Guest guest Posted December 29, 2002 Report Share Posted December 29, 2002 Hi Jay, I got resurfed at JRI in July of this year. The nursing and rehab staff were wonderful and very attentive. Just make sure you try to book your surgery for a Tuesday. I did and left on Saturday afternoon and the staff seem to have disappeared for the weekend. (I think they have student nurses volunteering during the week so there was always someone there if I needed something) I felt for the people who got their surgery on Thursday and were staying through the weekend with a smaller staff. As far as hotels go, I don't know, but my husband stayed for free on another floor of the hospital...an abandoned wing. Bare bones but they had towels and sheets on the bed. Good luck....Maya ---------- > " >To: surfacehippy >Subject: JRI >Date: Sun, Dec 29, 2002, 3:55 PM > > Has anyone had surgery at JRI, if so how was the service you received? > Also are there any Hotels close to JRI? Thanks. > Sincerely > Jay > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2002 Report Share Posted December 29, 2002 Hi Jay, I got resurfed at JRI in July of this year. The nursing and rehab staff were wonderful and very attentive. Just make sure you try to book your surgery for a Tuesday. I did and left on Saturday afternoon and the staff seem to have disappeared for the weekend. (I think they have student nurses volunteering during the week so there was always someone there if I needed something) I felt for the people who got their surgery on Thursday and were staying through the weekend with a smaller staff. As far as hotels go, I don't know, but my husband stayed for free on another floor of the hospital...an abandoned wing. Bare bones but they had towels and sheets on the bed. Good luck....Maya ---------- > " >To: surfacehippy >Subject: JRI >Date: Sun, Dec 29, 2002, 3:55 PM > > Has anyone had surgery at JRI, if so how was the service you received? > Also are there any Hotels close to JRI? Thanks. > Sincerely > Jay > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 Did Dr. Amstutz or Schmalzried do the surgery? Or was it a senior fellow with one of them in the room? Can you offer more details on this please? M JRI >Date: Sun, Dec 29, 2002, 3:55 PM > > Has anyone had surgery at JRI, if so how was the service you received? > Also are there any Hotels close to JRI? Thanks. > Sincerely > Jay > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2002 Report Share Posted December 31, 2002 hello Yolanda and Michele, You both had questions for me about my surgery at JRI and you both seem to be new to the board so I will post my answers to your questions. I am 48 (47 when I got resurfed). I needed resurfacing because of an old dance injury which turned into arthritis, bone on bone (I was a professional dancer, ballet and modern for over 20 years). I was diagnosed when I was 39 and had my last performance at 43, when my hip subluxed during a performance. I never wanted a THR and the second I heard about resurfacing, I was on the phone to the JRI. I feel great at 5 months post op, and am planning on performing again this April. My range of motion is amazing. Before surgery I could only flex my hip to 65 degrees. Today that hip is at 145 degrees and growing. No pain, and no limping, just a slight stiffness in the morning which lasts about 5 minutes. No wonder, I am working out and dancing 3 hours a day and teaching Pilates full time. I have worn high heels and cowboy boots with no pain for the first time in 6 years. Dr Amstutz performed the surgery (2 hours, incision is like an " L " 5 " long, 4 " across) A young fellow by the name of was his assistant. I took no pain meds after surgery for my hip...just Tylenol for the post epidural headaches for a few days. I was number 465 of his resurfaces 5 months ago, so I'm sure he's done over 500 by now. He resurfed 2 more people the same day as me. I began communicating with JRI in April 2002 and my surgery was in July (they closed down for a month because of FDA proceedures) I sent in my xrays and had a phone consultation with Amstutz. I met him the day before surgery. I did not need a referral. He is a great surgeon, but I didn't know that anyone else in the world did this procedure until AFTER my surgery, when a fellow patient told me about surfacehippy. My insurance did NOT cover the surgery so I took out a loan. If I had known about Dr. de Smet and Belgium beforehand, I probably would have gone there and used the extra money to take a trip around the world and buy a new wardrobe. But hey, water under the bridge...I got my life back....Good luck in your decision making....Maya ---------- > >To: <surfacehippy > >Subject: Re: JRI >Date: Mon, Dec 30, 2002, 9:49 AM > > Did Dr. Amstutz or Schmalzried do the surgery? Or was it a senior fellow > with one of them in the room? Can you offer more details on this please? > M > JRI > >Date: Sun, Dec 29, 2002, 3:55 PM > > > > > Has anyone had surgery at JRI, if so how was the service you received? > > Also are there any Hotels close to JRI? Thanks. > > Sincerely > > Jay > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2003 Report Share Posted March 22, 2003 At 05:46 PM 3/22/2003 +0000, you wrote: >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY years. >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the prothesis >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say that >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it if >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my insurance >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is just >wrong. Candace, I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, contacted Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult with Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than most, but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and I will always be grateful to them. C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 Dr. Boyd, Salem OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2003 Report Share Posted March 22, 2003 At 05:46 PM 3/22/2003 +0000, you wrote: >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY years. >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the prothesis >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say that >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it if >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my