Dr. Clavel-Consultation Fee

[ansnj]

Hi:

I had posed a few questions to Nicci at Dr. Clavel's office. One question was, when would I be able to speak with the doctor himself? The response was she could arrange it and there was a consultation fee of 180 euro. Has anyone else had to pay this fee?

I spoke with Dr. Beirstedt at no cost, and was somewhat caught off-guard at her response.

I wondered if any other ADR members have paid to consult with Dr. Clavel. In other words, is this the norm for him?

Thanks!
Abbe

[Boxer78]

Yup two different times I paid 180. Zero w Bierstedt also

[ansnj]

Thanks Boxer just needed to get a gut check on that.

[jss]

I didn't have to pay anything, but that was four years ago. It sounds like he's now using $$$ to ration his time. I'm told that you have to pay about $1000 for Dr Zeegers' opinion.

Good problem to have if you're them.

[Conan26]

Originally Posted by jss

I didn't have to pay anything, but that was four years ago. It sounds like he's now using $$$ to ration his time. I'm told that you have to pay about $1000 for Dr Zeegers' opinion.

Good problem to have if you're them.

Thats correct my sister just had a bill from him for €550 for cell phone chats

[NJ Gene]

ansnj,

If your decision is between Bierstedt and Clavel, I would personally go with Bierstedt assuming all other factors equal. Both are great surgeons, and I've read a lot of positive things about the rehab program associated with Bierstedt. It sounds like Clavel is capitalizing on his popularity. I hope he doesn't become like Ritter-Lang.

I was going to use Bierstedt myself before my surgeon here talked me out of ADR.

Gene

[TPatti]

I paid for consult with Dr. Clavel as well and have heard that was standard for him. It was nice not having to pay Dr. Bierstedt but I have no problem paying for someone's time, I don't like working for free.

[NJ Gene]

TPatti, I don't like working for free either. However, sometimes there is a cost of doing business especially when you try and recruit new clients/patients. Part of these doctors' business is doing just that (recruiting new patients). If one is going to answer questions for me at no cost and the other is going to charge me money and both are about equal in the quality of their work, you know which one I am going to choose.

Gene

[ansnj]

Spending the money on the consult didn't bother me, I viewed it as a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of surgery. Yes, it would have been sweeter if Clavel didn't charge but that's all okay.

What isn't okay, is Post-op forum members who are not getting their questions or concerns answered by Clavel or his staff. We all want to be treated as if we are the doctors only patient, so a return call, email etc, makes a world of difference. A good reputation isn't easy to come by and even harder to maintain.

Gene, I hope you're wrong about Dr. Clavel becoming so popular, perhaps so much so, for his and our own good?

[NJ Gene]

ANS,

I hope I'm wrong too. Did you have surgery already? If so, add it to your signature, so we all know where you're at.

Gene