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Author Topic: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR  (Read 7114 times)

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hipnhop

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Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« on: November 07, 2011, 11:05:09 AM »
Surgery scheduled for tomorrow at 7:30 am - just got a call from Surgeon saying she is uncomfortable with data on Metal on Metal and is canceling surgery unless I want THR. No other Kaiser doctors are trained in this area, plus Kaiser Mid Atlantic is frowning on metal on metal. If I wait, it will take months for out-of-network approval and even then it is not guaranteed.

Have a few hours to make a decision. Any advice?
HipnHop
3/2011 and 2/2012 HR Dr. Craig Thomas

Boomer

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2011, 11:26:53 AM »
Pull out. Take some time to explore your options. You didn't want THR, and it won't suit your lifestyle. You don't want to rush into this, or be forced into getting a THR. There are plenty of people who have traveled long distances to find a surgeon who will do their resurfacing.
RBHR with Dr. Rector on 11/30/2011
LBHR with Dr. Rector on 6/11/2012

obxpelican

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2011, 11:31:01 AM »
IMHO --- I would back out of the THR, that surgery is a dime a dozen with a lot of doctors having the ability to do it so it's not as if you could not find a doctor.



Chuck
Chuck
RH/Biomet U/C Dr. Gross/Lee Webb
8-6-08

Luanna

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2011, 11:39:47 AM »
Hi hipnhop,
Ask your physician to confer with Dr. Pritchett in Seattle. They can talk by phone. He was not comfortable doing metal on metal on me so he did metal BHR femoral component with Metal with Polyethelyne liner acetabular cup. He can explain reasoning to your physician and then you can determine if this is an option you'd like to have your doc pursue with Kaiser. He never suggested a THR as an alternative to metal on metal HR.

http://www.pritchettorthopedics.com/  Here's a link to his website with contact info. You may not get a resolution today but I'd follow up on this rather than settling for a THR. You can always reschedule the surgery.

Hope things get figured out for you in a way that allows you to make a choice that is in your best interest.

Luanna
« Last Edit: November 07, 2011, 11:44:21 AM by Luanna »
RHR 8/30/2011 - Dr. Pritchett - Stryker Trident Shell /X3 Poly liner acetabular cup. BHR head.

hernanu

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2011, 12:26:10 PM »
Hate this, but I would pull out, hip. You've already seen what an HR can do for you, even if you decide later for a THR, it would give you time. You don't want to rush into this. Sucks though...
Hernan, LHR 8/24/2010, RHR 11/29/2010 - Cormet, Dr. Snyder

chris finn

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2011, 12:30:59 PM »
Pull out. Take some time to explore your options. You didn't want THR, and it won't suit your lifestyle. You don't want to rush into this, or be forced into getting a THR. There are plenty of people who have traveled long distances to find a surgeon who will do their resurfacing.

^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^
BIRMINGHAM RESURFACE, LEFT HIP, 9TH DEC 2010,BY MR A. NORRISH...CONSULTANT-SURGEON, ADDENBROOKE`S HOSPITAL...CAMBRIDGE UK

AlanN

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2011, 12:39:23 PM »
Pull out. Take some time to explore your options. You didn't want THR, and it won't suit your lifestyle. You don't want to rush into this, or be forced into getting a THR. There are plenty of people who have traveled long distances to find a surgeon who will do their resurfacing.

^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^

Unequivocally +1 on this!
Alan
Motor Racing nut now with LHBHR ;)

curt

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2011, 12:43:32 PM »
    Take a breather...if after you think about it and make some other calls to other surgeons, then and only then should you consider a THR.  I would NEVER let any surgeon no matter how great tell me at the last minute that you are cancelled unless you want a THR.  Feels like an ultimatum, not from an advocate in your corner.  Just my dos centabos.  Curt
51 yr, RHBiomet, Dr. Gross, 9/30/11
happy, hopeful, hip-full

Aerial

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2011, 01:57:06 PM »
So sorry to read this.  I know you are ready to go.  Take your time and make a decision that is best for you in the long run!
Right hip resurfacing with Dr. Gross on 12/5/11!

stevel

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2011, 02:10:12 PM »
Contact Dr. Raphael Klug in Roseville, CA.
He accepts Kaiser and is a reputable hip resurfacing surgeon.
Steve
LBHR 60mm/54mm Dr Su 9/29/08 age 55
RBHR 60mm/54mm Dr Su 11/1/19 age 66
Age 70

Pat Walter

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #10 on: November 07, 2011, 02:12:50 PM »
I cancelled a THR surgery along with many others I know.  Do you realize the most large ball THRs are also MOM, so you might get a THR that has a lot of restrictions.  Dr. Klug of Kaiser still does resurfacing in CA. I would look around before I let them change their mind at the last minute.  Sounds like "bait and switch"    Cancel and then think about getting more opinons and also deciding on what your really want.  If I did not have a resurfacing, I would want a MOM THR.  So there is still the same metal which very few people have problems with.  It is the surgeons having problems with MOM because they are not placing components properly.  Understand that they can place THR components incorrectly too and that can cause high metal ions.

