Pat,
I was scheduled for a bhr, and just got a call from doc no prostatic available in my size.
I am wondering what my options are?
I need help, my surgery is for 9/15
Hi Lori
As a woman that wants/needs a hip resurfacing you have 3 options:
1. Go overseas where they still use Wright C Plus and other devices for women. Surgeons Like Dr. De Smet, Dr. Voelker etc
2. Go to Dr. Pritchett that uses the Synovo Preserve hip resurfacing device
3. Go to Dr. Gross that uses the cementless Biomet Device
Many surgeons are upset with not having the BHR available for women and small men, but in the US there are not other FDA devices. The other two devices that were FDA approved are no longer in the US, but overseas. Our legal system here is terrible - sue, sue, sue!
Good Luck and keep us updated. I gave you your own topic since it is important.
Pat
Lori,
I'm sorry for your dilemma. Do look at your now limited options if you still wish to have an HRA.
Also, although Dr. Gross uses the Biomet uncemmented femoral component most of the time, he will use the cemented version if that is the wish of the patient. The cemented version of the Biomet Recap would most closely approximate the BHR that has been withdrawn. Check with their office to make sure that option is still being offered. Hopefully that gives you some renewed hope of getting a resurfacing.
Good luck and let us know what you find out and do.
Thank you so much for spelling out my options. I am so disappointed in Smith & Nephew right now. Are you going to start a petition of some sorts, is there any possiblity of change. This is insane that they are taking it off the market, I am 40 and I need this option. This should be a surgeons decisions and they should only allow certain surgeons to perform the operations.
Lori,
Look on the bright side. If this had never happened, you might never have discovered Dr. Gross. It is within your grasp to have the best of everything where HR is concerned. Good Luck!
I hear ya, Lori!
I had done some research on doctors (thank you, Pat!),obtained my x rays, and was ready to send them out for review when the BHR device was contraindicated for women. Aaargh! I had to go back and re examine my list since several docs dropped off.
Good luck to you. I hope you can get a new date soon.
I blame the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Once they changed the outcomes standard from 90% to 95% they instantly tainted the small BHR sizes. Selling devices that do not meet the NICE standards means that litigation could result in much larger settlements and penalties that could be damaging to their core business. It sucks but what business is going to sell a product that does not meet certain standards and is related to public safety? I think that is what some surgeons were referring to when they said there could be other unintended consequences when it is shown that segments of the THR market can't meet that standard either and will those manufacturers keep selling those?
Chuckm
Lori, I can't recommend Dr. Gross highly enough. True even before the smaller BHR sizes were pulled. His results are great for either gender. My experience with him was awesome. If I were you I'd consult with Gross and DeSmet and cancel the surgery in Sept. Just my 2 cents.
So sorry you and many others have to deal with this, it's maddening.
Dr Gross has me on his schedule for 9/11.
I am also hoping for a miracle and Smith & Nephew will give me the BHR needed for my surgery, so I can use my local doctor of choice.
I will let fate make its decisions.
Lori --- I am a smalled boned female. Dr. Gross did both of my hips. I recommend him highly! I am 2 years post op from my first HR and can do everything I want and more. I got my life back. You are in great hands.
Best wishes!
Lori -- another happy Dr. Gross patient here. Small-framed (size 4-6) female, with severe bi-lateral dsyplasia. First hip done fall 2013, second fall 2014. I'm running, horseback riding including jumping, hiking, biking, yada yada yada with no issues.
You asked about flying for surgery; I'm in Alaska so made the 4500 mile trek twice. Fly first class! One airport transfer in Minneapolis which Delta made very easy. Husband took care of everything. We stayed four days post op both times, not really necessary but just in case .... laid around by the pool.
I've posted about my pre- and post-op experiences, or if you have any questions, ask away! Good luck.
Lori, I believe Dr. Gross is your best bet for HR, and would look no further. In my honest opinion, it's a no brainer. I feel great after 14 weeks, and still have a ways to go (12 weeks) before I am released to do what I want. Feeling this good at this stage is a huge indication I made the right choice. I hope everything falls into place for you. Please keep us posted, as I know there are a lot of women and small framed men who were blindsided by the smaller size BHR device being pulled from the market. Good luck!
So Sept 11th is right around the corner and I am going to Dr Gross.
I am returning the flight on day 3, so hoping all goes well with that.
I have two flights and a 2 1/2 hour layover. Does anyone have any travel advice for me on the way back.
I am thinking that for the airplanes, I want to wear depends, because IDK how I will pee on the plane?
I called the airline and said that I need a wheel chair all the way to my seat.
I have a travel companion.
What else? what do you do with your crutches? Can you use an ice machine on the plane?
