Re: Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

[Guest guest]

I have severe osteoarthritis in my right hip

Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

> I have developmental dysplasia that is is severe in the right hip

and

> am need of surgery. I have researched THR and resurfacing, as well

> as visited with three OS, one of whom is Dr. Amstutz who is doing

the

> clinical trial for resurfacing in LA. The hip resurfacing makes

more

> sense to me than THR but my insurance most likely won't pay. I am

46

> year old female. I read Peggy Gariel's book on resurfacing and

> wonder if anyone has recently gone to Belgium for the surgery, what

> their experience and approximate cost was? They say now that the

> mobility is great with the metal-on-metal THR and the main reason

to

> do resurfacing is bone conservation. Thoughts are appreciated.

> Lynda in Colorado

> Springs

Hi Lynda

There are a few other reasons to consider resurfacing besides

conserving bone stock. The firsr is longevity. So far as we can now

tell, with resurfacing being around for about 12 years, it will last

a lot longer than a THR. For a person under 65, a THR is not perhaps

the best first choice,as in most cases, it will not last one's

lifetime.

If nothing else, this gives you the option of getting a THR later on,

if necessary, but you can't do the reverse.

I believe recovery is a lot shorter with a resurf also.

I went to Belgium in august to Dr De Smet. As everyone here says,

who has gone to him, it was worth the time, trouble, and cost. Cost

was 10,500 euros for all the hospital stuff, and pretty much everyone

gets a refund from that.

Hope this helps

Sharry

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi surfacehippies!

I've been reading along with you all since early this week to get a feel for

this group. I've been impressed by the level of support for each other and the

willingness to share expeiences and information that may help another

surfacehippy or prospective surfacehippy. I've been trying to become a

surfacehippy since May of last year. I'm a 54-year old woman in otherwise good

health, and until recently I water and snow skiied, hiked, and gardened, and I

still work full-time as a hospital pharmacist. When the ostoearthritis in my

right hip began to be painful enough to start limiting my activities about 2

years ago, I started researching options. It didn't take long to realize that

resurfacing had many advantages for " younger " patients over THR, including

conservation of bone, easier revision surgery in the future if needed, and less

likelihood of dislocation. By May of last year I was walking with a limp and in

moderate pain a good deal of the time. I had already decided during my earlier

research phase that I wanted to have Dr. Amstutz in LA do my surgery, and by

mid-June I had supmitted all the paperwork and x-rays and had a telephone

consultation with him. Although I had a couple of small cysts on the femoral

head, I was accepted as a patient and the long battle with my insurance company

began. My initial request for coverage was denied on the basis that " no results

of large-scale objective clinical trials published in peer-reviewed literature

substantiate the efficacy of this procedure. " JRI had included the rough draft

of the article published this week in Bone & Joint. My first appeal was denied

for the same reason and because the Plan does not cover Investigational

Procedures. I discovered in the appeal denial that I don't really have

conventional insurance through United Healthcare. My husband's company's parent

corporation has a self-funded ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of

1974) plan. United Healthcare only provides administrative and claims payment

services. An ERISA plan is whatever the self-funding parent company says it is,

and it is exempt from regulation by state insurance laws. It is nominally

regulated by the federal Department of Labor, but when I called them I learned

that they " have regulatory oversight of ERISAs, but no teeth. " In other words,

large corporations have established these plans to avoid the very insurance

regulations designed to protect consumers. State insurance commisions are

powerless to review their decidions and, if warrented, overrule them. When you

begin the request for coverage process, the first thing you want to find out is

whether you are covered by an ERISA mascarading as a real insurance company. (I

had no idea there was such a thing.) If it is, and you have a spouse with a

" real " health insurance, switch plans at the next open enrollment date! Your

" insurance company " has no authority to negotiate with you, for example, if you

offer to pay for the device if they cover the cost of the surgery. The appeal

process is whatever the Plan says it is, and no government agency can step in to

overturn their decisions. In my case, I have one more (paper only, no hearing

allowed) appeal to go. I'm hoping that the publication of the results of the

first 400 hips is swiftly followed by FDA approval. If not, the only recourse I

seem to have is to is to try to deal directly with the behemoth parent

corporation to convince the Vice-president of Taxes (yes, taxes! ERISAs are

corporate tax-saving devices) that covering a hip resurfacing is cheaper for

them than a conventional THR, especially if I pay for the device.

