Dr. Bitan in NYC...anyone have information?

[Kathy]

Katie, I have heard only great things on Dr. Bitan. You can go on the Charite website and there is a link to a video of Dr. Bitan doing a Charite ADR. It is really interesting to watch... a little weird thinking that they will do it to. I hate blood and stuff; but I wanted to know what I was signing up for (not like I had much choice, ADR vs. fusion, either way, I needed major surgery).
I have never heard of the surgeon in Florida. I used Dr. Rolando Garcia in Aventura, Florida. He was the first surgeon in Florida to do an ADR. He is the co-inventor of the Active L disc (the other inventor is the head of spinal orthopedics at Yale). I really liked Dr. Garcia, he is a very intelligent, yet humble man.
You are light years ahead of where most of us were in this stage of our back issues. I am just amazed at how you are getting things done! You are doing EVERYTHING right. It's amazing what you can do, when you set your mind to it.
Oh, is Dr. Bitan looking at your c-spine? I hope you can get your surgery soon, I know that must be scary.
Praying for you,
Kathy

[Katie]

Yes, he said he would like to do a consult in person, not just over the phone & with my MRIs. I gave him my symptoms and he was very efficient and kind at the same time. I was more concerned with my lumbar, as that is where almost all my severe pain is....there are days when my neck throbs badly, but only if I am at the computer too much or looking up too much...don't ask...swatting flies...

He said my lumbar is the least of my worries...he wouldn't even discuss it actually, spending all his time on my cervical issues. He said he could do either fusion or ADR, with fusion giving the inflamed tissue more chance to heal, in his opinion, but the ADR giving more movement.

His fees would be way out of my league, I think. Fortunately, I think I can get it paid for with our provincial medical. With tons of research, I found a past case similar to mine, where the Ontario patient could not get treatment at home within 52 months (I've been waiting almost three years), and went to see a surgeon in the States. That doctor said his cervical level was critical because of the severe compression of the spinal cord & the flava ligament.

The patient applied for funding, was denied, but went ahead with the surgery anyway. He appealed, and won the case and was reimbursed, because he faced permanent tissue damage or death because he couldn't get treatment here within a reasonable length of time. Ding, ding!

So Dr. Bitan said that he would need to see me in person to write a letter of necessity so I can get this paid for. A precedent has been set, so I am hoping for the best. If nothing else, that letter would also let me release the locked in pension funds I mentioned in another thread to get this done elsewhere, if it turns out to cost too much with him. I'm trying to cover all bases.

It feels like a golden day, somehow.

[Katie]

Kathy, I forgot to say thanks for the information re: Dr. Bitan. I'll go look up that site now.

[mmglobal]

I've known Dr. Bitan for years. I've written about him many times, but I think the best thread is here Dr's Bitan and Buettner-Janz in the OR... (especially little stevie.) He's a good guy and a good surgeon. I've had several clients do surgery with him.

All the best,

Mark

[Terry Allen Blackburn]

Katie:

I am thrilled that you are going to be seen so soon. Your situation sounds like it is rapidly deteriorating to the detriment of your overall well being. I am hopeful that he will write the letter for you and get you fixed as soon as possible. It would not surprise me if he does not ask you to stay and have the surgery right away. I don't think that he will want you to risk traveling all that way home when you stand at such great risk of permanent harm. Personally, I would come prepared to stay. Just my opinion.

Good Luck.

Terry Newton

[Katie]

OMG Terry, don't do that to me! I'm having a hard enough time trying to find a farm sitter on such short notice as it is, for just three days. We might have to take our dog with us, if we can only get the neighbour to feed the horses and cats instead of getting someone to live in. Thank heavens his shots are up to date and he loves the car (The dog, not the neighbour )

Kathy, thanks for this "You are light years ahead of where most of us were in this stage of our back issues. I am just amazed at how you are getting things done! You are doing EVERYTHING right. It's amazing what you can do, when you set your mind to it." I certainly don't feel like I'm even up to speed, let alone light years ahead. I have watched so many people trot off to Stenum in the past year, and come back with wonderful results, as I sat here waiting for a doctor to phone me back...and waited...and waited...

I have spent all my energy for over a year, trying to put together an appeal for the Provincial Insurance to pay for that trip, and now, with it just three weeks away, I may have to put in a new application for Dr. Bitan. If he is able to provide me with evidence that I need this surgery that will over turn the Provincial Insurance, then I will go with him, especially after the reviews I have gotten here. (Thank you everyone!) It has been a full time job, but I think it has been worth it. The Appeal Board said I was a well know name at their office...that it was a 'very active case'. For every snorky letter the Insurance office sent out, I sent ten back It's not over, but I've learned lots; even if it doesn't work out for me...at least I may be able to help others.

A special thanks to Rosy, who showed me the light...she has been giving me the names of all these doctors over the past month or so, and urging me to contact them. I had been on a one track mission for so long, I hadn't looked at other options, not thinking I had any.

This website is a godsend. Without it, I would still be struggling along on my own, trying to research things on the net with the few hours a day I could stand sitting. You have turned into such good friends, all of you. I think we should plan a get-together some day soon to celebrate our successes.

[Maria]

The reason you are being fitted in so quickly is the urgency of your case. Glad to hear it sounds like you have your bases covered or are able to get them covered re funding for surgery however it has to be done.

Good luck. It sounds like you need to prepare yourself for surgery in the very very near future. Travel safely.