Can anybody give me a referral

[cheryl stewart]

I have been looking at LSI, MicroSpine, and Biscup in Florida. Has anybody had multilevels worked on at these places? And if so why would you recommend one over the other. It somewhat important that they have external and internal handicap accessible doors. I visited one that they had these big beautiful wooden doors in side, but they were heavy and hard for me to open and I was alone during my visit.

[JMG007]

Hi Cheryl,

I just return home from having a multi level (L4-L5 L5-S1) at the Bonati Spine Institute in Hudson FL. www.Bonati.com

They claim that Dr. Bonati invented Laser Spine surgery and holds many patents on his procedures and equitment used in the process.

I am one week post op and was going to wait a while before I posted about my procedures and outcome.

Here is an overview.

1. prior to going to Bonati I was in extreme pain. Mostly in a wheel chair. High dosages of pain meds and could barley take care of myself. Just using the toilet was a major event.
2. Multiple orthopedics and neurosurgeons recommended spinal fusion or ADR.
3. Dr. B in Germany recommended 2 level ADR and suggested that any other procedure was a waste of time and would not work in the long term.

I was referred to Bonati by a neighbor who had personal experience with them. I sent them the same info I sent to Germany. They responded that they thought they could help and that they did not accept patients that they did not think they could help.

I chose to go their because they offered a minimally invasive procedure, that would not prevent me from having ADR in the future. I honestly did not expect it to work. I thought it was worth a try before I hopped on a plane and had a multi level ADR.

What they did for me.
1. Surgery number one L4-L5, Diskectomy lamonectomy (3rd time for me) plus they removed bone around the foramen (the window through which a nerve root exits the spine)
2. Surgery number 2 L5-S1, lamonectomy and Foramenoctomy.

All of the surgeries were done orthoscopicly, I was awake through the procedure. They would touch nerves and ask where you felt the pain. This was to confirm that the area they were working on corresponded to where you felt the pain prior to the surgery. When they were finished and prior to closing me up, they had me move around, sit up, try to recreate my pain. When they pain was gone they closed me up. Surgeries took about 3 hours each.

The appearance of the facility looks as though they have not redecorated in 20 years. BUT ALL OF THE EQUIPTMENT AND OPERATING ROOMS WERE STATE OF THE ART.

While I was there I met other patients who had come from as far as Hong Kong. Many had come to have hardware removed that other surgeons refused to remove ( this was done Orthoscopically also)

It was amazing how every department worked with each other as a team. I was there for 2 weeks. I had appointments every day. I was moved from department to department with almost not waiting anywhere. Even on the surgery days, if they were running late or early they would call my cell phone and let me know ( so I would not have to be waiting in the waiting room). Anytime you are at the facility and not having a test done or with a doctor you are in physical therapy.

I am walking and I would say I currently have about an 80% pain reduction. As I come off of the drugs (coming out of the fog) I am feeling pain in areas I did not notice before. I will probably need to go back for a few more procedures to be 100%.

The bottom Line is I would recommend this place to anybody who is considering spinal fusion or ADR. Their philosophy is that the can remove bone to decompress the nerves without any form of stabilization device. So far it has worked for me.

[WPKat]

Cheryl,

One of my best friends from high school referred me to MicroSpine because she received measurable relief after seeing them. They reviewed my MRI reports and provided a "courtesy review" suggesting a Transfacet Laminoforaminoplasty, which would free up my severe bilateral lateral recess and foraminal stenosis.

According to my friend, the approach is exactly as JMG described with Bonati. My friend mentioned the same type of old decor (how funny). Evidently, their money is spent on training, technology and equipment - not fancy offices (as it should be).

I haven't ruled MicroSpine out, however, they explained that because they are not contracted with my insurance company, I would have to pay for everything out of pocket first and then bill my insurance company myself later. My insurance requires preauthorization for every thing done, before it is done, so I would most likely end up paying the whole expense out of my own pocket. Since they may very well end up doing more then they originally suggested after all their testing is done, the amount could be substantially more than their original "estimate."

I have no idea what Bonati's policy is in terms of handling medical insurance.

If my insurance cooperates, I plan to see the Texas Back Institute because of their excellent reputation, they have the ability to work on all of my spinal issues in a minimally invasive manner and they are willing to help me obtain the required preauthorization that my insurance company requires. They have already contacted them on my behalf and explained what I needed to do to get the ball rolling on my end.

I want the best medical treatment available (which I know I will obtain at TBI), but obviously, it is also in my financial best interest to go with the medical facility who is willing to work with my insurance company.

Good luck with your search for a solution!

K

[JMG007]

Cheryl,


I haven't ruled MicroSpine out, however, they explained that because they are not contracted with my insurance company, I would have to pay for everything out of pocket first and then bill my insurance company myself later. My insurance requires preauthorization for every thing done, before it is done, so I would most likely end up paying the whole expense out of my own pocket. Since they may very well end up doing more then they originally suggested after all their testing is done, the amount could be substantially more than their original "estimate."

I have no idea what Bonati's policy is in terms of handling medical insurance.

Good luck with your search for a solution!

K

I can tell you about my exerience with Bonati with regards to insurance.

1. Bonati is an out of network provider for my insurance. In fact, They told me they are out of network for all insurance.

2. My insurance requires pre authorization for all procedures. Bonoti took care of it. My insurance responded quickly each time.
3. Bonati told me upfront what my total exposer was going to be basied on my insurance.
4. They told me that they do not balance bill. Meaning that they accept what the insurace company pays and do not expect the remainder of the bill to be paid by the patient. I will let you know if this really happens. I find that hard to believe. They collected $500.00 from me before surgery (the balance of my deductable) and told me that was all I would have to pay, unless my insurance company did not pay.

The Truth is I was prepaired to pay $50,000 pluss out of pocket to get a 2 level ADR. My surgery was sucsessfull and I would gladly pay if requested.

I hope this helps you.