Sorry I got so long-winded, but I hope this helps someone avoid having to deal

with an ERISA in the first place. This is still dragging out, and my biggest

fear is that I am no longer a suitable candidate for resurfacing. Dr. Amstutz

wanted to do the surgery in August, and I've been using a cane since June when

he advised me to take as much weight off my hip as possible.

Does anyone else have any experience dealing with ERISAs, and if so, have you

discovered any chinks in their armour?

Also, Sharry, please tell me more about the surgery in Belgium option. You

mentioned that pretty much everyone gets a refund of the hospital expences.

From whom? I don't understand why insurance would pay for a procedure in

Belgium that they denied in this country. How did that work?

I'm so glad I found you all, and I promise to be briefer in the future!

Przygoda

--- Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

> I have developmental dysplasia that is is severe in the right hip

and

> am need of surgery. I have researched THR and resurfacing, as well

> as visited with three OS, one of whom is Dr. Amstutz who is doing

the

> clinical trial for resurfacing in LA. The hip resurfacing makes

more

> sense to me than THR but my insurance most likely won't pay. I am

46

> year old female. I read Peggy Gariel's book on resurfacing and

> wonder if anyone has recently gone to Belgium for the surgery, what

> their experience and approximate cost was? They say now that the

> mobility is great with the metal-on-metal THR and the main reason

to

> do resurfacing is bone conservation. Thoughts are appreciated.

> Lynda in Colorado

> Springs

Hi Lynda

There are a few other reasons to consider resurfacing besides

conserving bone stock. The firsr is longevity. So far as we can now

tell, with resurfacing being around for about 12 years, it will last

a lot longer than a THR. For a person under 65, a THR is not perhaps

the best first choice,as in most cases, it will not last one's

lifetime.

If nothing else, this gives you the option of getting a THR later on,

if necessary, but you can't do the reverse.

I believe recovery is a lot shorter with a resurf also.

I went to Belgium in august to Dr De Smet. As everyone here says,

who has gone to him, it was worth the time, trouble, and cost. Cost

was 10,500 euros for all the hospital stuff, and pretty much everyone

gets a refund from that.

Hope this helps

Sharry

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi

Sorry if I gave the impression that insurance covered the resurf in Belgium.

I live in Canada, and if the procedure had been readily available here, it would

have been free. However, we have long waitlists and very few OSS " who have done

resurfs. I had been on a wiatlist for a THR for two years before I learned

about resurfs. I would have been looking at another 18 months on a new waitlist

for resurfing, and by this time my hip was so far gone that an OS I saw in B.C.

refused to do it. So I looked at paying myself, with Dr De Smet in Belgium

being the most skilled for the least money. In euros, it was 10,500, which I

believe would be about 12,000 US (17,000 Canadian). I emailed Dr De Smet in

early June 2003, he asked for xrays which I fedexed and heard back within 5 days

that it was a go. And if I had been able to get there quickly, I could have had

the operation in late June. His next available dates were late August, and I

had the resurf done on the 27th August. The cost includes everything involved

with the surgery, and I gather they err on the high side, hence the refund.

From previous patients, I gather it's usually about 600 (Canadian), and it comes

from Dr De Smet's office.

Sharry

Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

> I have developmental dysplasia that is is severe in the right hip

and

> am need of surgery. I have researched THR and resurfacing, as well

> as visited with three OS, one of whom is Dr. Amstutz who is doing

the

> clinical trial for resurfacing in LA. The hip resurfacing makes

more

> sense to me than THR but my insurance most likely won't pay. I am

46

> year old female. I read Peggy Gariel's book on resurfacing and

> wonder if anyone has recently gone to Belgium for the surgery, what

> their experience and approximate cost was? They say now that the

> mobility is great with the metal-on-metal THR and the main reason

to

> do resurfacing is bone conservation. Thoughts are appreciated.

