[laid up doc]

i'm not sure if it has to do with being miffed or feeling snubbed as much as taking on some element of risk in following up someone on whom you didn't operate... that's the best i can come up with as far as why a surgeon wouldn't "follow" you.

every surgeon i saw here in the US agreed ADR was a good option for me but that i couldn't and/or shouldn't have a prodisc (some reasons unique to me and some not). keep in mind i had a LUMBAR issue, so not directly translatable to another person and one with cervical issues. the most experience ADR surgeon i saw told me that my best option was to go overseas, but that he couldn't be my official f/u.

i found a pain doc to "follow" me, aka write me orders for PT, do any necessary trigger point injections, and write me scripts for zanaflex, valium, and flexeril. he glances at my xrays but doesn't really know what he's looking at beyond what i tell him. Clavel reviews them very promptly and they're super easy to send.

pre-op dr visit, chest xray, blood work were covered by my insurance, i think my pcp coded the visit to not raise red flags.

i did have a wound issue about 3 wks post-op, had to go to the ED and see a general surgeon then wound dr then plastic surgeon to have it resolved. my insurance covered everything w/o asking any questions. i was totally honest w/ all dr's i saw about what was going on.

all of my post-op PT was covered w/o issue, by 2 different carriers b/c i took a new job.

you won't know for sure what any policy will cover til you file it... but you can find out what your PT benefits are etc beforehand.

all of that being said - you COULD have problems seeing dr's if there are complications... fortunately staying a week or so post-op reduces if not eliminates those risks, b/c once the implant is in, it's in...

hope that helps.