How long are the flights themselves? The airports will have handicapped bathrooms. Can you plan on using the restroom right before the flights?
Listening to the advice you will receive; I will be in your shoes, maybe your Depends, in November.
Are you having one hip done? You should be good to use crutches at door of aircraft to seat-if you request whcr. to seat you will probably have to transfer at door of ac to a narrower whcr and it is awkward to make transfer to seat. Much better if you use crutches to seat from aircraft door (I used to be a fl.attendant) Also -how long are your flights? Best to get as much leg room as possible (hence 1st class suggestion) so that you can elevate leg as much as possible but if only 1 or 2 hrs flight, shouldn't be a problem. I had bi-lateral done with De Smet 3 yrs ago and travelled from Brussels to Toronto, but travelled Business class for xtra legroom. was able to move easily with help of crutch and holding on to seat. You will be fine! Good Luck!
January 2014 I have had my bilateral surgery in Hongkong. On day 7 I flew home to Shanghai. The over all traveltime was 9 hours.
I asked for wheelchair service but was able to walk with my crutches also. My flight was roughly 4.5 hours. I went to the toilet before and after the flight. We flew business because of the wider space. The flight attendants take care of the crutches. When the sitting becomes a little uncomfortable, elevate yourself with the armes a little bit and change the sitting position.
..........so, let's go! And soon you are welcome on the other side!
I had a nice flight attendant who put together a makeshift ice bag for me. Having ice made a huge difference. I flew across country. It was manageable. Pack light because whomever is with you will have to carry everything, and you're coming back with an extra box (ice machine).
I have a LBHR from 2010.
This will be my first time flying after surgery
Drive to charolete, I am thinking of staying in Charlotte Saturday night.
Fly out sunday at
1st flight 2hours 55 minutes
2 hour 50 minutes layover
2nd flight 2 hours 17 minutes
then a 40 minute drive home.
I will be very tired I am sure, but I think I can make it.
So I called AA to see the cost of the upgrade to first class
$1200. OMG, I need a fundme site for this.
Anyone know of a way to get this to be more reasonable?
Friends with miles?
How big a person are you? Are you small enough that an aisle, bulkhead seat in economy would work pretty well? IDK if those are the kinds of seats that you can buy for a small upgrade fee, or if you can call the airline and tell them you will be post surgery and need special treatment and have someone assign you that seat. Or can you pick a bulkhead seat when you buy your tickets online and have the opportunity to choose seats, whether there is an extra fee or not?
I am 5'7 and 140lbs, so not to large. Yes I think that would work.
I called the airlines and made sure they are aware of my situation and a special assistance coordinator will work with me. Hopefully that all works. If not I have an aisle seat.
Today is 21 days and counting.
Quote from: lori.36 on August 21, 2015, 02:01:43 PM
I am 5'7 and 140lbs, so not to large. Yes I think that would work.
I called the airlines and made sure they are aware of my situation and a special assistance coordinator will work with me. Hopefully that all works. If not I have an aisle seat.
Today is 21 days and counting.
Hi Lori,
My girlfriend was a flight attendant for 30 years, so I asked her if there were anything that the airlines do to help in this situation.
She said that it might help to write a letter (a letter, certified) to the airlines customer service - look up the vice president of customer service and address it to him or her.
Describe the surgery, tell your story, send a picture of yourself (smiling) and say that you have a full fare ticket that you've paid for, that this surgery is going to transform your life and it would help greatly in your recovery if they could accommodate you with a first class seat on the way back home.
Also tell them that you're using your savings to pay for the surgery and trip and you're requesting accommodation for the return trip home
.
Good tip.
Lori, I am six weeks behind you, so I look forward to you posting about your experience. I want to hear about the travel, the operation, everything.
Hi Lori,
I'd be careful with choosing bulkhead seats. They give you plenty of knee room (not a problem for most people), but less leg room than a regular economy seat. The exception is if the wall in front of you of doesn't go down all the way to the floor. Then there is space for you to extend your feet forward. I'm 6 feet 4 inches and had a bulkhead seat for one of my flights. I ended switching to a non bulkhead seat and was much more comfortable. On another flight, I had a bulkhead seat where the wall ended before it reached the floor, so there was room to stretch my legs out in front of me. That was very comfortable.
Good luck!
Dean
I wish I was closer to getting this done. 3 months - its like its not real yet. I will be interested in reading your surgery experience with Dr. Gross. He will do my right hip 11/25.
Well I just got of the phone with my airline. I requested Handicap services for the return trip and they moved me up to the front of the plane, to the bulkhead.
I am hoping I have plenty of room there.
so moral of the story is to book trip and call airline right away and ask for handicap assistance.
I did not have to pay for an upgrade.