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  #1  
Old 03-05-2013, 09:32 PM
Boxer78 Boxer78 is offline
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Default Conversation with bierstedt

Had an hour long talk with dr bierstedt today! Says he's performed over 3000 anterior replacements with various discs and close to 600 m6s. I was very impressed with his assessment. I asked him if he ever had an m6 that failed and he said not personally but heard at a conference that one failed and was reported to SK. He said its all about being the right candidate and some discs have better keels than others. He told me he has 95% success rate and I will be cleared for full activity with no limitations. I guess the ball is in my court now!
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L5 S 1 herniation burning feet groin pain. Undisgnosed for months finally getting answers.
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  #2  
Old 03-05-2013, 09:39 PM
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Lillyth Lillyth is offline
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Wow! That is great news!

BTW, Clavel also said he, personally, has not had a single failed M6. So that seems to be even more data on how amazing the M6 is!
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Multiple traumas to spine starting age 13.
1st American to have 6 ADR's in one surgery. C3-4 - C/7, & L5-S1 - L3-4.
Surgery w/ Dr. Clavel, 3/18/13, M6.
Before surgery: severe spinal stenosis C5/C6 (cord "flattened" per stateside doc), + for Hoffman's & Babinsky's.
At time of surgery: 5 yrs MAX before ending up in wheelchair.
Clavel found L5-S1 partially fused. Had to cut it apart to put in M6.
Please excuse brevity - SEVERE carpel tunnel.
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  #3  
Old 03-05-2013, 09:50 PM
Boxer78 Boxer78 is offline
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Yup!! Still waiting on clavel unreal I find it interesting that bierstedt says I only need one level when clavel said I had annular tears at 3 levels????
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L5 S 1 herniation burning feet groin pain. Undisgnosed for months finally getting answers.
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  #4  
Old 03-05-2013, 10:19 PM
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Lillyth Lillyth is offline
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Yeah, but then, Dr. Clavel wants to do all six of mine instead of the "wait and see" that a lot of other docs want to do about some of the levels. Another thing to consider is how many times you can afford to go overseas. If you can afford to do it multiple times, then wait and see is just fine. One of the main reasons I wanted to do all six at once is that we can afford this ONCE. I cannot wait and see. If I did that, I would not be able to have it done later. Especially now that it seems we will not get that much money back from Uncle Sam and we may even be going into debt for this.
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Multiple traumas to spine starting age 13.
1st American to have 6 ADR's in one surgery. C3-4 - C/7, & L5-S1 - L3-4.
Surgery w/ Dr. Clavel, 3/18/13, M6.
Before surgery: severe spinal stenosis C5/C6 (cord "flattened" per stateside doc), + for Hoffman's & Babinsky's.
At time of surgery: 5 yrs MAX before ending up in wheelchair.
Clavel found L5-S1 partially fused. Had to cut it apart to put in M6.
Please excuse brevity - SEVERE carpel tunnel.
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  #5  
Old 03-05-2013, 10:27 PM
Boxer78 Boxer78 is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 393
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Yes your so right!! He said my discs above L5 look good no loss of height and thinks they will be less stressed with new disc below?? Idk my head is starting to spin
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L5 S 1 herniation burning feet groin pain. Undisgnosed for months finally getting answers.
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  #6  
Old 03-05-2013, 10:56 PM
Lillyth's Avatar
Lillyth Lillyth is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxer78 View Post
Yes your so right!! He said my discs above L5 look good no loss of height and thinks they will be less stressed with new disc below?? Idk my head is starting to spin
I'm with you brother! I just found out the tax thing works differently than I thought. I thought we were getting it all back. Nope. We get back whatever the government withheld, which is only a fraction of the total cost. I think I am going to puke.
__________________
Multiple traumas to spine starting age 13.
1st American to have 6 ADR's in one surgery. C3-4 - C/7, & L5-S1 - L3-4.
Surgery w/ Dr. Clavel, 3/18/13, M6.
Before surgery: severe spinal stenosis C5/C6 (cord "flattened" per stateside doc), + for Hoffman's & Babinsky's.
At time of surgery: 5 yrs MAX before ending up in wheelchair.
Clavel found L5-S1 partially fused. Had to cut it apart to put in M6.
Please excuse brevity - SEVERE carpel tunnel.
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  #7  
Old 03-05-2013, 11:27 PM
newleaseonlife newleaseonlife is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 101
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Boxer78, I'll be watching to see what you decide. I am hoping that you can get everything sorted ASAP!

Lillyth, gentle hugs for you. I am not an accountant, so I don't fully understand the whole tax thing. I am so sorry to see you so upset by this whole thing. Thinking positive thoughts for you, right now!!
__________________
02/2010- Car accident resulting in C4/C5 & L5/S1 bulging and extruding discs.

06/2012- Successful ADR surgery for C4/C5 disc in Cyprus using PCM by NuVasive. Performed by Dr. Mark Peterson through the help of AIMIS.

09/2012- Successful Disctectomy of L5/S1also performed by Dr. Mark Peterson.
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  #8  
Old 03-05-2013, 11:46 PM
Lillyth's Avatar
Lillyth Lillyth is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 679
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Thank you. It's a LOT of money to pay out of pocket and not get back from anywhere. Maybe I can submit to my insurance company? I doubt if they will pay though. Not for six freaking levels when they won't approve two.
__________________
Multiple traumas to spine starting age 13.
1st American to have 6 ADR's in one surgery. C3-4 - C/7, & L5-S1 - L3-4.
Surgery w/ Dr. Clavel, 3/18/13, M6.
Before surgery: severe spinal stenosis C5/C6 (cord "flattened" per stateside doc), + for Hoffman's & Babinsky's.
At time of surgery: 5 yrs MAX before ending up in wheelchair.
Clavel found L5-S1 partially fused. Had to cut it apart to put in M6.
Please excuse brevity - SEVERE carpel tunnel.
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  #9  
Old 03-05-2013, 11:53 PM
Boxer78 Boxer78 is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 393
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Thxxx newleaseonlife!!!! So ur saying just the tax you pay? In this country or tax on surgery in Spain?? This sucks!! Drop 80k and get jack sh** back blaaaaaahhh
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L5 S 1 herniation burning feet groin pain. Undisgnosed for months finally getting answers.
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  #10  
Old 03-05-2013, 11:53 PM
MikeC MikeC is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 72
Default Dr Bierstedt

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxer78 View Post
Had an hour long talk with dr bierstedt today! Says he's performed over 3000 anterior replacements with various discs and close to 600 m6s. I was very impressed with his assessment. I asked him if he ever had an m6 that failed and he said not personally but heard at a conference that one failed and was reported to SK. He said its all about being the right candidate and some discs have better keels than others. He told me he has 95% success rate and I will be cleared for full activity with no limitations. I guess the ball is in my court now!
Boxer, wow! I had submitted my MRI to Dr Bierstedt but I only spoke to Malte Petersen, and he did not suggest that I speak to Dr Bierstedt. Was there a charge for the consultation? I had trouble finding much information about Dr Bierstedt on the internet. What is your overall impression? Best regards, Mike
__________________
Feb 2011; X-ray + diagnosis; Spinal Stenosis
Physical Therapy + Oral Steroids
March 2011: MRI
April 2011: 2 level laminotomy; L4/L4 & L5/S1
More PT, pain meds and injections.
...and 2014, still researching ADR.
February 2014: endoscopic foraminotomy, Dr Bitan

Last edited by MikeC; 03-05-2013 at 11:54 PM. Reason: spelling errors
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