Re: Revision for ..guess what..FLATBACK

[Guest guest]

Welcome . I'm sorry you are going through all of this! We all either are there or have been there, and I'm sure you'll find this site very helpful and supportive. Like me, I bet you weren't prepared for your old scoliosis problems to come back and give you this much hell at this time of your life! I also went through having the epidural injections prior to giving in and having the surgery. You may want to take a look in the FILES section on the site where many of the Member's Stories are posted, to show you the diversity of situations that have all come together. Again, welcome aboard!

Peace -

(another)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am glad you found us, I think you will find a lot of understanding

and support here. It is difficult to suddenly find yourself in a place

you probably never expected to be...in a lot of pain and contemplating

yet another spinal surgery. It stinks.

I am 7 months post op. I had two epidruals to try to stay comfortable

before surgery, but I must say for me they didn't work very well...a

little maybe.

I am lucky that so far I am doing well with little to complain about

in the way of pain. I will say that it is grueling surgery and

recovery. I had two surgeries (posterior day 1 followed by anterior

and posterior a week later).

Your doctor may, in fact, be very much up to the task of getting

you " revised " , I just haven't heard of him. He may have the skills to

diagnose flatback, but that doesn't necessarily mean he can " fix " it.

I don't mean to in any way undermine your confidence in him but I

think I can generally say that you should verify that he has performed

at least in the neighborhood of 100(+/-) of these very particular

surgeries. Getting you rebalanced through osteotomy requires a very

experienced and skilled surgeon...you don't want to be one of his

guine pigs.

As you are in PA I would also recommend you at least consider a second

opinion. You have Dr Boachie-Adjej in NYC and Dr Bridwell in St

Louis fairly close at hand (or Dr Rand, my surgeon, up in Boston).

Even if you decide to pursue surgery with Dr Albert you will feel much

more reassured if the proposed surgery plans match.

I think it is fair to say our group is made up of people in all stages

of flatback...some revised, some pending, some not contemplating

surgery. In all, we can probably offer you tons of support as you move

through the various stages of dealing with this monster. I wish I

could say something different, but the truth is you do have some big

challenges ahead of you.

We are here for you and are glad you found us. Anything you need, just

ask. When you get a little more time and feel ready it would be

appreciated if you write a more complete version of your story so we

can post it in the files section. It helps us keep track of who is who

and where they are on their journey.

Again, welcome, Cam

[Guest guest]

> Welcome . I'm sorry you are going through all of this! We all

either

> are there or have been there, and I'm sure you'll find this site

very helpful

> and supportive. Like me, I bet you weren't prepared for your old

scoliosis

> problems to come back and give you this much hell at this time of

your life!

> I also went through having the epidural injections prior to giving

in and

> having the surgery. You may want to take a look in the FILES

section on the

> site where many of the Member's Stories are posted, to show you the

diversity of

> situations that have all come together. Again, welcome aboard!

> Peace -

> (another)

Thanks, I will check that section. Yeah, it is living hell.....

[Guest guest]

---I will do that. I am pretty bad so I think I have no choice. I

might call Dr.Rand,due to the fact Boston is easy for me to get to

due to family in the area. What hospital is he affiliated with? my

sister works at Beth Isreal in Boston.I have one friend who had

revision with ToDD aLBERT at Jefferson Hospital.Can you give me

Dr.Rands phone number? I would like to call him for a second ...

vParris In , " cammaltby "

<cammaltby@y...> wrote:

> Hi ,

>

> I am glad you found us, I think you will find a lot of

understanding

> and support here. It is difficult to suddenly find yourself in a

place

> you probably never expected to be...in a lot of pain and

contemplating

> yet another spinal surgery. It stinks.

>

> I am 7 months post op. I had two epidruals to try to stay

comfortable

> before surgery, but I must say for me they didn't work very

well...a

> little maybe.

>

> I am lucky that so far I am doing well with little to complain

about

> in the way of pain. I will say that it is grueling surgery and

> recovery. I had two surgeries (posterior day 1 followed by anterior

> and posterior a week later).

>

> Your doctor may, in fact, be very much up to the task of getting

> you " revised " , I just haven't heard of him. He may have the skills

to

> diagnose flatback, but that doesn't necessarily mean he can " fix "

it.

