Charite Surgery - Page 2

letteski · #11 09-22-2005, 11:40 PM

Kim,

I was to be my local surgeons first Charite and chickened out. Went with experience but it cost a pretty penny out of network and out of town.

It is a difficult decision but someone has to give these surgeons experience and the fact that your doctor is honest and will have others there to assist him should make you feel better.

You can PM me anytime if you have any questions.

Alastair · #12 09-23-2005, 06:20 AM

Hi Kim,
I can only reiterate what I put in another posting to you that I am sure that your surgeon will take "Extra Care" as you are his first ADR operation.

He will have had a good training on a course, and maybe to change surgeons at this point when you are so near to having your operation done could cause problems, and mean your surgery is put even further back.

The choice as always is yours, there are loads of people including me who had Charitee implants and I am over 3 years on and fit and well
Cheers,
Alastair

#13 09-23-2005, 08:44 PM

Thanks to Alastair and all the others who have posted replies and sent emails to me. I am in total agreement that surgeons need to start somewhere to gain experience, but have made the decision I don't want to be part of such a huge learning curve. I also understand it could be a total success. This is a personal decision and I have to follow my instinct. I want to give myself every opportunity for success and finding an experienced surgeon is fundamental for me.

I discovered Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine today, their website is www.carolinaneurosurgery.com
They are in Charlotte, NC, an hour and a half from me and are also part of my insurance network, which is good. They have performed Charite implants and my next step is to find out how many they have done and to see them. I called my Doctor here in Asheville, who was to perform the surgery at the end of October or early November and explained my concerns. My decision is no reflection on him or his skills.

Mark ******* was kind enough to call me lastnight and he related his experiences. He has been in operating rooms with Doctors performing their first Charite implant, their 10th..and so on and related that the 'learning curve' is huge with this surgery.

We all share the same goal and that is to get better! I don't plan to put it off; I'm being cautious. This forum is wonderful! I can't believe the information and support since signing on last week. I have much more to learn and I realize experienced surgeons are few; we're in new territory...but I have to find one, if possible. Best to all..Kim

#14 09-23-2005, 09:00 PM

Kim,

I admire your persistence to find what's right for you.

Good luck, and pleasepleaseplease keep us posted?

Jennifer

p.s. Isn't this group great?

luvmysibe · #15 09-24-2005, 02:47 AM

Since we all are members in this group, I am assuming that Jennifer's post script is more of a rhetorical question. I agree that this group is wonderful! Kim, please don't apologize for your decision to search out other surgeons. You are making an extremely important decision that will impact your life, hopefully for the better. Keep us informed of your fact finding search.

MORPHINE MAN · #16 09-25-2005, 07:35 PM

Kim,
I just read your post & glad to hear that you have Insurance coverage. I have very good news for you should you decide to travel just a little. I Charleston, SC there is a team of Surgeons that have performed hundreds of Artificial disc replacments. They are all located in Southeastern Spine Institute in Mt Pleasant, SC , actualy just across the bridge from Charleston which is why I said Charleston. These Dr's teach ADR at the Medical University Of Charleston & also have their own practice at South Eastern Spine Institute. Dr Don Johnson is My Surgeon. One of the others I know is Dr Poletti. Kim, this entire Institute is dedicated to artificial disc replacments & they do them every day. You should give them a call. the phone number is 843-849-1551. If you want a Dr with experience you won't find any better any where. I hope this helps you. I'm re scheduled to have mine done the first week in November. My first Surgery was cancled due to my pain managment Dr being out of the Country. My surgery can't be done without a pain managment specialist due to the medications I'm taking. Good luck!!!!!