insurance >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is just >wrong. Candace, I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, contacted Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult with Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than most, but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and I will always be grateful to them. C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 Dr. Boyd, Salem OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2003 Report Share Posted March 22, 2003 At 05:46 PM 3/22/2003 +0000, you wrote: >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY years. >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the prothesis >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say that >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it if >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my insurance >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is just >wrong. Candace, I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, contacted Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult with Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than most, but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and I will always be grateful to them. C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 Dr. Boyd, Salem OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2003 Report Share Posted March 23, 2003 To All, I am chiming in with Candace and . I had a phone conversation with Chuck concerning insurance troubles. He was more than helpful even though he knew I was trying to get coverage for surgery with Dr. Gross and Cormet no less. Also Dr. Schmalzreid was very helpful to me in my insurance trials and this was before he was using the Cormet. That is an A+ team out in CA. Trudy bilat Cormet 1/02 > >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY years. > >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the prothesis > >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say that > >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. > >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it if > >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was > >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my insurance > >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is just > >wrong. > > Candace, > > I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, contacted > Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult with > Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than most, > but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and I will > always be grateful to them. > > > C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 > Dr. Boyd, Salem OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2003 Report Share Posted March 23, 2003 To All, I am chiming in with Candace and . I had a phone conversation with Chuck concerning insurance troubles. He was more than helpful even though he knew I was trying to get coverage for surgery with Dr. Gross and Cormet no less. Also Dr. Schmalzreid was very helpful to me in my insurance trials and this was before he was using the Cormet. That is an A+ team out in CA. Trudy bilat Cormet 1/02 > >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY years. > >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the prothesis > >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say that > >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. > >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it if > >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was > >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my insurance > >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is just > >wrong. > > Candace, > > I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, contacted > Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult with > Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than most, > but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and I will > always be grateful to them. > > > C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 > Dr. Boyd, Salem OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2003 Report Share Posted March 23, 2003 Wow, how lucky are you. -- In surfacehippy , " Trima2 " <tmr2@h...> wrote: > To All, > I am chiming in with Candace and . I had a phone conversation > with Chuck concerning insurance troubles. He was more than > helpful even though he knew I was trying to get coverage for surgery > with Dr. Gross and Cormet no less. Also Dr. Schmalzreid was very > helpful to me in my insurance trials and this was before he was using > the Cormet. That is an A+ team out in CA. > Trudy > bilat Cormet 1/02 > > > > > >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY > years. > > >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the > prothesis > > >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say > that > > >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. > > >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it > if > > >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was > > >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my > insurance > > >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is > just > > >wrong. > > > > Candace, > > > > I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, > contacted > > Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult > with > > Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than > most, > > but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and > I will > > always be grateful to them. > > > > > > C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 > > Dr. Boyd, Salem OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2003 Report Share Posted March 23, 2003 Wow, how lucky are you. -- In surfacehippy , " Trima2 " <tmr2@h...