Limb Lengthening Forum
Limb Lengthening Surgery => Limb Lengthening Doctors => Topic started by: Jack1066 on March 02, 2017, 08:51:06 PM
-
Anyone know about this guy?
-
All I've been able to figure out is that he works either at the St. Elizabeth hospital or the International Clinic in St. Petersburg. The prices seem very cheap but I'm not sure about the quality.
He uses LON and LATN.
-
He is a junior doctor and works with Solomin. I talked to him and he's fine although as far as a i know he doesn't perform LL without Solomin.
-
Jack, the price is cheap because ruble is very cheap, but the Quality of the fixators should be good
-
Anyone know about this guy?
Anyone knows his number, email address or anything about this doctor. I read somewhere that the price is too cheap.
-
He is just part of Solomin's team. Email Solomin for information.
He looks good. If all goes well I am planning on beginning LL with him next summer.
-
I tried calling the hospital he works at, but they do not speak English.
-
For anyone wondering, his email is kulesh_pavel@mail.ru
He operates at several hospitals some of which are federal, so you should not expect them to speak Englando.
-
For anyone wondering, his email is kulesh_pavel@mail.ru
He operates in several hospitals some of which are federal, so you should not expect them to speak Englando.
Do you have his mobile number?
-
Do you have his mobile number?
His preferred way for communication is by email. Mobile is for the actual patients.
-
His preferred way for communication is by email. Mobile is for the actual patients.
I just sent him an email.
Do you know his price for LATN, and spending the lengthening period at he hospital?
-
I just sent him an email.
Do you know his price for LATN, and spending the lengthening period at he hospital?
I'm a local patient and I did external only, hospital stay depends on the hospital you choose
-
I'm a local patient and I did external only, hospital stay depends on the hospital you choose
How much did yo pay for your externals?
-
How much did yo pay for your externals?
You mean the frames? I don't think they cost anything
-
You mean the frames? I don't think they cost anything
No, i meat how much did your operation cost...
-
No, i meat how much did your operation cost...
Around 2k$, but I'm from Russia, and I don't know if the prices differ for international patients
You should probably post the prices here once you get a reply, as I'm curious myself at this point
-
Around 2k$, but I'm from Russia, and I don't know if the prices differ for international patients
You should probably post the prices here once you get a reply, as I'm curious myself at this point
I sent Leonid Solomin, he sent me a complicated document, below is a copy/past to his response:
Hello, dear friend!
Our task is to assist you during treatment. You may use this file for approximate calculation of the cost of your future treatment.
This scheme lets you to calculate many variants of treatment with different types, durations and prices according to your wishes and capabilities. After you determine the main details, we may perform the approximate calculations for you.
For that, we will need:
1. type of clinic, chosen by you (private or municipal)
2. type of lengthening, chosen by you (conventional Ilizarov, LON, LATN)
3. duration of staying in clinic after surgery
4. duration of staying in St.-Petersburg after surgery
5. conditions of your visa (duration, type)
6. how often do you plan to use trainer and assistant for rebandages?
There are our recommendations in this file about these questions. Nevertheless, we will pay attention to your decisions and will take if it is possible.
