FDA approved device and experienced hip resurfacing doctor

[Vicky]

If your insurance is covering the cost for you, then you need to look at what it would cost them.  I am pretty sure their costs for you to go to Seattle would be well over $50k.  In India, you stay in the hospital for a week post op, so the stay in the hotel is only for one night prior to checking into the hospital the day before your surgery, then for about 4 days after you get out of the hospital prior to flying home, then your airfare.  All of that is still less than $12k U.S. to the insurance company.  Yes, the infection rates are lower in both Belgium and India than any U.S. hospital.  I have yet to hear of anyone getting an infection that have gone to Bose or De Smet.  They take such care that it is unreal.  I know my experience with Dr. Bose, they cut your toe nails and finger nails prior to surgery, they make sure women remove all polish.  They do not allow flowers in your hospital room.  They bring your meals completely sealed up in plastic including your drinks.  They take way more precautions over there than they ever do here in the U.S.   Seriously, if I ever needed surgery again, I would never have it here in the U.S. if it were my choice, not after the incredible experience I had in India.  Take a look at the website with pictures of the Platinum Ward.

http://hipresurfacingindia.com/New_Hip_Surgery_Facility.php

The doctors will need recent x-rays, if you can, take your x-rays and put them on a light box or with a light background, like a Word document if your computer screen is large enough, then snap some digital pictures of them.  Much easier to email then to mail them overseas.

Vicky

[stevel]

The Summer olympics is on going.  Who is the best hip resurfacing surgeon in the world?  Who would get the Gold?  Who would get the silver and bronze? 

[xocy]

The Gold would go to the one who sucessfully does YOUR surgery. In my case Dr. Thomas Gross in Columbia, SC is the Michael Phelps of resurfacing.

Mike
Bilateral
Dr. Gross
L - 6/23/08 R - 6/25/08

[stevel]

I scheduled hip resurfacing surgery on my left hip with Dr. Su at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York on September 29.  I have a pre-op on September 25 and a post-op on October 6.  My sisters will return through New York from a vacation in Maine so I'll have support during and after the surgery.

[Pat Walter]

Hi Steve

Congratulations on your surgery date.  I hope you will keep in touch as you recover and we can follow your post op journey.

Dr. Su is an excellent surgeon.

Good Luck.

Pat

[stevel]

I depart Juneau, AK AST tomorrow at 7:35 AM arriving at Newark, NJ airport at 11:24 PM EST.  Traveling from Alaska to the East Coast is almost like traveling from the East Coast to Europe.  I'll be staying at the Belaire Guest Facilities next to the Hospital for Special Surgery.  I reserved a handicapped room and a "hip chair" will be provided.  I suppose this is some sort of a recliner.  My pre-op is on Thursday, Sept 25 and surgery by Dr. Su is on Monday, Sept 29.  I'm staying in New York for a week after surgery.  My post-op is on Monday, Oct 6.  I am traveling roundtrip first class (cashed in 80000 miles with Alaska Airlines) and I requested wheelchair service.  The hotel rate is not cheap at $500/nite.  But I got a two bedroom, two bath suite with a roll-a-way and my sisters(2) will share a room.  They will be returning from a vacation in Maine.
I'm proceeding with hip resurfacing surgery on my left hip at age 55, mainly to restore function.  I haven't experienced much severe pain.  Mostly I have a dull ache and when I overdo it, I have mild to moderate pain.  I walk with a chronic limp and use a cane for longer walks.  I've been active in past years with downhill skiing, hunting and using the eliptical machine.  I quit playing racketball 12 years ago.  With hip resurfacing, I hope to restore function, eliminate that nagging ache and limp and resume my active lifestyle.

[Pat Walter]

Hi Stevel

I want to wish you Good Luck with your upcoming surgery with Dr. Su.  He is an excellent surgeon with many happy patients.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

I will look forward to hearing about your surgery and recovery when you return to Alaska.

Good Luck.

Pat

[obxpelican]

Good luck Steve... you'll be amazed at how much better you'll be after it's all over.  I'm only 7 weeks post op and I can do things that I could not have done the past 2 years.

Glad to hear you got everything hashed out and are heading in the right direction.




Chuck

[CITY2SOUTH]

Steve,

You certainly did your homework on this! My first decision was to go with Dr. Su (I'm originally from NY but re-located to SC 10 yrs ago). He is awesome. I did go with Dr. Gross instead since he was in my opinion on the same level as experience of Dr. Su and a hell of a lot closer (2 hrs vs. 12 hrs).
My sister has had 2 total knee replacements at HSS and the staff took great care of her. Get yourself a dirty water dog (Hot Dog) and a street pretzel while your there. Hopefully you will have a view from your room of the East River to watch the boats go by.

