Re: other Doctors in Belgium

[Guest guest]

The only other thing I have ever heard about the other doctors in Belgium is

that there is a doctor in Antwerp who is not very good. I heard this from Dr De

Smet. He stated that this particular doctor had not studied insertion of the

device. I don't believe that Koen would " bash " anyone without sufficient

reason.

Rock Climbin' Jude

LBHR De Smet 09/11/02

other Doctors in Belgium

Hello all you recently returned Belgium resurfacers, anyone gone to

other Doctors in Belgium and any feedback on Dr. DeGendt, good or

bad. The Hospital and procedure seem to be a little cheaper then Dr.

DeSmet in gent. Just wondering ?

Thanks for the info

Mike

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike,

If you are considering coming to Belgium anyway, don't try to save

any more money. Koen De Smet is reasonable enough and the best in the

biz in Belgium; his experience far outweighs any cost savings you

could get (only my humble opinion, but now one backed by experience).

Good luck with your decision!

> Hello all you recently returned Belgium resurfacers, anyone gone to

> other Doctors in Belgium and any feedback on Dr. DeGendt, good or

> bad. The Hospital and procedure seem to be a little cheaper then

Dr.

> DeSmet in gent. Just wondering ?

> Thanks for the info

> Mike

[Guest guest]

I asked Dr. DeSmet if other Doctors in Belgium were as successful as

he was. He said no. Said there were small differences in

techniques that can make a lot of difference in outcome; he said

that some Doctors have the cement mixed in the next room and it has

already started to harden by the time it is used; he mixes it in the

operating theater and uses is within 30 seconds.

I gathered from his comment that, in the cement technique example,

there is greater risk of fracture with harder material. His other

techniques which may be different involve his incision and his

speed. There are no doubt many other minor differences which have

made a difference.

Because of Koen's explanation, I am concerned that once approved in

the US, resurfacing will be hit and miss - every surgeon will do it,

whether or not they have the training or experience, because they

won't want to lose the business. From what I understand, this

surgery requires more skill than THR and there will be more failures

than necessary. If I ever needed the other hip done, I would go

back to DeSmet without a second thought, even if it is available

here.

The largest part of the bill is the hospital bill, not the surgeon's

fee. His fee is a relative bargain and saving $500 or $1000 dollars

has no value in the long run. That is not to say that I know that

there are no other good surgeons in Belgium, only that you can get

no better than DeSmet.

Bev

2/19/03 rbhr desmet

> The only other thing I have ever heard about the other doctors in

Belgium is that there is a doctor in Antwerp who is not very good.

I heard this from Dr De Smet. He stated that this particular doctor

had not studied insertion of the device. I don't believe that Koen

would " bash " anyone without sufficient reason.

>

> Rock Climbin' Jude

> LBHR De Smet 09/11/02

>

> other Doctors in Belgium

>

> Hello all you recently returned Belgium resurfacers, anyone gone

to

> other Doctors in Belgium and any feedback on Dr. DeGendt, good or

> bad. The Hospital and procedure seem to be a little cheaper then

Dr.

> DeSmet in gent. Just wondering ?

> Thanks for the info

> Mike

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with you, Bev.

Jude

other Doctors in Belgium

>

> Hello all you recently returned Belgium resurfacers, anyone gone

to

> other Doctors in Belgium and any feedback on Dr. DeGendt, good or

> bad. The Hospital and procedure seem to be a little cheaper then

Dr.

> DeSmet in gent. Just wondering ?

> Thanks for the info

> Mike

>

>

>

>

>