> I don't mean to in any way undermine your confidence in him but I

> think I can generally say that you should verify that he has

performed

> at least in the neighborhood of 100(+/-) of these very particular

> surgeries. Getting you rebalanced through osteotomy requires a very

> experienced and skilled surgeon...you don't want to be one of his

> guine pigs.

>

> As you are in PA I would also recommend you at least consider a

second

> opinion. You have Dr Boachie-Adjej in NYC and Dr Bridwell in

St

> Louis fairly close at hand (or Dr Rand, my surgeon, up in Boston).

> Even if you decide to pursue surgery with Dr Albert you will feel

much

> more reassured if the proposed surgery plans match.

>

> I think it is fair to say our group is made up of people in all

stages

> of flatback...some revised, some pending, some not contemplating

> surgery. In all, we can probably offer you tons of support as you

move

> through the various stages of dealing with this monster. I wish I

> could say something different, but the truth is you do have some

big

> challenges ahead of you.

>

> We are here for you and are glad you found us. Anything you need,

just

> ask. When you get a little more time and feel ready it would be

> appreciated if you write a more complete version of your story so

we

> can post it in the files section. It helps us keep track of who is

who

> and where they are on their journey.

>

> Again, welcome, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi, , and welcome.

Dr. Rand is affiliated with New England Baptist.

http://www.bostonspinegroup.org/doctors/rand/index.html

There is also Dr. Glazer at Beth Israel.

http://www.spineuniverse.com/authorbio.php?authorID=221

I have not met either man, but have an appointment with Dr. Rand on Oct. 6.

Sharon

[ ] Re: Revision for ..guess what..FLATBACK

> ---I will do that. I am pretty bad so I think I have no choice. I

> might call Dr.Rand,due to the fact Boston is easy for me to get to

> due to family in the area. What hospital is he affiliated with? my

> sister works at Beth Isreal in Boston.I have one friend who had

> revision with ToDD aLBERT at Jefferson Hospital.Can you give me

> Dr.Rands phone number? I would like to call him for a second ...

> vParris

[Guest guest]

,

Dr Rand is at New England Baptist Hospital, a small specialty

orthopedic hospital in Boston. I am sure your sister knows it. His

Office is 617-754-5744. You can usually expect about a 6-8 week lead

time for an appointment. They may ask for your referral and x-rays and

MRI's before they set an appointment.

I was pretty uncomfortable walking around so I scheduled my epidurals

around my appointments for maximum relief. At least it got me to NYC

for 24 hours. Are you still teaching?..that must be grueling.

If you have any other questions please ask! Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi , I can totally sympathize with your situation! I was in the same boat as you only a short time ago. I had revision surgery in March of this year in NYC at The Hospital for Joint Diseases by Dr Errico. I can honestly say that you are in a wonderful place here! I wish that I had had these amazing people as a source of knowledge and support prior to my surgery! I am sure you will find alot of useful information here. WELCOME!!

Suzie

heatherbenjaminnicholas <heatherbenjaminnicholas@...> wrote:

I am 45,scoliosis done in 1972,Boston Children''s by the magnificant Dr.Riseborough. Now,scared to death of what is happening to me. Flatback,scaitica,can't sleep,can't walk up straight,look like a 90 year old lady. Can't go to the Mall withhout a wheel chair.I found your site from nsf site,via ,I am scheduled for my 2nd injesction to cut down on inflamattion and pain on 9/16. My doc is Todd Albert out of the Rothman Inst.,he comes highly recommended.What can I expect from revision surgery with the symptoms I discribed? I am fused in the middle of my back,I had an "s" curve,Harrington Rod.I know live outside of Phila in Valley Forge.Pa. Mother of 4 children,school teacher and a very caring understanding husband.....I think that is it..HELP!!!!

Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

[Guest guest]

> ,

>

> Dr Rand is at New England Baptist Hospital, a small specialty

> orthopedic hospital in Boston. I am sure your sister knows it. His

> Office is 617-754-5744. You can usually expect about a 6-8 week lead

> time for an appointment. They may ask for your referral and x-rays

and

> MRI's before they set an appointment.

