Re: Opinion of Dr. Beaul'e

[Guest guest]

at Tahoe...there are several simultaneous bilateral hippies in

this group...I'm sure you'll be hearing from them soon---I've been

paying particular attention to them myself for several months now

because I am considering a bilat. as well...if I can whip myself into

good enough shape. Steve is a new bilat.... Steve??? Where are you???

I remember his first post after returning to the boards after his

surgery...his comment was " Did anyone get the license number of the

truck that just ran over me? " . I recommend you go back and read his

posts...Susie in Memphis

In surfacehippy , " lsbtahoe " wrote:

> Experienced Surface Hippies,

>

> Can anyone with experience with Dr. Beaul'e at the JRI in LA please

> provide me with their honest opinion? I am seriously considering

> bilateral resurfacing and would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

>

> As there are so many s in the world, I will use the following

to

> identify myself.

>

> Thank you,

>

> at Lake Tahoe

[Guest guest]

>

>

>

> at Tahoe...there are several simultaneous bilateral hippies in

> this group...I'm sure you'll be hearing from them soon---I've been

> paying particular attention to them myself for several months now

> because I am considering a bilat. as well...if I can whip myself into

> good enough shape. Steve is a new bilat.... Steve??? Where are you???

Right here in Cosmic Boulder, the Berkeley of the Rockies.

> I remember his first post after returning to the boards after his

> surgery...his comment was " Did anyone get the license number of the

> truck that just ran over me? " .

Geez...I was *KIDDING*.

Okay - I was resurfaced by Dr. Amstutz at JRI on 4/20/04. My operation

took extra long because I had extensive bone spurs, particularly on

the right side, and unusually hard bones. They expected the operation

to take under 3 hours, but it ended up being over twice that long.

Despite the additional duration, the operation was a raging success.

I was somewhat fatigued because I lost an unexpectedly large amount of

blood due to the long surgery, but I was in no pain whatsoever. They

got me up and walking the next day, and by day 3 (second post-op day)

I was merrily ambulating up and down the halls, perfecting my crutch

utilization skills and leering at the nurses. I was discharged on day

5 (4 days after the operation), and flew back to Colorado on day 6.

I live alone and was managing to take care of myself from the time I

returned (with a lot of much appreciated help from visiting friends).

Judging me with Roche(who had a unilateral 4 days before me and

whom I visited several times during his recovery), I'd say that a

bilateral is definitely harder than a unilateral, but it's not *twice*

as hard. Remember that I did this alone (although I had a plethora of

friends dropping by, bringing food, etc). If you live with someone or

have family or friends you could stay with for the first week or two

after you get home, I wouldn't give a second thought to the difference

between a unilateral and a bilateral. If you're alone and don't have

anyone around, then it might be a good idea to remember the following:

1) My house is one story. Like everything else, stairs are harder if

you're bilateral

2) I worked pretty hard to build up strength and general fitness

before the operation. Improving your condition before surgery

is a good idea, regardless of how many hips you're having done,

but a lot of people are really limited before surgery. Upper

body and abdominal strength will help a lot with general mobility,

getting in and out of bed, etc.

3) I put an extra box spring (a/k/a " foundation " on my bed to elevate

it. This made getting in and out a lot easier.

4) If you're going bilateral, get a raised toilet seat with handles.

You'll probably be given a raised seat when you leave the hospital,

but handles are really useful - particularly for bilaterals since

you won't have a " good leg " .

5) There's an outfit called " Dynamic Living " that sells lots of

gizmos that make life easier for folks with various handicaps.

I bought reachers for pretty much every room in the house. They

also sell this thingamabob called a " soap swing " which I highly

recommend. It's a mesh bag on a rope that holds a bar of soap -

basically converting any bar of soap to a " soap on a rope " . This

can be a godsend when you start showering - you *will* drop the

soap. Getting a *tall* shower chair can really be helpful for the

first few showers. Hand showers are great, too.

6) If you want to splurge, get yourself a nice recliner.

7) I bought a tall barstool (well, bar chair, actually) for the

kitchen. It made food preparation and cooking much easier.

8) Everybody thought my balloon suggestion was goofy so I won't

repeat it.

You're gonna be tired and kind of sore for the first couple of weeks,

but most people make more rapid progress thereafter.

Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

Hey in Tahoe!

