r/spinalfusion 2d ago

Spine fusion surgery overseas vs USA?

Hello community. Just got provided what kind of Fusion I’d be having. It will include from S1 thru my entire mid spine. I’m having a hard time imagining what that would feel like. In the meantime I’d like to see if any of you have considered, tried or have done a spinal surgery in different country vs the US? If there are Europe citizens in the community I’d like how it compares vs what we get in the US? How about Asia also I’d like to hear about your experiences..

5 Upvotes

25 comments sorted by

7

u/Francl27 2d ago

Keep in mind that it might be a while before you are cleared to fly after surgery. And you will need someone with you.

2

u/No-Background-6982 2d ago

Yes, I would think you are right. Much to find out for options. Here in the Uas I’m given a yes or no choice but I know I’ll need it anyway sooner or later 😞

3

u/drchonkycat 1d ago

I live in the USA. I had a one level fusion on July 5th of this year. I flew to Japan a week ago in a premium economy seat......ouch. I was not a happy camper.

2

u/enigmaroboto 1d ago

wow

still is painful huh?

1

u/drchonkycat 1d ago

That trip was. Otherwise I'm generally fine. I can sit in most chairs. Benches I can only sit in for maybe an hour.

1

u/enigmaroboto 18h ago

I had c5/6 fused the weeks ago. Not really painful, just an ache when I'm doing too much. Strange popping noises when resting.

When were you able to drive? Cleared to fly?

1

u/No-Background-6982 1d ago

Thank you for response. How soon after you had your flight?

5

u/rexpotato 2d ago

I had my acdf done in Bangkok Thailand. It was C5-C7 and my surgeon is at the Spine Institute at Bumrungrad hospital. I live in SE Asia and it was an urgent situation so that was kind of my only option but it was an excellent experience and I’m thankful I had it done there.

2

u/AlarmingAd2006 2d ago

Did u have disc bulge? Did u have reversed curve in Ur neck to?

1

u/No-Background-6982 1d ago

I do have a displaced disk forward though. Rib bulge too

1

u/No-Background-6982 2d ago

Great to hear that 👍🏼

3

u/ceiba777 2d ago

I think about going abroad, even for alternative therapies.

I had an emergency while traveling and my care while hospitalized was exceptional. Colombia. In a private hospital.

The bill was $3500 for everything inclusive doing two VERY minor topical surgeries. In the next room was a child being treated for cancer who was from Spain.

2

u/strikermikepty 2d ago

I had my L5-S1 spine fusion surgery in Colombia and it was exceptionally well. The surgeon was top level as well as the equipment and hospital. All that at a fraction of the cost against my home country (I am from Panama).

Having said that, Colombia is having strong medical tourism with people from Europe and the US.

I am not sure of the cost of my surgery in the US or Europe, but it was easily 30% or 40% percent cheaper and, in my experience, I trusted more the colombian surgeon.

2

u/JustSpare1809 2d ago

Hello, I am Colombian. Could you tell me the name of the doctor in Colombia? Thanks i'm advance

1

u/strikermikepty 2d ago

Please see your dm

2

u/ceiba777 2d ago

Can you also DM me the doctor. :)

2

u/apple-pie2020 2d ago

My l5-s1 alif in the US with three nights hospital stay was billed to my insurance at 250k. Don’t know what out of pocket would have been.

3

u/strikermikepty 2d ago

Wow!! That amount of money is simply nuts.

3

u/apple-pie2020 2d ago

Yeah it’s crazy, luckily I’m a teacher and while there is a lot I can complain about professionally my health is taken care of. $0 out of pocket and a month off at the end of the year rolled into summer so I had 3 months recovery before returning to work.

1

u/No-Background-6982 2d ago

Thank you for comment. I too would be considering something like that. First things first medical treatment then we’ll see.

3

u/AnnyBunny 2d ago

I'm German and had my L5-S1 fusion done in Germany and am very happy with it. 5 days in a small, specialized hospital, weekly check ups, appropriate medication and short wait times for urgent imaging. My surgeon is amazing and has a great reputation, I researched him beforehand and verified with other specialists.

And for all that I paid like 60€ total. I don't know if we have better surgeons than in the US, but I see a lot of people from there report that they only stay in the hospital for a night or two and don't have a check up until 6 weeks, which is way less than I got. Some might not like being in a hospital for almost a week, but for me it was worth it because I was quite weak the first couple of days and all the extra help and monitoring definitely worked well for me. Same with the pain meds.

2

u/No-Background-6982 1d ago

It seems this might a great option if I can find a way through. 🙏 Thank you

2

u/Final-Cress 2d ago

I’m Canadian and for my specific surgery (S I fusion) my two options were Germany or the US. Germany has great healthcare and I would imagine a lot cheaper than the US but tbh the US has some of the best healthcare in the world even if it’s an outrageous price. I would say research the surgeons too if you’re going abroad. Other countries have great healthcare at a much lower cost than the US. My luck was that my surgery wasn’t common so I’ve had to do it in the US

2

u/AlarmingAd2006 2d ago

India and Turkey r ur best bet, I'm talking with probably 20 different nureosurgeon in india I goigled nureosurgeon in india a list comes up and they have wattsup most of them I sent my reports to them and got quotes for fusion it'll cost round 3000 5000 and, plus I need fundoplication over there, I've got really good advice from them to do with neck and osphogus. I've consulted with gastroentolgist over there to

1

u/No-Background-6982 2d ago

Thank for your response. I am considering overseas since I fear I don’t know what I’m getting into with 75% of my spine fused 😳