Re: finally surrendering to revision surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi Camille,

I wanted to give you feedback on my experience with Dr. LaGrone.

I picked Dr. LaGrone to do my revision surgery because I had talked to

or corresponded with quite a few people who had had wonderful revision

surgery results with him.

My situation is an oddball one from a number of aspects. At some

point in the past, my Harrington rod hook had migrated through the

dura surrounding my spinal cord. So removing it created a big hole in

my dura. I think, that, combined with the fact that I had other known

neurological problems (syringomyelia and a possible tethered spinal

cord) and that I bled uncontrollable and unexpectedly during the

surgery for no good reason (sort of like might happen with a person

with a known genetic or other bleeding disorder) combined to create

my very poor results. I don't know if, in hindsight, Dr. LaGrone

would have done anything different to give me a better result. But I

do know that a good surgeon learns something from each surgery he

does, so I'm betting Dr. LaGrone definitely learned something from mine.

If I were you, I'd be sure to ask Dr. LaGrone, and every other doctor

with whom you consult, what the chances are that you would have a good

outcome versus a bad one.

Good luck to you in picking a surgeon, and hope you will feel free to

post at any point in your journey when you need support, a sounding

board, or just a place to vent.

Take care,

loriann

>

> Hi everyone, my name is Camille and it's been forever since posted

> anything. I was fused from T7-L3 via Harrington Rod/Dwyer

> Instrumentation back in 1984. I'm almost 43, and have reached the end

> of my rope and have made the decision to see a specialist. I know I am

> a candidate for revision surgery. I live in Georgia, which has no

> revision specialist. Financially, I can't see Dr. Boachie. After

> years of research, he was the first call I made. I have talked to Dr.

> LaGrone's staff, who requested that get current films, MRI, myelogram,

> and CAT scan. I plan to do just that. I was browsing the posts last

> night, and heard about Loriane's unfortunate circumstances and of

> course, she had the surgery with Dr. LaGrone, which freaked me out a

> little. I'm still thinking I will follow through with a consult from

> him. Am I nuts? I am also considering a consult with Dr.Rand,

> although his staff didn't sound very enthused about my Medicare/Humana

> insurance. Does anyone know if he accepts Medicare?

> I'm ready to get the show on the road, like yesterday!! As I read

> another member's comments, " the risks of revision surgery are less than

> the finality of suicide. "

> Feedback anyone?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Camille --

It's good to hear from you. I can identify with some of the feelngs

you expressed. I am one of those people who did not have revision

surgery until I felt totally pushed to the wall. I had progressed to

the most severe deformity, could barely get through the day, and

felt my quality of life was zero - I did not know how I could go on

without the surgery.

Regardng Medicare and insurance rembursements, I also know how

trying and frustrating it can be to get things lined up so that your

surgery is covered. I would think Dr. Rand takes most major

insurance plans including Medicare. (I know the hospital billed

Medicare as my secondary payer after I had surgery with him.) Can

you find any information on this at the New England Baptist website?

I'm surprised that his office was not prepared to tell you one way

or the other.

I see that Loriann has written a post discussing Dr. LaGrone.

Regarding Dr. Boachie, I was surprised to read that you do not feel

he is affordable. Does he have a more restrictive policy on payment

than other revision surgeons? If so, this would be important for our

members to know.

I have had revision surgery both with Dr. Rand and also -- a little

bit out of the way for you, perhaps -- with Dr. Ondra at

Northwestern University in Chicago. Both surgeons are absolutely

tops, and I would recommend them without reservation.

One additional suggestion I like to make is to seek out a teaching

hospital. Some other members may feel differently, but I personally

feel an extra measure of security at a large research institution

with high-level interdisciplinary and backup resources and with a

strong spinal fellowship program.

Best,

>

> Hi everyone, my name is Camille and it's been forever since posted

> anything. I was fused from T7-L3 via Harrington Rod/Dwyer

> Instrumentation back in 1984. I'm almost 43, and have reached the

end

> of my rope and have made the decision to see a specialist. I know

I am

> a candidate for revision surgery. I live in Georgia, which has no

> revision specialist. Financially, I can't see Dr. Boachie. After

> years of research, he was the first call I made. I have talked to

Dr.

> LaGrone's staff, who requested that get current films, MRI,

myelogram,

> and CAT scan. I plan to do just that. I was browsing the posts

last

> night, and heard about Loriane's unfortunate circumstances and of

> course, she had the surgery with Dr. LaGrone, which freaked me out

a

> little. I'm still thinking I will follow through with a consult

from

> him. Am I nuts? I am also considering a consult with Dr.Rand,

> although his staff didn't sound very enthused about my

Medicare/Humana

> insurance. Does anyone know if he accepts Medicare?