APPROXIMATE:
Preoperative consultation by orthopedist (professor)
admission to the municipal clinic – 1.200
x-ray examination (1 long-film + 2 short-films) – 4.000
ultrasound examination – 1.500
Surgery + 3 days in Clinic
First surgery:
We recommend:
in private clinic - 296.000 (Conventional Ilizarov or LATN – first step)
+ 3 days in clinic:
8.532x3=25.596 (double room)
11.340x3=34.020 (single room)
19.872x3=59.616 (lux room)
OR
in private clinic - 296.000 (LON – first step)
+ 3 days in clinic:
8.532x3=25.596 (double room)
11.340x3=34.020 (single room)
19.872x3=59.616 (lux room)
+ cost of 2 nails:
110.000x2 = 220.000 (Chinese nails)
130.000x2 = 260.000 (American nails)
We consider admissible:
in municipal clinic – 148.600 (Conventional Ilizarov or LATN – first step)
+ 3 days in clinic:
4.400x3=13.200 (single room)
4.700 x3=14.100 (lux room)
OR
in municipal clinic – 148.600 (LON – first step)
+ cost of 2 nails:
23.000x2 = 46.000 (Russian nails)
57.500x2 = 115.000 (American nails)
+ 3 days in clinic:
4.400x3=13.200 (single room)
4.700 x3=14.100 (lux room)
Postoperative period
The 3rd day after operation – the 14th day after operation
Location of the patient:
We recommend:
in a hospital (in municipal clinic - 4.400 per a day (single room) or 4.700 per a day (lux room), in private clinic - 8.532 per a day (double room), 11.340 per a day (single room), 19.872 per a day (lux room)
We consider admissible:
in hotel (1.000 – 6.000 per a day)
in apartment (30.000-40.000 per a month); the house cleaner - 1.500 for 1 visit
In case of any complications – emergency hospitalization to hospital.
Additional medicines:
We recommend:
Pradaxa – 1 tablets per a day for in-patients from the 11th day after operation and for out-patients (2.000 per a month)
We consider admissible:
Pradaxa – 1 tablets per a day for in-patients from the 11th day after operation and for out-patients (2.000 per a month)
Food supplements
Rebandages:
We recommend:
Rebandages by doctor - 2-3 times a week (cost of 1 rebandages - 1.500 in municipal clinic and for out-patients; 4.320 in private clinic (no matter – 1 or 2 frames)
To pay tailoring of a cover on the frame (2.000 for 1 cover). We recommend buying 2 covers for every frame.
Foot holders (free of charge in municipal clinics, 600 – in private clinics)
We consider admissible:
Rebandages by patient - 1-2 times a week (cost of materials and solutions – 500 for 1 rebandages) + rebandages by doctor once a week (cost of 1 rebandages - 1.500 in municipal clinic and for out-patients; 4.320 in private clinic (no matter – 1 or 2 frames)
Cover the frames with bandages instead of covers after every rebandages (400 a week)
In case of inflammation the distraction can be slowed down, temporarily stopped, prematurely complete; perhaps, one or several additional operations are required.
Trainings/physiotherapy:
We recommend:
Training every day or every other day with trainer (1 training – 1.200 for 1 training in municipal clinic and out-patients; 3.000 in private clinic)
Buy walkers (3.000-4.000)
Buy wheelchair (10.000-15.000) and office-chair (5.000)
We consider admissible:
Self-trainings or trainings with the trainer less than we recommend (1 training – 1.200 for 1 training in municipal clinic and out-patients; 3.000 in private clinic)
Buy crutches (2.000)
In case of joints stiffness the distraction can be slowed down, temporarily stopped, prematurely complete; perhaps, one or several additional operations are required.
Consultation (x-ray included, transfer and assistant not included):
We recommend:
In 5-7 days after the beginning of distraction: in municipal clinic - 2.800, in private clinic – 5.000, for outpatients – 5.000 (short-films) or 6.000 (2 short-films and 1 long-film)
We consider admissible:
In 5-7 days after the beginning of distraction: in municipal clinic - 2.800, in private clinic – 5.000, for outpatients – 5.000 (short-films) or 6.000 (2 short-films and 1 long-film)
The cost of transfer, taxi and assistant depend on the place of residence
Distraction period
(15th day after operation – completion of manipulations in frames)
Location of the patient:
We recommend:
in hotel (1.000 – 6.000 per a day)
in apartment (30.000-40.000 per a month); the house cleaner - 1.500 for 1 visit
We consider admissible:
in a hospital (in municipal clinic - 4.400 per a day (single room) or 4.700 a day (lux room), in private clinic - 8.532 per a day (double room), 11.340 per a day (single room), 19.872 per a day (lux room)
in apartment (30.000-40.000 a month); the house cleaner - 1.500 for 1 visit
at home
In case of any complications – emergency hospitalization to hospital.
