1/22/09

I happened to stumble into this web site while surfing for information on hip relacement surgery. I too, had the experience of the first hip specialist not even mentioning surface replacement. He said "you are too young, and not bad enough to need surgery".

I could only guess that I would have to suffer TEN more years of escalating pain, and crawl in on my hands and knees before he would consider me a candidate for total hip replacement. This was fortunate for me. It was the catalyst for driving me to more research on alternatives. I am not sure if my primary doctor even knows of resurfacing surgery - she never mentioned it. neither did the first hip specialist for that matter.
 
After reading numerous stories, and watching all the doctor interviews ( thank you Vicky!) I decided to move on. I saw another local hip specialist, referred by my primary doctor. In reference to the first specialist I saw my doctor said "Specialists generally do not have much bed-side manner" That was the understatement of the century. The second surgeon looked promising.

He recommended the resurfacing procedure as the most appropriat for me ( active 49 year old), and said that they are performinmg more of these surgeries on people in their 40's than they used to. Armed with info from this website, I began asking questions about his experiences and post surgery recovery strategy. I was not satisfied with his answers, and the lack of clarrifying any of them. This left me more dejected, and yet more hopeful, then after seeing the firt specialist.

I then consulted the list of doctors for washington state on your web-site.

I made an appointment to see Dr. James Pritchett in Seattle, WA. I got in to see him in less than one week. Dr. Pritchett actually came out to the waiting room and introduced himself for my appointment. That was a first for me! Dr. Pritchett seemed to be enthused by my interest and knowledge of the resurfacing procedure. he answered all of my questions, and gave me such a feeling of confidence that I knew that I had found my surgeon.

I am scheduled for surgery on the 17th of feb. 2009. I am very much looking forward to ending the massive pain, and getting on with my active life. I have more mountains to climb / hike. Bicycles, and motorcycles to ride, and life to live. I was definately not interested in giving up these past times.

Thanks for the wonderful web-site! I am sure that I would be on a different course if it was not for it. I know that I still have most of the journey in front of me. It just feels good to know that you are headed in the best direction for yourself.

Take care

Nick Leakakos
Tacoma, WA.