Spain / Germany
 

Cheryl0331

Hello Cheryl thanks for the reply, sounds like everything went great with Dr. Schmitz ! Probably a dumb question but in regards to being denied entry to Spain , did you actually make the flight there before you were denied only fly home then turn around and come back to Germany ? If so WOW , what a hassel and expence. Take care !

Gosh no!
 

Spanish border police made it very clear if you flew there; you could be held in detention until you could get a return flight back to the US on the same airline!
I could not afford to loose the airfare or time.
Their government told me out right; entry denied!

Do not go with....
 

Do not go with the premise that it's better to ask forgiveness than permission either!
You do not want to be in detention around a bunch of people and be dealing with your spine issues.

Limitations of a Teleconsult
 

Hi folks,

I just recieved the response below for Dr. Berhard Meyer, who is well regarded by the German medical establishment. Notice that he suggests that a tele-consult is not viable (for him anyway) and goes against German rules. That seems at odds with other clinics and info?

Also, this is the first I've heard that 2-level lumbar ADR is no longer a common prescription? Any thoughts? Looking for some clarity.
__________________________________________________ __________

"1. in case of a degenerative spine problem a remote diagnosis and coupling is not possible and not recommended by the guidelines in my country
2. in principle i do perform 2 level TDR but as a very very rare indication nowadays (opposed to 10 years ago)
3. yes we do treat many foreign patients; however due to local travel restrictions some problems may occur

best wishes

BM

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernhard Meyer"

I can't say but Laura and I've found many US doctors of various types who hide behind guidelines and "rules" to avoid tasks they do not wish to do. The telediagnosis you're seeking isn't 100% possible but it would be possible for a surgeon to write something like "Presentation of symptoms and imaging indicate that an in-person evaluation is necessary in an expeditious fashion in case further intervention is necessary to address condition before symptoms intensify."


Offering something like that to get you to their clinic might be something they'd buy into. On the other hand, COVID lockdowns have intensified in Germany in the past few days so it's unlikely you'd have an easy time getting in regardless of what was written by a surgeon

More common now
 

Because of the pandemic, many doctors around the world have been doing telamedicine. My PCP and my GYN both for example.
If one had to fly all the way to other counties to be evaluates first; this would be an expensive process. Okay, so this doctor is a German doctor.
Well, I would reach out to others; because it's being done all over Europe.

I will add my two cents for whatever it is worth. It looks like Dr Meyer is a well regarded nuero in Munich who teaches at the Uni Med Ctr. Many, if not most, of the European docs we see on this forum may have much more control or influence on the institutions where they do surgery. The German docs also seem to be from Northern Germany. Even some are in private hospitals. That may be a difference that causes Dr Meyer to raise hurdles. Or simply, like AP says, he doesn't really want to get involved.

Invoice
 

HI Cheryl

A quick question. Did the clinic supply a detailed quote prior to surgery so you knew what to expect and detailed invoice after surgery?

Thankyou

Hi Cheryl! I've been following your posts recently and I'm happy to hear you found Dr. Schmitz and got the right procedures done. I was wondering if you could share your knowledge and opinion on my situation.
I had 3 level c4- c7 M6 done in 2016 with Dr Bierstedt. perfect results. great execution, alignment, even the post op care was superb. last month the c4/5 level M6 device core seems from the xray to be failing.
I would like to do the revision with the same Dr., bu ss everyone here has experienced its very trying to communicate with Dr Bierstedt bc there's only one contact point and it can take forever to hear back if at all. I was told in a brief email I need a replacement device or possible cage.
I've been trying to reach the Dr to further discuss all the options but again communication channels are impossible.
So Im considering Dr Schmitz instead.
Is there any advice or knowledge you can share with me about Dr. Schmitz from personal experience?

Also how is his accessibility before and after the procedures when you have questions or concerns?
Thank You

Yes
 

The gave me a quote for a one level adr revision that included the hospital stay, meds, and food for patient. Quote was in Euros.