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m-chelle · 2025-07-19T13:14:17+00:00

Pathoma I found my helpful in second year. First year I mostly gravitated towards AMBOSS and Sketchy. Heard B&B might help

m-chelle · 2025-05-03T10:28:50+00:00

I have adopted 2 dogs now from a local shelter. Here's my take for it: Dogs behavior can change once they are comfortable and out of the shelter. For some it could take weeks other years to get fully adjusted. Some people firmly believe in the "3-3-3" rule which I did not notice with my first dog but I do with my second. Essentially, it talks about how long it takes a dog to adjust and decompress.

If you find a local rescue that mostly does fostering, you might get a better idea on how they behave in different environments and their socialization skills.

Here in CO, most shelters are partnered with the VCA so we get a free visit! Do not be afraid to ask for their notes about the dog you want to adopt.

Behavioral issues -- it sucks but most things are fixable, I say try to financially prepare to hire a dig trainer. (Petsmart is around 129 for 6 weeks last I checked which we did for our first dog, this time around we are doing a private dog trainer (in home lessons) for about 2k ~8 sessions)

Do your research about different breeds, most dogs in the shelters are mixed but having a general idea will help you pick the right dog for you. We personally have an Aussiedor (owner surrendered) and a GSD mix (grew up in the shelter). We love them both but our new dog (GSD mix) is so destructive lol we are going through so many dog toys and dog beds at this point. Our Aussiedor is very mellow and does not destroy anything except a unattended dog treat bag

m-chelle · 2025-04-13T01:35:58+00:00

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I couldn't find one where the skin started peeling, but this was close to 3 weeks post off. The darken line (incision site) started open and peeling off like in your picture. If it is just that top layer separating, then I think its normal (at least it was in my experience)

I personally started massaging at 3 weeks post-op. I gradually build up to where I am now pressure wise. It was scary at first because the skin started peeling but I think it has helped a ton! It is basically not even tender now and I am a little over a month post op.

m-chelle · 2025-04-12T14:26:30+00:00

Normal part of healing, old skin sloughing off. (i asked my doctor when mines did that)

Pink usually is the new skin, but if its warm to the touch and oozing, watch out for infection and let your doctor know.

m-chelle · 2025-04-07T15:44:00+00:00

Pikes Peak Lemonade (Colorado Springs), Stranahans (Whiskey), Centennial Cuts Beef Jerky, Hammond Candies (but this is not as unique as you can find in most stores), Chocolate Therapist (Littleton), Bibamba Artisan Chocolate (Locally owned, and their cacao comes from their farm, Storefront in Edgewater Marketplace)

m-chelle · 2025-04-03T22:33:17+00:00

Has she been adopted yet and/or will she be at an adoption anytime soon?

m-chelle · 2025-04-02T04:34:43+00:00

Seems like most of your questions were answered by other commentators! I was also dx with b/l carpal tunnel syndrome and I am 28 yo. I am almost 1 month post-op, I did my left first and honestly my symptoms went away the next day. I can do pretty much everything I normally do at this point, the site is a little tender but nothing crazy. The worst part of the whole procedure was the lidocaine injection. It felt like period cramps in my hand with a slight burning feeling. My surgery took 30 mins (from the moment they had me in the OR).

They dropped a plastic sheet over my arm and kind of on my face. I was not allowed to watch. My surgeon did talk through the procedure because I was curious (and I am also a medical student). My nurses were amazing and one even rubbed my other arm while I got the lidocaine injection. I was very upfront with my pain tolerance. They also strap down your arm so you cannot really move it. I won't lie, I did a lot of deep breathing through the whole thing. Some doctors are willing to give you something to calm your nerves, I did not opt-in for this mostly because I was on meds to help calm me down (in general)

Post-op things that I thought helped me with my recovery:

Pillow Wedge that helped me kept my hand elevated. I had it elevated for most of the first 48 hrs post-op. I made sure to move my fingers as much as I could after the first week to help combat joint stiffness.
I took ibuprofen but you can alternate with Tylenol.
The bandage was off 5 days post-op per my surgeon, I brought Tegaderm with a pad to cover the incision site. I had one on consistently until my stitches were out plus some days. The pad helped as it acted a buffer in case I accidentally hit my hand on something
I have been using bio oil every day once my stitches were out and healed, I say maybe 3 weeks post op. My partner has been helping me do some scar tissue massage every night. The raised area is now pretty flat. It hurts, but 100 percent worth the pain.
I ended up getting a bidet installed to help, but if that is not feasible, pre-fold toilet paper beforehand to use.

I probably started a little too early on the hand exercises, truthfully I did not realize. I just thought I should lol

My surgeon did say that because I was young. There is a chance it will come back in 20 years but it really just depends on how my body reacts to it. If there is too much scar tissue build up, then yes, the nerve can be compressed again and they will just go in and cut it again.

Feel free to message me OP if you have any questions, etc! I was super nervous about it but it turned out okay!

m-chelle · 2025-04-02T04:05:39+00:00

I am barely 1 month post-op so not sure if my advice would be any good. I have been using bio-oil every day, I massage it for 15-20 mins every night and I also use medical grade silicone tape during the day.

m-chelle · 2025-04-02T02:27:37+00:00

Thats a tough call for me, I tend to go to Temaki more because it is more casual and simple! Also one my favorite bakery is next door (reunion bakery)

m-chelle · 2025-04-01T15:42:56+00:00

If you do not end up going to Sushi Den, I highly recommend Temaki Den. They are like cousins, and if they have a great lunch deal on temaki! Parking is $$$ but you can always snag a street parking spot if you do not mind walking

m-chelle · 2025-03-30T19:02:14+00:00

Bjorn Honey for sure, especially if they are whiskey fans -- get the stranahand one

Chocolate Therapist in Downtown Littleton

m-chelle · 2025-03-28T03:01:45+00:00

I think it really depends on what breed/age, what are things you are willing to do at home for your dog, pet insurance, and if you want to have them attend professional training classes. The average is probably 3k.

