Stenum Experiences?

[melduforx]

Hi Everyone,

I'd like to thank everyone who's replied and sent me messages for all the help.

I'm leaning towards having the surgery done in Germany, likely at Stenum.

Can I get some honest opinions on experiences of surgery at Stenum and doctors that you had?

Thanks so much.

--Joe

[trkdoc714]

I had 2 lumbar discs replaced at Stenum on 3/27/09. I've been back at work full time since 6/22/09 and have very little residual pain.

The staff and surgeons at Stenum are tremendously skilled and accommodating. The communication afterward has been good as well. Anytime I've asked for help or advice, it's come without hesitation or condition up to and including help with the insurance claim.

Now for the food........

Good luck on your decision making process!

Bob

[melduforx]

What kind of insurance did you have for the surgery?

How did it pan out?

[Gilbert P]

Hi

I copied some ones information about stenium and this was a grave error .

I am Sorry for doing this and did noy want to offend others.

I wish the best for all

Lets move on this is a wonderful site and I do not wish to tarnish it by my wrong doings

Thanks

Gil

[trkdoc714]

I'm still battling Aetna on the last part of the claim. It seems they believe I should have been released from the hospital the morning after surgery. I didn't feel all that great that day but what do I know, after all, they're the medical professionals.

So far they've reimbursed me about $30,000 of the $38,000. I'm starting my 3rd level appeal tomorrow and fully expect to get at least $6,000 more approved.

Good luck with your decision. I wish you the best.

If you'd like to talk, PM me for my phone number.

Bob

[trkdoc714]

Gilbert,

Is that from your personal experience or is that secondhand information filtered through the medical tour guide (aka Wonderboy) that endlessly bashes Stenum because they won't pay him commissions?

I hope you are recovering nicely. Don't over do it and heal well.

Bob

[Gilbert P]

Hi Bob

Sorry!

Gil

[Terry Newton]

I had a very complicated four level ADR surgery at Stenum Hospital on November 4th, 2006. That's right folks; three years ago tomorrow. I had two surgical teams working on me at the same time. One team was working on my cervical area and one team was working on my lumbar area. I could have went to see Dr Bertagnoli in Germany as I pre-paid for my entire surgery and could have spent more money than I did. I spent over $74,000 for all of my spinal care from the time of my accident to the surgical intervention. This money also included the surgical intervention. I was not interested in getting the Pro-Disc as I did not trust the design, the plastic involved and, the center of rotation. I went with the Prestige Cervical and Maverick Lumbar. I really liked the design, the lack of movable parts, the center of rotation which made sense to me, the ball and socket system, etc.

My surgery took about five hours to complete which drove my wife nuts. I can't say that I am perfect as I still get SI Joint injections a couple of times per year. Compared to pre-surgery when I walked with a cane and was hunched over like a little old man i have made vast improvement. The care I received at Stenum was exceptional. I still think very fondly about the experience, the staff, the professionalism of the place, the comfort of the beds, the healing hands of Hans the massage therapist, The Park Hotel, the physical therapist department, the physicians, Dr. Zechel, Sue Hart, Malte Peterson, Ralph the male nurse, Sue the other nurse on the unit, etc. I would have never received the excellent care I received there in the States. Our system is broken here. I even got everything reimbursed there by Blue Cross of Michigan.

I have read many of the nay-sayers and listened to some of them before I went over there. No surgeon has 100% results with their outcomes. Surgeons are human and make errors. I knew that going in to my surgery. I have been in the health care industry for over thirty years and grew up with a nurse for a mother.

Draw your own conclusions. If you are looking for perfection you will never find it. We all bring our own baggage to that operating table. That is; if we are overweight, smoke cigarettes, out of shape, don't exercise, live poor lifestyles, etc., that goes to the operating table with us.

Go with God and realize that we all have to face our fears.

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F. ace
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[rhatzy]

I too liked the Maverick disc and I found Stenum to be exceptional. I was able to talk with not only Zechel but also Ritter-Lang the day before my surgery. I wasn't rushed and they were'nt satisfied until I was satisfied with their answers. I talked with them for at least an hour and when I was done, I was relieved and more comfortable with my decision. I had a discectomy done months earlier in the US by an ortho with a group that had excellence in their name. It took him about 45 minutes for my operation but it was a dismal failure as I got worse. I guess this makes him the worst doc out there.

I had ten people in my group at Stenum and I know that 6 of us are off meds, 2 are much better but still reqire some meds, and 2 have not much change and had a lot more going on before. Like Terry said, nothing is guaranteed and heck, you could die from just the anesthesia alone or while having your tonsils removed.

We all make decisions in our lives and the one I made was the only one and thank God, It worked out. Ritter-Lang is a top notch guy in my book and I feel he is very caring. While there, one of the patients had her father-in-law who was an OB-GYN who had performed C-sections. He was allowed to observe one of the operations and said it was amazing. He was impressed with the professionalism of the Stenum surgeons.

It is up to you to choose. Most of the names floating around here are excellent surgeons and you have to understand the risks involved. I figured my odds of a successful outcome at about 65%. That was much better than doing nothing or about nil on a 2 level fusion.

Mark

[Fuzzy]

I also seriously considered going to Stenum for my next surgery and I have personal reasons that have nothing to do with the various negative reports circulation in the forums for not going there. The reason I am going with a different surgeon are purely personal. Also *no one* including a previously mentioned "tour guide" aka wonderboy is getting a commision for my surgery. I make it clear my decision is personal. I feel Stenum is as qualified as anyone in the world to do this work. From the outcomes I have read their outcomes must be statistically in line and probably better then inexperienced surgeons. their service and organisation for the international patient is outstanding.