> I'm ready to get the show on the road, like yesterday!! As I read

> another member's comments, " the risks of revision surgery are less

than

> the finality of suicide. "

> Feedback anyone?

>

[Guest guest]

-

Thank you for your response. It feels so good (and

different!) to have folks who can so truely relate and take the time

to respond.

Re: Dr. Boachie, I read somewhere (I was thinking it was here

somewhere that I saw it or I guess somewhere else.) Anyway, it said

that as of January 2008, Dr. Boachie no longer accepts/bills

Medicare.....that you are responsible to pay cash up front to him,

then bill the insurance yourself and pray to get some kind of re-

embursement. The office staff told me yesterday that she knew very

little about my insurance, Humana(which is my primary) contracting

with Medicare. She said she'd do some research and call me back in a

couple of days.

Re: Dr. Rand, his staff said about the same thing, that she wasn't

familiar with Humana and would have to check into it. I asked her if

she could call me back and she reluctantly agreed.

I will follow up again with both offices.

It was just so nice to hear Dr. LaGrone's staff say he has a contract

with Humana/Medicare and will accept whatever they pay. I also

realize that shouldn't be my " deciding factor " .

And I appreciate your feedback on the teaching hospital. That makes

sense. I did find out in my research that the Hospital for Special

Surgery that Dr. Boachie uses is ranked top in the nation.

I'll look up Dr. Ondra's # and call him tomorrow as well.

Thank you again,

camille

--

In , " Rasche

" <elizabethrgonzalez@...> wrote:

>

> Hi, Camille --

>

> It's good to hear from you. I can identify with some of the feelngs

> you expressed. I am one of those people who did not have revision

> surgery until I felt totally pushed to the wall. I had progressed

to

> the most severe deformity, could barely get through the day, and

> felt my quality of life was zero - I did not know how I could go on

> without the surgery.

>

> Regardng Medicare and insurance rembursements, I also know how

> trying and frustrating it can be to get things lined up so that

your

> surgery is covered. I would think Dr. Rand takes most major

> insurance plans including Medicare. (I know the hospital billed

> Medicare as my secondary payer after I had surgery with him.) Can

> you find any information on this at the New England Baptist

website?

> I'm surprised that his office was not prepared to tell you one way

> or the other.

>

> I see that Loriann has written a post discussing Dr. LaGrone.

> Regarding Dr. Boachie, I was surprised to read that you do not feel

> he is affordable. Does he have a more restrictive policy on payment

> than other revision surgeons? If so, this would be important for

our

> members to know.

>

> I have had revision surgery both with Dr. Rand and also -- a little

> bit out of the way for you, perhaps -- with Dr. Ondra at

> Northwestern University in Chicago. Both surgeons are absolutely

> tops, and I would recommend them without reservation.

>

> One additional suggestion I like to make is to seek out a teaching

> hospital. Some other members may feel differently, but I personally

> feel an extra measure of security at a large research institution

> with high-level interdisciplinary and backup resources and with a

> strong spinal fellowship program.

>

> Best,

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Hi everyone, my name is Camille and it's been forever since

posted

> > anything. I was fused from T7-L3 via Harrington Rod/Dwyer

> > Instrumentation back in 1984. I'm almost 43, and have reached the

> end

> > of my rope and have made the decision to see a specialist. I know

> I am

> > a candidate for revision surgery. I live in Georgia, which has no

> > revision specialist. Financially, I can't see Dr. Boachie.

After

> > years of research, he was the first call I made. I have talked

to

> Dr.

> > LaGrone's staff, who requested that get current films, MRI,

> myelogram,

> > and CAT scan. I plan to do just that. I was browsing the posts

> last

> > night, and heard about Loriane's unfortunate circumstances and of

> > course, she had the surgery with Dr. LaGrone, which freaked me

out

> a

> > little. I'm still thinking I will follow through with a consult

> from

> > him. Am I nuts? I am also considering a consult with Dr.Rand,

> > although his staff didn't sound very enthused about my

> Medicare/Humana

> > insurance. Does anyone know if he accepts Medicare?

> > I'm ready to get the show on the road, like yesterday!! As I

read

> > another member's comments, " the risks of revision surgery are

less

> than

> > the finality of suicide. "

> > Feedback anyone?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Camille,

Hi! I just was at Dr Ondra/Dr Koski's office today for my 6-month

post-op check! I really like both of them - Dr Koski ended up being

my surgeon. I have great confidence in both of them as surgeons, and

they both have a wonderful & compassionate personality. If you are

looking for another opinion and can make it out to Chicago, I would

give either Ondra or Koski a high recommendation.

