I am now 8 weeks post op from lumbar disc replacement

deespoohbear · Apr 6, 2003

Tassie-

Is this the disk you are referring to?

My husband has been told by his pain specialist that he would be a good candidate for disk replacement. Your post gives me hope that maybe someday my husband will be able to find relief from his constant pain. The FDA has yet to approve the disks here in the states, but I hear that approval should occur in the next year or two. Thanks for the update. Hope your recovery continues to go well.

Tassie Nurse · Apr 6, 2003

Dear Deespoohbear,

Yes thats the one, and if I were you I would check again to see if it has been FDA approved because my surgeon told me that it had. Good luck with it.

Tassie Nurse · Apr 6, 2003

PS. I forgot to mention, I am now 2 inches taller and have lost 2 stone in weight.

deespoohbear · Apr 6, 2003

My hubby has an appointment on April 29th to see his pain specialist. Oh, I hope you are correct about it being FDA approved. It just tears me to pieces to see him in so much pain. I hope he still is a candidate for this surgery. He does NOT want a fusion but he said he would be willing to try this. The incision is through the stomach, huh? That's interesting.

Tassie Nurse · Apr 6, 2003

Please ask about the FDA approval, but I am sure that is what my surgeon said.

To do the anterior approach I was tipped head down on the table so that the abdominal contents went up under my ribs as far as the fat would allow (not very dignified) then he made a vertical incision, split the muscles and took the retroperitoneal trip back through to my spine. If you would like to give me your email address I can scan the consent form I signed which contained a very thorough discription of the whole op as well as listing all the complications.

Julie

CajunMan · Jan 28, 2004

Dee; I am due for the "experimental" disc to be installed in a few months. It is not FDA approved, yet, our wonderfully slow, footdragging Governement. I am having my "ProDisc" installed at the Back Institute in Plano, Texas. These folks are allowed three per month, hence, the waiting period.

DT

CajunMan · Feb 6, 2004

Tass: I am scheduled for the disc on March 4, 2004. It will be installed in Dallas, Texas at the Back Institute, by Dr. Richard Guyer.

Later

DT

Cindee · May 24, 2004

I too am going to recieve the Prodisc implant. Here in California by Dr Rick Delamarter in Santa Monica. I did here that the Charite will be approved as soon as this summer. So hang on this is going to be wonderful.

WDSmith · Aug 21, 2004

I'm curious as to how all of you qualified for the ProDisc or Charite procedures. I've been told by TBI that I have to pay for the procedure out of pocket. I currently have an pending appealed WC case. If I win my case, the chances that their doctor will suggest or even approve my having that procedure done is very slim.

About the FDA, if you go to FDA.gov and do a search on ProDisc you will not find it (Well I couldnt find it). However you will find the Charite. Does anyone have any new information or documentation regarding the Prodisc? I have some docs from TBI written by Dr. Ziglar, but have not been able to find any substantial documention regarding FDA approval with the Prodisc.

Thank you,

Dave Smith

Cindee · Aug 24, 2004

David...

I suppose that having a W/C case dosent help. I have BC of Ca. It authorized over 60% of the procedure. I just had the surgery 11 days ago in Santa Monica by Dr Rick Delamarter. I am dont know anything about the FDA site...but I can only speculate that you will not find ProDisc there, because it is not FDA approved, yet. The Charite is going be approved in the states in about 6 months. Since the FDA has givin its okay to be approved in June. Getting auth'd is the hardest part, and like I said having W/C will only make it harder, since FDA hasent approved. Good luck.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Oct 7, 2004

Tassie Nurse, please clarify for us Yanks. You lost "2 stone in weight"...that's about 28 pounds, correct? What do you believe contributed to your weight loss?