ADR surgery with Dr Zeegers

[Gktm300]

I am in the exact same situation as you. I have gotten overweight due to inactivity. As soon as I am able I will get TDR surgery. I hear excellent reviews about Zeegers he in my top 5 but I am terrified to fly after being an A&P mechanic LOL. You must remember only the hurting patients n unsuccessful patients frequent these sites. Usually once someone is well they abandon this behavior, wouldn't you? I have been researching this for almost a year n here's what I come up with.

Dr Bertagnoli Bergen Germany

Dr Zeggers Germany

Dr Cleval Barcelona Spain

Dr James J Yue Yale Hosp conn.

Because of my fears n also insurance wise thus far I have given most of my efforts regarding to Yue. He has done hundreds but the Europeans doctors have done thousands. I just hate to be in Europe n face problems. While I believe this surgery is good I do believe the European will operate even if you have minor contradictions while Dr Yue will not. Yue told me to loose weight. Quit smoking thus far just from n email exchange, I will mail him my MRI this Monday (12/28/2015). Good lunch n God bless you I wish you the best !

[scabral]

Thank you for the well wishes GKTM300. I hope you are doing well! I was on the verge of being accepted into a Stem Cell trial, but unfortunately found out that my disc was too far gone. That was my last effort to find an alternative option other than surgery.

I've come to acceptance now that it's something that I must do and that even if I get 10 years of pain free life that is very valuable. I can only make decision based on what is available to me now. It's been six years. I cannot live my life on Naproxen at high doses that can cause kidney and liver problems... not to mention the constant stomach upset feeling.

I've had talks with the doctor running the clinical trial and he is the best Spine Surgeon in L.A and the procedure will be taking place at Cedars.. one of the best hospitals in the world. So, I feel I am in the best of hands. I am just waiting now on approvals from INS to see how much it will be out of pocket for me.

How are you progressing?

[Jim M2]

Hi scabral,

I had Dr. Zeegers implant an L5S1 Charite in 2003. A year ago I had it extracted and converted to a fusion. Dr. Zeegers is one of the top surgeons for sure but in my situation it didn't turn out so well. One surgeon here thought Dr. Zeegers picked a Charite that was too large and it over distracted the disc space. The result was high pressure on the facets. I don't know if this is a correct assessment but it's one surgeon's opinion.

Pre-Charite my situation was similar to yours. My pain increased significantly after the Charite. At the time removal was considered dangerous. There were not many surgeons practiced in the art of removing the Charite.

Currently my situation is similar to yours with respect to the types of activities I can do. So now after 14 years I am more or less back where I started.

Again, Dr. Zeegers is an excellent doctor. Every excellent doctor has outcome like mine.

Best of luck to you.