You said that you would be calling their office tomorrow - here is

the phone number: (312)695-8143. If you just call their office to

make an appointment, it will likely be a good 3-6 months before you

can get in to see them. If you are able to fax them a copy of your

xray, CT, or MRI report (not the films themselves), their nurse Kathy

will give you a call and most likely be able to schedule you an

appointment in their special Tuesday Complex Spine Clinic within 2-3

weeks. They set aside Tuesdays specifically to deal quickly with

people with complex spinal deformities. " Regular " back pain people

end up waiting the 3-6 months for an appointment. When I contacted

their office, I faxed my report (along with a short note about my

history and current issues) on a Friday, someone called me that next

Monday afternoon, and I was sitting in his office on Tuesday of the

following week, only a week & a half after my fax.

I wish you the best in your doctor-searching.

>

> I'll look up Dr. Ondra's # and call him tomorrow as well.

>

> Thank you again,

> camille

[Guest guest]

Another excellent and very experienced revision surgeon is Dr

Bridwell in St Louis. He is affiliated with Washington University

and has authored a lot of research papers about our condition. I had

surgery with him in March and I am very pleased with the outcome. I

walked 8 miles in one walk on Sunday!

> > >

> > > Hi everyone, my name is Camille and it's been forever since

> posted

> > > anything. I was fused from T7-L3 via Harrington Rod/Dwyer

> > > Instrumentation back in 1984. I'm almost 43, and have reached

the

> > end

> > > of my rope and have made the decision to see a specialist. I

know

> > I am

> > > a candidate for revision surgery. I live in Georgia, which has

no

> > > revision specialist. Financially, I can't see Dr. Boachie.

> After

> > > years of research, he was the first call I made. I have talked

> to

> > Dr.

> > > LaGrone's staff, who requested that get current films, MRI,

> > myelogram,

> > > and CAT scan. I plan to do just that. I was browsing the

posts

> > last

> > > night, and heard about Loriane's unfortunate circumstances and

of

> > > course, she had the surgery with Dr. LaGrone, which freaked me

> out

> > a

> > > little. I'm still thinking I will follow through with a consult

> > from

> > > him. Am I nuts? I am also considering a consult with Dr.Rand,

> > > although his staff didn't sound very enthused about my

> > Medicare/Humana

> > > insurance. Does anyone know if he accepts Medicare?

> > > I'm ready to get the show on the road, like yesterday!! As I

> read

> > > another member's comments, " the risks of revision surgery are

> less

> > than

> > > the finality of suicide. "

> > > Feedback anyone?

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Camille --

It's good to hear from you. I can identify with some of the feelngs

you expressed. I am one of those people who did not have revision

surgery until I felt totally pushed to the wall. I had progressed to

the most severe deformity, could barely get through the day, and

felt my quality of life was zero - I did not know how I could go on

without the surgery.

Regardng Medicare and insurance rembursements, I also know how

trying and frustrating it can be to get things lined up so that your

surgery is covered. I would think Dr. Rand takes most major

insurance plans including Medicare. (I know the hospital billed

Medicare as my secondary payer after I had surgery with him.) Can

you find any information on this at the New England Baptist website?

I'm surprised that his office was not prepared to tell you one way

or the other.

I see that Loriann has written a post discussing Dr. LaGrone.

Regarding Dr. Boachie, I was surprised to read that you do not feel

he is affordable. Does he have a more restrictive policy on payment

than other revision surgeons? If so, this would be important for our

members to know.

I have had revision surgery both with Dr. Rand and also -- a little

bit out of the way for you, perhaps -- with Dr. Ondra at

Northwestern University in Chicago. Both surgeons are absolutely

tops, and I would recommend them without reservation.

One additional suggestion I like to make is to seek out a teaching

hospital. Some other members may feel differently, but I personally

feel an extra measure of security at a large research institution

with high-level interdisciplinary and backup resources and with a

strong spinal fellowship program.

Best,

>

> Hi everyone, my name is Camille and it's been forever since posted

> anything. I was fused from T7-L3 via Harrington Rod/Dwyer

> Instrumentation back in 1984. I'm almost 43, and have reached the

end

> of my rope and have made the decision to see a specialist. I know

I am

> a candidate for revision surgery. I live in Georgia, which has no

> revision specialist. Financially, I can't see Dr. Boachie. After

> years of research, he was the first call I made. I have talked to

Dr.

> LaGrone's staff, who requested that get current films, MRI,

myelogram,

> and CAT scan. I plan to do just that. I was browsing the posts

last

> night, and heard about Loriane's unfortunate circumstances and of

> course, she had the surgery with Dr. LaGrone, which freaked me out

a

> little. I'm still thinking I will follow through with a consult

from

> him. Am I nuts? I am also considering a consult with Dr.Rand,

> although his staff didn't sound very enthused about my

Medicare/Humana

> insurance. Does anyone know if he accepts Medicare?

> I'm ready to get the show on the road, like yesterday!! As I read

> another member's comments, " the risks of revision surgery are less

than

> the finality of suicide. "

> Feedback anyone?

