Re: fiddlesticks - - question?!?

[Guest guest]

Hi, yes he did my surgery (upper/lower/genio in Aug 2002) as well as

on's here. My friend had her surgery done by him as well

recently, and there have been a few others here (you can also try

looking up posts from jeffreyaguinaldo around Jan 2003, I think).

Shiloh who recently returned to the sites here is booked to have him

do her surgery as well next year.

My surgery went well, and I had an easy and speedy recovery (I did do

some alternative treatments though, including homeopathy, MLD therapy

as well as surgical support cassette tapes)- I posted about my

surgery experience on the geocities site I set up, just look under

PERSONAL SURGERY EXPERIENCES) at

http://www.geocities.com/orthognathicinfo/

The orthognathic surgery itself is covered under OHIP (call their

tollfree number to check, I don't think it's been de-listed but that

was a fear of mine a couple of years ago), but his fees for the

consultation and out-of-hospital care (visits pre & post-op) are not.

He charged me CAD 1,200 but I think it's up to 1,500 now. That's not

a lot considering everything else is covered. Now on got his

covered by his insurer, but I'm not sure how or who.

He is one of the best surgeons in Ontario if not Canada. Even his

colleagues speak of him with high regard. He's a lean, mean cutting

machine! You've met him, and you know he is a very quiet, gentle,

unassuming man. Let's just say that I would let him break my jaw any

day (provided they needed breaking, of course).

I had no complications post-op, every time I went to see him, he

looked inside my mouth and said " looks great " , and then proceeded to

patiently answer every last question I had. By the time he gave me

the pre-op spiel on what he was going to do, I already knew about it

from these sites. I remember one visit I had about 20 questions (I

think that was the final pre-op visit), then 10 the next visit, then

6, etc.

My ortho only works with one surgeon, he considers Tocchio the best,

if he had to have the procedure done, that's who he says he would

want. He says he's a real cool head in the OR, and that's just what

you want, plus someone who does a lot of these every year.

My friend had him for her wizzie surgery (I had someone closer to

where I live, about 10 years ago now), and she said he was very

gentle. You'll see, I'm sure things will go well. In some respects,

people have said that the orthognathic surgery is easier than wisdom

tooth surgery.

Good luck, follow their office's instructions, and I'm sure you'll do

just fine.

[Guest guest]

Hi

Thanks for the reply. I have checked out your website, and read all

about your experiences. I am trying not to even think of the surgery,

but I should be. I only saw Dr. Tocchio three times. The first time

was a consult, he explained my options, but did not go into great deal

about the surgery. I needed to make up my mind since my ortho was

charging me based on which route I took (just ortho or ortho with

surgery). I needed the prep work done which was the extractions, I

had a baby tooth under my gum line (which a lot of other surgeons said

they would not touch), as well as the wisdom teeth. My ortho feels I

am now ready for the surgery, and says the wisdom teeth should come

out atleast 6 months in advance to allow healing before surgery.

I regret not getting them out when Dr Tocchio did my extractions, but

the thought of 9 teeth at once...was scary!! So I decided to do the

extractions, then the braces and now the wisdom teeth. I feel based

on other consults, he is charging me way too much for the wisdom

teeth, but i guess its the price to pay for his name/experience.

As for the surgery we haven't discussed anything. Does he do a lot of

pre-op appointments?

I know the hospital stay is covered, and I do not remember what Dr.

Tocchio's quote was for the surgery, but the wisdom teeth is costing

me close to $1500. The last insurance company I was with rejected the

predetermination for the surgery, and said he was overcharging

according to the dental fees guide for the teeth extractions. They

only covered based on their allowed maximum fee.

After reading this forum I know a lot more about the surgery, and have

a lot of questions regarding my own case....

But one step at a time, gotta see how this wisdom teeth surgery goes

first! I don't know why I'm so scared, but its just a personal fear I

guess.

Thanks for the support!

> Hi, yes he did my surgery (upper/lower/genio in Aug 2002) as well as

> on's here. My friend had her surgery done by him as well

> recently, and there have been a few others here (you can also try

> looking up posts from jeffreyaguinaldo around Jan 2003, I think).

> Shiloh who recently returned to the sites here is booked to have him

> do her surgery as well next year.

>

> My surgery went well, and I had an easy and speedy recovery (I did do

> some alternative treatments though, including homeopathy, MLD therapy

> as well as surgical support cassette tapes)- I posted about my

> surgery experience on the geocities site I set up, just look under

> PERSONAL SURGERY EXPERIENCES) at

> http://www.geocities.com/orthognathicinfo/

>

> The orthognathic surgery itself is covered under OHIP (call their

> tollfree number to check, I don't think it's been de-listed but that

> was a fear of mine a couple of years ago), but his fees for the

> consultation and out-of-hospital care (visits pre & post-op) are not.

> He charged me CAD 1,200 but I think it's up to 1,500 now. That's not

> a lot considering everything else is covered. Now on got his

> covered by his insurer, but I'm not sure how or who.

>

> He is one of the best surgeons in Ontario if not Canada. Even his

> colleagues speak of him with high regard. He's a lean, mean cutting

> machine! You've met him, and you know he is a very quiet, gentle,

> unassuming man. Let's just say that I would let him break my jaw any

> day (provided they needed breaking, of course).