>

> I was pretty uncomfortable walking around so I scheduled my epidurals

> around my appointments for maximum relief. At least it got me to NYC

> for 24 hours. Are you still teaching?..that must be grueling.

>

> f you have any other questions please ask! Cam

Dear Cam,

Yes, I am still teaching,it is awful!! My principal is very

understanding and understands that I could be out on disability...any

accomadations I need ,she makes. I am going to call Dr.Rand's office

tomorrow. I can fly into Providence on Southwest and one of my sisters

can run me to Boston. If you live in another state why did you go all

the way to Boston for your surgery? If you do not mind me asking,there

must be surgeons in your area.....

[Guest guest]

> I am 45,scoliosis done in 1972,Boston Children''s by the

magnificant

> Dr.Riseborough. Now,scared to death of what is happening to me.

> Flatback,scaitica,can't sleep,can't walk up straight,look like a 90

> year old lady. Can't go to the Mall withhout a wheel chair.I found

your

> site from nsf site,via ,I am scheduled for my 2nd injesction

to

> cut down on inflamattion and pain on 9/16. My doc is Todd Albert

out of

> the Rothman Inst.,he comes highly recommended.What can I expect

from

> revision surgery with the symptoms I discribed? I am fused in the

> middle of my back,I had an " s " curve,Harrington Rod.I know live

outside

> of Phila in Valley Forge.Pa. Mother of 4 children,school teacher

and a

> very caring understanding husband.....I think that is it..HELP!!!!

>

> Yes, I can say it has been very interesting but scary at the

sametime,sometimes having too much info keeps you awake at night, but

I do want to be educated also,it is a fine line.......I am glad I

found you all....it will make it easier,if there is such a thing with

all of this!!

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Hi, , and welcome.

>

> Dr. Rand is affiliated with New England Baptist.

>

> http://www.bostonspinegroup.org/doctors/rand/index.html

>

> There is also Dr. Glazer at Beth Israel.

>

> http://www.spineuniverse.com/authorbio.php?authorID=221

>

> I have not met either man, but have an appointment with Dr. Rand on

Oct. 6.

>

> Sharon

>

>

> [ ] Re: Revision for ..guess what..FLATBACK

>

>

> > ---I will do that. I am pretty bad so I think I have no choice. I

> > might call Dr.Rand,due to the fact Boston is easy for me to get

to

> > due to family in the area. What hospital is he affiliated with?

my

> > sister works at Beth Isreal in Boston.I have one friend who had

> > revision with ToDD aLBERT at Jefferson Hospital.Can you give me

> > Dr.Rands phone number? I would like to call him for a

second ...

> > vParris

Hey, thanks for the information. This Dr.Rand must be some

guy....alot of folks seem to want to see him!! mARY

[Guest guest]

,

Actually, I live in Massacussetts, down on the island of

Nantucket...so for me, I had to travel no matter what. Boston and

NYC were about equally distant travel wise. I started my research

and went through message boards..even old postings...and found

patients that were 1-2 years post revision and emailed privately to

them to see how they were doing.

I also went through tons of research articles to see what the " state

of the art " was and who was doing it. Then, of course I went into

boring stuff, like the hospital each surgeon pratices at's track

record and national ratings (U.S. News & World Report). Stuff like

nurse:patient ratio, infection rates, mortality rates. I knew that

as good as a surgeon was, the rest of the team is crucial to a good

outcome...so I checked into that. I also had to look at my insurance

and see which doctors and hospitals were in or out of network and

determine how much we can afford. Lastly, I was able, in some cases,

to determine if the doctor had any claims against them in the state

malpractice records.

I went into my second visit with Rand and first visit with Boachie

with a 5 page list of questions. I knew from the message boards that

it was possible to have a surgeon on my case who had many of these

surgeries under their belts and I had determined that I would travel

in order to get that for myself. There are too many stories out

there of revision gone awry...even with some very good doctors...so

I wanted the decks stacked in my favor to the extent that I could.

I had a wonderful experience with Dr Boachie and all his staff...but

when I calculated all factors together I chose Dr Rand. His patients

are generally satisified, his record is clean, the hospital is

excellent, the facilites and doctor were " in network " , and not only

did I get along with him well, I liked the fact that NEBH is not a

teaching hospital and I knew I was going to get who I paid for!