> Lynda in Colorado

> Springs

Hi Lynda

There are a few other reasons to consider resurfacing besides

conserving bone stock. The firsr is longevity. So far as we can now

tell, with resurfacing being around for about 12 years, it will last

a lot longer than a THR. For a person under 65, a THR is not perhaps

the best first choice,as in most cases, it will not last one's

lifetime.

If nothing else, this gives you the option of getting a THR later on,

if necessary, but you can't do the reverse.

I believe recovery is a lot shorter with a resurf also.

I went to Belgium in august to Dr De Smet. As everyone here says,

who has gone to him, it was worth the time, trouble, and cost. Cost

was 10,500 euros for all the hospital stuff, and pretty much everyone

gets a refund from that.

Hope this helps

Sharry

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi

Sorry if I gave the impression that insurance covered the resurf in Belgium.

I live in Canada, and if the procedure had been readily available here, it would

have been free. However, we have long waitlists and very few OSS " who have done

resurfs. I had been on a wiatlist for a THR for two years before I learned

about resurfs. I would have been looking at another 18 months on a new waitlist

for resurfing, and by this time my hip was so far gone that an OS I saw in B.C.

refused to do it. So I looked at paying myself, with Dr De Smet in Belgium

being the most skilled for the least money. In euros, it was 10,500, which I

believe would be about 12,000 US (17,000 Canadian). I emailed Dr De Smet in

early June 2003, he asked for xrays which I fedexed and heard back within 5 days

that it was a go. And if I had been able to get there quickly, I could have had

the operation in late June. His next available dates were late August, and I

had the resurf done on the 27th August. The cost includes everything involved

with the surgery, and I gather they err on the high side, hence the refund.

From previous patients, I gather it's usually about 600 (Canadian), and it comes

from Dr De Smet's office.

Sharry

Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

> I have developmental dysplasia that is is severe in the right hip

and

> am need of surgery. I have researched THR and resurfacing, as well

> as visited with three OS, one of whom is Dr. Amstutz who is doing

the

> clinical trial for resurfacing in LA. The hip resurfacing makes

more

> sense to me than THR but my insurance most likely won't pay. I am

46

> year old female. I read Peggy Gariel's book on resurfacing and

> wonder if anyone has recently gone to Belgium for the surgery, what

> their experience and approximate cost was? They say now that the

> mobility is great with the metal-on-metal THR and the main reason

to

> do resurfacing is bone conservation. Thoughts are appreciated.

> Lynda in Colorado

> Springs

Hi Lynda

There are a few other reasons to consider resurfacing besides

conserving bone stock. The firsr is longevity. So far as we can now

tell, with resurfacing being around for about 12 years, it will last

a lot longer than a THR. For a person under 65, a THR is not perhaps

the best first choice,as in most cases, it will not last one's

lifetime.

If nothing else, this gives you the option of getting a THR later on,

if necessary, but you can't do the reverse.

I believe recovery is a lot shorter with a resurf also.

I went to Belgium in august to Dr De Smet. As everyone here says,

who has gone to him, it was worth the time, trouble, and cost. Cost

was 10,500 euros for all the hospital stuff, and pretty much everyone

gets a refund from that.

Hope this helps

Sharry

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi

Sorry if I gave the impression that insurance covered the resurf in Belgium.

I live in Canada, and if the procedure had been readily available here, it would

have been free. However, we have long waitlists and very few OSS " who have done

resurfs. I had been on a wiatlist for a THR for two years before I learned

about resurfs. I would have been looking at another 18 months on a new waitlist

for resurfing, and by this time my hip was so far gone that an OS I saw in B.C.

refused to do it. So I looked at paying myself, with Dr De Smet in Belgium

being the most skilled for the least money. In euros, it was 10,500, which I

believe would be about 12,000 US (17,000 Canadian). I emailed Dr De Smet in

early June 2003, he asked for xrays which I fedexed and heard back within 5 days

that it was a go. And if I had been able to get there quickly, I could have had

the operation in late June. His next available dates were late August, and I

had the resurf done on the 27th August. The cost includes everything involved

with the surgery, and I gather they err on the high side, hence the refund.

From previous patients, I gather it's usually about 600 (Canadian), and it comes

from Dr De Smet's office.

