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Davo 03-09-2011 06:19 PM

Double ADR Surgery
 
Hello all!

I'm really happy to have found this amazing community! What a wealth of knowledge and information.

I've been suffering from back pain for about 14 years. 10 years ago I had an MRI and was diagnosed with DDD. I was told that I would probably need surgery when I was older (I was 23 then). Stretching, PT, and drugs were prescribed to help with the pain. My back would still "flare up" a couple times a year and cause me severe pain for a week or so. These became more and more frequent. A couple weeks ago, I had another one while bowling, but this one was different because of the pain, numbness, weakness and tingling going down my right leg. (Side note: I don't have insurance.) I was scared enough to go to a doctor and get an MRI (I posted some pictures on my profile). Turns out that I my L4/L5 was severely ruptured and pushing on my spinal cord. My L5/S1 was very degenerated as well. The doctor said that I needed surgery very soon. My only options were a discectomy or spinal fusion. I asked him about ADR and he told me that I had 2 bad discs and that only doing 1 ADR wouldn't help me. So why not do 2? He said it was impossible. I was not happy with these options. If I was going to go under the knife, I wanted it done right the first time.

I did some research and determined that a double ADR is what I truly wanted, despite what the doctor told me. During my research, I found Dr. Bertagnoli and was very impressed by the testimonials on youtube and his website. I sent him my files and Tim Vicknair called me the next day and said that they wanted to see me immediately for double ADR and that they would expedite the process by bumping less critical patients. I was risking permanent nerve damage with the herniation pushing on my spinal cord. I was a bit scared, but relieved that my I was a candidate for ADR.

I can't get insurance coverage now because of my preexisting condition, so if I was to pay for a discectomy or fusion it would cost well over $100K. Not to mention that I didn't want a quick fix type of surgery, I wanted a long term solution. So I decided to bite the bullet of the high price tag of $50K, and I'm headed to Germany on Monday (3.14.11) and will have the double ADR procedure on Friday (3.18.11.) $50K is a lot, but considerably less than what I would pay in the US for a surgery I didn't want or believe in.

I'm excited and anxious about this 2 week adventure. I will update next week after my surgery. I don't really know what to expect when I get there or what will happen after I am discharged. Until then, if anyone has any advice from their German experience I would greatly appreciate it!

Cheers!

srajan0929 03-10-2011 12:08 AM

hi
 
wow. i am in the same boat as you. i am 27 however. 3 years ago i had two level disectonomy done and my back has flared up again. i am considering this procedure. please update after the surgery. i dont know how i am going to cough up 50 k. but i will try

2 Young 2 Hurt Like This 03-10-2011 12:14 AM

Hi there

I haven't been on here for awhile and I just saw your post. I had a 2 level adr at levels L3-4-5 on april 20 2010 at olympia medical center by dr carl lauryssen. If i can be any help to you please let me know. I was scared to have the surgery but found comfort in knowing I had a great surgeon. At the end of the day my bill was over 200,000 mostly from the 4 days in the hospital. My thoughts and best wishes go out to you and your family. You are gonna need them more than you know. I posted everything I went through right after the surgery.

http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f47...rt-like-10569/

~Liz

Jstuckey 03-10-2011 10:18 AM

Get well soon!
 
Best wishes Davo! I'll be sending you happy thoughts and positive mojo on Friday the 18th.

Harrison 03-12-2011 02:19 AM

Welcome, Davo. Wow, you are ready to go already! There's lot to know about the German experience, so keep reading the forums....7 years of posts! Do you have specific questions!

Liz, $200,000?! Really? What were your out of pocket costs? Gosh. :sus:

2 Young 2 Hurt Like This 03-12-2011 01:42 PM

Harrison,

I was on a lein for the surgery through my lawyer. Once my case settled all my medical was paid before I got my part of the money. The total for ONLY the disc replacement was approximately $202,000. The hospital stay alone was approximately $186,000 which was for 4 days. The rest was for the actual surgery and use of the OR. As of now I pay outta pocket for any further care and do not have health insurance.

~Liz

jss 03-21-2011 09:41 AM

Davo,

The suspense is killing us! How'd the surgery go?

Good luck, Jeff

ThomasL 04-11-2011 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 Young 2 Hurt Like This (Post 88617)
Harrison,

I was on a lein for the surgery through my lawyer. Once my case settled all my medical was paid before I got my part of the money. The total for ONLY the disc replacement was approximately $202,000. The hospital stay alone was approximately $186,000 which was for 4 days. The rest was for the actual surgery and use of the OR. As of now I pay outta pocket for any further care and do not have health insurance.

~Liz

That price is unreal! I had a 2 level in the US for about $40k. That hospital should be ashamed for ripping you off!!!

Davo 05-07-2011 01:15 AM

Sorry for the delayed response to my original post... I'm 6 week post-op and I'm loving life! I'm riding my motor cycle and looking to play golf very soon! My surgery was so awesome, I'm not sure I can even put it into words. Dr. Bertagnoli and his staff were the epitome or professionalism. The German nurses were very caring. It was a true bargain for the $48K I spent to get my life back.

Here's a quick re-cap of my trip... I arrived at the Munich airport with my dad and the driver (Mr.Hoch) was right there to meet us as expected. He drove us down the Autobahn at 100+mph to Bogen. He was very friendly and spoke English very well. He took us to our B&B outside of town. The next day he picked us up and took us to the hospital. Laxative day! Not fun. No food. The laxatives were quite gentle though. Gotta clear out the intestines so they can have easy access to the spine. Tim Vicknair was there to meet us and guide me through the check-in process. Very professional. Early the next morning, I changed into my compression socks and hospital gown. Off to surgery. 2 hours later, I was back in my room. I was a bit woosey and slept most of the day. I didn't like the catheter part. So the next day when the nurse came in, she asked if I wanted to get up and use the bathroom, I was very willing. She took out my catheter and I walked to use the facilities. I was still a bit discombobulated, but I was able to walk up and down the hall. A miracle! I was walking with no limp and no more pain in my right leg! I think I stayed in the hospital for 2 more days. They make you take laxatives several times a day to make sure your bowels are moving again after the traumatic surgery. The gas pains were probably the worst with the compression back brace that you wear after surgery. The food wasn't very good and I lost a lot of weight. I was discharged shortly thereafter and we went to stay in Straubing for a couple of days before a final meeting with the surgeon. Everything was top-notch, so we headed to Munich for some sight seeing, beer and brats. The flight back to the US was WAY better than the flight to Germany. I was in a lot less pain.

So, here I am back in the US 6 weeks later. No pain, weakness, numbness or complications. It was the best medical experience of my life! I'm going to be riding my Harley up to Sturgis this summer. Something I couldn't have done before my surgery. I thank Dr. Bertagnoli for that. He's also a Harley rider!

Please let me know if I can answer any questions for you. I wish I got a commission for sending people to ProSpine. I've already told so many people about my successful adventure. I'm just glad I can help others see the alternative light to US options.

Cheers!

-David


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