I think you should consider many things when you choose a doctor,

for this or anything...but this is big surgery and you are going to

be in the hospital for awhile and it is worth thinking all kinds of

things through. If your sister is a nurse she may have other insight

for you. I saw that Sharon posted about Dr Glazer at your sister's

hospital...he might be someone to research as well.

The point is, even if you love your current Dr Albert, and are sure

he is the " one " ..you probably still will be best served by seeing at

least one other top surgeon in this field just to make sure you

don't have buyers remorse later on. You will do best if you have the

utmost confidence in your doctor and his staff...and at the end of

the day, some of it may even come down to personalities.

You should not be afraid to ask any surgeon how many of this

particular revison surgeries he/she has done and what the worst

outcome was. If they won't tell you or they have only a few under

their belt...well my advice would be to thank them for their

time...and then don't walk, run the other way.

My last piece of advice is that you should not rely on me...you

should do your own research and I would advise you to be as thorough

as you can. Each of us is different and our situations are different.

You might feel the need to rush because you are in pain, but if you

go the wrong route in haste you may repent painfully forever in your

leisure. I believe there is a right doctor/hospital/timing for each

of us...but only we individually can determine that for ourselves.

I am sorry you are starting out a new school year in pain..that must

be difficult. I am an air traffic controller and was unable to use

narcotic pain relief prior to surgery. It took all of my resolve to

get through some shifts the last 6 months before surgery and I

wasn't dealing with children. The good news was that I believe the

pain control post-surgery was easier for me...I guess we take our

blessings where we can.

If you haven't already done so, I highly recommmend you go into the

database, links and files section on this site and read what you

can. Knowledge is a powerful tool. I posted my list of questions for

doctors which I culled from several others...it might be useful in

starting your own list of questions. Also plan to have someone with

you on your visits...it can help to have someone else listening for

you or remember what hasn't been asked.

Good luck and Happy Labor Day! Cam

[Guest guest]

> ,

>

> Actually, I live in Massacussetts, down on the island of

> Nantucket...so for me, I had to travel no matter what. Boston and

> NYC were about equally distant travel wise. I started my research

> and went through message boards..even old postings...and found

> patients that were 1-2 years post revision and emailed privately

to

> them to see how they were doing.

>

> I also went through tons of research articles to see what

the " state

> of the art " was and who was doing it. Then, of course I went into

> boring stuff, like the hospital each surgeon pratices at's track

> record and national ratings (U.S. News & World Report). Stuff like

> nurse:patient ratio, infection rates, mortality rates. I knew that

> as good as a surgeon was, the rest of the team is crucial to a good

> outcome...so I checked into that. I also had to look at my

insurance

> and see which doctors and hospitals were in or out of network and

> determine how much we can afford. Lastly, I was able, in some

cases,

> to determine if the doctor had any claims against them in the state

> malpractice records.

>

> I went into my second visit with Rand and first visit with Boachie

> with a 5 page list of questions. I knew from the message boards

that

> it was possible to have a surgeon on my case who had many of these

> surgeries under their belts and I had determined that I would

travel

> in order to get that for myself. There are too many stories out

> there of revision gone awry...even with some very good doctors...so

> I wanted the decks stacked in my favor to the extent that I could.

>

> I had a wonderful experience with Dr Boachie and all his

staff...but

> when I calculated all factors together I chose Dr Rand. His

patients

> are generally satisified, his record is clean, the hospital is

> excellent, the facilites and doctor were " in network " , and not only

> did I get along with him well, I liked the fact that NEBH is not a

> teaching hospital and I knew I was going to get who I paid for!

>

> I think you should consider many things when you choose a doctor,

> for this or anything...but this is big surgery and you are going to

> be in the hospital for awhile and it is worth thinking all kinds of

> things through. If your sister is a nurse she may have other

insight

> for you. I saw that Sharon posted about Dr Glazer at your sister's

> hospital...he might be someone to research as well.

>

> The point is, even if you love your current Dr Albert, and are sure

> he is the " one " ..you probably still will be best served by seeing

at

> least one other top surgeon in this field just to make sure you

> don't have buyers remorse later on. You will do best if you have

the

> utmost confidence in your doctor and his staff...and at the end of

> the day, some of it may even come down to personalities.

