Testimonial 2 years postop

[Guest guest]

I am back again for a rare appearence. No. 309 on the surface hippy

members. Right BHR DeSmet Jan 15, 2001. Obsessive compulsive

triathlete, family physician from southern Missouri. Wish to address

a few recent comments...like " does it work? " , " high impact " ,

longevity of procedure, and where this country is at...so far. Since

four months post op have, and continue to train and compete. Have

logged 600+ miles swimming, 13,500+ miles cycling, and 2700+ miles of

running. Only restrictions have been the evolving arthritis in the

Left hip. I will still go the limit of discomfort before returning

to Belgium for the same procedure. Currently taking anti-

inflammatory med once every couple of weeks. At 51 I have no worries

about what metal ions could, theoretically, do to me in 30 years or

so. I have already had a bike crash...landing on the resurfaced hip

at 20+ miles/hr (no it was not an intended trial, and not proud of my

lack of coordination) and there was absolutely no compromise of the

hip, the articulating surfaces, or loosening of anything. As best as

I can interpret, 2006 will be the next expanded use of hip

resurfacing in this country. I suspect, it will be standard of care

about 3 years later...at which time all the ortho doubters will have

jumped on the band wagon and admit it's a " reasonable " option for a

younger active person. In the meantime they are claiming

the " latest " advances are ceramic on ceramic and " micro " surgery.

Give me a break! On the latter, the claim is the smaller incision

leads to less postop pain (How many of you complain of the pain in

your 9 inch scar? I thought so!) and faster recovery. (Again, I was

on two canes driving my standard transmission rental car and walking

a couple miles in Brugge, Belgium postop day 3. No canes at two

weeks. People in this country would have similar results, but the

American Ortho surgeons doing the procedure are still ultra

conservative, regarding recovery activities. No doubt, the way to go

and I continue to be amazed at hesitation to do BHR, once one has

even a moderate amount of information. Hope this helps the preop

folks, and confirms to the rest of those post op, you made the best

decision: Dru

[Guest guest]

Dru,

Nice to see a post from you. You may not remember me, but I phoned you

before my decision to go to Belgium in March 2002. I check in on the

board from time to time, and have recommended it to a few people with

degenerating hips.

I'm glad things are going so well for you. Sorry to hear about that

left hip, but isn't it comforting to know you've got a way to deal

with it?

My right hip is GREAT. I actually look back fondly on my time spent

in Ghent. The only thing I'd do differenly if I had to go again would

be to get over the jet lag before the operation. Koen De Smet stands

out as one of the truly fine people I've met in my life.

Schiller

RBHR 3/12/02 De Smet

> I am back again for a rare appearence. No. 309 on the surface

hippy

> members. Right BHR DeSmet Jan 15, 2001. Obsessive compulsive

> triathlete, family physician from southern Missouri. Wish to

address

> a few recent comments...like " does it work? " , " high impact " ,

> longevity of procedure, and where this country is at...so far.

Since

> four months post op have, and continue to train and compete. Have

> logged 600+ miles swimming, 13,500+ miles cycling, and 2700+ miles

of

> running. Only restrictions have been the evolving arthritis in the

> Left hip. I will still go the limit of discomfort before returning

> to Belgium for the same procedure. Currently taking anti-

> inflammatory med once every couple of weeks. At 51 I have no

worries

> about what metal ions could, theoretically, do to me in 30 years or

> so. I have already had a bike crash...landing on the resurfaced

hip

> at 20+ miles/hr (no it was not an intended trial, and not proud of

my

> lack of coordination) and there was absolutely no compromise of the

> hip, the articulating surfaces, or loosening of anything. As best

as

> I can interpret, 2006 will be the next expanded use of hip

> resurfacing in this country. I suspect, it will be standard of

care

> about 3 years later...at which time all the ortho doubters will

have

> jumped on the band wagon and admit it's a " reasonable " option for a

> younger active person. In the meantime they are claiming

> the " latest " advances are ceramic on ceramic and " micro " surgery.