Sharry

Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

> I have developmental dysplasia that is is severe in the right hip

and

> am need of surgery. I have researched THR and resurfacing, as well

> as visited with three OS, one of whom is Dr. Amstutz who is doing

the

> clinical trial for resurfacing in LA. The hip resurfacing makes

more

> sense to me than THR but my insurance most likely won't pay. I am

46

> year old female. I read Peggy Gariel's book on resurfacing and

> wonder if anyone has recently gone to Belgium for the surgery, what

> their experience and approximate cost was? They say now that the

> mobility is great with the metal-on-metal THR and the main reason

to

> do resurfacing is bone conservation. Thoughts are appreciated.

> Lynda in Colorado

> Springs

Hi Lynda

There are a few other reasons to consider resurfacing besides

conserving bone stock. The firsr is longevity. So far as we can now

tell, with resurfacing being around for about 12 years, it will last

a lot longer than a THR. For a person under 65, a THR is not perhaps

the best first choice,as in most cases, it will not last one's

lifetime.

If nothing else, this gives you the option of getting a THR later on,

if necessary, but you can't do the reverse.

I believe recovery is a lot shorter with a resurf also.

I went to Belgium in august to Dr De Smet. As everyone here says,

who has gone to him, it was worth the time, trouble, and cost. Cost

was 10,500 euros for all the hospital stuff, and pretty much everyone

gets a refund from that.

Hope this helps

Sharry

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

,

In response to some of the below:

Had a large cyst, but ok'd by JRI as patient. I also fought with

insurance for over a year - three refusals from United Healthcare. They

would not do resurface or any Hard on Hard device (unproven) including a MoM

THR. It seemed to me that they were very hard headed, and all the logic in

the world thrown at them came back at the same answer -- no.

I finally left the horrible frustration and booked with Dr. DeSmet in

Belgium. DeSmets experience allowed me to get resurfaced.... this may not

have happened in the US. It was less expensive (10,500 euro + expenses), and

we also had a chance to do a bit of touring. All a very positive experience.

And I was in control of my health!

The time it takes to appeal to an insurance co. could create problems

with you being able to be resurfaced. It would be wise to keep checking on

the progress of your cysts and bone quality during your insurance hassels.

My cyst grew quickly that last year and my bone quality worsened. Even

DeSmet refused me, but then decided it was a good mathematical risk. The

surgery went well, I'm doing great, but more waiting could have altered this

out come.

The reimbursment from the Belgium hospital, is referring to the fact

that you pay a flat fee to the hospital. If you have no complications, etc.

some of that is refunded to you.

I am going to submitt my bills to UHC. They seems so disorganized

in dealing with claims, that they just could pay and not notice that they

had already refused me. Worth a try. I requested DeSmet to send me the

bills. I have received receipts (with US codes) on the surgery fee so far.

I'm waiting for the Hospital receipts. Some people on this site have been

reimbursed by submitting the Belgium bills to their insurance companys.

Resurface - Do it ASAP - your life is waiting!

Carol in CA

RBHR DeSmet 10-22-03

>

> Subject: Re: Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

>

--I'm a 54-year old woman in otherwise

--Although I had a couple of small cysts on the femoral head, I was accepted

as a patient

-- the long battle with my insurance company began.

Does anyone else have any experience dealing with ERISAs, and if so, have

you discovered any chinks in their armour?

> please tell me more about the surgery in Belgium option. You

> mentioned that pretty much everyone gets a refund of the hospital expences.

> From whom? I don't understand why insurance would pay for a procedure in

> Belgium that they denied in this country. How did that work?

>

> I'm so glad I found you all, and I promise to be briefer in the future!

>

> Przygoda

>

[Guest guest]

,

In response to some of the below:

Had a large cyst, but ok'd by JRI as patient. I also fought with

insurance for over a year - three refusals from United Healthcare. They

would not do resurface or any Hard on Hard device (unproven) including a MoM

THR. It seemed to me that they were very hard headed, and all the logic in

the world thrown at them came back at the same answer -- no.

I finally left the horrible frustration and booked with Dr. DeSmet in

Belgium. DeSmets experience allowed me to get resurfaced.... this may not

have happened in the US. It was less expensive (10,500 euro + expenses), and

we also had a chance to do a bit of touring. All a very positive experience.