>

> You should not be afraid to ask any surgeon how many of this

> particular revison surgeries he/she has done and what the worst

> outcome was. If they won't tell you or they have only a few under

> their belt...well my advice would be to thank them for their

> time...and then don't walk, run the other way.

>

> My last piece of advice is that you should not rely on me...you

> should do your own research and I would advise you to be as

thorough

> as you can. Each of us is different and our situations are

different.

> You might feel the need to rush because you are in pain, but if you

> go the wrong route in haste you may repent painfully forever in

your

> leisure. I believe there is a right doctor/hospital/timing for each

> of us...but only we individually can determine that for ourselves.

>

> I am sorry you are starting out a new school year in pain..that

must

> be difficult. I am an air traffic controller and was unable to use

> narcotic pain relief prior to surgery. It took all of my resolve to

> get through some shifts the last 6 months before surgery and I

> wasn't dealing with children. The good news was that I believe the

> pain control post-surgery was easier for me...I guess we take our

> blessings where we can.

>

> If you haven't already done so, I highly recommmend you go into the

> database, links and files section on this site and read what you

> can. Knowledge is a powerful tool. I posted my list of questions

for

> doctors which I culled from several others...it might be useful in

> starting your own list of questions. Also plan to have someone with

> you on your visits...it can help to have someone else listening for

> you or remember what hasn't been asked.

>

> Good luck and Happy Labor Day! Cam

[Guest guest]

> ,

>

> Actually, I live in Massacussetts, down on the island of

> Nantucket...so for me, I had to travel no matter what. Boston and

> NYC were about equally distant travel wise. I started my research

> and went through message boards..even old postings...and found

> patients that were 1-2 years post revision and emailed privately

to

> them to see how they were doing.

>

> I also went through tons of research articles to see what

the " state

> of the art " was and who was doing it. Then, of course I went into

> boring stuff, like the hospital each surgeon pratices at's track

> record and national ratings (U.S. News & World Report). Stuff like

> nurse:patient ratio, infection rates, mortality rates. I knew that

> as good as a surgeon was, the rest of the team is crucial to a good

> outcome...so I checked into that. I also had to look at my

insurance

> and see which doctors and hospitals were in or out of network and

> determine how much we can afford. Lastly, I was able, in some

cases,

> to determine if the doctor had any claims against them in the state

> malpractice records.

>

> I went into my second visit with Rand and first visit with Boachie

> with a 5 page list of questions. I knew from the message boards

that

> it was possible to have a surgeon on my case who had many of these

> surgeries under their belts and I had determined that I would

travel

> in order to get that for myself. There are too many stories out

> there of revision gone awry...even with some very good doctors...so

> I wanted the decks stacked in my favor to the extent that I could.

>

> I had a wonderful experience with Dr Boachie and all his

staff...but

> when I calculated all factors together I chose Dr Rand. His

patients

> are generally satisified, his record is clean, the hospital is

> excellent, the facilites and doctor were " in network " , and not only

> did I get along with him well, I liked the fact that NEBH is not a

> teaching hospital and I knew I was going to get who I paid for!

>

> I think you should consider many things when you choose a doctor,

> for this or anything...but this is big surgery and you are going to

> be in the hospital for awhile and it is worth thinking all kinds of

> things through. If your sister is a nurse she may have other

insight

> for you. I saw that Sharon posted about Dr Glazer at your sister's

> hospital...he might be someone to research as well.

>

> The point is, even if you love your current Dr Albert, and are sure

> he is the " one " ..you probably still will be best served by seeing

at

> least one other top surgeon in this field just to make sure you

> don't have buyers remorse later on. You will do best if you have

the

> utmost confidence in your doctor and his staff...and at the end of

> the day, some of it may even come down to personalities.

>

> You should not be afraid to ask any surgeon how many of this

> particular revison surgeries he/she has done and what the worst

> outcome was. If they won't tell you or they have only a few under

> their belt...well my advice would be to thank them for their

> time...and then don't walk, run the other way.

