>I would love to go but I will not be able to afford it until next year. Please keep us unformed.
Thank you Lynn
>Your best chance to be freed from adhesions is with either Drs. Harry Reich
>and Daniel Kruschinski at Frankfurt, Germany...or...with Dr. Matthias
>Korell at Duisburg, Germany...because:
>
>* All three surgeons are very skilled and very experienced laparoscopic
>surgeons. They have logged thousands of hours in performing laparoscopic
>procedures.
>
>* Dr. Harry Reich has been recognized as being the best laparoscopic
>surgeon in the world. He is also considered to be the most ambidextrous
>surgeon - a quality that sets him apart from other laparoscopic surgeons.
>
>* All three surgeons are able to apply the NEW adhesion barrier, SprayGel,
>at the conclusion of a surgical procedure. SprayGel adhesion barrier was
>approved in November 2001 for use by surgeons in Europe. SprayGel has NOT
>been approved by the FDA in the United States; however, SprayGel clinical
>trials are taking place throughout the United States. It could take at
>least a year or more before the clinical trials have been concluded - and
>before Confluent Surgical will be ready to seek the approval of the FDA.
>
>* All three surgeons perform a second look laparoscopy (SLL) about 7 days
>after the initial surgery. Adhesions are known to begin forming about 3
>hours after the surgery has been completed - and will continue to form for
>up to 7 days. A SLL provides the surgeons with a chance to evaluate the
>results of the initial surgery; and also gives the surgeons a chance to
>lyse any adhesions that may have formed. At this early stage, adhesions
>are easily "swept down" - and cause little trauma.
>
>Second look laparoscopies are NOT routinely offered in the United States -
>because the cost is prohibitive!!
>
>* Dr. Kruschinski invented Gasless Laparoscopy, a procedure that helps
>prevent trauma (and trauma is a known cause of adhesions) to the organs in
>the abdominal/pelvic cavity. He and Dr. Reich will be using this procedure
>for their ARD patients. You can read about this procedure
>at: http://www.endogyn.com/ .
>
>* It isn't as expensive to have surgery in Germany as one might
>think!! During tourist season, air fare is quite expensive; but from
>November 2002 to April 2003, air fare is considerably cheaper. When I went
>to Germany in January 2002, air fare was about 1/2 the cost of air fare
>purchased during the tourist season..
>
>* Everything - regarding surgery and surgery-related expenses - is
>considerably less expensive in Germany - than in the United
>States!! Unbelieveable, but it is true!!
>
>* Some medical insurance policies include a clause that states that they
>will pay for out-of-country medical care; however, neither Medicare or
>Medicare will pay for out-of-country medical care.
>
>* Planning a trip to Germany for surgery is not as complicated as one might
>think!! Several people have already shared information from their
>experiences; and as a result, this information will answer many of the
>questions you have - when preparing go, during the time you're in Germany,
>and when you return home. This information - gleaned from the experience
>of others - will help take some of the fear out of actually traveling to
>Germany for surgery.
>
>~ ~ ~ ~
>
>X> I received the following message from Bev, a long-time Patient Advocate
>for adhesion-sufferers; and she has asked me to post it on the IAS Message
>Board::
>
>" Dr. Reich will be at the Emma Clinic at the end of September 2002. Can
>you post to see if anyone is interested in securing his surgery? I can
>assist with expediting passports, if anyone is interested.
>
>"This is the best scenario for adhesiolysis anywhere in the world!"
>
>~ ~ ~ ~
>
>If you are interested in considering a trip to Germany for surgery, I can
>provide you with information about "Planning a trip to Germany for surgery"
>and "The proper way to contact one of these surgeons."
>
>--
>Helen Dynda
>olddad66@runestone.net
>