>

> I had no complications post-op, every time I went to see him, he

> looked inside my mouth and said " looks great " , and then proceeded to

> patiently answer every last question I had. By the time he gave me

> the pre-op spiel on what he was going to do, I already knew about it

> from these sites. I remember one visit I had about 20 questions (I

> think that was the final pre-op visit), then 10 the next visit, then

> 6, etc.

>

> My ortho only works with one surgeon, he considers Tocchio the best,

> if he had to have the procedure done, that's who he says he would

> want. He says he's a real cool head in the OR, and that's just what

> you want, plus someone who does a lot of these every year.

>

> My friend had him for her wizzie surgery (I had someone closer to

> where I live, about 10 years ago now), and she said he was very

> gentle. You'll see, I'm sure things will go well. In some respects,

> people have said that the orthognathic surgery is easier than wisdom

> tooth surgery.

>

> Good luck, follow their office's instructions, and I'm sure you'll do

> just fine.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

First advice: you get what you pay for! He's worth it. No question. $

should not be part of your decision-making, in my opinion. But, if

you want to save money, be aware that Dr T does a lot of second

surgeries, and not for his own patients ... so you might just end up

with him anyway. I'm not trying to scare you there, just letting you

know you have what most consider the best person for the job. Do you

really want to skimp on your health here? I am sure I can find

somebody in a back alley to do it cheaper : )

Every single submission I make for my health care or dental care

comes back saying they are overcharging based on the listed rates

(dentist, massage therapist, chiropractor). The insurance companies

are just cheap (and I don't care who I offend with that one!).

Dr T will go into detail if you ask. I didn't get much detail from

him until my final pre-op, but as I said, he told me stuff I already

knew. My ortho didn't tell me much either. You'll find out more on

these sites than from any of them, to be honest. But you'll get the

technical answers from them, no question.

9 teeth removed at once is not a pleasant thought. A good friend of

mine had to have a large number removed also, but not for this type

of surgery. I agree, it's best to do it now so you have less going on

in your mouth at the time of surgery.

Good luck, let me know if you have any more questions, ok?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

As mentioned, I had my surgery (lower + genio) also done by Dr

T. I am very happy with the results. He also removed all my wisdom

teeth as well. He does charge a premium and I paid the difference

that the insurance didn't cover. I would also agree that the premium

paid was well worth it.

If you decide that you still want Dr T to remove your wisdom teeth,

perhaps you can show his office the rejection letter and they can

redraft the quote so that you would pay a portion and the insurance

would pay the rest. I found them useful when I needed extra info for

the insurance company.

good luck

on

> > Hi, yes he did my surgery (upper/lower/genio in Aug 2002) as well as

> > on's here. My friend had her surgery done by him as well

> > recently, and there have been a few others here (you can also try

> > looking up posts from jeffreyaguinaldo around Jan 2003, I think).

> > Shiloh who recently returned to the sites here is booked to have him

> > do her surgery as well next year.

> >

> > My surgery went well, and I had an easy and speedy recovery (I did do

> > some alternative treatments though, including homeopathy, MLD therapy

> > as well as surgical support cassette tapes)- I posted about my

> > surgery experience on the geocities site I set up, just look under

> > PERSONAL SURGERY EXPERIENCES) at

> > http://www.geocities.com/orthognathicinfo/

> >

> > The orthognathic surgery itself is covered under OHIP (call their

> > tollfree number to check, I don't think it's been de-listed but that

> > was a fear of mine a couple of years ago), but his fees for the

> > consultation and out-of-hospital care (visits pre & post-op) are not.

> > He charged me CAD 1,200 but I think it's up to 1,500 now. That's not

> > a lot considering everything else is covered. Now on got his

> > covered by his insurer, but I'm not sure how or who.

> >

> > He is one of the best surgeons in Ontario if not Canada. Even his

> > colleagues speak of him with high regard. He's a lean, mean cutting

> > machine! You've met him, and you know he is a very quiet, gentle,

> > unassuming man. Let's just say that I would let him break my jaw any

> > day (provided they needed breaking, of course).

> >

> > I had no complications post-op, every time I went to see him, he

> > looked inside my mouth and said " looks great " , and then proceeded to

> > patiently answer every last question I had. By the time he gave me

> > the pre-op spiel on what he was going to do, I already knew about it

> > from these sites. I remember one visit I had about 20 questions (I

> > think that was the final pre-op visit), then 10 the next visit, then

> > 6, etc.

> >

> > My ortho only works with one surgeon, he considers Tocchio the best,

> > if he had to have the procedure done, that's who he says he would

> > want. He says he's a real cool head in the OR, and that's just what

> > you want, plus someone who does a lot of these every year.

> >

> > My friend had him for her wizzie surgery (I had someone closer to

> > where I live, about 10 years ago now), and she said he was very

> > gentle. You'll see, I'm sure things will go well. In some respects,

> > people have said that the orthognathic surgery is easier than wisdom

> > tooth surgery.

> >

> > Good luck, follow their office's instructions, and I'm sure you'll do

> > just fine.

> >