>

> My last piece of advice is that you should not rely on me...you

> should do your own research and I would advise you to be as

thorough

> as you can. Each of us is different and our situations are

different.

> You might feel the need to rush because you are in pain, but if you

> go the wrong route in haste you may repent painfully forever in

your

> leisure. I believe there is a right doctor/hospital/timing for each

> of us...but only we individually can determine that for ourselves.

>

> I am sorry you are starting out a new school year in pain..that

must

> be difficult. I am an air traffic controller and was unable to use

> narcotic pain relief prior to surgery. It took all of my resolve to

> get through some shifts the last 6 months before surgery and I

> wasn't dealing with children. The good news was that I believe the

> pain control post-surgery was easier for me...I guess we take our

> blessings where we can.

>

> If you haven't already done so, I highly recommmend you go into the

> database, links and files section on this site and read what you

> can. Knowledge is a powerful tool. I posted my list of questions

for

> doctors which I culled from several others...it might be useful in

> starting your own list of questions. Also plan to have someone with

> you on your visits...it can help to have someone else listening for

> you or remember what hasn't been asked.

>

> Good luck and Happy Labor Day! Cam

Dear Cam,

Thanks for the response. I am not blindly going on just your word.

Trust me, I have had endless sleepless nights lately researching to

the point of confusion. The one doctor who does seem to be mentioned

on a few sites is this Rand guy. I think due to the fact I have

family in that area and can get there relatively easy, he is one I

should use for a second opinion. He may know my doctor also. You

don't happen to know how easy insurance companies are to deal with if

you chose to have an operation out of state? I have great insurance,

no referrals needed etc. Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

I also have read your file and have seen some of your posts on the

nsf site. You appear to have done alot of research and have done alot

of the foot work for question asking etc. In fact you have helped

make some of my work a bit easier.I am all for not recreating the

wheel if I don';t have to! I will in the end make my own decisioins

and ask tough questions.

I apprecaite all your information,it is very helpful to me. Happy

Labor Day to you also! Parris

[Guest guest]

,

I don't know how well your insurance will do...I also have Blus Cross

PPO (Federal employee)...no hassles or precertification nonsense and

as Rand and NEBH were in network I had no surprises there either. They

filed all the paperwork...bills followed about 4-6 weeks after

discharge and I think my deductibles and co-pays this year are going

to finish up just under my annual limit of 4K....dang!

It will be nice to squeeze in a visit with your sister while you have

appointments...let us know how you make out with scheduling.

It's tricky trying to figure it all out...eventually you will!

Best of luck, Cam

[Guest guest]

> ,

>

> I don't know how well your insurance will do...I also have Blus Cross

> PPO (Federal employee)...no hassles or precertification nonsense and

> as Rand and NEBH were in network I had no surprises there either.

They

> filed all the paperwork...bills followed about 4-6 weeks after

> discharge and I think my deductibles and co-pays this year are going

> to finish up just under my annual limit of 4K....dang!

>

> It will be nice to squeeze in a visit with your sister while you

have

> appointments...let us know how you make out with scheduling.

> It's tricky trying to figure it all out...eventually you will!

>

> Best of luck, Cam

Thanks, I appreciate your kindness. Figuring it all out is the key.

i'LL KEEP YOUALL POSTED!!!mary

[Guest guest]

, Cam lives in MA.

I live in NH and will be going to Boston for at least one opinion. NY is

not out of the question. There are no revision surgeons in northern New

England as far as I know (and if there are they must not get much practice,

because I've been following the online flatback community for about 5 years

and have not heard of anyone).

Sharon

[ ] Re: Revision for ..guess what..FLATBACK

>

>> ,

>>

>> Dr Rand is at New England Baptist Hospital, a small specialty

>> orthopedic hospital in Boston. I am sure your sister knows it. His

>> Office is 617-754-5744. You can usually expect about a 6-8 week lead

>> time for an appointment. They may ask for your referral and x-rays

> and

>> MRI's before they set an appointment.

>>

>> I was pretty uncomfortable walking around so I scheduled my epidurals

>> around my appointments for maximum relief. At least it got me to NYC

>> for 24 hours. Are you still teaching?..that must be grueling.

