox from the anesthesia. And rock the house at your gig!

[northernlights]

10. the health professionals may not understand

how physically demanding singing can be, unless they specifically have experience with singers.

I'd be concerned about the abdominals and especially the intubation, which can really do a number on everything in the immediate area of your vocal apparatus. Two weeks may be sufficient recovery time, or not. Everything can go right, but the potential stress to your throat could open you to a potential throat infection, cold or URT. Also, even if recovery goes smoothly, you won't be able to practice for some time leading up to the performance.

Your decision, ultimately. If the gall bladder surgery is totally elective, maybe you can postpone it to another more convenient year...as opposed to this year versus next.

If you do go for it, drink tons of electrolytes beforehand, and tons of electrolytes after...to help clear the anaesthesia from your system. That can speed recovery and both reduce hungover effect and residual inflammation.

And, if I may ask, what are you invited to sing? Former amateur soprano wants to know!

[teenagebambam]

13. Haven't got the full program yet

But probably some Rodgers and Hammerstein, and maybe some Fledermaus!

[teenagebambam]

15. UPDATE:

So I've rescheduled the surgery to earlier in the month. I have to do some fancy juggling with my teaching schedule and have to opt out of a much less high profile gig, but I feel much better about having a longer recovery time for the BIG gig!

[MagickMuffin]

16. Take care of yourself my friend

Surgery is never an easy option. Even when we are told so, it still takes a tole on our system and we have to take extra care post op. I'm certain everything will turn out alright, and don't mean to sound like I'm trying to scare you. I've had several operations that went well. It's only the post op that needs the extra attention.

With that said please keep so posted where we can send healing vibes your way to help eliminate the post op blues. And also I'm glad you were able to have found an accommodating schedule.


:hug: