Guest guest Posted January 4, 2004 Report Share Posted January 4, 2004 I had a resurfacing done by Dr. Schmalzreid last May at JRI. Since we were coming from out of town (San Francisco Bay area), JRI arranged for my wife to stay in a guest room at the hospital -- free of charge -- for the four nights I was there. (it wasn't hotel quality, but you couldn't beat the cost or convenience). Since my wife was around so much, she was able to run errands for me and act as a liason with the medical and nursing staffs. I had my own room at the hospital with a TV, and I brought along an MP3 player for music and reading materials (though, with the various medications, I had a hard time concentrating/focusing). We also parked our car in the hospital's secured lot during my stay at no cost (I think there's a very small charge now). Before and after the surgery (one pre-op visit and two post-ops), I have flown into both LAX and Burbank and either rented a car or taken a taxi (about $30 each way) to JRI. LAX is closer, and I've never had trouble finding a rental car for $20-30 a day. At discharge, JRI arranged for all my medications to be delivered to the hospital from a local pharmacy. JRI suggested I stay in the area for at least one day after my discharge before driving back. We spent the night at a business hotel off Wilshire Blvd for about $140, and the staff there was extremely accommodating. It all went very smoothly. > Well, in one month I hope to be a real honest " resurfer " . My > previous attempt on my RIGHT hip, done by Dr Mont, resulted in a m-o- > m THR due to the large size of my femoral neck and the limitations of > the Conserve+ device at the time. Since my LEFT hip has decided to > follow the right hip into OA " oblivion " 20 months later, I decided to > do try for a resurfacing again. I should hasten to add that I am > TOTALLY satisfied with the THR and cannot tell it from a perfectly > normal hip, its just that I want the more elegant and more bone- > conserving option of the resurfacing...a true-believer if you will. > I recently saw Dr Schmalzreid at JRI. He took some > measurements and compared them to the Corin resurfacing templates and > told me he was confident he could perform the resurfacing with the > Cormet 2K device. This time, my military healthcare plan approved > the resufacing on the first attempt, since Carol at JRI provided them > with the third-level appeal paperwork overturning their denials for > the right hip resurfacing. > I suspect I will be the only person around with Mont/Schmalzreid > hips, one m-o-m THR and one resurfacing...it should give me a unique > perspective which I hope to share with future " hippies " . > Now, the reason for this post: I was very well-satisfied, in fact > MORE than well-satisfied, with the treatment and administration at > Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. If I were going back there, I would > know exactly what to expect, what to bring, and how my wife could > cope during her stay...but I am going to LA this time instead. I am > looking for some insights as to travel to LAX/JRI, parking, what to > bring, places for my wife to stay, etc based on the personal > experiences of other JRI patients. I know JRI will send me a package > detailing most of this, but I am looking for " lesson learned " or > things you found especially valuable during your " surgical > experience " and stay at JRI. Any insights you can provide will be > greatly appreciated by my wife and I...thank you all very much...I > look forward to becoming a " real resurfer " this time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2004 Report Share Posted January 4, 2004 My 2 cents... When I had my resurface a couple of years ago at JRI-OH, my wife & mother stayed at the Radisson Hotel at 3540 South Figueroa Street while I was in the hospital. They used to have a price break for JRI patients & families, plus they used to have a shuttle to JRI. There are several hotels on Figueroa Street. Do ask for the private suite for out-of-towners. Mine had a sofa, coffee table, etc. just like a hotel room. There was supposed to be an upcharge, but I never did get charged. If you like Mexican food, El Cholo at 1121 S. Western is good and they have many Hollywood celebrities as customers, as well as movie sets ordering hundreds of tamales. Back during the LA riots, this was the only place standing among the burned out stores. We ate my final meal there the night before surgery, with several margaritas for my nerves A must stop in LA is Pinks Hotdogs on La Brea, they been there 65 years. Any specific questions, let em rip. Take care & good luck. Rod Conway Oregon JRI Info Request > Well, in one month I hope to be a real honest " resurfer " . My > previous attempt on my RIGHT hip, done by Dr Mont, resulted in a m-o- > m THR due to the large size of my femoral neck and the limitations of > the Conserve+ device at the time. Since my LEFT hip has decided to > follow the right hip into OA " oblivion " 20 months later, I decided to > do try for a resurfacing again. I should hasten to add that I am > TOTALLY satisfied with the THR and cannot tell it from a perfectly > normal hip, its just that I want the more elegant and more bone- > conserving option of the resurfacing...a true-believer if you will. > I recently saw Dr Schmalzreid at JRI. He took some > measurements and compared them to the Corin resurfacing templates and > told me he was confident he could perform the resurfacing with the > Cormet 2K device. This time, my military healthcare plan approved > the resufacing on the first attempt, since Carol at JRI provided them > with the third-level appeal paperwork overturning their denials for > the right hip resurfacing. > I suspect I will be the only person around with Mont/Schmalzreid > hips, one m-o-m THR and one resurfacing...it should give me a unique > perspective which I hope to share with future " hippies " . > Now, the reason for this post: I was very well-satisfied, in fact > MORE than well-satisfied, with the treatment and administration at > Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. If I were going back there, I would > know exactly what to expect, what to bring, and how my wife could > cope during her stay...but I am going to LA this time instead. I am > looking for some insights as to travel to LAX/JRI, parking, what to > bring, places for my wife to stay, etc based on the personal > experiences of other JRI patients. I know JRI will send me a package > detailing most of this, but I am looking for " lesson learned " or > things you found especially valuable during your " surgical > experience " and stay at JRI. Any insights you can provide will be > greatly appreciated by my wife and I...thank you all very much...I > look forward to becoming a " real resurfer " this time! > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2004 Report Share Posted January 5, 2004 Why are you not going back to Mont? JRI Info Request Well, in one month I hope to be a real honest " resurfer " . My previous attempt on my RIGHT hip, done by Dr Mont, resulted in a m-o- m THR due to the large size of my femoral neck and the limitations of the Conserve+ device at the time. Since my LEFT hip has decided to follow the right hip into OA " oblivion " 20 months later, I decided to do try for a resurfacing again. I should hasten to add that I am TOTALLY satisfied with the THR and cannot tell it from a perfectly normal hip, its just that I want the more elegant and more bone- conserving option of the resurfacing...a true-believer if you will. I recently saw Dr Schmalzreid at JRI. He took some measurements and compared them to the Corin resurfacing templates and told me he was confident he could perform the resurfacing with the Cormet 2K device. This time, my military healthcare plan approved the resufacing on the first attempt, since Carol at JRI provided them with the third-level appeal paperwork overturning their denials for the right hip resurfacing. I suspect I will be the only person around with Mont/Schmalzreid hips, one m-o-m THR and one resurfacing...it should give me a unique perspective which I hope to share with future " hippies " . Now, the reason for this post: I was very well-satisfied, in fact MORE than well-satisfied, with the treatment and administration at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. If I were going back there, I would know exactly what to expect, what to bring, and how my wife could cope during her stay...but I am going to LA this time instead. I am looking for some insights as to travel to LAX/JRI, parking, what to bring, places for my wife to stay, etc based on the personal experiences of other JRI patients. I know JRI will send me a package detailing most of this, but I am looking for " lesson learned " or things you found especially valuable during your " surgical experience " and stay at JRI. Any insights you can provide will be greatly appreciated by my wife and I...thank you all very much...I look forward to becoming a " real resurfer " this time! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2004 Report Share Posted January 18, 2004 Hello I've had some trouble with my computer and have been out of town so just getting around to reply. Two years ago I had my rt. hip resurfaced by Dr. Schmalzried. My daughter works for the Hyatt so both daughters stayed there. A fellow resurfer from San Diego stayed in the hospital guest area the night before his surgery and said it was OK but lonely since he was the only one there. Also I found Carol to be very helpful. There is a small shopping mall next to the Hyatt with a food court. This is only about 5 mins from the hospital. I did have to have a blood transfusion so I was glad I donated my own blood. As you might know the hospital is old but the nursing care was good. There was a problem with my discharge papers Be sure you read and have them before you leave. I had very little pain but needed medicine for vomiting so be sure and ask for it. My physical therapy was excellent and I had some home health care which was paid for by my insurance. the care included drawing blood, dressing my wound and removing my stitches. Hope all goes well for you. Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2004 Report Share Posted January 19, 2004 Liz: When did you have it done? GLiz@... wrote: Hello I've had some trouble with my computer and have been out of town so just getting around to reply. Two years ago I had my rt. hip resurfaced by Dr. Schmalzried. My daughter works for the Hyatt so both daughters stayed there. A fellow resurfer from San Diego stayed in the hospital guest area the night before his surgery and said it was OK but lonely since he was the only one there. Also I found Carol to be very helpful. There is a small shopping mall next to the Hyatt with a food court. This is only about 5 mins from the hospital. I did have to have a blood transfusion so I was glad I donated my own blood. As you might know the hospital is old but the nursing care was good. There was a problem with my discharge papers Be sure you read and have them before you leave. I had very little pain but needed medicine for vomiting so be sure and ask for it. My physical therapy was excellent and I had some home health care which was paid for by my insurance. the care included drawing blood, dressing my wound and removing my stitches. Hope all goes well for you. Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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