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View Full Version : Ritter-Lang and Stenum vs. Bertagnoli/M6 vs Activ-L


Nestletea
11-27-2016, 09:56 PM
As I continue to research, the waters seem to get muddier and muddier. Has anyone had a good outcome with Ritter-Lang? It seems that the bad reviews are older posts. Is there anyone that has recently utilized him? How was the experience/outcome?

Then I move to Bertagnoli - he sounds like a brilliant surgeon with tons and tons of experience. However, he is using the prodisc L. This is even behind the US approval of Activ-L. I realize that he holds the patent for the prodisc, but am wondering why he wouldn't be utilizing the newer FDA device?

Finally, the endless research on M6-L vs. a disc that does not need to be placed with cutting into the spine for placement. Although the activ-L is semi-constrained, it is looking like it might be a better option than the less constrained M6-L. ADR surgery at L5/S1 looks as though it is a much more difficult decision.

I am a researched based person who holds a masters degree and this is absolutely driving me crazy. I would appreciate any clarification anyone has.

Blizzaga
12-19-2016, 05:03 PM
Don't know if you already found the answers in other posts, but there was one thing I wanted to mention. If a surgeon brags about doing ADR in less than an hour operation, it should raise some red flags regarding the quality of the operation. Operation time is typically three hours, about, so I doubt there would be a surgeon so "superior" that he can do it three to four times as fast without cutting corners...

Nestletea
12-19-2016, 10:00 PM
I have narrowed my search down to Bierstedt or Clavel. Do you have any insight on these two surgeons?

Harrison
12-19-2016, 11:29 PM
Use the advanced search -- you will find hundreds of posts. :shedance:

drewrad
12-22-2016, 12:57 AM
My surgery was quick for a 3 level lumbar hybrid. 1 hr 45 minutes. My surgical notes had my upper two disectomies being done at the same time at 3/4/5 with ronguers. Then halo was lifted up and reset almost like a second surgery for the L5/S1 fusion. Fast work.

Nestletea
12-23-2016, 06:02 PM
I have done a ton of research and been able to compile what I have learned about each of the surgeons listed above:

Ritter-Lang - I have completely taken him off of my list. His surgery prediction is one hour and I have read many many negative reviews. His assistant for the US is very persistent and calls to check in. His quote was great, but it sounds more like an assembly line. He implants the M6-L.

Zeegers - He sounds like an amazing surgeon and spoke to me on the phone after I put in a request for him to review my medical records. I keep reading reviews that he provides the "perfect diagnosis." However, many individuals have lost money and never received his evaluation. He sounds brilliant, but I refuse to be out $1000 and not get a timely response. He implants the ActivL.

Bertagnoli - I have also removed him from my list of potential surgeons. He developed the prodisc-L. When I inquired if he would be willing to implant the Activ-L, he said he would, but has strong reservations regarding this disc. Then I received a voicemail from his US assistant stating that ActivL basically stole his design and they are extremely similar.

That narrows it down to Bierstedt and Clavel. Bierstedt's pricing is great and he is more than willing to implant the ActivL instead of the M6. His post-op treatments are amazing and I have read great success stories. Clavel's last response was that he really prefers the M6-L and never answered me as to whether he would implant the ActivL.

So here is something scary I have learned from all of my overseas evaluations:

I had an evaluation completed by James Yue for ActivL and Rolando Garcia for ActivL. They co-developed the disc together. Both said that I look like a good candidate, but did bring up the concern that I have had 2 c-sections and a hysterectomy, which can make the anterior approach much more difficult. These procedures were listed on all of my evaluations for Germany/Spain and not one of them mentioned any possible complications due to these prior surgeries. I have e-mailed them each back again ask their perspectives.

For now, my number 1 option is Dr. Rolando Garcia in Miami Florida to perform a lumbar disc replacement with the ActivL at L5/S1. I am most impressed with his research, his experience, and expertise! Dr. Garcia also talked about M6 failures that have occurred in the lumbar region, where the artificial disc has actually failed.

Harrison
12-23-2016, 10:33 PM
Hi, I will combine this topic with another one in the same forum. This will help reduce clutter and help others respond to your topics. :look:

(now merged)

Nestletea
02-22-2017, 07:50 PM
After going through a horrible experience with Florida Blue, I have decided on Dr. Clavel! He truly is an amazing surgeon and his assistant Yolanda is phenomenal to work with. She has literally booked everything for me, except flights. I am thrilled with my decision and will leave for Spain and have surgery on March 15th.

