Which Surgeon should I Choose

[Pat Walter]

Dear Pat,

I'm still trying to decide which surgeon I should choose for resurfacing.  I'm in Northern California, and I'm wondering why it is that there aren't any hip stories on Dr. Amstutz.

I'm leaning towards Dr. De Smet, but my parents want to come with me, and with the cost of all of us traveling, I'm wondering if it makes sense to just stay in the States.

Thanks,
Ann

[Pat Walter]

Hi Ann

Acutally Dr. Amstutz has done over 1300 hip resurfacings. I just haven't had anyone post a nice long story and got permission to post it. I think he also works closely with Dr. Schmalzerid who had done hundreds too. My friend here in Marietta went to him.  Neither of them use the BHR. They have been doing hip reusrfaicng for many years before the FDA approved the BHR. They use the WRight C+ and the ASR. I think Dr. Amstutz helped design them.

There certainly is nothing wrong with those doctors, they are very , very experienced. My friend here liked Dr. Schmalreid very much. He did very well with his hip surgery.  He had a very diffricult case and took much longer to heal. He had been on crutches quite awhile before his hip resurfacing.

I personally would still go to Dr. De Smet since I like the way the overseas doctors handle their surgeries. Dr. De Smet will give you stitches, no drains and a waterproof bandage. You will be in the pool taking therapy a few days after surgery.  You incision will never drain or look ugly like many people talk about.  Most doctors use drains and staples.  Dr. De Smets technique is such he never uses drains. My incision looked great 3 days after surgery.  Never was a scab - just a pink line.  It was, of course, very tender but never ugly, runny or scabby. 

Dr. De Smet will have you on one crutch as soon as you are able.  Dr. Amstutz will keep you on 2 for much longer.  Many of the US doctors are now keeping people at 50% weight bearing for up to 6 weeks.  They are being very conservative.  Being on crutches for a long time is difficult for many people.  I was on one crutch at 4 days and none at 4 weeks.  As soon as you stop limping, you don't need a crutch or cane.  After four weeks, I did take a cane with me on long walks in case I got tired.  But around the house it is much easier being on one crutch. They use elbow crutches in Europe and India.  They are also Much Much easier on you. 

Have you met Dr. Amstutz?  If you feel good about him - he certinly is a good choice. It really all depends on you and how you feel about the doctors.

I was just pretty well sold on Dr. De Smet from the first few post I read on the Yahoo group and knew he was the man for me. There were a lot more De SMet hippies on the board back then.  I felt that the De Smet hippies healed faster and got back into life much faster for the most part.  Very few had swelling or bruising and took pain meds after surgery.  De Smet was suppposed to have one of the best leg men back then - the person holding and helping dislocate your leg.  The techique they use makes a big difference on your pain level after surgery.  I also feel De Smets surgical skill makes a big difference.  He only does what he needs to and doesn't bother anything else. Some people using these newer doctors are having very difficult post op recoveries. I feel it is because of the doctors last of experience in the surgery.  Dr. De Smet only takes 45 minutes to operate normally.

You could ask for some Amstutz people to talk with you up on the Yahoo Surface HIppy Discusison Group. There are over 6000 memebers.  http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/surfacehippy/    Sometimes you will get an answer and sometimes you won't since it is so large. There are over 100 emails a day from the group.

You should go with your gut feeling about what doctor is right for you.  The trip to Belgium is long if you are not use to traveling. But Belgium was beautiful, I loved it there and wish I could visit again. 

Think about it some more. Let me know if you have any more questions.  I am sure you would not go wrong with Dr. Amstutz.  I would have probably considered him if I were near him and had money or insurance to cover the surgery.

Pat