I now have the results of my CT Scan… It has been confirmed that I have a herniated disc between L4 & L5. I also now have a referal to a neuro-surgeon for a consult. I go see him on Tuesday…
Not this Tuesday though… April 15th, 2008! I have to wait 7 months just to see what possibilities I have to correct the problem with my back. I’m sure that anyone could understand that I can’t stay off of work for that long, PLUS however long I’d have to wait for surgery, and recovery time after.
So, I’m weighing a couple options. While my doctor is trying to find somewhere else for me to go sooner, even if it means driving farther to get to them, but I’m not holding my breath. So, I have the possibility of returning to work in another position, temporarily until I get better or I am thinking about looking into a private you-pay-for-it-all clinic, and get looked at and treated, hopefully, faster than waiting for the public healthcare.
I’m not made of money, especially since Colleen and I have pretty much drained our savings while I’ve been off work. But the way I look at it, I’m losing more money by not working, or going back to a temporary position (and making less than I usually do), than if I fork out thousands of dollars, get better faster, and return to work.
My questions, which I’m hoping that this blog will be seen by people doing searches, are:
What do people know about the False Creek Surgical Centre? Has anyone had a herniated disc treated there? How much was it?
Any info would be appreciated!
I may have found my own answer. Can anyone confirm these prices?
Discectomy (spinal surgery for
ruptured disc):
$5,000
I found this at http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=775660
Thanks!
Hey Cam,
When Syd paid for his own surgery for you-know-what, it turned out he got a good amount of it back from the government when he filed taxes. Maybe talk to your accountant about that – it’s worth looking into…
Good luck!
That’s something that I had not considered!
I got a reply from False Creek today..
“Good afternoon Cameron,
Thank-you for going to our website. I hope that the information was useful to your during your research process.
The first step would be to fax in a recent MRI or Ct Scan radiology report. Once that get review, we can then determine if you are a candidate surgery. If you are, I can then book you in for a consult. The consult is an excellent opportunity for you to sit down with a surgeon one on one to discuss your particular case. At the consultation you will have a physical examination which will allow the surgeon to properly assess you, determine the amount of time the procedure will take, go over the pros, cons, recovery time and the exact costs. The cost of a consult is $425 plus GST.
If you would like any further information or would like to book an appointment please feel free to contact myself at our toll free number.
You may also want to checkout our website at http://www.nationalsurgery.com if you have not already regarding surgery.”
Aside from a couple grammar errors, this does sound interesting. I’m relieved to hear that they pre-screen the CT Scan to determine if it’s worth their/my time. But $450 is a lot for a consult.. Although, I’m sure that it is worth it overall…
At this point, I’m going to wait until I see my doctor on Oct 1st, and see what he has to say.
They allow private clinics in BC? They cracked down on it here to avoid the two-tier thing.
That aside, I think you may find it very, very expensive. I heard through the grapevine that my C1/C2 fusion in totality (numerous CT’s and MRI’s, along with the complexity of the C1/C2 area) was in the quarter million dollar range in the end.
The L series are much more common to work on so perhaps less expensive..but I think that you’ll find the difference in time waiting (lost wages) won’t be offset by the option of paying for it yourself.
Ironically enough after my visit to the hospital yesterday (and my emergency CT) I discovered I too have a bulge at L4/5. Wheeeee.
Congrats on the bulging disc! What fun!
They are allowed here, but with obvious contraversy. As for the expense, I’m currently getting, on Short-term, 33% of my net income. In the two months I’ve been off, I’ve lost considerable income. Even if I go back to work on a modified role, I won’t have the same income as before.
But like I said, I’ll see what my doctor thinks in a couple weeks.. Money is running out for us though..
Welcome to my life Cam. Been waiting for a year specialists. Isn’t public healthcare great? With a lower back injury like yours you are probably looking at a micro-disc-ectomy. Of course it depends how bad the herniation is. But recovery time is minimal. So once you have the surgery it would be a few weeks before you could go back to work. Good luck and I hope you get in to get it fixed soon.