Additional medicines:
We recommend:
Pradaxa – 1 tablets per a day (2.000 per a month)
We consider admissible:
Pradaxa – 1 tablets per a day ts (2.000 per a month)
Food supplements
Rebandages:
We recommend:
Rebandages by the doctor - 2-3 times a week (cost of 1 rebandages - 1.500 in municipal clinic and for outpatients; 4.320 in private clinic (no matter – 1 or 2 frames)
Washing of covers once a week
We consider admissible:
Rebandages by patient - 1-2 times a week (cost of materials and solutions – 500 for 1 rebandages) + rebandages by doctor once a week (cost of 1 rebandages - 1.500 in municipal clinic and for outpatients; 4.320 in private clinic (no matter – 1 or 2 frames)
Rebandages by patient - 3 times a week (for the outpatients at home in different city)
Cover the frames with bandages instead of covers after every rebandages (400 per a week)
In case of inflammation the distraction can be slowed down, temporarily stopped, prematurely complete; perhaps, one or several additional operations are required.
Trainings/physiotherapy:
We recommend:
Training 2-3 times a week with trainer (1 training – 1.200 for 1 training in municipal clinic and outpatients; 3.000 in private clinic)
To have a walkers (3.000-4.000) and crutches (2.000)
To have a wheelchair (15.000) and office-chair (5.000)
To have supervision by neurologist and dermatologist.
We consider admissible:
Self-trainings or trainings with the trainer less than we recommend (1 training – 1.200 for 1 training in municipal clinic and for outpatients; 3.000 in private clinic)
To have crutches (2.000)
In case of joints stiffness the distraction can be slowed down, temporarily stopped, prematurely complete; perhaps, one or several additional operations are required.
Consultation (x-ray included, transfer and assistant not included):
We recommend:
Once in a weak: in municipal clinic - 2.800 (short-films) or 4.000 (long-films), in private clinic – 5.000 (short-films), for outpatients – 5.000 (short-films) or 6.000 (2 short-films and 1 long-film)
The cost of transfer, taxi and assistant depend on the place of residence
We consider admissible:
Once in 20-30 days by e-mail (for the outpatients at home) - free of charge.
Manipulations in frames (distraction and correction):
We recommend:
Lengthening no more than 10% of the initial length of a bone.
After finishing of lengthening – perform installation of the reduction module, to eliminate translation of bone fragments or deformity (setting the reduction module – 3.000, remove the reduction module – 3.000, calculations – 500 for 1 frame at once)
We consider admissible:
Lengthening no more than 20% of the initial length of a bone.
After finishing of lengthening – perform installation of the reduction module, to eliminate translation of bone fragments or deformity (setting the reduction module – 3.000, remove the reduction module – 3.000, calculations – 500 for 1 frame at once)
The correction is possible only in the absence of contractures of joints and a possibility of the patient to stand on the straightened legs.
In case of hypotrophic regenerate the distraction can be slowed down, temporarily stopped, prematurely complete; perhaps, one or several additional operations are required.
Fixation period
completion of manipulations in frames – removal of frames
Second surgery:
We recommend:
in private clinic - 296.000 (LATN – second step)
+ cost of 2 nails:
110.000x2 = 220.000 (Chinese nails)
130.000x2 = 260.000 (American nails)
+ 3 days in clinic:
8.532x3=25.596 (double room)
11.340x3=34.020 (single room)
19.872x3=59.616 (lux room)
OR
in private clinic - 137.000 (LON – second step)
+ 2 days in clinic:
8.532x2=17.064 (double room)
11.340x2=22.680 (single room)
19.872x2=39.744 (lux room)
We consider admissible:
in municipal clinic – 148.000 (LATN – second step)
(without visa – 240.000)
+ cost of 2 nails:
23.000x2 = 46.000 (Russian nails)
57.500x2 = 115.000 (American nails)
+ 3 days in clinic:
4.400x3=13.200 (single room)
4.700 x3=14.100 (lux room)
OR
in municipal clinic – 73.000 (LON – second step)
(without visa – 163.000)
+ 2 days in clinic:
4.400x2=8.800 (single room)
4.700 x2=9.400 (lux room)
For conventional Ilizarov second surgery is not needed.
