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Author Topic: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19  (Read 6113 times)

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BionicHip

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Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« on: December 01, 2020, 06:54:47 PM »
I am attempting to get to Belgium for Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Koen De Smet

Spoke with Honourary Belgium Consul and he provided the following information:
- should not need visa
- you can travel to Belgium but have to prove to the Border Control Officer you meet the requirements of entry
- have to fill out Passenger Locator Form [48 hours before travel]
- may have to quarantine but not sure who decides if it's necessary

Just wondering if anybody has travelled [any country] during Covid-19?
[It seems like the Border Control Officer decides if you will be allowed entry]


Right Hip Resurfaced at age 62
Adept MoM: Head=54mm / Cup=60mm
Dr. Koen De Smet

imgetinold

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2020, 11:32:17 AM »
I don't have any answers to your questions, but this is the US embassy website in Belgium:

https://be.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Andy
- Right Biomet uncemented HR with Dr. Gross on 1/11/2012
- Left Biomet uncemented HR with Dr. Gross on 10/28/2020

BOILER UP!

imgetinold

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2020, 12:07:32 PM »
If I remember correctly, you're in Canada?


https://canada.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-to-belgium
Andy
- Right Biomet uncemented HR with Dr. Gross on 1/11/2012
- Left Biomet uncemented HR with Dr. Gross on 10/28/2020

BOILER UP!

BionicHip

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2020, 07:00:02 PM »
Dr. Koen De Smet has already looked into the travel situation during Covid-19 and I should be able to travel

If everything works out I should be having my Hip Resurfaced in January.

It is still a stressful event [major surgery] and some people are second guessing my choice.
I also like to tell people that Hip Resurfacing is less invasive but requires an experienced surgeon.
Reading some of the stories on this website provides a good support network to drown out the negative opinions.

Thanks for the response imgetinold.
Right Hip Resurfaced at age 62
Adept MoM: Head=54mm / Cup=60mm
Dr. Koen De Smet

Saddlepal3

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2020, 03:59:57 PM »
Congratulations! You'll be in great hands.

jimbone

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2020, 09:53:42 PM »
That's the doc that did Pat's surgery- the woman that started this site and all that I've read about him is extremely encouraging.  If he's your option you'll be in excellent hands.  Best of luck.

BionicHip

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2020, 11:44:39 AM »
From emailing back and forth with Dr. De Smet I feel comfortable selecting him for my Hip Resurfacing.  Also, grateful that he really took the time to answer all of my questions [many] and provided all of the necessary information so that I can make it to Ghent.  The only thing that could stop me would be getting Covid ... hopefully not.

Some extra info regarding the other surgeons I considered.

1. Emailed Dr. Bose but was surprised with his reply.  He informed that he would not be sure if I could have my hip resurfaced until he examined in India.  Travelling to India and not knowing if will get a Hip Resurfacing or Replacement seemed too risky so I declined.  It is odd that the other surgeons [Dr. Brooks & Dr. De Smet] both agreed that I would be a good candidate for Hip Resurfacing [from looking at my x-rays].

2. Considered Dr. McMinn and sent him my x-rays but he never replied.  After getting no reply I did some searching and discovered that he was suspended for hoarding bones?  Weird?

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/derek-mcminn-celebrities-hip-surgeon-gordon-strachan-wagner-birmingham-b605121.html

Thanks for the positive comments. 
Right Hip Resurfaced at age 62
Adept MoM: Head=54mm / Cup=60mm
Dr. Koen De Smet

catfriend

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2020, 03:21:05 PM »
Wow. That McMinn story is just, uh, weird and creepy. Unsettling. I wouldn't want to go to a surgeon who was secretly hoarding my bones, or any other body parts. I wouldn't want to have dinner at his house, either.

When I was about 19-20 I had knee surgery to correct some unpronounceable, but painful, problem I was having. It turned out to be such a textbook example of whatever the problem was that the orthopedist used my case as an example in a talk at an international orthopedic conference in Rio. In that case it was discussed beforehand, it was made clear that I would be unidentifiable (only knee pics, nothing else), and he told me how it went afterwards as well. Even for this anonymous example he was upfront about it. I could have refused. I did try and talk him into taking me to Rio to serve as a living example of his skill. Sadly he did not take me up on this offer. Sigh.