Good Luck with your journey to hippy land and keep us updated.

Lisa
Uncemented/Biomet/Gross/6-23-08

[stevel]

I had a full day at the HSS.  I was examined by Dr. Martin Nydick, Internal Medicine.  I attended a patient education class for hip replacement and hip resurfacing patients.  They explain pre-op, surgery and post-op parameters.  I was examined by Dr. Su at the end of the day.
He estimates a 90 to 95 % probability of installing a BHR.  Otherwise he will install a full size THR.  I am definitely ready for surgery as I walk with a chronic limp as one leg is shorter than the other.  He will operate to restore leg length and recommend physical therapy to restore muscle memory.
Tomorrow, I will have a x-ray taken of my left hip to establish leg length.  I will have a blood-type test taken.  They will notify me tomorrow of the scheduled surgery time on Monday.

[Pat Walter]

Hi Steve

Sounds like you had a big day and a lot more coming soon.

Good Luck.

Pat

[stevel]

I had a blood type test, pelvic x-ray and cross leg x-ray today.  My surgery is scheduled for 1:00 PM, Monday, Sept. 29.  I check-in at 10:00 AM.
I walked a couple of miles along the East River and back along 1st Avenue, tonight.  I used a cane.  I've seen people in worst shape before surgery, but I am ready.  I'll probably be in the hospital for three days, before I can update my posts.

[Pat Walter]

Have a good weekend.

Make good use of your bad hip because it won't be with you much longer!!!

Good Luck.

Pat

[CITY2SOUTH]

Steve,

I walked all over Manhattan at 5 weeks post-op, even went to the top of the Empire State Building. I used a cane but had NO hip pain...Good Luck and Best Wishes for a Speedy Recovery!

Lisa
Uncemented/Biomet/Gross/6-23-08

[obxpelican]

Lisa: tell the truth you brought your golf cart to NY.  LOL

Steve--- wish you well, you have a good surgeon and a good attitutude.  We (except for your family) want to know first how you made out, we're keeping our fingers crossed it's a resurface, but either way we wish you the best of hippie health.

See you on the other side.


Chuck

[stevel]

Success!!  I had a left Birmingham Hip Resurfacing device installed by Dr. Su on Monday afternoon, Sept 29.  I had lots of bone spurs but no cysts or collapse in the femoral head.  Dr. Su compensated for the shorter leg by more than 1/4 inch.  I suppose he sculpted the femoral head accordingly.  I received a combined spinal/epidural anaesthesia.
I checked out the the HSS at 3:30 PM today and I am now standing and using the office computer at the Belaire Guest Facilities.  I have not taken any pain pills today other than aspirin.  I even put on my TEDS with a sock puller and grabber.  It's quite remarkable I am bouncing back so fast but I heard Dr. Su's patients usually do so.  The staff at HSS were great and the food was great.

I have a post-op visit with Dr. Su on Monday and return home to Juneau, AK on Tuesday.

If you need anymore details, let me know.

[Pat Walter]

Stevel

Congratulations!  You are an official Surface Hippy!

Glad to hear you are doing so well. 

You are talented to be able to get the TEDS on with sock helper!!!

I hope you continue to recover fast and have a great flight home to Juneau.

Enjoy your weekend the best you can.  I found eating was the easiest activity to do after surgery!

Good Luck.

Pat

[sroberts]

Steve,

Congratulations. I'm impressed with your ability to use that damn sock helper. My size 14's were (are) way too big to even fit through. Glad to hear you are doing well.


take care,

spencer

[CITY2SOUTH]

Steve,

Welcome to Hippy Land! Good Luck on your trip home and to a speedy recovery..

Lisa
Uncemented/Biomet/Gross/6-23-08

[stevel]

I am 10 days post-op and back home in Douglas, Alaska.  I have had swelling down to my left foot (operated side) and need to raise my feet above my chest at night and periodically during the day.  I take a couple of pain pills at night, but none during the day.  I walked one block to the post office yesterday, using a cane.  Otherwise I have walked several blocks and returned with both crutches.  Today, my visiting physical therapist evaluated my condition and recommends out patient physical therapy, starting tomorrow.  She instructed me to properly enter my Ford F150 4wd pick-up truck.  The truck has automatic transmission and my left hip was resurfaced, so tomorrow, I will drive 3 miles for out patient physical therapy.  They have all of the exercise equipment and are adjacent to the health club that I belong to.  I have a prescription for the type of physical therapy recommended by Dr. Su. My left leg had atrophied due to the osteoarthritis in my left hip (and favoring my right side) so I will need to work to regain muscle strength in that leg.