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Camille,

I had another thought: Does Humana have a website for enrollees that

might provide a handy list of covered specialists? My own insurance

carrier does have such a list, and although it may have a few gaps

here and there, at least it has been a helpful starting point for me.

I did not know Dr. Ondra was a possiblity for you, but I have to say

again that you could not go wrong having surgery with him. His

patients all seem to adore him uniquivocally, and I am no exception,

even though I tend to be very skeptical and cautious with the

medical profession in general (as well as being an extremely " tough

customer " and giving doctors the pre-op third degree, as well as

giving them my frank opinion as to where they have may have gone

wrong in their handling of my case). Dr. Ondra is not only a

consummate surgeon, he is a total sweetheart. He has that rare

ability to be genuinely charming without disguising the truth or

mincing words -- he will give it to you straight. I am also fairly

confident that his office could work it out so your surgery was

reimbursed, one way or another -- they are a neurological surgery

practice within Northwestern University Medical Center, which has

always handled my own billing issues very capably and successfuly

(in terms of filing all the paperwork and getting what they are

owed -- from the " deep pockets " who are supposed to cover my medical

care, not from me).

Since I had surgery with Ondra, he has taken on a partner, who

performed surgery on Maas. As you might already know from

's posts, she thinks very highly of this partner. (Sorry,

, I know you've mentioned his name many times and that it

begins with a " K " -- Kostka? Kostko? Or do I have him mixed up with

that popular warehouse store?)

I do hope you can get some of the surgery-related issues resolved

soon, so you have a little more certainty and peace of mind. Please

keep us posted.

Best,

> > >

> > > Hi everyone, my name is Camille and it's been forever since

> posted

> > > anything. I was fused from T7-L3 via Harrington Rod/Dwyer

> > > Instrumentation back in 1984. I'm almost 43, and have reached

the

> > end

> > > of my rope and have made the decision to see a specialist. I

know

> > I am

> > > a candidate for revision surgery. I live in Georgia, which has

no

> > > revision specialist. Financially, I can't see Dr. Boachie.

> After

> > > years of research, he was the first call I made. I have

talked

> to

> > Dr.

> > > LaGrone's staff, who requested that get current films, MRI,

> > myelogram,

> > > and CAT scan. I plan to do just that. I was browsing the

posts

> > last

> > > night, and heard about Loriane's unfortunate circumstances and

of

> > > course, she had the surgery with Dr. LaGrone, which freaked me

> out

> > a

> > > little. I'm still thinking I will follow through with a

consult

> > from

> > > him. Am I nuts? I am also considering a consult with

Dr.Rand,

> > > although his staff didn't sound very enthused about my

> > Medicare/Humana

> > > insurance. Does anyone know if he accepts Medicare?

> > > I'm ready to get the show on the road, like yesterday!! As I

> read

> > > another member's comments, " the risks of revision surgery are

> less

> > than

> > > the finality of suicide. "

> > > Feedback anyone?

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

It sounds as if you're doing great. That's wonderful to hear.

I don't have firsthand experience with Dr. Bridwell but have

certainly heard great things about him. He is definitely one of the

stars. He and my own surgeon, Dr. Ondra in Chicago, have worked

closely together and co-authored some ground-breaking articles on

flatback syndrome.

> > > >

> > > > Hi everyone, my name is Camille and it's been forever since

> > posted

> > > > anything. I was fused from T7-L3 via Harrington Rod/Dwyer

> > > > Instrumentation back in 1984. I'm almost 43, and have

reached

> the

> > > end

> > > > of my rope and have made the decision to see a specialist. I

> know

> > > I am

> > > > a candidate for revision surgery. I live in Georgia, which

has

> no

> > > > revision specialist. Financially, I can't see Dr. Boachie.

> > After

> > > > years of research, he was the first call I made. I have

talked

> > to

> > > Dr.

> > > > LaGrone's staff, who requested that get current films, MRI,

> > > myelogram,

> > > > and CAT scan. I plan to do just that. I was browsing the

> posts

> > > last

> > > > night, and heard about Loriane's unfortunate circumstances

and

> of

> > > > course, she had the surgery with Dr. LaGrone, which freaked

me

> > out

> > > a

> > > > little. I'm still thinking I will follow through with a

consult

> > > from

> > > > him. Am I nuts? I am also considering a consult with

Dr.Rand,

> > > > although his staff didn't sound very enthused about my

> > > Medicare/Humana

> > > > insurance. Does anyone know if he accepts Medicare?

> > > > I'm ready to get the show on the road, like yesterday!! As

I

> > read

> > > > another member's comments, " the risks of revision surgery

are

> > less

> > > than

> > > > the finality of suicide. "

> > > > Feedback anyone?

> > > >

> > >

> >

>