stevel

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2020, 09:33:55 PM »
Interesting.  During my research for hip resurfacing, an acquaintance who had bilateral hip replacements, loaned me one failed hip replacement implant for inspection that had been salvaged from the revision operation.  It still had bone attached to the stem.  In this case the failed implant was returned to the patient.  Failure was due to osteolysis of the poly liner over a 14 year period.  Perhaps McMinn retained the parts for further study.
« Last Edit: December 06, 2020, 09:39:10 PM by stevel »
Steve
LBHR 60mm/54mm Dr Su 9/29/08 age 55
RBHR 60mm/54mm Dr Su 11/1/19 age 66
Age 70

imgetinold

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2020, 09:17:46 AM »
Definitely weird, the bone hoarding thing.  However, if I found out that Dr. Gross was keeping patient bones after my first resurfacing, I would STILL have gone to him for my second one because he's that good.  Most people have at least one odd thing about them.  Hoarding bones doesn't hurt anyone.  Just my $0.02.
Andy
- Right Biomet uncemented HR with Dr. Gross on 1/11/2012
- Left Biomet uncemented HR with Dr. Gross on 10/28/2020

BOILER UP!

BionicHip

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2020, 07:42:24 PM »
It is a strange development but from what I have read he is the man that really made Hip Resurfacing into an excellent alternative to Hip Replacement.  He has improved many lives and I do not think the keeping of bones is a major crime.  He probably should have received the consent of his patients and maybe he did?  From reading the story, it's still before the courts and we have not heard his side of the story.
Right Hip Resurfaced at age 62
Adept MoM: Head=54mm / Cup=60mm
Dr. Koen De Smet

stevel

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2020, 02:28:16 PM »
The acquaintance loaned me his medical file for his bilateral hip replacements in addition to the failed hip replacement.  So much for confidentiality!  Well, 9 yrs later he came to my retirement party!  I get by with a little help from my friends!
Steve
LBHR 60mm/54mm Dr Su 9/29/08 age 55
RBHR 60mm/54mm Dr Su 11/1/19 age 66
Age 70

dannythebeerman

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #12 on: December 08, 2020, 07:13:47 PM »
I hope he kept just a few bones (not hundreds) for educational purposes, education should not be considered so bizarre.  I'm not familiar with current trends in med school labs, but students use to receive instruction using cadavers.

If ritual, witchcraft or voodoo was involved I would consider that bizarre.
~Danny Hahn

July 2020 Biomet Magnum Trispike, Dr Gross. Needed 5cm3 bone graft behind acetabular cup.  That's a whole lot of packed in bone dust I pray heals.

Hipmom

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #13 on: December 31, 2020, 09:54:57 PM »
Hi, I am booked for bilateral resurfacing using the new ceramic parts with Dr. De Smet on January 21st.  I just booked today and am freaking out a bit.  I’m 51 year old female and used to be a triathlete before the hips went south.  I’m canadian as well (Vancouver Island).  Perhaps I will see you there?! 

BionicHip

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2021, 07:52:23 AM »
They can rebuild me, they have the technology, they can make me better than I was before, better, stronger, faster ... [For the older ones among us that was sort of the preamble at the beginning of the "Six Million Dollar Man" television series].  Well, I am going for the Hip Resurfacing  and I will be happy if I can just walk without pain/limp and if I can run again it will be a bonus.

I am in Belgium and my Hip Resurfacing is scheduled for Wednesday Jan.20th.  The surgery still worries me but a Hip Replacement would worry me much more.  It's too bad that Hip Resurfacing is not the standard surgery recommended before Hip Replacement is even considered.

Getting to Belgium for this surgery was not easy due to Covid:
- schedule flight ... then they changed flight ... rescheduled
- Covid Test shortly before flight
- approval from Belgium Embassy was difficult
- Dr. Koen De Smet had to personally send a letter on my behalf
- Received approval just in time [if 2 hours later; Embassy closed: cancel everything]
- much scrutiny at airport before being allowed on flight
- another Covid Test when arriving in Belgium [47 Euro]

I cannot thank Dr. Koen De Smet enough for all of his assistance.  It is amazing the amount of personal attention he provides.  I must have emailed him close to 50 times and he always responded personally [I was worried he would get mad at all my questions].  The other "Pre Hippies" that I spoke with here said the same thing.  Being one of the worlds top Hip Resurfacing surgeons he seems very humble.

Also, thank-you to Pat Walter for creating this website and making people aware that there is an alternative to Hip Replacement.