> Give me a break! On the latter, the claim is the smaller incision

> leads to less postop pain (How many of you complain of the pain in

> your 9 inch scar? I thought so!) and faster recovery. (Again, I

was

> on two canes driving my standard transmission rental car and

walking

> a couple miles in Brugge, Belgium postop day 3. No canes at two

> weeks. People in this country would have similar results, but the

> American Ortho surgeons doing the procedure are still ultra

> conservative, regarding recovery activities. No doubt, the way to

go

> and I continue to be amazed at hesitation to do BHR, once one has

> even a moderate amount of information. Hope this helps the preop

> folks, and confirms to the rest of those post op, you made the best

> decision: Dru

[Guest guest]

Dear Dru - thank you for the great post. Those words of encouragement

really help all of us preparing for the surgery. I have a little over

two weeks to go before my surgery with Dr. De Smet and feel very

fortunate to have this option. Just a little nervous that's all. Well,

I admit I am very nervous though I know I am in good hands. I can't

wait to get my life back. Thank you again.

Testimonial 2 years postop

I am back again for a rare appearence. No. 309 on the surface hippy

members. Right BHR DeSmet Jan 15, 2001. Obsessive compulsive

triathlete, family physician from southern Missouri. Wish to address

a few recent comments...like " does it work? " , " high impact " ,

longevity of procedure, and where this country is at...so far. Since

four months post op have, and continue to train and compete. Have

logged 600+ miles swimming, 13,500+ miles cycling, and 2700+ miles of

running. Only restrictions have been the evolving arthritis in the

Left hip. I will still go the limit of discomfort before returning

to Belgium for the same procedure. Currently taking anti-

inflammatory med once every couple of weeks. At 51 I have no worries

about what metal ions could, theoretically, do to me in 30 years or

so. I have already had a bike crash...landing on the resurfaced hip

at 20+ miles/hr (no it was not an intended trial, and not proud of my

lack of coordination) and there was absolutely no compromise of the

hip, the articulating surfaces, or loosening of anything. As best as

I can interpret, 2006 will be the next expanded use of hip

resurfacing in this country. I suspect, it will be standard of care

about 3 years later...at which time all the ortho doubters will have

jumped on the band wagon and admit it's a " reasonable " option for a

younger active person. In the meantime they are claiming

the " latest " advances are ceramic on ceramic and " micro " surgery.

Give me a break! On the latter, the claim is the smaller incision

leads to less postop pain (How many of you complain of the pain in

your 9 inch scar? I thought so!) and faster recovery. (Again, I was

on two canes driving my standard transmission rental car and walking

a couple miles in Brugge, Belgium postop day 3. No canes at two

weeks. People in this country would have similar results, but the

American Ortho surgeons doing the procedure are still ultra

conservative, regarding recovery activities. No doubt, the way to go

and I continue to be amazed at hesitation to do BHR, once one has

even a moderate amount of information. Hope this helps the preop

folks, and confirms to the rest of those post op, you made the best

decision: Dru

_____

[Guest guest]

Attention all those doubters who don't expect a poor reception from most

orthopaedic surgeons! Even a doctor has encountered the same problem. I too

had an OS try to sell me on 'less invasive' surgery - i.e., a small incision -

as if that would make any diff. Fortunately I went armed with lots of info from

this site and others, and in the end he admitted I knew what I was talking about

and that Dr De Smet could probably do my surgery if he said he could, whereas

this surgeon hadn't enough experience. But note: at first he tried to talk ne

into the THR, not knowing that I wouldn't buy it cause I knew too

much....Moral: go prepared.

