anyone had multilevel Prodisc C with Dr. Lauryssen?

[nornie73]

Have an appt with Dr. Lauryssen in Sept. Anyone been to him for single or multilevel Prodisc C? First impressions with his staff were great, which was a nice surprise. Fit us in for appt in 2 weeks since we're from out of town, whereas here in Sacramento takes 8 weeks for a consult.
Hoping he's very experienced and can help. Tried to make appt with Regan but does not accept HMO's and won't give me a cash quote until surgery is scheduled.

thanks!

[Tyler]

Hi Nornie,

I met with Dr. Lauryssen in August for a two-level ADR but ended up going with the M6-C disc. He was the lead investigator for M6 in the United States but he can't implant it or really advise since it's not yet approved by the FDA. But I know he works with ProDisc and I generally liked and respected him as a doc.

Have you guys already the appointment?

Wishing you and your husband the best,
Tyler

[nornie73]

Hi Tyler,

We had the appointment last Wednesday. We were quite impressed and are working on scheduling surgery with Dr. Lauryssen for next week, hopefully. Just trying to get all the pre-op stuff done this week. He is not sure whether Bob can get 2 levels b/c his disk space is quite narrow in C6-7,the trapezoidal shape of that vertebra, and osteopenia, etc. So, he will probably end up with hybrid and worst case a double fusion. he just doesn't know for sure until he opens him up, and a big reason we are going to him is b/c of his judgment and experience. So far, I have been impressed with his staff and the hospital's, and since we are paying cash they have been helpful in giving us a cash discount price. I am very glad I found Dr. L, and Bob is just looking forward to being out of pain. It has been quite a year.
Thank you for asking and I'll let you all know how it goes!
-Laura

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by nornie73

Hi Tyler,

We had the appointment last Wednesday. We were quite impressed and are working on scheduling surgery with Dr. Lauryssen for next week, hopefully. Just trying to get all the pre-op stuff done this week. He is not sure whether Bob can get 2 levels b/c his disk space is quite narrow in C6-7,the trapezoidal shape of that vertebra, and osteopenia, etc. So, he will probably end up with hybrid and worst case a double fusion. he just doesn't know for sure until he opens him up, and a big reason we are going to him is b/c of his judgment and experience. So far, I have been impressed with his staff and the hospital's, and since we are paying cash they have been helpful in giving us a cash discount price. I am very glad I found Dr. L, and Bob is just looking forward to being out of pain. It has been quite a year.
Thank you for asking and I'll let you all know how it goes!
-Laura

Laura -

I very much share your admiration for Dr. Lauryssen and believe it's well-founded. In fact, one of the other key docs I met with is Steve Garfin who is Chair of Orthopedics at the University of California, San Diego (who I really liked but doesn't work with artificial discs in his current practice). Steve not only initially recommended Lauryssen but when I ended up with multiple opinions from having consulted multiple surgeons, he again suggested that I meet with Dr L and strongly consider following his advice - so he effectively became my 'tie-breaker.'

I also credit Dr L with having convinced me to not try a superficially less-invasive approach - posterior access foraminotomy, which initially seemed an attractive alternative to discectomy. Carl strongly believed, and the more I talked to others it seemed right, that the so-called minimally-invasive approach had much less likelihood of successfully resolving my situation for the longer term - and even worse would likely have had some negative impact on the surrounding structure to gain what would be only partial space for the nerve (something I didn't appreciate at the time and the minimally-invasive advocates didn't really point out).

Ultimately, Dr L and I both wished he could have done the M6 implants for me and even considered the possibility of doing the operation across the border in Mexico - but as much as liked Carl I didn't want to be the proverbial 'guinea pig' especially in Tijuana (although it would have been nice to be 20 miles from home).

So I strongly believe Bob will be in great hands - sending best wishes for next week!

Tyler