TBI 2 Level Info

[ouch1966]

I met with Dr. Blumenthal @ TBI yesterday.

Overall, I was very impressed.

He has done about 150 single level ADR's himself (more than anyone in the US). TBI has done 12 2-Level ADR's and he has done 6 of them himself. Nowhere near the experience of some of the surgeons in Europe but since I live in 10 miles from TBI I feel pretty fortunate. I asked about revisions since the very beginning of the trails. He said early on in the trails they had some problems.

He said about 10% of patients suffer from leg pain due to stretching of the nerves. He said it normally goes away after 6 weeks. I think people in this forum would disagree with this. However I wonder how many people have no issues and therefore have no reason to be on a Back Pain site. Is it possible the 10% of people are here?

He stated that I could expect to return to my job as a manager in about 3-4 weeks. (since I am not tied to a desk or forced to stand) I am still counting on 6-8 weeks, if I am back early, GREAT!

The hospital stay for TBI is two days. I talked with someone that had a two level done at TBI and he felt that two days was enough time to recover enough to go home. However patients travelling from out of town would likely stay an extra day or two.

When paying cash they break out a flat fee for the facility ($27,500). This fee covers the hospital stay regardless if it is two days, or five days. I imagine if you had serious complications and needed to stay for an extended period they would ask for additional $$.

Sorry for such a long post, but I thought some of you might find the information useful.

May 10th is my day.

[Alastair]

Hi Ouch!
I think this is great information especially to all USA members and it looks as if you are getting a "Good Deal" on the post op stay which is good. The fee seems good as well - - -please come back and tell us all more

Good Luck with the surgery
Best
Alastair

[domedude]

You mentioned the fees involved, and the flat fee for the facility, regardless of the length of stay. Do you have any concerns about additional dr fees or other fees if you run into complications? I've been told that if insurance doesn't cover the procedure, then it won't cover complications. Kind of leaves you open to additional fees, wouldn't you agree?

[ESL]

could you post your reference, Ouch, to Dr. Blumenthal being the most prolific ADR doc in the US with "only" 150 procedures and less than 15 2 levels.....It seems like there might be some docs in the US with more.......But I do not have rock solid evidence of such....If you have some, I would sure love to review it.

Mark....can you corroborate what Ouch is claiming for Dr. Blumenthal? Do you have good stats on procedure numbers for the most prolific US ADR docs?

[myprodisc]

Ouch, I wonder if those 2level stats are for charite? Dr Zigler has done over 50 2 level prodiscs.

You are very fortunate to live so close to TBI !!!

I stayed in the hosp two days, they would have prefered three but I wanted out. Then at a friends over in Garland for a week. I was "released" to travel home about ten days postop.

Does the fee cover the anesteseologist and access surgeon too? If so that is a great deal!

Scott

[mmglobal]

I know 4 who all claim top Charite' numbers...

I think I'll stay away from this issue.

Most of the ProDisc surgeons have substantial 2-level experience because the study included 2-level procedures. The Charite' surgeons just started multi-level procedures after the device was released by the FDA last October.

Mark

[ouch1966]

All Doctor fees (ortho surgeon, anesteseologist, access surgeon) and device fees are lumped into a $25,500 fee for a two-level (plus $27+ for facility fees). TBI requests payment two weeks prior to the surgery. This is specifically set up for patients paying cash. I realize it could probably be done in Europe for about $10k less (including travel). However, the 10 minutes away factor still comes into play for me.

[Kim]

Ouch
Does this mean all monies have to be paid 2 weeks prior to surgery? TBI and the facility? I understood when I talked with the ADR coordinator there some tima ago that they would set up some type of payment plan with you that would stretch over a matter of months. Please elaborate.
Thanks
Kim

[Linda]

Ouch,

I had a 2 level lumbar ProDisc at TBI back in October 2002. Trust me they have done way more than 12. That is probably just the Charite figure. Dr. Rashbaum did mine. I have since had a 2 level in Germany in January 2005 because Dr. Guyer at TBI could not do my 2 level cervical because of FDA. He recommended I see his good friend Rudy Bertagnoli. My 2 level lumbar has been great and I even learned to wakeboard after. I go for my 12 week post op check for my cervical 2 level tomorrow. I will see Dr. Guyer who is following me. I will post after I see him. I think things are going well for this surgery as well.

Linda
----------------------------
5 back & neck surgeries
L4/L5, L5/S1 ProDisc replacements 10/2002 TBI
C4/C5, C5/C6 ProDisc-C replacements 01/05 Germany

[ESL]

Ouch and others.....there is someone posting in another thread in this ADR forum that claims some doctor in the Northeast has done more ADRs than any other doc in the US....but Ouch says its Blumenthal in Texas........what is the truth about this?????????