I had surgery StALIF L5/S1 Activ-L L4/L5 Zeegers, Alphaklinik

fuzzy · #1 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007, 10:41 AM

I recommend Zeegers and the Alpha Team highly.

I had surgery at Alpha 5 days ago Nov 9. Dr Zeegers implated a STALIF fusion at L5/S1 and a Activ-L at L4/L5. The hospital has been superb and Zeegers and his team have been very thorough from beginning to finish. I had many meeting with Zeegers the week before (come early!!!), when I woke up I was starring at an xray of the Active-L and some screws in my back and a smiling Zeegers. He visited several times in my room and took his time to explain what he had done, It took me 3 days to realize what he did and it feels very good. His detailed written report gives a very clear insight in his careful methodical approach. There is no pain in my back and my feet feel better every day. I can highly recomment him and his team. And the best way is to go and visit and check out the Klinik. I did this in July and was very impressed. Zeegers believes in personal communitcation and called my several times in the US, very late in his day. I feel that this greatly improved his understanding of my problem and what to look for during surgery.

Now I need to get my self in shape and get moving again.

dshobbies · #2 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007, 06:03 PM

Fuzzy,

My heartiest congratulations. Good for you!

Keep up the good work... but remember to take is slow.

Best wishes for a great recovery, Dale

mmglobal · #3 (**permalink**) 11-16-2007, 10:33 PM

Fuzzy... sounds like you are doing great. Where are you staying? Call me when you can or let me know when I can call you. I'll be there in a couple of weeks... will you still be in Germany?

Mark

fuzzy · #4 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007, 08:45 AM

I stayed at the Sheraton Grand but have now moved to my place in Hannover. Zeegers gave me thumbs up to move at the 1 week follow up. I was glad to get out of that hotel. Nothin for long bearded fellas, too many stares. I will be back in munich dec 6 for 4 week follow up. Due to my osteopenia he is VERY interested in the personal follow up as he tried VERY HARD to ensure no subsidence which allready seems to be less of a problem with Activ-L. He used a very careful somewhat unconventinal technique for distracting the disc space very carefully to ensure no fractures tohe endplates. He documented this with a slideshow of flouroscope pictures made into a movie.
No bone cement was used (!).

Now day 9 since surgery I am slowly thawing out and the painlevels are dropping. My feet are still doing all kinds of wierd things but it seems to be improving. I have a light line of pain running down my left leg, before surgery it was my right leg. I hope it goes away. There is NO pain in my back.

joemonfl · #5 (**permalink**) 11-19-2007, 01:16 AM

Great news fuzzy. why did Zeegers determine to do a fusion at L5/S1 versus the ADR at the level?

And I've had the same experience with Zeegers on the phone. Multiple conversations with him lasting 30-60 min to me in Florida.

I'm scheduled for a 2-3 level adr 12.14.07 and daughter and xwife will follow the week after for support.

[quote=fuzzy;2841]I recommend Zeegers and the Alpha Team highly.

I had surgery at Alpha 5 days ago Nov 9. Dr Zeegers implated a STALIF fusion at L5/S1 and a Activ-L at L4/L5.

fuzzy · #6 (**permalink**) 11-21-2007, 08:05 AM

When I showed up he spotted a shifting of L5 on flexion. Retook the xrays, same thing. He says that by putting ADR there I might end up with more or new pain or possible device pailure in the future. Highly adviced to accept the STALIF if he finds confirmation in the OR. He said if all ok he would implant ADR so I did not know what I would end up with when I went to sleep.

joemonfl · #7 (**permalink**) 11-21-2007, 02:31 PM

great explanation thanks fuzzy. How are you doing on pain meds and where did you stay in Munich? How was the flight back?

fuzzy · #8 (**permalink**) 11-21-2007, 04:41 PM

Day 10. I am on iboprofen 400mg ( 2 pills) as needed and am trying to take as little as possible and control the pain by taking breaks and not stayin in one position too long (works). Don't take pain meds while lying down but when going on extended walks with sitting periods (like those horrible seats in a subway), then the pain builds up, even with ibo's. The muscle pains in legs and butt (and surgery pain, bonegraft site) are starting to go down. The only thing coming from spine itself seems to have to do with the fusion site. Exercise HELps tremendiously and it is getting better every day. Still have this problem of the cold right foot and I can't tell that it is cold! But before the surgery both my feet were numb and on fire etc when ever I stood up, right more then left so there is a big improvement that was obvious right after surgery. Right foot has not problems at all now. No stiffness in low back, I have watch out, even with brace.

I stayed at Sheraton accross the street from Alpha. I am still in Germany but moved on elsewhere and will be here for another 3 weeks. I am glad I am not flying home yet but would be fit to fly at the 2 week mark I am sure.

joemonfl · #9 (**permalink**) 11-21-2007, 05:05 PM

I read 2 iboprofen and laughed, I haven't been able to take just that for years. Good for you.

I"ve heard about the leg and butt pain, do you think stretching would help, even before surgery?

Would you be able to site see between day 5 and now? How long can you walk or stand? My exwife wants to know if I'll be able to take a tour with them post op.

Did you stay at the ArabellaPark or Grand? oh and my daughter wants to know are there any TV shows in english?

Keep up the good progress.