Dynamic Stabilization System: DSS™--motion (non-fusion, 5/14/09, Dr. Bertagnoli)

**Justin** · 05-04-2009, 04:27 PM

Well, I'm having surgery on 5/14/09. The date is coming up quick. I thought I would start posting here, as I'll be posting while I am in Germany (and in the hospital too!).

Here's some information about the device that Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli will be implanting:

Surgical Recommendation

Dorsal intervention with microsurgical decompression at uppermost ADR

Then augmentation with a Dynamic Stabilization System, DSS™ (pedicle-screw based, non-fusion technology)

Philosophy of the DSS™ // Features of the DSS™ // Indication for the DSS™ // Patient Cases

I'll be updating this thread frequently up until my surgery and then after the operation.

Wish me luck!

**Gilbert P** · 05-04-2009, 10:36 PM

Justin

You are in my prayers and Good luck in your travels keep moving forward

Gilbert P

**Justin** · 05-09-2009, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Gilbert P

Justin

You are in my prayers and Good luck in your travels keep moving forward

Gilbert P

Thanks Gil! I'm heading to the airport in a couple of hours. I will be updating this thread frequently up until my surgery.

See everyone on the other side.

God bless,

**Katie** · 05-09-2009, 10:26 AM

All the best, Justin. Bless you for thinking of others even while you are in the middle of all this. And it is fascinating stuff!

Blessings to you and your family.

**treefrog** · 05-09-2009, 04:57 PM

Safe travels Justin. Good luck, hope this surgery is your last as a spine patient. Hope all your symptoms resolve quickly after surgery, and your recovery is quick and easy.

I'll be following your posts during this process, and look forward to hearing positive things from you.

All my best.

**Terry Newton** · 05-09-2009, 09:40 PM

Justin:

You are in Elizabeth's and my prayers. I hope you and Tiff get some relaxation over there as well as getting your spine fixed. It's a beautiful country as you are well aware and you deserve a little sight seeing in the process. I wish you all the best and hope that everything turns out wonderful for you. The site is in good hands and it is awesome. I hope it continues to grow and that the quality people that are here now will attract others in the process.

Hang in there my friend and I hope to hear from you soon on the other side.

Terry Newton

**Lynda** · 05-10-2009, 02:48 PM

All the very best to you Justin, hope this op is a great success. I was fortunate enough to go to SAS last week and got to play with the DSS, even chatted to Br Bertagnoli who reported that it is doing very well.

Looking forward to reading your experiences and will be thinking of you.

Congratulations and thanks too for setting up what looks like a GREAT forum.

Kind regards

Lynda

**Justin** · 05-10-2009, 03:39 PM

Thank you Lynda. I'm so jealous that you were able to go to SAS! We'll have talk after my surgery.

I just wanted to give everyone an update. The flight was good, but I'm really sore today. I'm headed to bed early, so I can get an early start to the day tomorrow. We are headed to Bogen tomorrow morning. My twin brother Jesse was nice enough to take off work and be with us during my operation. Tiff was all alone the last time I had surgery with Dr. Bertagnoli and it was nerve racking for her--I spent a couple extra hours in surgery due to TONS of scar tissue that needed to be removed once Dr. B was in.

The reality of my surgery has finally started to hit me--hard. My emotions have been all over the place. I'm holding all this in as to not worry Tiff. Please keep us in prayer. This has been a very difficult year for her to watch her husband become a shell of his former self.

I'll keep everyone posted, as the big day gets closer.

God bless,

**Fuzzy** · 05-11-2009, 03:48 AM

I wish you the best. Good to hear you have extra support with you!

**Justin** · 05-11-2009, 11:25 AM

Hey Everyone,

We made it to Bogen with the help of Mr. Hoch. He was a very nice man and a lot of fun to talk with on the trip from Munich.

Here's a couple pictures of Munich from today:

Marienplatz in Munich

mmmm...

My wife, Tiffany, and I grabbing a bier.

We are going to grab a quick bite after my pain meds kick in. Tomorrow we are off for some preoperative testing in Bogen. Then, on Wednesday I am admitted to the Hospital.

Thanks for the prayers and support!