I will be getting my new left hip from Dr. Beaule once my insurance

tells me they'll be covering or not. Either way, I'm doin' it - I

just want to find out if I'm payin' or BCCA is.

I obviously am pre-op, but I was referred to Dr. Beaule by a 29-year

old woman who had Dr. Beaule do her hip. She was in a motorcycle

wreck, and honestly, had previous surgeries to " put her back

together. " She can't say enough about Dr. Beaule. I met him 4/26

and am confident about his experience - esp considering he works w/

one of the " gurus " of hip repl, Amstutz....on a side note...not quite

sure of the name deal at JRI - but seems ya can't be a doc there

w/out a rare/wow-ish name! Schmalzried, Amstutz, and Creme ... I

mean, Dr. Beaule!!! )

Please know I do not say this out of disrespect...I think you all

know these men are OUR WORLD!!!

Anyway ...how did you hear about him? Did you meet him?

Good luck to you!

In surfacehippy , " lsbtahoe " wrote:

> Experienced Surface Hippies,

>

> Can anyone with experience with Dr. Beaul'e at the JRI in LA please

> provide me with their honest opinion? I am seriously considering

> bilateral resurfacing and would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

>

> As there are so many s in the world, I will use the following

to

> identify myself.

>

> Thank you,

>

> at Lake Tahoe

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for your response. It is so nice to be able to hear from people who

have dealt with the guy who, according to Steve a few days ago, is going to run

me over wilth a truck.

On the insurance side of things, is Chuck working on that for you? I

spoke to him 2 days ago and he seems really knowledgeable on insurance claims.

I hope it all goes well for you, especially the surgery.

After hearing from others who have had a bilateral, I am a little terified.

Not much choice though as I can no longer sleep. I am sending Dr. Beaul'e my

x-rays today.

Please keep in touch and let me know how things go.

Thanks,

at Tahoe

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for your response. It is so nice to be able to hear from people who

have dealt with the guy who, according to Steve a few days ago, is going to run

me over wilth a truck.

On the insurance side of things, is Chuck working on that for you? I

spoke to him 2 days ago and he seems really knowledgeable on insurance claims.

I hope it all goes well for you, especially the surgery.

After hearing from others who have had a bilateral, I am a little terified.

Not much choice though as I can no longer sleep. I am sending Dr. Beaul'e my

x-rays today.

Please keep in touch and let me know how things go.

Thanks,

at Tahoe

[Guest guest]

Thanks Steve,

I just printed your shopping list and will use it as soon as I get a date

with the doc. Unfortunately, my house has stairs everywhere (3 stories). Were

you on crutches for long after the 'truck accident'? I've been having

nightmares about that phrase.

at Tahoe

[Guest guest]

Thanks Steve,

I just printed your shopping list and will use it as soon as I get a date

with the doc. Unfortunately, my house has stairs everywhere (3 stories). Were

you on crutches for long after the 'truck accident'? I've been having

nightmares about that phrase.

at Tahoe

[Guest guest]

Beaule did my left hip on 3/5/04. He was fine, friendly and

personable. The administrative details got a little hairy, but thats

not his fault. Surgery itself was fine.

> > Experienced Surface Hippies,

> >

> > Can anyone with experience with Dr. Beaul'e at the JRI in LA

please

> > provide me with their honest opinion? I am seriously considering

> > bilateral resurfacing and would greatly appreciate hearing from

you.

> >

> > As there are so many s in the world, I will use the following

> to

> > identify myself.

> >

> > Thank you,

> >

> > at Lake Tahoe

[Guest guest]

Beaule did my left hip on 3/5/04. He was fine, friendly and

personable. The administrative details got a little hairy, but thats

not his fault. Surgery itself was fine.

> > Experienced Surface Hippies,

> >

> > Can anyone with experience with Dr. Beaul'e at the JRI in LA

please

> > provide me with their honest opinion? I am seriously considering

> > bilateral resurfacing and would greatly appreciate hearing from

you.

> >

> > As there are so many s in the world, I will use the following

> to

> > identify myself.

> >

> > Thank you,

> >

> > at Lake Tahoe

[Guest guest]

> ,

>

> Thanks for your response. It is so nice to be able to hear from

people who

> have dealt with the guy who, according to Steve a few days ago, is

going to run

> me over wilth a truck.

Well, my case was somewhat complicated and it still wasn't all that

bad. A more " normal " bilateral resurf should be much easier. Even in

the recovery room, immediately post-op, I felt much better than I did

going in. Don't worry, you're in good hands.