And I was in control of my health!

The time it takes to appeal to an insurance co. could create problems

with you being able to be resurfaced. It would be wise to keep checking on

the progress of your cysts and bone quality during your insurance hassels.

My cyst grew quickly that last year and my bone quality worsened. Even

DeSmet refused me, but then decided it was a good mathematical risk. The

surgery went well, I'm doing great, but more waiting could have altered this

out come.

The reimbursment from the Belgium hospital, is referring to the fact

that you pay a flat fee to the hospital. If you have no complications, etc.

some of that is refunded to you.

I am going to submitt my bills to UHC. They seems so disorganized

in dealing with claims, that they just could pay and not notice that they

had already refused me. Worth a try. I requested DeSmet to send me the

bills. I have received receipts (with US codes) on the surgery fee so far.

I'm waiting for the Hospital receipts. Some people on this site have been

reimbursed by submitting the Belgium bills to their insurance companys.

Resurface - Do it ASAP - your life is waiting!

Carol in CA

RBHR DeSmet 10-22-03

>

> Subject: Re: Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

>

--I'm a 54-year old woman in otherwise

--Although I had a couple of small cysts on the femoral head, I was accepted

as a patient

-- the long battle with my insurance company began.

Does anyone else have any experience dealing with ERISAs, and if so, have

you discovered any chinks in their armour?

> please tell me more about the surgery in Belgium option. You

> mentioned that pretty much everyone gets a refund of the hospital expences.

> From whom? I don't understand why insurance would pay for a procedure in

> Belgium that they denied in this country. How did that work?

>

> I'm so glad I found you all, and I promise to be briefer in the future!

>

> Przygoda

>

[Guest guest]

,

In response to some of the below:

Had a large cyst, but ok'd by JRI as patient. I also fought with

insurance for over a year - three refusals from United Healthcare. They

would not do resurface or any Hard on Hard device (unproven) including a MoM

THR. It seemed to me that they were very hard headed, and all the logic in

the world thrown at them came back at the same answer -- no.

I finally left the horrible frustration and booked with Dr. DeSmet in

Belgium. DeSmets experience allowed me to get resurfaced.... this may not

have happened in the US. It was less expensive (10,500 euro + expenses), and

we also had a chance to do a bit of touring. All a very positive experience.

And I was in control of my health!

The time it takes to appeal to an insurance co. could create problems

with you being able to be resurfaced. It would be wise to keep checking on

the progress of your cysts and bone quality during your insurance hassels.

My cyst grew quickly that last year and my bone quality worsened. Even

DeSmet refused me, but then decided it was a good mathematical risk. The

surgery went well, I'm doing great, but more waiting could have altered this

out come.

The reimbursment from the Belgium hospital, is referring to the fact

that you pay a flat fee to the hospital. If you have no complications, etc.

some of that is refunded to you.

I am going to submitt my bills to UHC. They seems so disorganized

in dealing with claims, that they just could pay and not notice that they

had already refused me. Worth a try. I requested DeSmet to send me the

bills. I have received receipts (with US codes) on the surgery fee so far.

I'm waiting for the Hospital receipts. Some people on this site have been

reimbursed by submitting the Belgium bills to their insurance companys.

Resurface - Do it ASAP - your life is waiting!

Carol in CA

RBHR DeSmet 10-22-03

>

> Subject: Re: Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

>

--I'm a 54-year old woman in otherwise

--Although I had a couple of small cysts on the femoral head, I was accepted

as a patient

-- the long battle with my insurance company began.

Does anyone else have any experience dealing with ERISAs, and if so, have

you discovered any chinks in their armour?

> please tell me more about the surgery in Belgium option. You

> mentioned that pretty much everyone gets a refund of the hospital expences.

> From whom? I don't understand why insurance would pay for a procedure in

> Belgium that they denied in this country. How did that work?

>

> I'm so glad I found you all, and I promise to be briefer in the future!

