Confusion over pricing at BMI Birmingham Mr McMinn - any experience?

[DodgyHip]

Hi SurfaceHippies,

I'm seeking any advice/experience from people who've had resurfacing at BMI Edgbaston Birmingham UK. I'm considering highly cross-linked polyethylene on metal (I'm small-hipped female 59 yrs) with Mr McMinn.

I'm having to self-fund.

However, it looks as if when the hospital comes to the pre-op decision of whether they'll put me on the fixed-price arrangement (which gives me certainty about how big the bill will be) they won't accept me on that deal (due to a minor, well-controlled medical condition that even most medical people haven't heard of but struggle to evaluate).

This means that I have to take the financial risk of paying for any medical eventuality, though when I try to get more information about what this really means I draw a blank - BMI medical don't seem to want to write anything down. I'm worried about having completely open-ended medical bill.

Does anyone have any experience of being on this (non fixed-price) arrangement with BMI medical?

Does anyone have any other suggestions as to where I could go for resurfacing in UK given I can't do metal-on-metal? I saw a consultant about the NHS ceramic-on-ceramic (Imperial trial) but I know of no other UK options.

Thanks for any info.

[Pat Walter]

I am not sure why you can't have a metal on metal. That is not true with some surgeons.  You are pretty close to Dr. De Smet of Belgium.  That's where I flew to from US in 2006 because I wanted a hip resurfacing and did not have insurance. the cost of hip replacement here was $35,000 and on up and up here.  It cost me $18,000 which included air fare, hotel for a couple weeks, hospital and Dr. De Smet for both my ex and I.  Very reasonable.  I put it on my credit cards and took years to pay it off, but well worth it.  You might check with him.  He does free consultations via email and writes back to you personally.

https://surfacehippy.info/doctors-with-1000-hip-resurfacings/
Dr. De Smet is also doing the ceramic on ceramic hip resurfacing ReCerf, but only in the South Africa now.  I don't know when that might change.
I don't know about insurances in the UK.
I wish you the best.  I understand facing staggering costs for surgery.
Pat

[Saddlepal3]

DodgyHip, I can’t comment on the main points of your posts; however, I agree with avoiding metal-on-metal as a small hipped female. Small size components have had more issues with metallosis. I learned from personal experience. Good luck!

[DodgyHip]

My main problem is the issue of not understanding how much this might end up costing - and the hospital isn't doing much to help me along on that - so was wondering if anyone else on the forum had experience of this?

The reasons for choosing poly-on-metal are that Mr McMinn doesn't do BHR for women now. Also, I think my femoral head is 42mm - the BHR has been withdrawn for 46mm and below, hasn't it? Or is that just in the UK?
With my sensitivity to earrings I'm likely to have nickel allergy, so I wouldn't choose to have BHR, even with a very experienced surgeon.

Is there anyone doing the Synovo Preserve poly-on-metal device in Europe? Mr Pritchett makes this sound like a good device and it has been around for about 15 years, which is many more than Mr McMinn's poly-on-metal (4 years).

[grants]

Hi DodgyHip, I don't think anyone else besides Dr. Pritchett and Dr. Buechel use that system, i don't know that for a fact but couldn't find anyone else online.  I think it is the Buechel Pappas system (synovo preserve is the same thing i think) which they have used for a long time and became a good option when they moved to a cross-linked poly insert.  I had this one done as it was close for me with Dr. Pritchett being in Seattle.

Cheers,
Grant

[jimbone]

Hello Dodgy,

I am a Dr. Pritchett patient, bilateral synovo cross linked poly.  I understand your frustration with the hospital's financial equivocations.  Early on when considering a THR and going self funded the same hospital that did my HR [under insurance] quoted me $80,000.00 for the surgery a staggering over the top price.  When questioned they back pedaled to say it was only an estimate, could be more, or less, they'd never know until it was all over.  I thought it pretty disgraceful.  I'm not certain but I believe Dr. Pritchett and McMinn are fairly well acquainted.  You might seek a consultation or ask Dr. Pritchetts opinion regarding whatever devise McMinn is using to see how he evaluates it.  He is a straight shooter and will give you a direct answer is my guess.  Frankly when I had my final [3rd]consultation with him before surgery [I had a lot of questions] I let him know I'd investigated the device options extensively and came to the conclusion he was going to know and understand those options better than I ever would and as the expert in these matters I would leave the choice of device up to him.  There is so much nail biting that rightfully go's into the decision for surgery we forget our internet searches never amount to even a semester of surgical, anatomical or medical knowledge these top doctors have and while it is very reassuring and beneficial to have confidence in your hardware, your choice of surgeon, that you can trust because of their successful track record will and should be your guiding beacon IMHO.  With McMinn's long standing reputation for excellence, were I to need to make the choice having gone through the procedures, I would trust his judgement or at the very least, consider it carefully.  The same goes for all of the other top surgeons I've read about here.  Best of luck.  I'm sure you'll find the right  doc, device and procedure that will have you back to pain free freedom once again.

[DodgyHip]

Thanks for all the responses - they are very much appreciated. I'll keep on trying to work it all out and find  the best solution for me.

Thanks again,
DodgyHip