>>

>> f you have any other questions please ask! Cam

> Dear Cam,

> Yes, I am still teaching,it is awful!! My principal is very

> understanding and understands that I could be out on disability...any

> accomadations I need ,she makes. I am going to call Dr.Rand's office

> tomorrow. I can fly into Providence on Southwest and one of my sisters

> can run me to Boston. If you live in another state why did you go all

> the way to Boston for your surgery? If you do not mind me asking,there

> must be surgeons in your area.....

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

, we New Englander are pretty well represented on this forum (either

that or we just talk a lot, LOL).

For revision surgeons in New England, Rand and Glazer are pretty much it,

and Rand seems to be the busier, and probably the more experienced.

Sharon

> Hey, thanks for the information. This Dr.Rand must be some

> guy....alot of folks seem to want to see him!! mARY

[Guest guest]

> , we New Englander are pretty well represented on this forum

(either

> that or we just talk a lot, LOL).

>

> For revision surgeons in New England, Rand and Glazer are pretty

much it,

> and Rand seems to be the busier, and probably the more experienced.

>

> Sharon

>

>

>

> > Hey, thanks for the information. This Dr.Rand must be some

> > guy....alot of folks seem to want to see him!! mARY

[Guest guest]

--Dear Cam, I got an appointment with Rand for Nov.10th @ 1:30.

P.- In , " cammaltby " <cammaltby@y...>

wrote:

> ,

>

> I don't know how well your insurance will do...I also have Blus

Cross

> PPO (Federal employee)...no hassles or precertification nonsense and

> as Rand and NEBH were in network I had no surprises there either.

They

> filed all the paperwork...bills followed about 4-6 weeks after

> discharge and I think my deductibles and co-pays this year are going

> to finish up just under my annual limit of 4K....dang!

>

> It will be nice to squeeze in a visit with your sister while you

have

> appointments...let us know how you make out with scheduling.

> It's tricky trying to figure it all out...eventually you will!

>

> Best of luck, Cam

[Guest guest]

I don't believe so .....it's just that us WestCoasters have to

travel further to see good revision docs! :-)

~~

> > , we New Englander are pretty well represented on this forum

> (either

> > that or we just talk a lot, LOL).

> >

> > For revision surgeons in New England, Rand and Glazer are pretty

> much it,

> > and Rand seems to be the busier, and probably the more

experienced.

> >

> > Sharon

> >

> >

> >

> > > Hey, thanks for the information. This Dr.Rand must be some

> > > guy....alot of folks seem to want to see him!! mARY

[Guest guest]

That's an interesting question, . People move around a lot now, but for

the first 300 years or so of the region's habitation by people of European

descent, travel was harder, people stayed put more, and I suppose it's

possible there are pockets of scoliosis genes. My dad got it from his

mother, then as a weird twist of fate he married two women (one at a time!)

who have scoliosis -- not severe enough for surgery, but enough to produce a

bunch of bent kids. Of his 7, only 2 are scoliosis-free (though mine, being

the congenital form is not considered hereditary.)

I remember reading that the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, was

once so full of deaf people that most everyone learned sign language. No

doubt this was because of the island's remoteness and the tendency of the

people to inbreed.

" Nutty " , a member of this forum who is English living in Spain, says that

Spanish people don't get scoliosis (meaning, I assume, that it is less

frequent there). It would be interesting to see if there are studies done

on the frequency of scoliosis in various ethnic groups.

Sharon

[ ] Re: Revision for ..guess what..FLATBACK

>

>> , we New Englander are pretty well represented on this forum

> (either

>> that or we just talk a lot, LOL).

>>

>> For revision surgeons in New England, Rand and Glazer are pretty

> much it,

>> and Rand seems to be the busier, and probably the more experienced.

>>

>> Sharon

>>

>>

>>

>> > Hey, thanks for the information. This Dr.Rand must be some

>> > guy....alot of folks seem to want to see him!! mARY

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

> > > , we New Englander are pretty well represented on this

forum

> > (either

> > > that or we just talk a lot, LOL).

> > >

> > > For revision surgeons in New England, Rand and Glazer are

pretty

> > much it,

> > > and Rand seems to be the busier, and probably the more

> experienced.

