visiting Dr Anand

[jrnyc]

I just scheduled an appointment with Dr. Anand for Wednesday, January 27th. He does not take my insurance, so i will pay out of pocket. I am curious as to what he thinks is possible with my lumbar curve (my thoracic curve does not worry me nor cause me much pain).

So we shall see what we shall see. I will fly out from east coast to CA that week. Maybe a little mini vacation...except that is CA's rainy time....oh well, it's got to be warmer than new england!!

jess

[titaniumed]

Jess

It seems like a long way to go for another opinion, especially when you have some of the best surgeons in New York.

Could you e-mail x-rays out to him? That would save the trip to LA

A vacation in LA wouldn't be at the top of my list......but then again, I live out west.

Walking tour of Secaucus, New Jersey? LOL (That's from an old Candid camera show from the 60s)

Logistics of a surgery 3000 miles away could get complicated. Insurance out of state gets complicated. If you have a surgery, it will not be cheap.

Ed

[jrnyc]

Hi Ed
am going to Dr Anand in CA because he is claiming to do a different kind of minimally invasive...all previous surgeons have said that i dont qualify for minimally invasive...i need to see him in person to satisfy my curiosity as to what he does that is so different....

he doesnt take my insurance...it is a consult to see if he can do something that others dont yet do....after that, maybe i can find someone who does take my insurance to do what he does...or maybe i will go ask those excellent nyc scoli surgeons why they DONT recommend his methods for me....

and...i like CA..love southern Ca...so i will take a chance on their rainy season...i live in new england...you know what those winters are like, dont you....waaaaay toooo cold!!

sorry i didnt respond sooner...i have wicked bronchitis...it is knocking me out!

take care, be well
jess

[JenniferG]

It'll be interesting to hear what Dr. Anand has to say, and how you find him, Jess. I hope you can give yourself a mini holiday while you're there.

The way I look at it, those of us who've had spinal fusion with instrumentation have benefited greatly from improved techniques and skills over the years and I have to wonder what the next "big thing" will be. I hope for those following, it will be minimally invasive.

[jrnyc]

Thanks, Jen...i hope he has good things to say...i dont think i have anything to lose..except some money for the doctor, i guess...wont be the first out of pocket doctor i have consulted with! i have a few friends to go & see, so it should be a nice trip. i will report back on whatever methods he talks about....

be well
jess

[jrnyc]

P.S. to Ed...Happy Birthday to you..are you going to be 51, the new 31?
i hope you celebrate royally!

jess

[titaniumed]

Jess

Yes. 51 the new 31 is correct. I will change my sig on Friday. I might go skiing at Diamond peak in Incline village as its free on your b-day. There is one problem, its -10F outside right now, and I'm afraid that something will freeze, break and fall off. That wouldn't be good. Denny's is also free on your b-day, so yes, it looks like I will be "celebrating royally". LOL

I guess if you have friends to visit in LA then its not so bad. I did look through Dr Arnands website last month when he posted.

Its hard to say if an un-trained surgeon would recommend a procedure that he knows little about. Chances are, the answer would be no.
If that's the case, then waiting would be the best route.

People are usually hesitant when new ideas surface.....

Orville Wright probably told Wilber, "I'm not flying that damn thing, I just build bicycles for a living.You fly, I will watch".
Ed

[jrnyc]

Hi Ed
yeah, CA is always nice...even their rain would be better than new england snow..which we are getting plenty of today!

denny's, huh....well, sometimes you just gotta splurge

jess

[JenniferG]

One year older eh? Well look on the bright side Ed, you're not looking down the barrel of menopause.

So thank your lucky stars! Happy Birthday!

[Tall Paul]

jrnyc, I think you are doing the right thing by visiting Dr Anand in LA. I've been reading a lot about his surgery and its looks very promising. If LA turns out to be a little too far for you there is another doctor in Chicago performing this surgery. His name is Fessler and he is the chief of neurosurgery at Northwestern University. Its my understanding the Fessler and Anand are working with Medtronic on this new surgical procedure. I have an appointment with Dr Fessler on January 20th.

[rich1752]

jess, I was hoping that I would get a chance to see him in the hospital. Dr. Anand operates at Ceda Sinai and would see his picture posted around the nurses station. They had all the Doctor's pictures posted that perform spine surgery. I am still interested in hearing what he can do for you. I am happy with my results right now. Dr. Kropf was great and the best part was his bedside manners. He called me at home almost everyday a week prior to my surgery.

rich

[jrnyc]

Hi Rich
i will let you know after i see him..jan 27th...he does not take my insurance....thought maybe an east coast doctor could duplicate...but i know doctors like what they are used to...really am curious as to what he thinks is possible for a lady like me who needs fusion to pelvis...congratulations on NOT needing that!!

feel better soon
jess

[rich1752]

Jess, I was relieved when I heard that I didn't need the s-1 fused, but I the doctor said that it could worse in the future. The disc could degenerate at a quicker rate, he said, "could". But the doctor did say that a majority of disc were completely gone and were fused.

rich

[jrnyc]

hope you never need it...me, i cant get away without it...

jess