> On the insurance side of things, is Chuck working on that for

you? I

> spoke to him 2 days ago and he seems really knowledgeable on

insurance claims.

> I hope it all goes well for you, especially the surgery.

Chuck is great. I'm really sorry he was out of town the week I had

surgery so I couldn't meet him in person.

Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

> ,

>

> Thanks for your response. It is so nice to be able to hear from

people who

> have dealt with the guy who, according to Steve a few days ago, is

going to run

> me over wilth a truck.

Well, my case was somewhat complicated and it still wasn't all that

bad. A more " normal " bilateral resurf should be much easier. Even in

the recovery room, immediately post-op, I felt much better than I did

going in. Don't worry, you're in good hands.

> On the insurance side of things, is Chuck working on that for

you? I

> spoke to him 2 days ago and he seems really knowledgeable on

insurance claims.

> I hope it all goes well for you, especially the surgery.

Chuck is great. I'm really sorry he was out of town the week I had

surgery so I couldn't meet him in person.

Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

> Thanks Steve,

>

> I just printed your shopping list and will use it as soon as I get a

date

> with the doc. Unfortunately, my house has stairs everywhere (3

stories). Were

> you on crutches for long after the 'truck accident'? I've been having

> nightmares about that phrase.

Well, technically (at 5 weeks and 2 days) I'm still on crutches

because I'm waiting for the " all-clear " from Dr. Amstutz. I really

don't use them around the house much, although I still use them on

outdoor excursions and stairs. I had my " 6 week X-rays " shot on Monday

and Express Mail-ed them to JRI that afternoon. They arrived Tuesday

morning. I assume I'll hear from Dr. Amstutz as soon as he has a

chance to look at them.

The biggest problem I had was post-op anemia, which has completely

resolved. There is absolutely no reason for you to be alarmed by my

silly remark several weeks ago. I would never forgive myself if that

casual quip dissuaded someone from getting the help he needs.

My advice is:

1) Send your X-ray

2) Get resurfaced

3) Get on with your life

Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

> Thanks Steve,

>

> I just printed your shopping list and will use it as soon as I get a

date

> with the doc. Unfortunately, my house has stairs everywhere (3

stories). Were

> you on crutches for long after the 'truck accident'? I've been having

> nightmares about that phrase.

Well, technically (at 5 weeks and 2 days) I'm still on crutches

because I'm waiting for the " all-clear " from Dr. Amstutz. I really

don't use them around the house much, although I still use them on

outdoor excursions and stairs. I had my " 6 week X-rays " shot on Monday

and Express Mail-ed them to JRI that afternoon. They arrived Tuesday

morning. I assume I'll hear from Dr. Amstutz as soon as he has a

chance to look at them.

The biggest problem I had was post-op anemia, which has completely

resolved. There is absolutely no reason for you to be alarmed by my

silly remark several weeks ago. I would never forgive myself if that

casual quip dissuaded someone from getting the help he needs.

My advice is:

1) Send your X-ray

2) Get resurfaced

3) Get on with your life

Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

> Thanks Steve,

>

> I just printed your shopping list and will use it as soon as I get a

date

> with the doc. Unfortunately, my house has stairs everywhere (3

stories). Were

> you on crutches for long after the 'truck accident'? I've been having

> nightmares about that phrase.

Well, technically (at 5 weeks and 2 days) I'm still on crutches

because I'm waiting for the " all-clear " from Dr. Amstutz. I really

don't use them around the house much, although I still use them on

outdoor excursions and stairs. I had my " 6 week X-rays " shot on Monday

and Express Mail-ed them to JRI that afternoon. They arrived Tuesday

morning. I assume I'll hear from Dr. Amstutz as soon as he has a

chance to look at them.

The biggest problem I had was post-op anemia, which has completely

resolved. There is absolutely no reason for you to be alarmed by my

silly remark several weeks ago. I would never forgive myself if that

casual quip dissuaded someone from getting the help he needs.

My advice is:

1) Send your X-ray

2) Get resurfaced

3) Get on with your life

Steve (bilat C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Steve,

My x-rays were sent to JRI today.

at Tahoe

[Guest guest]

Hey ! I hear ya loud and clear - this website is a God-sent

(sp?) to many of us! who works w/ Dr. Beaule is dealing with

my insurance...Chuck may, too - but in my case is. I got an

email from her today, and she said she would know something WITHIN

SEVEN BUSINESS DAYS!!! Wow...talk about a reality check. I was

exhausted and goin' to bed right before getting her email, now I'm

somehow WIDE AWAKE - GO FIGURE! And of course it's when most hippies

are signed out!

