Ebumbu

Oh, will try that! Thanks. Tough period of time right now.

Good idea. Thanks. Will try.

Hello expats. I need to travel from Phuket to Bangkok for major surgery. The problem is, I can barely walk at this point. I'm in pain. I'll be fine after surgery. Can anyone refer a Phuket business that would help pick me up, get me to the Phuket airport, get me a wheelchair, and wheel me to check-in and to my gate? I'll need to same service coming back, but I'll be walking on the return trip, more or less. I will probably be exhausted, so a wheelchair would be fine. It's a big ordeal, but I've been told that the best surgeon is in Bangkok. Any suggestions for assistance traveling are welcome. Thanks!

Meaning 3 grams of Amoxicillin taken in one go? I've never had this thing, cellulitis. I'll Google what it looks like. Another great reason to never ride a scooter. Final quote from Bangkok: they want 505k baht. Even though the website promo says 347k baht, it doesn't include the actual implant device, which is about 150k. LOL. Bait and switch. How can you do the procedure without the implant? TIT.

So, if I see a skin infection, I should have my blood tested at hospital? I was clear until this sentence. Thanks for your detailed answer.

The Birmingham approach has fallen out of favor due to issues with metallosis, which means the metals get into the bloodstream or tissues and cause problems. They are still done for some very young, athletic patients (like the UFC star, Ben Askren). They don't tend to last as long as standard THRs now, which are projected to last 30+ years due to improved materials. I will be getting a ceramic implant and a plastic liner. The stem is titanium (which bends a little bit, like bone). No glue, because it breaks down and causes the stem to come loose.

Here's something nobody has been able to answer yet and I've been thinking about it: What about a sore throat infection (red throat with some yellow phlegm), a 2nd degree burn on hand with a little pus, conjunctivitis, sinus infection (some yellow phlegm), or a minor infection on my big toe from friction? What about skin rashes? Do you know the specific guidelines for when to take Amox? 3 grams is a lot. Thanks! I'm thinking everything through so I can deal with my anxiety.

Sorry to hear about all your sudden suffering. I can relate. An infection is the most serious potential complication because it could kill you. (Well, so could a blood clot.) We'll be on antibiotics for life for routine dental stuff like root canals. If your new hip gets infected, they have to take all the hardware out and leave you with nothing for 6 weeks while they try to sterilize the area. In some cases, the infection is so bad that they can never put the prosthesis back. So yeah, gotta wait until no infection for sure. I'm having all dental work done first. I need a root canal, some crowns, some cavities filled, and cleaning. My local Phuket surgeon said the same thing. He offered a lateral approach, but I'm going with the "top gun" for the anterior approach (in Bangkok). Dr. Phontakorn Panichkul trains other doctors in the anterior approach and studied in Canada and US. I feel good about this choice. I want to avoid potential for dislocation, all the movement restrictions, and I am encouraged by the quicker healing time. I need to get past this nightmare situation.

Bangkok main hospital quote: 400k Bangkok Phuket: 490k! Go figure. Maybe this is the charge for importing Doctor Phonthakorn on his day off.

OK, so Bumrungrad's price seems ridiculous. Approximately double Bangkok Hospital. Right is cheaper than left. How bizarre. I guess they got the brand recognition and charge accordingly. Regarding your inquiries, the estimated costs of robotic assisted LEFT total hip replacement (MAKO THR) is 850,000 - 950,000 THB with 5 days hospital stay. For robotic assisted RIGHT total hip replacement (MAKO THR) with 5 days hospital stay, the estimated costs is 820,000 - 900,000 THB.

Thank you. I have super low tolerance and the stuff from Bloom blows me away. too strong, actually!

Thank you for all your extremely knowledgeable advice. You've helped me so much. Once I get through this thing, I will spend more time helping others. Paying it forward.

Cash price: They charge more if I am paying with insurance. I was told this by the administrator. I get a discount for paying out of pocket for sure. Other hip is fine. I can put my left ankle behind my neck if I want. Zero problems. Strange, but true. It's normal. I saw the x-ray and it's totally different. Bringing surgeon to Phuket: They do this to train new surgeons. I think the famous dude would take the lead. I'm terrified of this entire thing and I don't want to add a plane flight when I can't walk, won't be able to sleep, and will be at my absolute worst. But, if I'm convinced I'll get better work done in BKK, I'll make arrangements for a wheelchair both ways. I'm in a bad way, as you said. Trying not to take opioids for pain now. Hip suddenly crashed when I tried to do some rehab exercises (split squats and frog pose). It's real bad. I am going to try stationery bike today. Unsure if I can do any exercise at all.

Sheryl, do you think I'd get the same level of care bringing Dr P to Phuket, or should I travel to Bangkok to be sure? Phuket Hospital is saying they have all the same equipment and process. When I asked my Phuket orthopedist whether he would be wearing the "space suit" during surgery, the first thing he said was, "It's so hot." I didn't like that answer. I asked him twice more before I got a non-committal "yes." Maybe BKK will be more careful. I have no idea. I really can't walk now. Sucks. As much as I would want to come home immediately when done, I can't take risks with the surgery itself. Yes, I want the anterior for sure. Otherwise I'd get it done cheap.