> wrote: > To All, > I am chiming in with Candace and . I had a phone conversation > with Chuck concerning insurance troubles. He was more than > helpful even though he knew I was trying to get coverage for surgery > with Dr. Gross and Cormet no less. Also Dr. Schmalzreid was very > helpful to me in my insurance trials and this was before he was using > the Cormet. That is an A+ team out in CA. > Trudy > bilat Cormet 1/02 > > > > > >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY > years. > > >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the > prothesis > > >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say > that > > >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. > > >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it > if > > >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was > > >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my > insurance > > >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is > just > > >wrong. > > > > Candace, > > > > I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, > contacted > > Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult > with > > Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than > most, > > but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and > I will > > always be grateful to them. > > > > > > C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 > > Dr. Boyd, Salem OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2003 Report Share Posted March 23, 2003 Hi: I must add that I contacted JRI on Candace's recommendation and told them that I was having surgery at Duke. Chuck emailed me, then telephoned me at home. I was looking for information to support a Level I appeal to my insurance company. He sent me references including a paper reviewing their experience with over 400 patients, other references and a large list of patients who are willing to discuss their experience with others. He also invited to call back if I needed any other assistance. in NC > > > >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY > > years. > > > >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the > > prothesis > > > >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to > say > > that > > > >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of > Dr. > > > >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about > it > > if > > > >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who > was > > > >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my > > insurance > > > >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there > is > > just > > > >wrong. > > > > > > Candace, > > > > > > I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, > > contacted > > > Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a > consult > > with > > > Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive > than > > most, > > > but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, > and > > I will > > > always be grateful to them. > > > > > > > > > C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 > > > Dr. Boyd, Salem OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2003 Report Share Posted March 23, 2003 I had bilateral surface replacement by Dr. Schmalzried at JRI on 03/10/03. Surgery went g.r.r.r.r.r.r.e.a.t! No problems on recovery. No pain medication after discontinuing the Fentanyl epidural 24 hr post-op (although Vicadin = hydromorphine+acetaminophen was offered and sent home). Surgery on Monday, I drove from LA to Santa Barbara with my wife riding shotgunon Thursday (3 hr with one 30 min stop to walk around), spent the night in a 2nd floor motel room (practice with crutches BEFORE your surgery), drove home to Santa Cruz ( 5 hours with three 30 min stops to walk around). Driving was EASIER because I wasn't fidgiting and wincing in pain. The ride home was WAY more comfortable than the ride down. My most important restrictions are to minimize weight bearing for the appropriate amount of time. Dislocation is of little concern if you pay attention to the way you move. I would never recommend conventional metal-polyethylene THR to anyone, especially if they are bilateral because of the dislocation porblem. Surface replacement of a large diameter ball THR is the way to go. In regards to Dr. Schmalzried and JRI: they do not promote the surface replacement, since it is not fully approved by the FDA and the metal to metal THR is available. Their unbiased nature is the problem with dealing with the insurance companies. They present the facts, but they do not plead for you. Your knowledge of the procedure, your presentation of the potential advantages of surface replacement versus THR, and a well written letter are important in pleading your case. Good luck. george bilat C+ 03/10/03 Dr. Schmalzried, JRI n a message dated 3/22/2003 12:48:09 PM Pacific Standard Time, cgronbach@... writes: > > At 05:46 PM 3/22/2003 +0000, you wrote: > >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY years. > >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the prothesis > >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say that > >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. > >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it if > >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was > >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my insurance > >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is just > >wrong. > > Candace, > > I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, contacted > Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult with > Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than most, > but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and I will > always be grateful to them. > > > C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 > Dr. Boyd, Salem OR > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2003 Report Share Posted March 23, 2003 I had bilateral surface replacement by Dr. Schmalzried at JRI on 03/10/03. Surgery went g.r.r.r.r.r.r.e.a.t! No problems on recovery. No pain medication after discontinuing the Fentanyl epidural 24 hr post-op (although Vicadin = hydromorphine+acetaminophen was offered and sent home). Surgery on Monday, I drove from LA to Santa Barbara with my wife riding shotgunon Thursday (3 hr with one 30 min stop to walk around), spent the night in a 2nd floor motel room (practice with crutches BEFORE your surgery), drove home to Santa Cruz ( 5 hours with three 30 min stops to walk around). Driving was EASIER because I wasn't fidgiting and wincing in pain. The ride home was WAY more comfortable than the ride down. My most important restrictions are to minimize weight bearing for the appropriate amount of time. Dislocation is of little concern if you pay attention to the way you move. I would never recommend conventional metal-polyethylene THR to anyone, especially if they are bilateral because of the dislocation