New Member / Three Level Lumbar ADR

[melly]

Thankyou so much for taking the time to respond.

I am so pleased to hear that you are pain free. I too have had pain for 8 years and it gives me hope that one day I may be pain free.

You mention one German hospital that has had good and bad operations, which one is that?

Were all the persons you saw at the hospital successful with the surgeon you used?

How long did you stay iin the hospital and in Germany overall?

Can I be cheeky and ask how much the operation and hospital cost?

Many thanks

Good luck!!

[Alan Hardy]

Let's just say a highly marketed surgical center in northern Germany has been inconsistent at best. I'll leave the rest of the research on that subject up to you.

Oddly, there is not a lot of bad press available on-line for any of the surgeons performing ADR procedures. To clarify, I have interacted directly with patients that have received shocking treatment from several different surgeons. We have shared histories, X-Rays, MRI Images, Surgical reports and Surgeons recommendations face to face.

There is however an abundance of positive feedback from a variety of sources. Relief from years of debilitating or chronic pain is something worth talking about.

All of the patients that had surgeries performed by the surgeon I used had overwhelmingly positive results. I am very discerning and have very high standards. My surgeon comfortably exceeded my expectations. He is a rare and remarkable individual that I cannot praise highly enough. The patients that had minimal (discectomy, laminectomy etc.) or no prior surgeries all ended up with excellent or very nearly perfect results.

The two patients with the most rapid recoveries (myself included) were not taking pain medication regularly prior to the surgery. We had both (independently) decided the adverse (organ and awareness) effects of long term use offered more damage than benefits.

Not all cases resulted in a 100% pain free state as there were several patients that had incredibly poorly executed surgeries requiring complex revision. All of the patients were impressed by and delighted with the results of the surgery and information shared by the surgeon.
In short, all were considered resounding successes!

We were in Germany for just over three weeks.
We elected to arrive two days prior to our first hospital visit to recover from jet lag a bit.
The first couple of days entail, Bone density testing, blood work etc. Hospital Check in, a second detailed review of the procedure with a doctor,Bowel evacuation (not fun) than spanned well into the night.

I was in the hospital for roughly a week following the surgery. The time in the hospital is shorter for single levels and cervical procedures. We then spent an additional 11 days in a nearby town recovering. There is (should be) continuous monitoring during your hospital stay. A thorough review is made prior to release from the hospital. This is why there is a certain variability in the duration of the hospital stay post-op. A visit to the doctor with X-Ray and other meaningful review is required prior to being allowed to fly home.

Regarding the cost, I would encourage you to surf the web. There are slightly less expensive surgeons (in Germany) than the surgeon I selected. The cost here in the US is close to double the cost in Germany with the most experienced surgeon.

Cost should not be a major concern. Unless you are independently wealthy, this procedure costs a lot of money plain and simple. Though I consider it very reasonable considering the results and life I am regaining. Of our group (we became an unofficial support group and have remained in touch) some had to mortgage homes, some chose to downsize...not a single regret following the surgery. If the surgery cost a lot more than it did, I would consider it money well spent as I was unable to have any semblance of an active life.

If you have not had a discogram (discography) speak with your spinal specialist about this diagnostic test. I had three orthopedic / neurosurgeons adamantly prescribe fusion without mentioning the procedure. I had to fly out of state to a specialist to find out how important this procedure would be to form an accurate diagnosis.

I would strongly encourage you to seek the most experienced surgeon you can. Volume alone should not be the deciding factor. Does the surgeon handle complex cases and revisions no one else can? Does the surgeon teach and or contribute to furthering ADR surgeries globally.

Alan