I’m facing an extensive and complicated C-spine surgical procedure. The two proposals I’ve received from neurosurgeons in the Denver area frankly scare the bejeezus out of me. The more I learn, the more I’m leaning towards going to Barrow Neurological in Phoenix, or perhaps the Mayo.

I’m assuming at least a few of you have traveled for medical care. Looking for input on advisability, tips/tricks, information on post-operative follow-ups, etc. Appreciate any help and advice you can offer.

Thank you so much, T

The Mayo is the place to go. Or at least anywhere they refer you. They know their stuff.

I've seen/heard nasty horror stories about some regional hospital surgeries, and I would never trust my spine to hacks.

Money is not a consideration. Neither is travel.

Just my opinion.

H&K-Guy

Being someone who has suffered for 30yrs with a spinal injury, find the BEST and go there regardless. The spine is the last thing you want messed up.

Always go to the best doctor/hospital you can find, regardless of location. Good luck!

What they said, go to the best hospital for the job. Find out what the recovery time and how quick the follow ups are. It may be worth it to you to just stay there for a bit.

For travel, if you plan on flying which I assume you are. Look into getting an airline rewards credit card. The introductory points you get with the card will likely pay for two round trip tickets for you to get there.

quote:

Originally posted by ryan81986:
What they said, go to the best hospital for the job. Find out what the recovery time and how quick the follow ups are. It may be worth it to you to just stay there for a bit.

For travel, if you plan on flying which I assume you are. Look into getting an airline rewards credit card. The introductory points you get with the card will likely pay for two round trip tickets for you to get there.

Eval and consultation we’ll drive to. Don’t know yet about the surgery. There is a satellite Mayo facility in Scottsdale (although it appears Rochester may be better for Neurosurgery), but I could have face-to-face evaluations at two premier med centers in one trip.

Go to Rochester, MN.

H&K-Guy

Well, I recently traveled over 4,000 miles just for your standard, run of the mill, US Coast Guard annual physical.

Flew into Florida in the morning, got the physical, and flew back out that afternoon. But I'm always looking for opportunities to build up miles.

Find the best doctors and go there if you can.

quote:

Originally posted by 2Adefender:
Always go to the best doctor/hospital you can find, regardless of location. Good luck!

I had Thyroid Cancer, and the ENT doctor here in Colorado Springs did NOT inspire any kind of confidence whatsoever. On my first visit, he came into the room with my wife and I. This was "The C Word," and both of us were worried. He looked at me and said "What are you here for again?"

I looked at my wife and said out loud "I'm gonna die."

We went back 2 weeks later after all the tests required, he walked into our room, and said "What are you here for again?" Right then and there I decided to go with my wife's suggestion to go to MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston, Tx. They were AWESOME, and I never regretted it. I wouldn't have that doctor I went to here take my pulse, but I decided to trust my life and my health in the best doctors we could find.


Now, I went back and had the other half of my thyroid removed late last year (long story), and I had it done here with another doctor. The second doctor was awesome, and we both trusted him with my life.


Everybody has to make their own decision, but if you can afford it, I highly recommend going somewhere that you feel comfortable with. What good is it to save some money if the guy in Denver ends up killing you or misses something important? You only have one body; do what you feel you need to do and don't sweat what other people may say about you. . .

I’m typing this from a hospital bed in Nashville, even though I live in Birmingham. Today is my first day to receive new drugs in a clinical study. I’ll be up here at least one day week for the next few months. The thought of that wasn’t very appealing, but it’s amazing what you can do when you really don’t have any other choice.

Take all the advice above. Find the best and go there. Clinics that attract a lot of out of town patients have people on their staff to help with travel and lodging arrangements.

This I agree. Do your research and make the decision based on facts on who is the best surgeon and where is the best place, regardless of the distance. Good luck with your surgery.

quote:

Originally posted by 2Adefender:
Always go to the best doctor/hospital you can find, regardless of location. Good luck!

This is true. My friend from Siesta Key FL flew to the Mayo for cardiac a cardiac ablation technique to correct a heartbeat issue she was having.

Much higher success rate than local docs and zero failures (they screw up and you have to wear a pacemaker of the rest of your life).

Its worth it to travel for the best medical care in serious conditions like yours sounds like.

quote:

Originally posted by H&K-Guy:
The Mayo is the place to go. Or at least anywhere they refer you. They know their stuff.

I've seen/heard nasty horror stories about some regional hospital surgeries, and I would never trust my spine to hacks.

Money is not a consideration. Neither is travel.

Just my opinion.

H&K-Guy

My wife is worried about post-op complications and follow-up. Those sorts of things, as I told her, are some of the questions we have to ask during face-to-face with the surgeon. Advice here is making me lean toward a trip to Minnesota, if I can get in. I’m sure Barrow is great too.

My father, a doctor, referred many of his patients to the Mayo Clinic over the years. But, when he had a simple leg fracture, he went to a regional hospital. They botched the screws in his leg and it never healed right.

I understand your apprehension in post op care, but in order to get to post op, you have to have a successful surgery first. Worry about post op later.

Do not trust your spine to remedial care.

Take my father and my advice. Go to the Mayo Clinic. Now.

H&K-Guy

Wife's cousin went to Mayo clinic to have repairs for local surgery gone bad.
Start at the best.

Didn't have to go that far, but did go to a major metropolitan area to see "The Guy" for that surgery. Based on the experience versus folks who have opted for local choices, I would travel a lot further than 750 to go see "The Guy".

both are local to me, bni would be my choice.

My boss goes to Mayo for any serious issue. He says it is no more expensive on his insurance and they are extremely thorough.

Mayo in Rochester, MN has one of the best diagnostic facilities in the world ( if not the best). Diagnosing an issue correctly and coming up with a treatment plan is half the battle.
Due to my wife's medical issues, we have dealt with them for years. They make every other hospital we've dealt with look like amateurs (including some of the satellite Mayo organizations).
Do not hesitate to go to Rochester.