I'll keep in touch - please do the same! GO BEAULE!

- soon-to-be HIPPY!

In surfacehippy , jwburnett@a... wrote:

> ,

>

> Thanks for your response. It is so nice to be able to hear from

people who

> have dealt with the guy who, according to Steve a few days ago, is

going to run

> me over wilth a truck.

>

> On the insurance side of things, is Chuck working on that for

you? I

> spoke to him 2 days ago and he seems really knowledgeable on

insurance claims.

> I hope it all goes well for you, especially the surgery.

>

> After hearing from others who have had a bilateral, I am a little

terified.

> Not much choice though as I can no longer sleep. I am sending Dr.

Beaul'e my

> x-rays today.

>

> Please keep in touch and let me know how things go.

>

> Thanks,

>

> at Tahoe

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey ! I hear ya loud and clear - this website is a God-sent

(sp?) to many of us! who works w/ Dr. Beaule is dealing with

my insurance...Chuck may, too - but in my case is. I got an

email from her today, and she said she would know something WITHIN

SEVEN BUSINESS DAYS!!! Wow...talk about a reality check. I was

exhausted and goin' to bed right before getting her email, now I'm

somehow WIDE AWAKE - GO FIGURE! And of course it's when most hippies

are signed out!

I'll keep in touch - please do the same! GO BEAULE!

- soon-to-be HIPPY!

In surfacehippy , jwburnett@a... wrote:

> ,

>

> Thanks for your response. It is so nice to be able to hear from

people who

> have dealt with the guy who, according to Steve a few days ago, is

going to run

> me over wilth a truck.

>

> On the insurance side of things, is Chuck working on that for

you? I

> spoke to him 2 days ago and he seems really knowledgeable on

insurance claims.

> I hope it all goes well for you, especially the surgery.

>

> After hearing from others who have had a bilateral, I am a little

terified.

> Not much choice though as I can no longer sleep. I am sending Dr.

Beaul'e my

> x-rays today.

>

> Please keep in touch and let me know how things go.

>

> Thanks,

>

> at Tahoe

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Dr. Beaule was recommended to me by a physician who was resurfed by

Dr. De Smet.

I read several old posts who spoke very highly of him.

I went to LA after Dr. S was recommended by an orthopod were I live.

I felt it was important to physically meet the person I was trusting

with my body. I immediately felt I was in the right place.

Everything is going well. Being pain free is the gift. Rehab for me

maybe a little slower than many of the posts, because I am not

athletic and have been unable to walk without severe pain for the

last two years.

I wish you well and hope your surgery is soon.

Pamela

5/10/04 Bilat C+ Dr. S

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Dr. Beaule was recommended to me by a physician who was resurfed by

Dr. De Smet.

I read several old posts who spoke very highly of him.

I went to LA after Dr. S was recommended by an orthopod were I live.

I felt it was important to physically meet the person I was trusting

with my body. I immediately felt I was in the right place.

Everything is going well. Being pain free is the gift. Rehab for me

maybe a little slower than many of the posts, because I am not

athletic and have been unable to walk without severe pain for the

last two years.

I wish you well and hope your surgery is soon.

Pamela

5/10/04 Bilat C+ Dr. S

[Guest guest]

Pamela...how old are you? I'm impressed that you had a simultaneous

bilateral! I'm considering the same but I could be in better shape

myself...I'm trying...how has your rehab been progressing? Susie in

Memphis

> Hi ,

> Dr. Beaule was recommended to me by a physician who was resurfed by

> Dr. De Smet.

> I read several old posts who spoke very highly of him.

> I went to LA after Dr. S was recommended by an orthopod were I

live.

> I felt it was important to physically meet the person I was

trusting

> with my body. I immediately felt I was in the right place.

> Everything is going well. Being pain free is the gift. Rehab for

me

> maybe a little slower than many of the posts, because I am not

> athletic and have been unable to walk without severe pain for the

> last two years.

> I wish you well and hope your surgery is soon.

> Pamela

> 5/10/04 Bilat C+ Dr. S