porblem. Surface replacement of a large diameter ball THR is the way to go. In regards to Dr. Schmalzried and JRI: they do not promote the surface replacement, since it is not fully approved by the FDA and the metal to metal THR is available. Their unbiased nature is the problem with dealing with the insurance companies. They present the facts, but they do not plead for you. Your knowledge of the procedure, your presentation of the potential advantages of surface replacement versus THR, and a well written letter are important in pleading your case. Good luck. george bilat C+ 03/10/03 Dr. Schmalzried, JRI n a message dated 3/22/2003 12:48:09 PM Pacific Standard Time, cgronbach@... writes: > > At 05:46 PM 3/22/2003 +0000, you wrote: > >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY years. > >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the prothesis > >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say that > >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. > >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it if > >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was > >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my insurance > >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is just > >wrong. > > Candace, > > I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, contacted > Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult with > Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than most, > but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and I will > always be grateful to them. > > > C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 > Dr. Boyd, Salem OR > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2003 Report Share Posted March 23, 2003 Hi : Glad that everything has gone so great. I will be practicing with my crutches this week. I appreciate your comments about JRI and the fact that they don't " promote " resurfacing. It actually against federal law for the manufacturer, the investigator or anyone acting for them to " promote " or market anything which is in an FDA " IDE " trial. They must discuss the pros & cons of alternative treatments first. Best wishes for a rapid recovery. Keep us posted. in NC > > >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY years. > > >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the prothesis > > >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say that > > >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. > > >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it if > > >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was > > >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my insurance > > >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is just > > >wrong. > > > > Candace, > > > > I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, contacted > > Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult with > > Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than most, > > but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and I will > > always be grateful to them. > > > > > > C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 > > Dr. Boyd, Salem OR > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2003 Report Share Posted March 23, 2003 Hi : Glad that everything has gone so great. I will be practicing with my crutches this week. I appreciate your comments about JRI and the fact that they don't " promote " resurfacing. It actually against federal law for the manufacturer, the investigator or anyone acting for them to " promote " or market anything which is in an FDA " IDE " trial. They must discuss the pros & cons of alternative treatments first. Best wishes for a rapid recovery. Keep us posted. in NC > > >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY years. > > >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the prothesis > > >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say that > > >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. > > >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it if > > >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was > > >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my insurance > > >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is just > > >wrong. > > > > Candace, > > > > I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, contacted > > Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult with > > Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than most, > > but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and I will > > always be grateful to them. > > > > > > C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 > > Dr. Boyd, Salem OR > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2003 Report Share Posted March 23, 2003 Hi : Glad that everything has gone so great. I will be practicing with my crutches this week. I appreciate your comments about JRI and the fact that they don't " promote " resurfacing. It actually against federal law for the manufacturer, the investigator or anyone acting for them to " promote " or market anything which is in an FDA " IDE " trial. They must discuss the pros & cons of alternative treatments first. Best wishes for a rapid recovery. Keep us posted. in NC > > >Dr. Amstutz at the JRI has been working on resurfacing for MANY years. > > >The JRI started the Conserve Plus trials. They offered the prothesis > > >on a custom basis before it went to trial. I would venture to say that > > >anyone with a Conserve + resurfacing owes it to the efforts of Dr. > > >Amstutz and the JRI. I certainly wouldn't have found out about it if > > >it hadn't been for them and the assistance of Chuck , who was > > >extremly helpful to me when I was researching and fighting my insurance > > >company for approval. To say that no one will find help there is just > > >wrong. > > > > Candace, > > > > I agree with you. I found out about resurfacing on Totally Hip, contacted > > Chuck who put me in contact with Dr. Boyd, and had a consult with > > Dr. A as well. For whatever reason, it may be more expensive than most, > > but the dealings I had with them were professional and helpful, and I will > > always be grateful to them. > > > > > > C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01 > > Dr. Boyd, Salem OR > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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