New to ADR - considering surgery in April

[NJ Gene]

Thank you TPatti and Newleaseonlife. To Newleaseonlife, where are you located? If you prefer I can send you a PM if you don't want to answer me publicly. I am inclined to consider Cyrpus, because the surgeon with whom I had my last fusion here in the U.S. endorses it. However, I don't want to rule out Dr. Clavel either. I've heard great things from TPatti and others. Here is one question, why is Dr. Clavel on Dr Ritter-Lang's website? According to Sue, he is a "partner" but that website pushes Germany and Stenum. They also have a location in Berlin, but less available surgery dates there. If I consider Dr. Clavel, should I go through Sue or directly through Dr. Clavel's office? With both Cyprus and Dr. Clavel, is there a way to electronically send my MRI images to them? Also, with respect to Cyprus, are there direct flights from the U.S.? Not that I mind switching in Europe. To get to Bremen I would have to make a switch as well. Thanks again for your feedback. It gives me food for thought. The internet seems to take you directly to Stenum as the first option and I'm starting to learn true nightmares about the place.

[JeffR]

Go directly through Clavels office - it is easier and potentially cheaper (you may have negotiating room with certain elements).

Jeff

[johnwhof]

Hi NJ Gene, I totally agree with Lillyth about Stenum. Since I started researching ADR, I have heard of far too many negative outcomes from there, and most of them at the hands of Ritter Lang. He was my first choice in Europe, mainly because that's the first option that pops up when one searches on line. I am very glad I did not end up going there for treatment.
If your leaning towards Germany, Dr Bierstedt of ONZ is a great surgeon, and a good option. However, the reviews I have read on here about Dr Clavel are super, and I would have no problem with trusting him.

[newleaseonlife]

NJ Gene,

You can upload your MRI films to AIMIS directly. AIMIS Spine | American Institute of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

It is a free MRI review. Feel free to ask me all your Cyprus/AIMIS questions.

[Lillyth]

Originally Posted by TPatti

Dr. Pimenta is part of AIMIS and had considered using the M6. Does AIMIS not support the M6? I need to update where I am at but am waiting for a few tests and to get a final recommendation from Dr. Clavel. Recently I finally found a local doctor, Dr. Cappuccino, agrees I need to go overseas. He is also part of AIMIS and our preliminary discussion is that 3 disk might not work and I might need 2 disks and 1 fusion. Dr. Cappuccino said he is not sure if he would go with M6 or Kineflex and would discuss with Dr. Pimenta, they work on clinical trials together. He also implied that he may suggest having Pimenta perform the surgery depending on the final recommendation. He said that the M6 is the best disk functionally but that because I am only 42 he was not sure if we should stay with a metal disk for life span. I worry about having 3 levels with no shock absorption. I have opinion from Dr. Dare, waiting for final from Dr. Clavel and Dr. Cappuccino and not sure if I will send info to Dr. Pimenta directly or if it will go thru Dr. Cappuccino. Does anyone know if the costs at AIMIS or comparable to Dr. Clavel? If M6 is the way to go I am not sure if Dr. Pimenta has used yet or not. Dr. Cappuccino has not. Dr. Cappuccino seemed more comfortable that if it was not him performing the surgery that it should be a someone he knows and has worked with if he was to be involved in follow up. I will update in my Intro section once I have all recommendations.

Per Claire they do not use the M6 in Cyprus. The main reason it is cheaper is because they have a deal with the manufacturers. If you want that device you would be looking at paying about 6.5 grand PER device in order to use it, so it works out to be cheaper to go to Barcelona, which was another main factor in my going with Dr. Clavel. There is no way I would do a three level with zero shock absorption either, which is why I went the way I did.

The overall cost for Cyprus is significantly cheaper, but the trade off is no shock absorption. One level I would be okay with, POSSIBLY two, but three? No way.

[Lillyth]

Originally Posted by NJ Gene

Based on everything I've heard on Stenum, I now know why they insisted on a MRSA test before being allowed to be operated on there. I have asked the U.S. coordinator of the team, Sue, to forward my medical information to Dr. Clavel. I want a second opinion from a doctor overseas. Since he is technically a partner with Dr. Ritter-Lang, she should be able to send my info to him without difficulty. If she makes an issue of it, I will get to Dr. Clavel through another route. One of my biggest concerns is that I did have one foraminotomy at C6/C7 in 2008. My understanding is that this can be a contraindication of ADR. As much as I want ADR, I don't want it if it's going to cause permanent pain at that level. Does anyone have links to some of these other surgeons (ie - the ones in the UK, Brazil, and Cyprus)? Thank you all for your feedback and help.

I would just send your films to Yolanda directly. I have heard tales of Stenum fighting to send films to Dr. Clavel. They know they will lose you as a patient once you contact him.

[Lillyth]

Originally Posted by NJ Gene

Thank you TPatti and Newleaseonlife. To Newleaseonlife, where are you located? If you prefer I can send you a PM if you don't want to answer me publicly. I am inclined to consider Cyrpus, because the surgeon with whom I had my last fusion here in the U.S. endorses it. However, I don't want to rule out Dr. Clavel either. I've heard great things from TPatti and others. Here is one question, why is Dr. Clavel on Dr Ritter-Lang's website? According to Sue, he is a "partner" but that website pushes Germany and Stenum. They also have a location in Berlin, but less available surgery dates there. If I consider Dr. Clavel, should I go through Sue or directly through Dr. Clavel's office? With both Cyprus and Dr. Clavel, is there a way to electronically send my MRI images to them? Also, with respect to Cyprus, are there direct flights from the U.S.? Not that I mind switching in Europe. To get to Bremen I would have to make a switch as well. Thanks again for your feedback. It gives me food for thought. The internet seems to take you directly to Stenum as the first option and I'm starting to learn true nightmares about the place.

You can upload your images to Dropbox, then email the link to the doctor. There are no direct flights to Cyprus. You will need to switch in Europe.

[Lillyth]

Originally Posted by newleaseonlife

NJ Gene,

You can upload your MRI films to AIMIS directly. AIMIS Spine | American Institute of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

It is a free MRI review. Feel free to ask me all your Cyprus/AIMIS questions.

I also spoke to a UFC cage fighter who went to Cyprus (yes, he is back to fighting). He LOVED his experience there.

[Claudia K.]

Originally Posted by johnwhof

Hi NJ Gene, I totally agree with Lillyth about Stenum. Since I started researching ADR, I have heard of far too many negative outcomes from there, and most of them at the hands of Ritter Lang. He was my first choice in Europe, mainly because that's the first option that pops up when one searches on line. I am very glad I did not end up going there for treatment.
If your leaning towards Germany, Dr Bierstedt of ONZ is a great surgeon, and a good option. However, the reviews I have read on here about Dr Clavel are super, and I would have no problem with trusting him.

NJGene, I agree with johnwhof passionately. I had surgery by Dr.Bierstedt last November, he has done hundreds of ADR surgeries, he is experienced with a variety of discs including the the M6. His response is quickly and no fee for cosultation.

[newleaseonlife]

I know the guy you're talking about. I met him when I was in Cyprus. He had his surgery a couple of days before I met him. He's a really nice guy!

Thanks for the M6 info, Lillyth!