My 3 mo X ray - Discs tilted all over the place

[jessmith07]

Michelle,

I know that I haven't been on much lately, but I'm trying today to get caught up.

I am a patient of Dr. B's. I have met him and his staff. They are incredibly caring people. Dr. B has an EXCELLENT reputation, and that's why I chose him, after extensive and exhaustive research on other doctors. But even the BEST doctor's in the WORLD, regardless of their specialty, have some negative outcomes...and judging from the research that I've done, PRIOR to my surgery, regarding subsidence, it can happen, even with good bone density, at any time, and therefore can be unpredictable. I don't feel, and I think Steve will agree, and he's the one going through this, that there was any incompetence involved in his original surgery.

Unfortunately, he's now having issues. It happened after 3 months, but it could have happened after 3 years. He's gotten conflicting information, and decided to wait and see, as at the time he had the airport appointment with Dr. B, it appeared things had stabilized. Dr. B is trying to help, but IMHO, the US doctors are being wishy-washy (to put it nicely). He's going through a very scary and confusing time, and he's in pain to boot.

Your anger at Dr. B is your right, I suppose, but to publicly post that he and his staff are incompetent liars is too harsh a judgement. This man has given me my life back (and it cost me my job), and even if my 2 discs subside tomorrow, I've had 3 pain-free months with my family...for the first time in years...and I wouldn't trade THAT for the world.

[dshobbies]

Michelle,

You're very angry and I'm at a loss to understand why. Dr. B is, along with Dr. Z, considered the best ADR surgeon in the world by many. Of course not every surgery is 100% successful and some are complete failures. I doubt any surgeon in the world can make the claim they've never had a failure.

We naturally recommend even a plumber who we feel did a great job. Why would you think this forum is a Prospine Scam? What exactly do you think our motives might be and what do you think we have to gain by recommending a doctor who has the best reputation, is caring, has a great record and for those who don't have insurance coverage, is half the price.

When I recommend Dr. B because I'm happy with my ADR results, even though it left me with other disabilities, do you really think I'm scamming someone or have other motives? Do you think I have an agenda to push? Couldn't it just be that I do care and want the best for whoever is on the other end of this forum?

And just for the telling, I don't personally care for Dr. Regan but I think his surgical skills make him a top L.A. surgeon. Without singing his praises, I still recommend him to anyone needing his talents. Do you think he hasn't had his failures?

I fail to understand your motives. We're here to help and support one another. There is nothing hidden and there are no scams. What could we possibly have to gain?

Dale

Dale

[Bill1961]

I don't feel Michelle is being unreasonable in her remarks. She is expressing her opinion on a situation with an adverse outcome that touches many of us.

When we think of medical care it's not only pre-op, but it's post-op as well. Granted all surgeons can have some number of poor outcomes, but the real test in their character is what they do for the patient when things don't go as planned.

As I do my research in ADR I'm finding one consistent message. Every Dr. who has done some large number of ADR's is the "best" by some group. Maybe it's true, maybe not.

The patients who show support for a particular Dr. typically have had a satisfactory outcome. They rarely ask themselves "did I get the optimal outcome?". The ones who have less than desired outcomes can become critical and that's completely understandable. Some # of them are the victims of their own genetics, some are the fault of the surgeon.

In this particular case could it be genetics? Or could it be the surgeon who brought a patient from a 2 disk procedure to a 3 disk procedure? Maybe with out an appreciation for additional risks. No one really knows.

Many of us are in pain or recovering from pain. We all have strong feelings because of our situation. Maybe to our fault we grasp to easily what we feel is a fix. When in reality where playing a game of chance? That game is very attractive when we are in endless pain and suffering for years.

Someone once told me "only do what's symptomatic. Never take on any additional surgery that can not be confirmed by your symptoms first, then imaging and additional testing.

This same person also told me "You can not replace what god gave us so easily".

I would like to touch on Michelle's comment about Pro Spine in a new post.

[Bill1961]

I have rarely posted on these boards but as I read along I learned the names and stories of some of the players.

Correct me anytime I am wrong.

I'm guessing this site is run by Mark. Mark appears to be very knowledgeable about the world of ADR. He is also in the business of bringing patients to particular Doctors. His top recommendation for ADR seems to be Dr. Bertagnoli.

With that said, Mark has also helped many people on this board. So if you connect the dots, I could see why this board could have a bias towards Pro Spine. Intentional or not.

As a individual we need to learn from others experience regardless of their alliances. Then as we become educated about our condition and options make the best decision for ourselves.

Before I made my surgical decision I read the boards, talked with many success stories, a few not so good. Then I spoke with US based surgeons about particular Dr's performing ADR and their personal experience with these ADR doctors. I thought I covered every base, but I still missed a few. I know more about ADR and spine care than I care to. But now it's a way of life for me.

[Michelle Maree]

Well, we will see what pans out for Steve.I hope for his sake it goes well.

I hope he takes his ADR removal extremely seriously though, because it is,it is going to be a life and death situation for him, and he seriously needs to consider his potential quality of life thereafter.

Steve seems to be quite an impressionable man, and I am worried that he will be steered in a direction that will not have the best outcome for him in the end.
I do think that Dr. Bertagnoli is responsible for Steves problems because of the plain fact that a three level cervical prodisc is "experimental" is not approved in the USA, UK, Australia or from my knowledge anywhere but Germany where you seem to be able to do anything you want and not remain accountable for it.

So if this "experiment" has not been successfull, then whomever performed it should fix it , period!!!

And I believe this is precisely why Dr.Peloza and others like him dont want a bar of it.
Three levels have not been tested to be safe and replicatable for the general public.

And the fact that Germany is so far away assures this lack of accountability, in my mind. I mean, once Steve is in 10/10 pain again is he then going to organise a trip to Germany? Noooooo! He is going to accept the first offer he can, which is looking few and far between at this point.

It is starting to look like another "Anastacia" case.

And if I was him and could get back to Germany in time then I would and I would hurry!!!

[Michelle Maree]

Can I ask you BILL? Why you think Steve55 should NOT go back to Germany?

[Michelle Maree]

I would seriously doubt that Dr.Bertagnoli has any interest in fixing Steves neck at all!

I would urge everyone to read ANASTASIA'S JOURNEY-ADR HELL. Link below.

http://www.geocities.com/javanoginn/...tyasFamily.htm

I have said my piece and now I think I will speak on a forum that is not sponsored by prospine, has no alterior motives, is run by patients for patients, moderators dont assume alias', no money is being made off members and where everyone is welcome whether they got their operation in Stenum or Wherever.

Thankyou and goodbye.