FutureRobot
02-27-2017, 07:07 PM
Awesome news! Good luck.

ANDREH
02-28-2017, 12:22 AM
Good luck! It took me a couple of years to decide, and this support group helped me a lot (actually a lot is an understatement, so many great patients that did a lot of research that help you in your decision making process). I have also chosen Clavel for my cervical adr (between 2 fusions). I am schedule for march 6th. I've been to 2 already mentioned names in this websites and I have the impression that currently Clavel is one of our best choices there. I am sure there are many gifted surgeons on our planet, but for now I would stick with Clavel!

tijeladeacai
08-13-2017, 11:10 PM
After going through a horrible experience with Florida Blue, I have decided on Dr. Clavel! He truly is an amazing surgeon and his assistant Yolanda is phenomenal to work with. She has literally booked everything for me, except flights. I am thrilled with my decision and will leave for Spain and have surgery on March 15th.

I thought you liked Dr.Rolando. What happened?

Nestletea
08-15-2017, 06:54 PM
I had my heart set on Rolando Garcia, but Florida Blue denied the procedure. I could not afford his cost without insurance. I feel truly blessed to have been able to use Dr. Clavel in Spain. He truly is a miracle worker.

CYN9060
05-19-2018, 04:11 PM
If you still come on this board (it looks to me like a lot of people are gone just hen I need answers) do you mind telling me what tipped you away from ONZ and to Clavel for your overseas ADR? Thanks

Nestletea
05-21-2018, 08:10 PM
I did a ton of research on surgical outcomes. Clavel always came out ahead. I also was able to speak with several individuals in the states that used Clavel and has great success stories. He really is a miracle worker! I am just over a year post surgery and am 95% back to my normal self! Barcelona and Hospital Quiron Salud are beautiful. Clavel was very patient and answered all of my questions. The other options were more about the money and seeing how many surgeries they can push through each day. Clavel limits himself to two international surgeries per day. Please feel free to contact me with any other questions. I have not been on this board in a long time. However, I feel like I am here to help and it is my calling. :)

CYN9060
05-26-2018, 12:47 AM
Thanks Nestletlea

How were the night nurses when you were there, were they prompt with your pain meds? I just heard a horror story from someone there now about a total lack of care from the night time hospital staff. Many of us contacted Yolanda about and I am hoping she and Dr Clavel are looking into it.

Nestletea
05-30-2018, 07:31 AM
I am going to be honest - the nursing care was definitely subpar when it came to pain management. I had been on so many pain medications before going that I am not sure how well they could have controlled my pain. However, I ended up on the overflow floor and the nurses did not speak any English. It would take hours to get medications and I was in tears. I did write a letter to the Hospital and also spoke in depth to Yolanda and Dr. Clavel about my experience. They were extremely apologetic. Just like in the states, you have to stay on top of the medications given. I wrote everything down. At one point, they had a shift change and tried to double medicate me. Luckily, the translator was in the room at that point and stopped the error. They do not scan in meds into a computer system like they do in the US, so you are depending on paper pencil record keeping. Even as poor as the nursing care was, I would go back in a heartbeat, if I ever had back or neck issues again.

scoop302
05-30-2018, 11:12 PM
I would agree with Nestletea. Dr Clavel is great. When I went, Yolanda was on maternity leave, so I had no one to talk with. I refused any extra pain meds except what is in the IV. After being in so much pain for years, I just really wanted to quit taking meds. The good thing is the translator is there, the bad, she was only there the first night. After that, I can definitely see how things can get out of control. When it was time for me to leave, no one came into the room to get me, so I went down to the nurses station to get the IV removed. Granted, I could have waited longer, but I am an whole that way, and I just wanted to get the heck out. I have been in hospitals here in the states, my fusion was done here and other things, and while the staff is not as attentive, I would go back to Clavel. I just prefer a doctor that talks to you like a person and not a patient.

phillyjoe
05-31-2018, 04:00 PM
i felt that nursing care was at least as good as in the US and I didn't speak any Spanish. My night translator was a very nice young college student but she basically could sleep through a freight train. Finally the nurses had to come - which they didn't immediately come because they relied on the translator in the room connected to mine. But I didn't need any pain killers for my 3 level other than steroids and NSAIDS- I was just freezing from the AC and needed it turned down! Once you estasblish a relationship, even with the help of google translate, you find that these folks are very caring and warm - don't worry, they won't let you suffer. I went there alone, with hibernating translator for just one night (she asked if she could skip the second night to go out with her friends- why not? I wish I was going along...)