>

> Przygoda

>

[Guest guest]

DeSmets info:

KOEN DE SMET

ORTHOPAEDIC HIPSURGEON

Kalverbosstraat 31A

9070 HEUSDEN BELGIUM

00(1)3292525903 (1)forUSA

Koen.desmet@...

www.hip-clinic.com

>

> Reply-To: surfacehippy

> Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 15:04:48 -0800

> To: surfacehippy >

> Subject: Re: Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

>

> Hi Sharry,

> Thanks for the clarification. As Carol just mentioned in her posting, the

> hardest part is just giving up on the insurance and getting on with it! Since

> neither the state or federal government seems to have any effective regulatory

> oversight of self-funded employer insurance and retirement plans (ERISAs), my

> last option for ins. coverage is to convince someone at the corporate office

> with the authority to amend " the Plan " that covering this surgery either in

> the US with Dr. Amstutz, or in Belgium with Dr. De Smet is a cost-effective

> option for them. Regardless of whether I get coverage, I've decided to go

> ahead with resurfacing if at all possible.

> I'm making an appointment to have new x-rays taken ASAP since my biggest fear

> is that in the past 8 months, the cysts on my femoral head have grown to the

> point that I am no longer a suitable candidate for resurfacing. Hopefully, if

> Dr. Amstutz is no longer willing to do the surgery, Dr. De Smet will think he

> can still work with the bone I have left. I'll send the films to Dr. Anstutz

> first. If he's still willing to do the surgery, AND I get coverage, I'll be

> going to LA. If he thinks I have too much bone loss to fit his protocol

> and/or I'm footing the bill myself, I'm hoping Dr. De Smet will accept me as a

> patient. Could you send me Dr. De Smet's e-mail address and/or website?

> Thanks so much for all your input in helping me make this decision.

>

>

> Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

>

>

>

>> I have developmental dysplasia that is is severe in the right hip

> and

>> am need of surgery. I have researched THR and resurfacing, as well

>> as visited with three OS, one of whom is Dr. Amstutz who is doing

> the

>> clinical trial for resurfacing in LA. The hip resurfacing makes

> more

>> sense to me than THR but my insurance most likely won't pay. I am

> 46

>> year old female. I read Peggy Gariel's book on resurfacing and

>> wonder if anyone has recently gone to Belgium for the surgery, what

>> their experience and approximate cost was? They say now that the

>> mobility is great with the metal-on-metal THR and the main reason

> to

>> do resurfacing is bone conservation. Thoughts are appreciated.

>> Lynda in Colorado

>> Springs

>

> Hi Lynda

> There are a few other reasons to consider resurfacing besides

> conserving bone stock. The firsr is longevity. So far as we can now

> tell, with resurfacing being around for about 12 years, it will last

> a lot longer than a THR. For a person under 65, a THR is not perhaps

> the best first choice,as in most cases, it will not last one's

> lifetime.

> If nothing else, this gives you the option of getting a THR later on,

> if necessary, but you can't do the reverse.

> I believe recovery is a lot shorter with a resurf also.

> I went to Belgium in august to Dr De Smet. As everyone here says,

> who has gone to him, it was worth the time, trouble, and cost. Cost

> was 10,500 euros for all the hospital stuff, and pretty much everyone

> gets a refund from that.

> Hope this helps

> Sharry

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

DeSmets info:

KOEN DE SMET

ORTHOPAEDIC HIPSURGEON

Kalverbosstraat 31A

9070 HEUSDEN BELGIUM

00(1)3292525903 (1)forUSA

Koen.desmet@...

www.hip-clinic.com

>

> Reply-To: surfacehippy

> Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 15:04:48 -0800

> To: surfacehippy >

> Subject: Re: Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

>

> Hi Sharry,

> Thanks for the clarification. As Carol just mentioned in her posting, the

> hardest part is just giving up on the insurance and getting on with it! Since

> neither the state or federal government seems to have any effective regulatory

> oversight of self-funded employer insurance and retirement plans (ERISAs), my

> last option for ins. coverage is to convince someone at the corporate office

> with the authority to amend " the Plan " that covering this surgery either in

> the US with Dr. Amstutz, or in Belgium with Dr. De Smet is a cost-effective

> option for them. Regardless of whether I get coverage, I've decided to go

> ahead with resurfacing if at all possible.

