Guest guest Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 Hello group! I hope everyone one is doing well (those facing surgery, Camille / Caren.. I pray all goes well)!!!! Those on the other side, THANK YOU for staying here - we all appreciate your support!!! Recent sucess stories ( & so many others) are always great to read... I wanted to give you an update.. After first considering many options over the past 3+ years, including wait, denial, slowly taking more meds, PT, etc... I recently went to see Dr. Pashman at Cedar-Sinai.. I started by checking out his web site www.eSpine.com , his CV, did several internet searches on sites like pubmed - etc, finding other revision patients on-line that had successful surgeries with him.. here's a great story / example..( http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Mar-20-Tue-2007/living/13178989.html ) scrolling back through old messages, I had originally found his name back in 2005. Dr. P's surgical approach would be to completely remove (both) of my Harrington rods, do a "wedge cut" osteotomy around L2/3, decompression of the remaining lumbar discs.. he would not use Xlifs or Tlifs, he feels he can get the correction needed using only a posterior approach.. being diabetic he is concerned about healing post op - so he feels that using my my own bone for fusion would be safest - he proposed removing a rib (since my hip was already used) and will be needed for fusion to the pelvis.. About a year ago, I had sent my info to Dr. LaGrone and this is basically the same approach he suggested (without the removal of a rib as I was not diabetic then). I have also consulted with Dr. Akbarnia.. his surgical approach from 2007 would be much different than Dr. Pashman's - Dr. A proposed leaving in the smaller of my 2 rods as well as the top portion of the long rod for now, but take it out later (as needed).. & no planned osteotomies (reserving the ability to change his mind during surgery), Dr. A would use Xlifs, and do decompression as well as use BMP for fusion. For those who do not know, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 9/2007.. I am currently fused T2-L2.. I have also maintained the majority of my weightloss (60 lbs)! My story is in the member section (which I need to update)! Feel free to ask questions.. or chime in with helpful thoughts.. Take care - Ken. Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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