Possible Fusion from T12 to Sacrum

[Katie]

Carmen,there are a number of really great surgeons mentioned on the forum, including Dr. Pimenta, Dr. Fabien Bitan in NYC, etc. Dr. Pimenta works out of San Diego and Tijuana occasionally, and I just sent my images off to him for a consult. Dr. Bitan first pointed out my compressed cervical discs and gave a huge fight on my behalf with my insurance, to no avail. I have a huge amount of respect for him, and if you are able to travel to see him, he would most likely give you an excellent opinion.

I sent my MRI to him, got a tentative opinion, then went to see him in person and got an even better diagnosis. That's all I meant about getting more opinions...this is a huge surgery, and I would not take the opinion of the first and only surgeon about it.

All the best, and if you have any more questions, please don't be afraid to ask.

[Carmen]

Yes, definitely agree with Terry and Katie on this Carmen. Major, major surgery that cannot be "taken back." I would personally be getting 5-6 opinions on such an invasive surgery.

By the way, do you mind sharing what suburb west of Chicago you hail from? When I moved from Minneapolis as a kid to Chicago we ended up in Palatine. Just curious if you are near there? We are here to support you all the way.

I need to get some opinions, so if you think you doctor would send a reply back after viewing my MRI and not just ignore it. Please post your doctor's name or email me. langecarmen@gmail.com That would be fine and I would appreciate it. There is going to be maintenance tomorrow so do it after tomorrow or tonight. I am posting this on the 16th of January, 2010. I guess my MRI scares some doctor's. I have the information from Germany or Dr.B. I am doing my research now. I did not think I would get so many postings to get another opinion. I guess I just don't know of any other doctor's. I sent my MRI to Northwestern in Chicago on the lake front but did not receive a reply. I have been diagnosed at Rush Medical Hospital and my doctor's name is Dr. An. Has anyone seen the doctor in Colorado besides Justin? Hope to hear from anyone soon. I keep thinking of the gal that posted her back surgery failed. She went to Germany and used all of her retirement money to do it. That would be something I would do and then it would fail. Give me some good news.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Unless you can afford to pay cash, I would find out what your insurance company considers in network. The difference between in network and out of network can be multiples of ten thousand dollars. What I did was take all of the neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons who were in network and either go online or call there office and find out if they performed the type of surgery I was considering. Early on it was disc replacement, then I found out isthmic spondylolisthesis was contraindicated for disc replacement and left me with fusion. At that point I wanted the least invasive procedure available. I went back to my list of surgeons and ask for the office nurse or NP or PA who was knowledgeable about what that surgeon offered. From this I made a new list. Then I started looking through various websites and the state board of medical examiners to check on law suits, license suspensions, etc. If you can find the hospital where the surgery might take place, nurses, CRNAs, etc. who work there can give you an idea of there skill and patient satisfaction. I went to the waiting room where follow-up apointments were done and ask a few people who were in for post-op follow-up. I also asked my pain management doc and the PhD psychologist I see who specializes in chronic pain for advice, as well as my family practice doc who ultimately wrote my referral.

Who told you that you need your entire L spine fused? Have you had a discogram or MRI or whatever to try and determine the pain generator? Just based on the info on your signature having you whole L spine fused seems excessive.

[Carmen]

Unless you can afford to pay cash, I would find out what your insurance company considers in network. The difference between in network and out of network can be multiples of ten thousand dollars. What I did was take all of the neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons who were in network and either go online or call there office and find out if they performed the type of surgery I was considering. Early on it was disc replacement, then I found out isthmic spondylolisthesis was contraindicated for disc replacement and left me with fusion. At that point I wanted the least invasive procedure available. I went back to my list of surgeons and ask for the office nurse or NP or PA who was knowledgeable about what that surgeon offered. From this I made a new list. Then I started looking through various websites and the state board of medical examiners to check on law suits, license suspensions, etc. If you can find the hospital where the surgery might take place, nurses, CRNAs, etc. who work there can give you an idea of there skill and patient satisfaction. I went to the waiting room where follow-up apointments were done and ask a few people who were in for post-op follow-up. I also asked my pain management doc and the PhD psychologist I see who specializes in chronic pain for advice, as well as my family practice doc who ultimately wrote my referral.

Who told you that you need your entire L spine fused? Have you had a discogram or MRI or whatever to try and determine the pain generator? Just based on the info on your signature having you whole L spine fused seems excessive.

