Is your name Al, Traithloner?
What would it involve in going out of network? Does that just mean you would have to pay a little more for it? Check your policy because they usually will have a maximum amount you will pay if it is out of network. Then take a look at how much you paid for the car you drive and think about whether or not you are worth it. I paid $12k out of pocket and flew to India to have one of the world's best do my hip resurfacing, Dr. Bose. He is the surgeon that resurfaced Cory Foulk the triathlete that ran a marathon 2 days short of three months post op, then went on to finish 5 Ironman's and 2 Ultraman's since his surgery. It might be more than that by now.
Dr. Rogerson resurfaced Scott Tinley who was back to full on surfing at six weeks post op. Then there are other hippies that I have personally worked with that were within a doctors first 50 surgeries, and they are facing revision surgeries to THR's due to malpositioning of the components and femoral neck fractures, or excessive metal wear due to impingement, again because the newer doctors placed the components off. That WILL happen in the early surgeries with the newer doctors, that is a plain and simple fact.
I could not afford to go to India, but I took out a HELOC (Home equity line of credit) and went to Dr. Bose, for me it was that, or stay here and get a THR. At 48 years old, I felt I was WAY too young to get a THR. I believe I was well worth the $12k it cost me to get my hip. There is nothing that I can't do today, I wake up thankful every single morning that I found out about hip resurfacing when I did AND that I chose a master surgeon.
I have been to several orthopedic conferences and have learned a lot over the past three years. If you go to Vicky's corner and read my overview of the recent Belgium conference you will see the importance of picking an experienced surgeon for the best outcome. I am really afraid there are quite a few patients walking around with misplaced devices from newer surgeons and they are just not aware of it.
You really need to pick an experienced surgeon, you are only 38 years old and have a full active life ahead of you IF you have an experienced surgeon do your surgery. How about Dr. Su in NYC, I believe he is one of THE top if not the top surgeon in the US now for hip resurfacing. The different surgeons will cut different muscles and tendons and some sew them back and some don't. Some preserve the neck caspule and some do not. Being a triathlete, you need someone that takes care in putting everything back in it's place.
Vicky