Will post how my recovery goes after my surgery to hopefully help others make a decision. 
Right Hip Resurfaced at age 62
Adept MoM: Head=54mm / Cup=60mm
Dr. Koen De Smet

Arthur Plastie

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #15 on: January 18, 2021, 09:20:08 AM »
BionicHip and Hipmom:  the “Steve Austin” and “Jamie Sommers” of the SurfaceHippy Forum!  Best of luck, you two!  Bring back some Belgian chocolate!
MarvinB
-RH Biomet U/C by Dr. Gross and Lee Webb 1/4/21
Ready for fun in ‘21!

dannythebeerman

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #16 on: January 18, 2021, 10:40:55 AM »
I'm sure you are relieved to be there! 

There was one thing I didn't anticipate for my trip home.  I didn't recognize blood thinners would cause poor circulation that I developed ankle swelling and a bruised heel which led me to worry about thrombosis.  Maybe you've thought of this, but consider support hose if elevating is going to be a challenge, I wish I had. Noticed discomfort at about 3 hrs.  I actually had ankle swelling before my trip home, so if this happens to you, take care and Good Luck!
~Danny Hahn

July 2020 Biomet Magnum Trispike, Dr Gross. Needed 5cm3 bone graft behind acetabular cup.  That's a whole lot of packed in bone dust I pray heals.

BionicHip

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #17 on: January 22, 2021, 04:20:16 PM »
Well there are 3 of us from North America that have now become Surface Hippies.  Hipmon [British Columbia], Jason [Colorado], and myself from [Ontario, Canada].  There are also over 20 Swedish people here for Hip Resurfacing.  Jason and I are already back at the Hotel but Hipmom is still in the hospital because she had both hips resurfaced.

It was quite the experience from my perspective.  I was scheduled for surgery on Jan.20 at 3:00 pm but in the morning they came to my room and asked if I was ready?  I did not mind going in early because I just wanted it to get the surgery over with.  The nurse just asked if I ate anything and since I did not she told me to shower with the anteseptic soup and they would get me.

Well from what I recall this is how it went:
- the wheeled me down from my hospital room and had me walk to the operating table
- the anesthesiologist just confirmed I had not eaten and I just had small amount of water
- they put an IV in my arm and it was like a dark see through curtain was decending on my vision
- next thing I know I wake up in recovery room and nurse mentions surgery was complete
- Jason saw me in recovery room and said I was asking, "if I should shower with the antiseptic soap?" Weird
- if there was pain I should click button for morphine to control the pain
- if the button was lit you could click for a shot of morpine if not lit you had wait for it to work
- as soon as it was lit up I was clicking; there was definitely pain [for Hipmom it must have been worse]
- when they wheeled me back to the room the nurse advised not to use too much morphine because it will be hard on you later
- once back in the room the pain was not too bad and I did not use the morphine button
- the first day was tough and I was wondering if this was worth it [yes, Hip Replacement would probably be worse]
- I am back at the hotel and continuing rehab with crutches

I am glad that I went for the Hip Resurfacing.  Even if it does not allow me to get back to running I still think it is the logical choice.  It still puzzles me that more surgeons don't embrace Hip Resurfacing; in the long run it would probably save money. 

It's unfortunate that I had to pay for the surgery myself but anybody considering the Hip Resurfacing should ask them selves what their life is worth?  In my case I just included the cost in my mortgage ... I tell people some people buy a new car, I bought a new Hip.

Thanks for all of the people for their advice ... it's nice to have support.
Right Hip Resurfaced at age 62
Adept MoM: Head=54mm / Cup=60mm
Dr. Koen De Smet

Arthur Plastie

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #18 on: January 23, 2021, 09:02:58 AM »
Congrats, ya’ll!!  Keep us updated with your rehab progress.  Stick to the guidelines and don’t push... you could be back to running again before you know it!
MarvinB
-RH Biomet U/C by Dr. Gross and Lee Webb 1/4/21
Ready for fun in ‘21!

imgetinold

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Re: Travelling for Resurfacing during Covid-19
« Reply #19 on: January 25, 2021, 10:40:24 AM »
Way to go!  It gets better quickly, I promise.  I was completely off pain meds by day 5, some folks much earlier.  I hope you too can wean off.  The worst part for me is that (pardon the graphicness) it's nearly impossible to poop when on those opiates.


Keep us appraised of your progress!

Andy
- Right Biomet uncemented HR with Dr. Gross on 1/11/2012
- Left Biomet uncemented HR with Dr. Gross on 10/28/2020

BOILER UP!

 

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