RE: my rotten hip

[Guest guest]

I had my bilateral hip surgery with the great Dr. Koen DeSmet on July 2,

2002. When I was trying to make a decision as to where to go earlier that

spring,

I came to the conclusion that I would want to go to a surgeon that had done a

lot of surgeries with a great success rate. In addition, I realized that my

insurance wouldn't cover me in the US. I knew that Mont and Grosse had great

reputations but I narrowed my choice to Treacy and McMinn of Birmingham and

DeSmet of Belgium. Through " Surface hippy " and other research it became apparent

that DeSmet was taking on some difficult cases that the Birmingham docs had

turned down. Since DeSmet had this reputation and that he had learned under

McMinn, I knew he was the man.

As a tennis tournament player that desperately wanted to return to action, I

also liked DeSmet's attitude that you can do anything that your body says you

can.

An additional bonus was that DeSmet's cost of surgery was much less than any

of the above. $60,000 (w/o insurance) in the US was far less appealing than

$17,000 with DeSmet. I also got a $1000 refund, so my cost was $16,000!

My experience in Belgium was one of the great times of my life. To be

restored to an active athletic life was a gift beyond belief.

I'm sure that whoever you chose will give you the same joy that I'm enjoying.

This was my experience and many others who have chosen Dr. DeSmet. Good luck

to you.

Saeed

Madison, WI

[Guest guest]

Chris:

My decision to have my hip resurfed in the US was mostly financial. I had

the doctor's office submit the info to my heath care insurance company

(BC/BS of Missouri) for consideration. About 6 weeks before my surgery,

they OK'd the payment. Needless to say, I was ecstatic. Do not (and I

repeat DO NOT) contact your insurance company yourself and ask for their

approval on investigational surgery. It sends up all kinds of red flags

for them. But somehow, the doctor's office is able to get it approved

without this problem.

What would I have done had I not gotten my surgery approved in the US? I

would have gone to Belgium and paid the approximately $16,000 out of pocket.

That's how secure I felt that a hip resurf was the best choice for me.

I don't think the differences between implant devices for hip resurfacing is

that big a deal. The consensus here at surfacehippy is that the quality of

the surgeon and the care you receive both pre and post op, is far more

important then the type of device. They are more similar then they are

different. To learn more about to differences, check the surfacehippy

archives.

On a final note....don't wait too long. Potential resurf candidates who

postpone surgery for too long may not be eligible for this procedure. Your

hip is only getting worse....

Best of luck.

Lois

C+ 3/27/03 Dr. Mont

my rotten hip

I've been in pain and have limped since 8 years old. I'm a healthy,

active, 44 year old man, with the exception of the hip. It is now

time for me to get surgery. I have endured intense pain for decades

with the hope that I may postpone a THR (seemingly inevitable). And

now I'e learned of the resurfacing. I am somewhat relieved, as I had

dreaded having to face revisions and their inherent problems. Would

any of you care to discuss what you may know regarding the

differences, if any, between the Belgiun or U.S. procedures and

their respective results. And would you share your criteria for your

decision?

As well, I would like to thank all of you who have taken the

time to share what you have learned/experienced. I know that you

remember how scary it was to be where I now am. And the knowledge

and experience you have so freely shared has been such an enormous

gift to me in this tough time. And I look forward to the day when I

can share my successes with someone who is facing the same tough

decisions.

Chris