Sharry

RBHR De Smet 27/08/2003

Testimonial 2 years postop

I am back again for a rare appearence. No. 309 on the surface hippy

members. Right BHR DeSmet Jan 15, 2001. Obsessive compulsive

triathlete, family physician from southern Missouri. Wish to address

a few recent comments...like " does it work? " , " high impact " ,

longevity of procedure, and where this country is at...so far. Since

four months post op have, and continue to train and compete. Have

logged 600+ miles swimming, 13,500+ miles cycling, and 2700+ miles of

running. Only restrictions have been the evolving arthritis in the

Left hip. I will still go the limit of discomfort before returning

to Belgium for the same procedure. Currently taking anti-

inflammatory med once every couple of weeks. At 51 I have no worries

about what metal ions could, theoretically, do to me in 30 years or

so. I have already had a bike crash...landing on the resurfaced hip

at 20+ miles/hr (no it was not an intended trial, and not proud of my

lack of coordination) and there was absolutely no compromise of the

hip, the articulating surfaces, or loosening of anything. As best as

I can interpret, 2006 will be the next expanded use of hip

resurfacing in this country. I suspect, it will be standard of care

about 3 years later...at which time all the ortho doubters will have

jumped on the band wagon and admit it's a " reasonable " option for a

younger active person. In the meantime they are claiming

the " latest " advances are ceramic on ceramic and " micro " surgery.

Give me a break! On the latter, the claim is the smaller incision

leads to less postop pain (How many of you complain of the pain in

your 9 inch scar? I thought so!) and faster recovery. (Again, I was

on two canes driving my standard transmission rental car and walking

a couple miles in Brugge, Belgium postop day 3. No canes at two

weeks. People in this country would have similar results, but the

American Ortho surgeons doing the procedure are still ultra

conservative, regarding recovery activities. No doubt, the way to go

and I continue to be amazed at hesitation to do BHR, once one has

even a moderate amount of information. Hope this helps the preop

folks, and confirms to the rest of those post op, you made the best

decision: Dru

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

[Guest guest]

Here here, ! I certainly second that!

You are an inspiration, Dru!

Rock climbin' Jude

LBHR De Smet 09/11/02

Re: Testimonial 2 years postop

Dru,

Nice to see a post from you. You may not remember me, but I phoned you

before my decision to go to Belgium in March 2002. I check in on the

board from time to time, and have recommended it to a few people with

degenerating hips.

I'm glad things are going so well for you. Sorry to hear about that

left hip, but isn't it comforting to know you've got a way to deal

with it?

My right hip is GREAT. I actually look back fondly on my time spent

in Ghent. The only thing I'd do differenly if I had to go again would

be to get over the jet lag before the operation. Koen De Smet stands

out as one of the truly fine people I've met in my life.

Schiller

RBHR 3/12/02 De Smet

> I am back again for a rare appearence. No. 309 on the surface

hippy

> members. Right BHR DeSmet Jan 15, 2001. Obsessive compulsive

> triathlete, family physician from southern Missouri. Wish to

address

> a few recent comments...like " does it work? " , " high impact " ,

> longevity of procedure, and where this country is at...so far.

Since

> four months post op have, and continue to train and compete. Have

> logged 600+ miles swimming, 13,500+ miles cycling, and 2700+ miles

of

> running. Only restrictions have been the evolving arthritis in the

> Left hip. I will still go the limit of discomfort before returning

> to Belgium for the same procedure. Currently taking anti-

> inflammatory med once every couple of weeks. At 51 I have no

worries

> about what metal ions could, theoretically, do to me in 30 years or

> so. I have already had a bike crash...landing on the resurfaced

hip

> at 20+ miles/hr (no it was not an intended trial, and not proud of

my

> lack of coordination) and there was absolutely no compromise of the

> hip, the articulating surfaces, or loosening of anything. As best

as

> I can interpret, 2006 will be the next expanded use of hip

> resurfacing in this country. I suspect, it will be standard of

care

> about 3 years later...at which time all the ortho doubters will

have

> jumped on the band wagon and admit it's a " reasonable " option for a

> younger active person. In the meantime they are claiming

> the " latest " advances are ceramic on ceramic and " micro " surgery.

> Give me a break! On the latter, the claim is the smaller incision

> leads to less postop pain (How many of you complain of the pain in

> your 9 inch scar? I thought so!) and faster recovery. (Again, I

was

> on two canes driving my standard transmission rental car and

walking

> a couple miles in Brugge, Belgium postop day 3. No canes at two

> weeks. People in this country would have similar results, but the

> American Ortho surgeons doing the procedure are still ultra

> conservative, regarding recovery activities. No doubt, the way to

go

> and I continue to be amazed at hesitation to do BHR, once one has

> even a moderate amount of information. Hope this helps the preop

> folks, and confirms to the rest of those post op, you made the best

> decision: Dru