Scheduled with Dr. B.

[annec]

Hi everyone--
I've been away from the forum for a long time. This morning I've been reading a lot of your posts and I feel very encouraged. I had a really rough couple of months this fall. To make a long story short, I'm scheduled to have ADR with Dr. Bertagnoli in Straubing on January 10. It's a huge decision but I believe it is the right one for me. I have a discography scheduled with him on the 9th to determine if I will have one or two level ADR at L45, L5-S1. I have no idea how long I will need to stay post-op but it seems like the average is about a week. I'm planning to stay in Straubing.
Any tips would be appreciated. I plan to share my experience from this point forward in the hope it will help someone else, as all of your stories have done for me.
Thanks, everyone.
annec

DDD L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1
Failed Endoscopic discectomy 7/04
ADR scheduled with Dr. B. on 1/10/05

Hi, Annec, I am so glad I decided to check this site. I am just starting the process to go to Dr.B! I have so many questions on that process and it looks like you may be able to answer some. The big one is how long after they got your films did you get a date???? I have sent the filled out questionaire but not until today when I see my local surgeon can I then send off films and his reports. I am assuming it will take a week or so for them to even look at the stuff after they get it but I am dying to know how long I will have to wait until I actually can go. It has taken alot of deciding same as you to actually go do such a scarey thing! But now that I have decided i want to get withthe program!!!!Another question is, how much money have they said it will be for one (or two if you need it)? They just gave me a rough esimate of 26,000-28,000 for a 2 level,which I need.How much of that do you have to send up front? Also do they get reservations to a hotel or are you responsible for that yourself? As you can see I am tense and I haven't even a date like you LAUGH! I sure hope I will be going at the same time as other Americans. Sure would be nicer....
sorry for the grilling!
Wish you the best. I feel we have picked the best!
Leslie

[letteski]

Hi Ann,

Congratulations on your big decision. Sorry to hear you have been suffering this fall. You will be in the best of hands and in the end that is what maters most. I know you have done your research and followed a few of a through the last few months. I will be there for you as you have for me.

Read Justin�s post-op journals in the Surgical Recovery Form. This should give you some ideas of the post-op experience w/ Dr B.

My advice would be to have a good PM doc at home that can send you with meds you may need post-op there is no need to suffer anymore.

Happy Holidays and keep us posted

[Alastair]

Hi annec,
we have all sorts in the FAQs which are specifically about how to prepare prior to a surgery and post surgery. And also a section of how to prepare your home for your return.

http://www.adrsupport.org/private-cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cg...t_topic;f=6;t=000048

I would suggest you poke your nose in their and have a look, there also is the experience of Justin who had his surgery with Dr B. on these pages and is just a recent posting. Good luck with your surgery
Best,
Alastair

[Harrison]

Annec, you are in great hands...I wish you a "gute reise" and a peaceful, lucid and happy recovery!

Let me know if I can help!

Annec,

You are in good hands. I just returned from Straubing on Monday and had a wonderful experience. There were probably 4-5 other Americans there during my time so you are definately not blazing a new trail.

I think your best bet is to communicate with Anita Pelludat on Dr. B's staff. She is an American that is the liason for International patients. She will help you with hotels, length of stay, etc . . . If you ask questions like this to the patient-affairs email address that I'm sure they gave you, then Anita will answer. She was a big help to us.

-----------------------
Tom
Dec 6, 2005 - Pro-Disc L5-S1
Dr. Bertagnoli - Staubing, Germany

[annec]

Thanks for all the input. I will take all your advice to heart. Alistair, I made copies of the FAQs and intend to memorize them!!
I have a good PT here at home when the time is right. In the meantime, my plane reservations are made and my passport is one the way.

I appreciate this forum!!!
anne

[djscal]

Ann,

Best of luck with the surgery on 1/10. I'm hoping it will be a completely successful surgery and an easy recovery for you. You are going to have the surgery done by the best of the best, which should give lots of confidence. Keep us posted and thanks for all of your support.

Dan

[marilyn]

I just wanted to comment about a Dr. Schiffer in Fremont, California.
He does endoscopic discectomies combined with the IDET. His website still claims that he has a 90% success rate.
NO ONE else combines these surgeries. I had them and it ruined my spine to the point that I had to have ADR in three areas. L3-5. Most doctors will not do the IDET.
Dr. Schiffer is a duck (quack quack). He was really awful to me after he screwed my back up. I was unable to drive for five months. I could hardly function, walk, do bodily functions, dress myself etc. I finally got him to refer me to a pain management dr. I was on that until ADR.
DO NOT go to Dr. Schiffer!!

[annapurna]

Four years ago, we were told that European surgeons were moving away from IDET due to poor success rates. There are far more successful replacements for it, like Yeung's SED, but I'd advise anyone to avoid IDET and question visiting any doctor that still uses it.