> I'm making an appointment to have new x-rays taken ASAP since my biggest fear

> is that in the past 8 months, the cysts on my femoral head have grown to the

> point that I am no longer a suitable candidate for resurfacing. Hopefully, if

> Dr. Amstutz is no longer willing to do the surgery, Dr. De Smet will think he

> can still work with the bone I have left. I'll send the films to Dr. Anstutz

> first. If he's still willing to do the surgery, AND I get coverage, I'll be

> going to LA. If he thinks I have too much bone loss to fit his protocol

> and/or I'm footing the bill myself, I'm hoping Dr. De Smet will accept me as a

> patient. Could you send me Dr. De Smet's e-mail address and/or website?

> Thanks so much for all your input in helping me make this decision.

>

>

> Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

>

>

>

>> I have developmental dysplasia that is is severe in the right hip

> and

>> am need of surgery. I have researched THR and resurfacing, as well

>> as visited with three OS, one of whom is Dr. Amstutz who is doing

> the

>> clinical trial for resurfacing in LA. The hip resurfacing makes

> more

>> sense to me than THR but my insurance most likely won't pay. I am

> 46

>> year old female. I read Peggy Gariel's book on resurfacing and

>> wonder if anyone has recently gone to Belgium for the surgery, what

>> their experience and approximate cost was? They say now that the

>> mobility is great with the metal-on-metal THR and the main reason

> to

>> do resurfacing is bone conservation. Thoughts are appreciated.

>> Lynda in Colorado

>> Springs

>

> Hi Lynda

> There are a few other reasons to consider resurfacing besides

> conserving bone stock. The firsr is longevity. So far as we can now

> tell, with resurfacing being around for about 12 years, it will last

> a lot longer than a THR. For a person under 65, a THR is not perhaps

> the best first choice,as in most cases, it will not last one's

> lifetime.

> If nothing else, this gives you the option of getting a THR later on,

> if necessary, but you can't do the reverse.

> I believe recovery is a lot shorter with a resurf also.

> I went to Belgium in august to Dr De Smet. As everyone here says,

> who has gone to him, it was worth the time, trouble, and cost. Cost

> was 10,500 euros for all the hospital stuff, and pretty much everyone

> gets a refund from that.

> Hope this helps

> Sharry

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

DeSmets info:

KOEN DE SMET

ORTHOPAEDIC HIPSURGEON

Kalverbosstraat 31A

9070 HEUSDEN BELGIUM

00(1)3292525903 (1)forUSA

Koen.desmet@...

www.hip-clinic.com

>

> Reply-To: surfacehippy

> Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 15:04:48 -0800

> To: surfacehippy >

> Subject: Re: Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

>

> Hi Sharry,

> Thanks for the clarification. As Carol just mentioned in her posting, the

> hardest part is just giving up on the insurance and getting on with it! Since

> neither the state or federal government seems to have any effective regulatory

> oversight of self-funded employer insurance and retirement plans (ERISAs), my

> last option for ins. coverage is to convince someone at the corporate office

> with the authority to amend " the Plan " that covering this surgery either in

> the US with Dr. Amstutz, or in Belgium with Dr. De Smet is a cost-effective

> option for them. Regardless of whether I get coverage, I've decided to go

> ahead with resurfacing if at all possible.

> I'm making an appointment to have new x-rays taken ASAP since my biggest fear

> is that in the past 8 months, the cysts on my femoral head have grown to the

> point that I am no longer a suitable candidate for resurfacing. Hopefully, if

> Dr. Amstutz is no longer willing to do the surgery, Dr. De Smet will think he

> can still work with the bone I have left. I'll send the films to Dr. Anstutz

> first. If he's still willing to do the surgery, AND I get coverage, I'll be

> going to LA. If he thinks I have too much bone loss to fit his protocol

> and/or I'm footing the bill myself, I'm hoping Dr. De Smet will accept me as a

> patient. Could you send me Dr. De Smet's e-mail address and/or website?

> Thanks so much for all your input in helping me make this decision.

