Heading to UK for M6C with Nick Boeree

**Justin** · 03-04-2011, 10:16 AM

Phil,

This is fantastic news! It's great to read that most of your preoperative symptoms have been corrected as a result of the surgery. The hospital sounds like a really nice place.

Thanks for keeping us posted and please give Mr. Boeree our regards from the Spine Patient Society.

**Gilbert P** · 03-04-2011, 11:16 AM

HI Phil

Thanks for your post

So glad for your surgicial outcome

Sounds like you may gain some weight from all the great food

If I may ask what is the cost for a three level surgery and other expenses?

Thanks

All The Best

Gil

**Researcher** · 03-05-2011, 12:01 AM

At current $ to Pound exchange rates, my three level M6C ADR cost about $41,000, excluding travel. My procedure included an additional several hundred dollars for a discography on C4/5 to determine if it was sufficiently degenerated to warrant replacement. This is included in the $41k. At my last analysis late in 2010, Germany was a little more expensive, and Spain was a little less expensive. Changes in the value of the dollar are having a big impact on the cost of overseas surgery. From the time I first started talking to Nick to the time of my surgery, my out of pocket cost increased almost $1,000, due only to the increase in the exchange rate.

As a continued update on my condition, I am now experiencing more noticeable residual pain. I was emotionally upset about this earlier in the night, but I'm not discouraged. My spinal cord and nerve bundles were under distress for several months. I do not think that there will be permanent damage (at least I have hope), but it may take some weeks or months for them to recover. Nick said that I will go through phases of more pain and less pain as the nerves recover. The nature of the residual pain will also vary over time. Nick said that the nerves carry all the signals for touch, pressure, pain, heat, cold, etc., but that as they recover, the different sensations recover at different rates. This creates unnatural sensations that may not be perceived as "pain", but a feeling that is "just not right".

I'm still in England, but have checked out of the hospital and moved into a hotel. I will stay in the area three more days before getting my final check and have the staples removed. I was on my feet and moving around good yesterday, but believe I moved around to much. Also, the taxi ride from the hospital to the hotel was really rough. I have both a hard and soft collar and believe I will wear the hard collar on any public transportation for the next few days.

I'll be in touch. My body is all out of sorts right now due to jet lag, surgery, pain meds, etc. It will help to get home and get on a regular schedule.

Phil

**KBear** · 03-05-2011, 12:06 AM

Phil, Glad all is going well. It's very normal to have more and/or different pain after surgery. I had more pain and in places that never had hurt before, but it all eventually went away. Take it easy,
Kathy

**Gilbert P** · 03-06-2011, 10:41 AM

HI Phil

Thank You for the information have a safe flight home, I will ask you some more questions when you are settled in,

Take Care

Gil

**speedyralph** · 05-25-2011, 11:13 AM

Phil,

How are things, its been nearly 90 days?

Thanks,
Ralph

**Margie** · 07-30-2011, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by Researcher

It's now two days following the implant of three M6C's by Nick Boeree. All is well. The surgery took about three hours. I wish I could post pictures, but my photo editing capabilities are limited on my laptop here in the hospital. My spine looks amazing now; normal spacing and lordosis. I was up and down in my progress yesterday, but I should back on my feet today. The majority of my radiculopathy is gone, but there is some residual tingling that may be from the trauma of the surgery itself.

Nick and Dr. Herbertson, the anesthesiologist, indicated that everything went perfectly. Nick replaced C5/6 first. Then he performed a discography on C4/5 to see if it was bad. It had noticeable fissures showing that it was already falling apart, although this was not visible via MRI. Nick replaced C4/5, and then moved on to C 6/7. He did a lot of "cleaning up" in the process. He saved C6/7 for last, since he said it easier surgically to move downward, and since it was the most degenerated disc, requiring a lot of meticulous digging to extract all the pieces.

It's amazing to be sitting here two days after such major surgery with very little pain at all. I have some discomfort on the right side when swallowing, but it does not keep me from eating. The food at the Nuffield Hospital is amazing. I'm not kidding. It is like a five star restaurant; appetizers, duck, lamb, steak, all sorts of desserts, whatever you want.

The staff at Nuffield are amazing too. Everyone is so friendly and diligent in their work. After all my research and trials, I have no second thoughts; Nick, the M6C and Nuffield were the right choices for me. I am convinced that no better medical outcome would be possible in my case.

Thanks again for all the help that my SPS friends provided. I will post pictures and more updates as I feel up to it. I'm not going to address all of the insurance questions people may have right now. I know that I will be able to help, but I don't have the stamina to deal with it until I recover physically - maybe in a few weeks.

Blessings,

Phil

Dear Phil http://www.spinepatientsociety.org/f...ies/update.gif
I am going to get m6 cervical as well with Mr. Boeree in 3 weeks and am very nervous. He suggests I do 2 levels at c4-5 and c6-7 since I have neck pain also in the back of my throat and middle of neck. I do not know of anyone who has gotten 2 ADR at segments that are not adjacent. What was your experience? Where did you stay? How are you doing now?
I am very nervous. I have spoken with multiple surgeons and everyone has a different strategy but I did feel the most tailor designed strategy that made the most sense was with Dr Boeree.
margo

**Researcher** · 08-10-2011, 02:37 PM

Margo,

I apologize for not responding sooner, but this Summer has been a little crazy. I was out of commission with neck disability for almost a year, so I got one year behind in my chores. You can read more about my adventure and outcome at 3 M6Cs 3 Months Out (Dr. Boeree, C4/C5, C5/C6 & C6/C7) I'm still doing great! If I can get our older two kids off to college (this weekend), I plan to return to my normal serious weight training regimen.

If you have more specific questions as you approach your surgery departure date, please send me a PM and I will get in touch.

I've been in touch with Ralph privately, so his request above has not been ignored!

Phil

**Margie** · 08-10-2011, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by Researcher

Margo,

I apologize for not responding sooner, but this Summer has been a little crazy. I was out of commission with neck disability for almost a year, so I got one year behind in my chores. You can read more about my adventure and outcome at 3 M6Cs 3 Months Out (Dr. Boeree, C4/C5, C5/C6 & C6/C7) I'm still doing great! If I can get our older two kids off to college (this weekend), I plan to return to my normal serious weight training regimen.

If you have more specific questions as you approach your surgery departure date, please send me a PM and I will get in touch.

I've been in touch with Ralph privately, so his request above has not been ignored!

Phil

thank you so much Phil. That is most helpful!!!!!