> > >

> > > Sharon

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > > Hey, thanks for the information. This Dr.Rand must be some

> > > > guy....alot of folks seem to want to see him!! mARY

[Guest guest]

-Yes, Sharon it would be interesting!! I did not know that about the

Vineyard?? How odd!!!-- In

, " Sharon Green "

<sharon.green18@v...> wrote:

> That's an interesting question, . People move around a lot

now, but for

> the first 300 years or so of the region's habitation by people of

European

> descent, travel was harder, people stayed put more, and I suppose

it's

> possible there are pockets of scoliosis genes. My dad got it from

his

> mother, then as a weird twist of fate he married two women (one at

a time!)

> who have scoliosis -- not severe enough for surgery, but enough to

produce a

> bunch of bent kids. Of his 7, only 2 are scoliosis-free (though

mine, being

> the congenital form is not considered hereditary.)

>

> I remember reading that the island of Martha's Vineyard,

Massachusetts, was

> once so full of deaf people that most everyone learned sign

language. No

> doubt this was because of the island's remoteness and the tendency

of the

> people to inbreed.

>

> " Nutty " , a member of this forum who is English living in Spain,

says that

> Spanish people don't get scoliosis (meaning, I assume, that it is

less

> frequent there). It would be interesting to see if there are

studies done

> on the frequency of scoliosis in various ethnic groups.

>

> Sharon

>

> [ ] Re: Revision for ..guess what..FLATBACK

>

>

> >

> >> , we New Englander are pretty well represented on this forum

> > (either

> >> that or we just talk a lot, LOL).

> >>

> >> For revision surgeons in New England, Rand and Glazer are pretty

> > much it,

> >> and Rand seems to be the busier, and probably the more

experienced.

> >>

> >> Sharon

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >> > Hey, thanks for the information. This Dr.Rand must be some

> >> > guy....alot of folks seem to want to see him!! mARY

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

> >

[Guest guest]

This is kind of a silly thought, but since I don't know anyone

around me who has scoliosis, flat back or any other things we suffer

through, I had thought that maybe most moved to areas where it was

warmer. I live in North Dakota and the cold affects me terribly in

the winter and we have such short summers and the weather changes

are so drastic that it nearly feels like your entire spine is being

ripped from your body as the pressure suddenly drops or rises.

That was what I think every time I read that most are from the New

England area. I'm sure that isn't the case, but it sure sounds

good. ;-)

> > > , we New Englander are pretty well represented on this

forum

> > (either

> > > that or we just talk a lot, LOL).

> > >

> > > For revision surgeons in New England, Rand and Glazer are

pretty

> > much it,

> > > and Rand seems to be the busier, and probably the more

> experienced.

> > >

> > > Sharon

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > > Hey, thanks for the information. This Dr.Rand must be some

> > > > guy....alot of folks seem to want to see him!! mARY

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I live in the Denver area, and weather changes really affect me too. Doc's pooh-pooh it off, but to me it feels like I have a really bad flu every time we go from really warm to cool, and here that happens often. With all the trauma our bodies have been through, and the tons of metal it doesn't surprise me. I'd love to move somewhere else where the temperatures are more even. Cold really tightens up the muscles in my back and it's uncomfortable to be constantly aware of my back. Hard to explain to others, glad you get it!

Colorado Springs

[ ] Re: Revision for ..guess what..FLATBACK

This is kind of a silly thought, but since I don't know anyone around me who has scoliosis, flat back or any other things we suffer through, I had thought that maybe most moved to areas where it was warmer. I live in North Dakota and the cold affects me terribly in the winter and we have such short summers and the weather changes are so drastic that it nearly feels like your entire spine is being ripped from your body as the pressure suddenly drops or rises. That was what I think every time I read that most are from the New England area. I'm sure that isn't the case, but it sure sounds good. ;-)> > > , we New Englander are pretty well represented on this forum > > (either > > > that or we just talk a lot, LOL).> > > > > > For revision surgeons in New England, Rand and Glazer are pretty > > much it, > > > and Rand seems to be the busier, and probably the more > experienced.> > > > > > Sharon> > > > > > > > > > > > > Hey, thanks for the information. This Dr.Rand must be some> > > > guy....alot of folks seem to want to see him!! mARY