SDLA

I drove by myself from Austin to San Antonio on July 15, 2009. I checked into my hotel and grabbed a cab to Dr. Nielson's office. I arrived with prescriptions in hand (Keflex for infection which I had started the night before, Valium 15mg, and Lortab 5/500). I was greeted by Tiffani the RN who took my vital signs and gave me the Valium and Lortab to take before the procedure. She was very friendly and set me at ease. She answered any last questions I had and took me to the surgical suite. We talked for a few minutes while she hooked me up to the heart and blood pressure monitor and pulse oximeter to monitor my vital signs during the procedure. Dr. Nielson came in to meet me and to answer any questions. He put me at ease right away. Tiffani cleansed me off with a special antibacterial solution and Dr. Nielson prepared me to start.

He injected four tiny areas with lidocaine to be used as the insertion points. Once numb he used a very tiny punch biopsy to make holes in which to insert the canula he would be using for the SDLA. He infused a solution of lidocaine, epinepherine, and sodium bicarbonate under the dermis layer of both arms. Then he started on the right armpit. I felt something like a scraping feeling as the laser was doing its work. Dr. Nielson was very attentive and kept asking me if I was doing ok. There were only a couple of times when I told him I could feel the heat. He then infused a bit more of the lidocaine solution which worked immediately and he continued with the procedure. I found Dr. Nielson to be attentive, concerned and very reassuring as he did the procedure. He kept me posted on the progress of the procedure. I felt I was in good hands all the way through.

I had arrived at 12:30 and left the office at 2:20.

When I was done Tiffany put gauze on the tiny insertion spots and taped them down. I put on my top and shoes and was released to a friend. We then went out to lunch and then I retired back to my hotel to recover.