For doctor P to come to Phuket from Bangkok and assist my Phuket physician doing Direct Anterior Approach, they want 490,000 baht (including 4 nights at hospital). I'm paying cash and will try to negotiate a little bit. I have not seen a formal contract or work order, but the quote seems to include the possibility for extra charges for all kinds of things including the pre-surgery health checks. I will do my best to nail them down and not get ripped off, but I realized the weakness of my position. I got a quote from Dr. Chanakarn in CM for posterior approach. 250,000 baht if I go to Rajavej hospital or 450,000 if I choose Bangkok Hospital in CM. I would prefer to avoid the posterior approach because it would lay me out for at least 6 weeks. I like what I am reading about direct anterior approach. I'm nearly certain I'll stay in Phuket and have Doctor Phonthakorn work with the Phuket surgeon to do my surgery (two surgeons). Need to keep stress low. Here's something I need to ask: how do you handle dental work after surgery? Do you have to take antibiotics before dental work forever? What happens if I get a small infection on my big toe or hand, etc? Let's say I accidentally get a cut on my hand. Do I take antibiotics? I'm trying to deal with all my fears in advance so I can get at least some sleep at hospital. Good the the anterior approach lets you leave quickly and get back to your life. Doing my best to focus on new life of good mobility, including getting in really good shape at the gym. Thanks.

So, I got final confirmation today that my right hip is trashed. No surprise. Bangkok Phuket orthopedist said I'm at "final stage" hip disease, which means bone on bone. I saw the x-ray and there was no space where the cartilage should be. He spent a very long time with me and answered every question I had. We even went into specifics about the materials for the implant. We discussed the direct-anterior approach and Dr. Phonthakorn Panichkul. This is his friend and they graduated medical school together. So, Dr. P would come to Phuket to do my surgery and help train my doctor in the anterior approach. They'd work together. Fine. I can't walk through an airport with luggage at this point, and I want to sleep in my own bed, have my own food, etc. I could be released in 3 days post surgery or so. Quick recovery. Thank you to everyone's helpful advice. I'm fortunate that I have top-level resources here. I can do follow up checks in Phuket. I'm not in a hurry, but I'm getting "shocks" of pain to the bad hip, doing normal things like brushing my teeth. May need tramadol, unfortunately. Steroid injection aren't possible because they would delay surgery and increase risk of infection. OK, this is life. Moving ahead.

Are you satisfied with your stability after four months? Where did you have your hip done? I'm reaching out to Bangkok Hospital and Bumrungrad. Getting X-rays today in Phuket. Then an MRI, I guess. Will try to get a cortisone injection before I'm wheelchair bound. Taking this very seriously now. Sudden decline. I did split squats and frog pose as rehab and it really tore me up. Thanks.

57.

How long until you were confident about walking without a cane or walker? How about going up and down stairs unassisted? I appreciate your input. Will read your long thread tomorrow. More data is better. Being without hip pain is going to be something I have not experienced in almost 10 years.

How was their wifi? I will need to get work done while recovering. I can listen to my audio books rather than a TV, hopefully. Spend the time productively. With anterior approach, they have you standing up on day two. Maybe walking to bathroom. Cool. Better a hip than a kidney or something.

Yes, will go for the steroid injection. Otherwise, we're looking at daily opioids to deal with this situation. Want to avoid. Dr. Phonthakorn Panichkul talked about a "bikini incision" for the anterior approach. Talked about lowering risk of infection, and I see they operate in positive-air flow spacesuits, apparently. I can't beat that. They look like they're working at the International Space Station. Doctor looks very young, but at least he won't keel over mid-way though. ???? Cost is going to bite me, but I get one chance at getting this right. Not sure how and if I can negotiate cost. Probably not. A hip is more important than a car. They're going to serve me up, but it will be a nice, clean room. Went to Mission Hospital here in Phuket for the first time. The place was dirty. I went for some dental work and wound up leaving partially because of stains on walls and ceiling. An immaculately clean place will help me stay calm. It won't be fun. Gotta do it.

Agree: I'm in a bad way. Any hip exercise will put me on the floor. I wanted to put this off until next year. Doesn't seem likely now. If I can't walk or stand, I'm out of time.

At this point, it appears that only Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital BKK have the anterior approach. I'm not obese, so I think I can get this approach. The Bangkok doctor is very impressive (Dr. Phonthakorn Panichkul). Probably going in this direction: https://www.nationthailand.com/life/30404357 Very impressed with the presentation. Seems low likelihood of a disaster. I think they can help coordinate travel assistance. Like Dr. Jack said, even hailing a taxi would be an ordeal. I need to be in a wheelchair, essentially. I can walk a few blocks, with a cane, max.

Hi Dr Jack. Thank for your PM. I may have some questions shortly. This hip thing has been a sudden crash. Now muscles are twitching, walking without one crutch isn't possible, and sleep is very difficult. Can't sleep on my right side (bad side). I'm out of time and feel overwhelmed. I will attempt to get a steroid shot in the joint to buy me some time. I've learned to look for the anterior approach for quicker recovery and less risk of dislocation. 550,000THB sounds too high, but not sure about traveling in this condition. So much effort to coordinate. Anyway, tomorrow I am getting to Bangkok Phuket hospital for evaluation. My top questions are about anterior approach and robot assisted surgery. Scary stuff for sure. I've never had surgery in my life. Never spent a night in a hospital. Aging is a challenge, eh? Also can't sleep on my back. I better start practicing I guess. Not sure if I can.

If this is true, he's my man. I noticed his qualifications before on the website and he is one of the doctors I intended to consult and visit. Must have anterior approach! Dislocations are 10x more common with posterior approach. Enough said! Also, need robotic surgery for absolute accuracy of placement, which is key to long-term success. I also made notes about "3D computer imaging during surgery." Important for placement. Gathering good info!