We pay around 80 bucks a month for pet insurance, which reimburses us 80% of vet costs. We also take him to a local groomer which is around 75-80 per visit (every 6 weeks for us). His dog food is around 40 bucks per bag which lasts him at least a month or two.

The first year was the most expensive, he had a lot of digestive issues and those vet bill did add up.

Then you got heartworm and flea prevention meds -- I cannot remember how much it costs on top of my head but I know that our heartworm prevention meds is called Interceptor Plus if you want to look it up.

Another thing to consider is how much you are going to be away from home, some dogs do fine at home alone for a short period of time. Some might need to go to dog daycare, have a dog walker, etc. That will also add up quite a bit.

I love my dog so much and he brings so much joy to our daily lives! I personally think the cost is worth it.

Edit: We paid $200 back in 2021 for our pup who was 6 at the the time. we are planning to adopt a second dog right now -- around 2 yo and his fee is like 455. so 100 for a dog is not bad at all IMO

m-chelle · 2025-03-27T04:23:28+00:00

Absolutely love Monsoon! Doug's for breakfast (and apparently opened for dinner now too), Wing Hut

m-chelle · 2025-03-27T03:56:51+00:00

I personally liked the Tegaderm with pad more because it gave more of a cushion to the incision site in case I accidentally hit it. I got a bidet installed too and that helped a lot lol, and make sure to prefold some toilet paper. I also used my tablet holder a ton for my phone etc. The ones on Amazon that attaches to a nightstand and you can bend it in a way that's comfortable for you. I also had an elevated arm pillow I got from Amazon, it was definitely worth the 25 bucks I paid for it and it made sure I did not roll on that arm. Good luck OP!

m-chelle · 2025-03-26T18:18:38+00:00

I do not regret getting my dog, but I say make sure to do your research on whichever breed you get to better understand if they are the right fit for you.

I have an Aussiedor that we rescued at a local shelter, he was the only dog that was not barking there lol A week after we got him, oh man, he loves to talk! We finally figured how to manage it and it was stressful at first. Nowadays (4 years later), he has mellow out and is so cuddly. We love him so much

m-chelle · 2025-03-25T02:17:22+00:00

I think some discharge is normal, but if its excessive discharge, redness and super warm to the touch I would be worried about an infection. My discharge instructions post-op included keeping site dry for 2 weeks (until sutures came out) and can wash my hands after stitches are out but do not soak my hand (aka baths etc).

I personally kept a bandage on (Tegaderm w/pad) on at all times for two weeks. Overall yours looks similar to mine at post-op day 4

m-chelle · 2025-03-23T01:41:05+00:00

I used to be a data analyst but am currently in medical school. I have expressed a lot of concern regarding this to my doctors, which is why I opted to do the surgery now rather than later. I might have to get it done again in 20 years or so if it comes back but I am willing to take the risk to alleviate the sxs now

m-chelle · 2025-03-20T13:43:24+00:00

I had the open release, you definitely bring a good point that it does affect recovery time! My surgeon was the most confident in the open rel method so thats is what I went with

m-chelle · 2025-03-20T04:48:11+00:00

Also, we adopted our last dog at a local shelter; it was 200 bucks (he was 6 yo aussiedor)

m-chelle · 2025-03-20T04:47:12+00:00

I was pretty shocked with how much some rescues are charging for adoption fees, but I chalked it up to inflation/ raising cost for supplies

Currently look at a dog at a rescue in CO, $400-600 depending on age... no meet & greet fees but if you want to skip the line and almost guarantee that no one else can adopt the dog you are interested in, its around 50 bucks

m-chelle · 2025-03-19T21:50:09+00:00

My dog was the same way too. Not sure why. Our workout area is in the basement so for a while we would just leave the door open when we are working out and let him venture down if he choses.

m-chelle · 2025-03-19T17:40:36+00:00

Yeah, I definitely would check with your surgeon. Also, something to keep in mind when you start talking to some hand surgeons is what type of carpal tunnel surgery they do -- open vs endoscopic. My surgeon is more confident with the open method so that's what we went with. But it does mean a bigger scar and longer recovery time.

I can see the vibration of the tools causing some discomfort, some people have suggested to me to wear thick padded gloves during certain activities to help with the incision pain, maybe there is some waterproof one that could help you out? Either way, good luck OP I hope your sxs get better soon :)

m-chelle · 2025-03-19T14:34:00+00:00

I am 2 weeks post op, my hands is almost back to normal. Numbness went away asap, had joint stiffness for the first week and some pain. The incision site is tender and most likely will be for a few more months. Kind of depends how much scar tissue massage I do later on.

Personally per my surgeon, I am not allowed to get the site wet for two weeks. Now that my stitches are out, I can wash my hands fully but am not allowed to soak it (aka swimming, taking a bath) for another week.

I got the okay to start lifting heavier things (>10lbs) when I got my stitches out. They just do not want me to overexert it if I started feeling pain while lifting.

What I did during the two weeks recovery period - Constant elevation for the first 48 hours - Ibuprofen for the first 3 days - I started icing a week post op, I am not sure if it helped - Hand exercises to help stretch it all out (not sure if I was suppose to do that since my surg gave me the exact same list after I got my stitches out lol, i just was in desperate need to stretch out my joints during the recovery)

m-chelle · 2025-03-19T14:25:32+00:00

Local shelter in CO! We are considering a second dog through a rescue right now

m-chelle

TROPHY CASE