"Simply Amazing" Surgery July 21, 2005

[soreback]

I am posting this for my wife. She had L5 replaced with a Prodisc at 11:00 a.m. on July 21, 2005. We were released from St John's this morning (July 24, 2005) at 9:30 a.m.

Dr. Delamarter, his assistants (Valerie & Kevin), and the nursing staff at St John's (post op) said that she was well ahead of the game througout her entire stay with them. Two other doctors also observed the operation.

Her highest pain level was a 4 and most of the time she was running a 1-2.

After taking her off of Dilantin she was offered 2 vicodin but would only take one at a time.

The nurses were amazed that she did not even go through one tube of Dilantin total but that another guy with the exact same surgery went through 3 tubes during one nursing shift.

We are now staying at a hotel until her first doctor's visit (hopefully this Thursday) before we take the long car ride home.

I spoke with Dr. Delamarter right after the surgery and he said that she breezed through it. He said that the removed disc was in nasty shape and that the new Prodisc went right in and the xray showed very good positioning.

The doctors biggest concern is that she is going to try to do too much too fast so I have to keep a tight hold on the reins.

I noticed that on a recent post someone asked what to bring with them and what helped the most.

In this case it was a no brainer. Prayer! My wife had many people praying for her surgery and the last thing that she asked before going under was "did Dr. Delamarter believe in God?" Thankfully the answer was yes.

Hopefully her recovery will continue to be a success and we wish all of you the best in your fight for better spines and less pain.

A few days before surgery I told a friend of mine that my wife was going in for back surgery and he said "if you don't beleive in God now would be a good time to start". Good advice, I believe.

[Laura C]

Dear Soreback,

I am so happy for your wife that she has found relief. My best to her. I think that it is important for you to help her ease into her activity. You are a very supportive husband - thank God for husbands like you - I've got one too!!

I saw Dr. Delamarter for a second opinion - does he only do Prodic? Did your insurance cover and if so, what kind do you have?

Good luck to the both of you!!

[Mariaa]

Soreback,
Thanks for posting regarding your wife's surgery~
I had a consultation at St.John's with Dr.Bae in the summer of '04 and have considered having surgery there...

So glad to hear your wife is did so wonderfully with surgery and that's great advice re getting hold of the reigns post op recovery, as well as the part about prayer..

Give your wife my best from one spinal case to another (altho she's now ahead of me having had the ADR surgery)..good luck with continuing recovery~ and thank you again for posting, Maria

[soreback]

LauraC

Dr. D will also do the Charite procedure because i was in dilema for awhile as to which procedure to do, because one (the Charite) has had a few claims paid by BCross (my insurance PPO). Unfortunately the PRODISC is still in clinical trial and I was told by BC that no insurance companies will cover any procedures that are not FDA approved.

After long consideration, my husband and I decided first on Dr. D as the best surgeon in the states (for me anyways) and second we decided on the PRODISC.

Unfortunately all $40,000 plus is out of pocket

[letteski]

soreback

I am so glad you have done so well and had such a great experience with Dr D and his staff. It is very comforting. As you can see from my signature I will be one month and a few day behind you and feel great about my decision to go with Dr D and the ProDisc. Weather the insurance is on board or not.

I would not be in this situation if it were not for God guiding me through this tremendous journey. I made a few wrong turns along the way but through prayer and faith God has narrowed my path and sent me in this direction. It�s Great to know that Dr D knows the big guy too.

I will have to stay in Santa Monica for 2-weeks. If you find some great walks, restaurants, things that you can do I would love to know. You can PM me anytime. I will be with my parents, sister and friends it�s a family affair. Would like to keep them busy.

God Bless and rest well

You should still try to get reimbursed from your ins. co. Request an itemized bill from your hospital and Dr. and turn them in for payment. It worked for me and my Charite was not FDA approved at the time. It is worth a try.

Imangine how good your wife's back will feel if you get some of that $40,000 back. Good luck

Pat

[gary]

i'm 3yrs post-op from DrD,a 2 level prodisc, in the trials... he's the best in my book..........