>

>

> Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

>

>

>

>> I have developmental dysplasia that is is severe in the right hip

> and

>> am need of surgery. I have researched THR and resurfacing, as well

>> as visited with three OS, one of whom is Dr. Amstutz who is doing

> the

>> clinical trial for resurfacing in LA. The hip resurfacing makes

> more

>> sense to me than THR but my insurance most likely won't pay. I am

> 46

>> year old female. I read Peggy Gariel's book on resurfacing and

>> wonder if anyone has recently gone to Belgium for the surgery, what

>> their experience and approximate cost was? They say now that the

>> mobility is great with the metal-on-metal THR and the main reason

> to

>> do resurfacing is bone conservation. Thoughts are appreciated.

>> Lynda in Colorado

>> Springs

>

> Hi Lynda

> There are a few other reasons to consider resurfacing besides

> conserving bone stock. The firsr is longevity. So far as we can now

> tell, with resurfacing being around for about 12 years, it will last

> a lot longer than a THR. For a person under 65, a THR is not perhaps

> the best first choice,as in most cases, it will not last one's

> lifetime.

> If nothing else, this gives you the option of getting a THR later on,

> if necessary, but you can't do the reverse.

> I believe recovery is a lot shorter with a resurf also.

> I went to Belgium in august to Dr De Smet. As everyone here says,

> who has gone to him, it was worth the time, trouble, and cost. Cost

> was 10,500 euros for all the hospital stuff, and pretty much everyone

> gets a refund from that.

> Hope this helps

> Sharry

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharry,

Thanks for the clarification. As Carol just mentioned in her posting, the

hardest part is just giving up on the insurance and getting on with it! Since

neither the state or federal government seems to have any effective regulatory

oversight of self-funded employer insurance and retirement plans (ERISAs), my

last option for ins. coverage is to convince someone at the corporate office

with the authority to amend " the Plan " that covering this surgery either in the

US with Dr. Amstutz, or in Belgium with Dr. De Smet is a cost-effective option

for them. Regardless of whether I get coverage, I've decided to go ahead with

resurfacing if at all possible.

I'm making an appointment to have new x-rays taken ASAP since my biggest fear is

that in the past 8 months, the cysts on my femoral head have grown to the point

that I am no longer a suitable candidate for resurfacing. Hopefully, if Dr.

Amstutz is no longer willing to do the surgery, Dr. De Smet will think he can

still work with the bone I have left. I'll send the films to Dr. Anstutz first.

If he's still willing to do the surgery, AND I get coverage, I'll be going to

LA. If he thinks I have too much bone loss to fit his protocol and/or I'm

footing the bill myself, I'm hoping Dr. De Smet will accept me as a patient.

Could you send me Dr. De Smet's e-mail address and/or website?

Thanks so much for all your input in helping me make this decision.

Re: Hip Resurfacing in Belgium

> I have developmental dysplasia that is is severe in the right hip

and

> am need of surgery. I have researched THR and resurfacing, as well

> as visited with three OS, one of whom is Dr. Amstutz who is doing

the

> clinical trial for resurfacing in LA. The hip resurfacing makes

more

> sense to me than THR but my insurance most likely won't pay. I am

46

> year old female. I read Peggy Gariel's book on resurfacing and

> wonder if anyone has recently gone to Belgium for the surgery, what

> their experience and approximate cost was? They say now that the

> mobility is great with the metal-on-metal THR and the main reason

to

> do resurfacing is bone conservation. Thoughts are appreciated.

> Lynda in Colorado

> Springs

Hi Lynda

There are a few other reasons to consider resurfacing besides

conserving bone stock. The firsr is longevity. So far as we can now

tell, with resurfacing being around for about 12 years, it will last

a lot longer than a THR. For a person under 65, a THR is not perhaps

the best first choice,as in most cases, it will not last one's

lifetime.

If nothing else, this gives you the option of getting a THR later on,

if necessary, but you can't do the reverse.

I believe recovery is a lot shorter with a resurf also.

I went to Belgium in august to Dr De Smet. As everyone here says,

who has gone to him, it was worth the time, trouble, and cost. Cost

was 10,500 euros for all the hospital stuff, and pretty much everyone

gets a refund from that.

Hope this helps

Sharry

------------------------------------------------------------------------------