It is all coming down to using the top experienced surgeons for either resurfacing or THRs.  I would not let them pressure you in making a decision at the last minute. That is unfair and reflects poorly on the hospital, doctor and insurance company.  I would not want to work with a surgeon that was so easily influenced by outside sources.

It is your choice, but when it is your hip and your health at risk - you need to make really good decisions that have taken time to research.  I would never make a last minute decision about my hips - I only have 2 and I want them working properly.

Pat
Webmaster/Owner of Surface Hippy
3/15/06 LBHR De Smet

jjmclain

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #11 on: November 07, 2011, 02:21:30 PM »
Hip

http://www.andersonclinic.com/

The Anderson Clinic in Virginia takes Kaiser if you have a referral. Dr. Andy Engh, who is also listed on this website under doctors, did my surgery one year ago this week. They are excellent!

June

hernanu

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2011, 02:28:05 PM »
June, you are awesome. Hip, I'd check that out.
Hernan, LHR 8/24/2010, RHR 11/29/2010 - Cormet, Dr. Snyder

curt

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2011, 02:39:51 PM »
      Engh was on my very short list, since I live in Virginia.  June's info is one of the many reasons that this site and others are so invaluable to people with hip issues.  Glad I found it too.  Curt
51 yr, RHBiomet, Dr. Gross, 9/30/11
happy, hopeful, hip-full

Tin Soldier

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2011, 03:43:08 PM »
Pull out.  But you didn't need me to say that.  I wouldn't rush the decision, it's not worth it.  Good Luck.
LBHR 2/22/11, RBHR 8/23/11 - Pritchett.

sdunn4

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #15 on: November 07, 2011, 04:22:24 PM »
I drove 16 hours to South Carolina to have my resurfacing 2 weeks ago.  Dr. Gross said I can return to all my pre-op activities, including barefoot waterskiing, as long as I approach things gradually.  I'm not sure I want to take those risks any more, especially with a newly resurfaced hip, but the point is- I can.  Will you be able to participate in all of your prior activities with a THR?
52 YO Rt Hip Biomet Dr. Gross, 10/24/11

hipnhop

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #16 on: November 07, 2011, 05:07:46 PM »
Hippys thanks!!!  Surgery canceled. You're right - no one should be rushed into making this last minute decision. I was about to go with it because I can't afford to lose more business with another future surgery. I guess it's better to lose money than my femoral head.

Although the pain is pretty bad, I'm going to go back on Voltaren.

June, I am going to call Dr. Engh's office tomorrow - thanks.

Let the insurance battle begin again!!!

Thanks guys and gals!!!
3/2011 and 2/2012 HR Dr. Craig Thomas

hernanu

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #17 on: November 07, 2011, 05:52:05 PM »
Again, sorry about you having to deal with it. It'll pay off in the end.
Hernan, LHR 8/24/2010, RHR 11/29/2010 - Cormet, Dr. Snyder

Anniee

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #18 on: November 07, 2011, 05:53:51 PM »
Hipnhop, so glad you refused to be rushed into making such a crucial decision!  I sincerely hope you'll be able to make your decision based on what is best for you without a lot of insurance hassles.  Good luck and keep us posted!
Annie/ Right Uncemented Biomet 4-20-11/Left Uncemented Biomet 10-12-11/Dr. Gross

ScubaDuck

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Re: Kaiser Pulls Out of BHR
« Reply #19 on: November 07, 2011, 06:08:50 PM »
I am also glad you decided to hold off on surgery.  It sounds like you rescheduled business for your surgery and then they switched the procedure up on you.  I would let them know how this is affecting you.

I am sending good vibes your way so that you may find a way for your insurance to cover a HR specialist.

Best wishes.

Dan
LHRA, Birmingham, Dr. Pritchett, 8/1/2011
RHRA, EndoTec, Dr. Pritchett, 12/6/2022
fullmetalhip.wordpress.com

 

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