Thank you so much for your wonderful reply. You certainly addressed the problem in no uncertain terms. I have more to post after the doctor saw me. If you care to you can visit the web site (see below) where it gives a lot of information regarding the doctor's expertise and what he is known for. Quickly he co-authored a book with Dr.B and he sits on the board as to whether some device should be FDA approved. He is quite reknown. When I asked him about the doctor in Germany, he just looked at me and said the German people come to me. Besides the one he wrote with Dr. B, he has written about 14 books on spinal fusion and other regions of the spine. Doctor An's practice is limited to spinal disorders, cervical spine,scoliosis, and lumbar degenerative disorders. Justin was impressed with him but I am surprised no one else seemed to know him. Which means I will follow your advice as to what to do. Here is the web site Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush is a nationally recognized leader in comprehensive orthopedic services. Go there only if you have time. Thank you again for giving me your expertixe on finding a doctor. His packet kind of scared me when there is a form to make out a will. Or course I have already completer that. I did not need him to tell me to do it. It was strange having it in his packet. I wonder if anyone else had to do it before surgery. Carmen

[Gilbert P]

Hi Carmen

This is Gilbert P.

I am doing fine and skiing a little no pain meds. Lots of walking and going to the gym to work on my core.

having a fusion at all those levels is asking for more problems in the future

Some patients have many spine surgeries and are now bed ridden 24-7, do you home work over and over and over.

Life is a beautiful thing do the leas to continue to be pain free.

i wish you all the best

Gil

if you want to talk send me a P.M.

[Carmen]

Hi Carmen

This is Gilbert P.

I am doing fine and skiing a little no pain meds. Lots of walking and going to the gym to work on my core.

having a fusion at all those levels is asking for more problems in the future

Some patients have many spine surgeries and are now bed ridden 24-7, do you home work over and over and over.

Life is a beautiful thing do the leas to continue to be pain free.

i wish you all the best

Gil

if you want to talk send me a P.M.

Thank you for your reply regarding my post. It is nice that some people actually get over it. How many levels did you have? I am glad you are doing so well. Maybe someday I will feel that way. The nurse told me that I would have 3 months of hell. Oh i can't wait!!
Carmen I do not know how I can PM you. How do you get people's email addresses?

[Katie]

Carmen, click on the person's name over his/her picture. Usually there is a drop down menu that gives you an option to send a private message, to send and email, etc.

Sometimes people do not list their contact information when they are setting up their personal information. That does not allow us to contact them, but usually it is there. If worse comes to worse, just ask them to contact you...you have put that information with your name.

I am going to be having three fusions in my bottom lumbar levels, something I never thought I'd want. Sometimes life hands you cards that you didn't want, but you end up having a full house, a winning hand

[TallPaul]

Hi Carmen,

I too have degenerative scoliosis and need a fusion from T12-S1. I know that sounds like an awful lot of surgery but with a spinal deformity like scoliosis, you really aren't left with any other surgical options. It comes down to having the confidence in your doctor and understanding this is a life altering surgery. Hopefully it will be for the better. I too live in chicago and will be sending you a private message.

Best of luck,

Paul

[Carmen]

Terry, thanks for chiming in on this. I was afraid to give the same opinion and be construed as being negative, but I am also very concerned about this many levels of fusion. Obviously I know nothing of your case, Carmen, but strongly urge you to get a number of opinions on this, more than just two even.

Best wishes with whatever course you take, and we will be here to support you all the way.

Hi Katie,
All of the above posts have been right on target. I have received 2 opinions that have basically said the same thing. I guess I was hoping that one would say something different. I guess it does not matter if you go to a top back surgeon or a neurosurgen. I questioned the one today and lot of what he was saying was what I did not want to hear. What I did like that he said was that it would be a minimally invasive surgery coming in from the side. I am not sure what that is called. I have one more doctor to see. The day really wore me out. If I did not have someone drop me off while the person took my car and parked it I would have never been able to walk the distance it would have taken to do this. This particular hospital had no valet parking. (bummer) A lot of people were coming in on stretchers and wheel chairs. I was talking while I was waiting to this group of people and they were going to have a kidney transplant. The father was going to give his kidney to his son. In a couple of weeks I will be hearing what the last doctor has to say. Of course I will be disappointed if he says the same as the others. I will keep everyone posted, Carmen

[Cindylou]

Hi Carmen,

Do you have your surgery date yet? I have been thinking of you. I thought I saw a date somewhere, under someone elses thread, but now can't find it. I think you need to start a new thread under surgeries/fusion, so all your information is mostly contained in one place. It will be so much easier to follow your progress, etc.

If you are a Mother, Happy Mother's Day! I will keep you in my prayers with your upcoming surgery Carmen. My very best to you.....Cindylou