Patients after LATN and after LON may go home.
Location of the patient:
We recommend:
in hotel (1.000 – 6.000 per a day)
in apartment (30.000-40.000 per a month); the house cleaner - 1.500 for 1 visit
at home (patients after LATN and after LON)
We consider admissible:
in a hospital (in municipal clinic - 4.400 per a day (single room) or 4.700 per a day (lux room), in private clinic - 8.532 per a day (double room), 11.340 per a day (single room), 19.872 per a day (lux room)
in apartment (30.000-40.000 a month); the house cleaner - 1.500 for 1 visit
at home
In case of any complications – emergency hospitalization to hospital.
Additional medicines:
We recommend:
Pradaxa – 1 tablets per a day for in-patients from the 11th day after operation and for out-patients (2.000 per a month)
We consider admissible:
Pradaxa – 1 tablets per a day for in-patients from the 11th day after operation and for out-patients (2.000 per a month)
Food supplements
Rebandages:
We recommend:
Rebandages - 2-3 times a week (cost of 1 rebandages - 1.500 in municipal clinic and for outpatients; 4.320 in private clinic (no matter – 1 or 2 frames)
Washing of covers once a week
We consider admissible:
Rebandages by patient - 1-2 times a week (cost of materials and solutions – 500 for 1 rebandages) + rebandages by doctor once a week (cost of 1 rebandages - 1.500 in municipal clinic and for outpatients; 4.320 in private clinic (no matter – 1 or 2 frames)
Rebandages by patient - 3 times a week (for the patients at home)
Cover the frames with bandages instead of covers after every rebandages (400 a week)
In case of inflammation, one or several additional operations are required.
Trainings/physiotherapy:
We recommend:
Training 2-3 times a week with trainer (1 training – 1.200 for 1 training in municipal clinic and outpatients; 3.000 in private clinic)
To have a walkers (3.000-4.000) and crutches (2.000)
To have a wheelchair (15.000) and office-chair (5.000)
We consider admissible:
Self-trainings or trainings with the trainer less than we recommend (1 training – 1.200 for 1 training in municipal clinic and outpatients; 3.000 in private clinic)
To have crutches (2.000)
In case of malunion or non-union one or several additional operations are required.
In case of deep infection, one or several additional operations are required.
Consultation (x-ray included, transfer and assistant not included):
We recommend:
Once in a month: in municipal clinic - 2.800 (short-films) or 4.000 (long-films), in private clinic – 5.000 (short-films), for outpatients – 5.000 (short-films) or 6.000 (2 short-films and 1 long-film)
The cost of transfer, taxi and assistant depend on the place of residence
We consider admissible:
Once in month by e-mail (for the outpatients at home) - free of charge.
Frames removal (for conventional Ilizarov):
We recommend:
in private clinic (with general anesthesia)- 120.000
We consider admissible:
in municipal clinic (with general anesthesia) - 70.000
OR
in municipal clinic (with local anesthesia)- 20.000
1. We don't convert cost to the currency of patient's country. You may use Internet-converters from sites of the Russian banks. For example – Sberbank (http://www.sberbank.ru/en/individualclients).
2. We don't provide service and assistance to convert patient's money to rubles. Assistants can take you to the bank, you've asked about, and back.
3. At present time clinics don’t provide visa extending. Preparing of invitation is possible in private clinics (patient’s x-ray pictures are needed for that).
For getting visa and registration, you may ask special company:
Phone central +41 41 410 61 61
Phone direct +41 79 690 20 16
Mail: michael@bornpower.com and info@visaworld.ie
Skype: bornpower_gmbh
4. In case of patient leaves Saint-Petersburg before frames removing, he should pay for the frames. Cost of the frame is calculated for each patient individual. Approximate cost of 2 frames is 50.000. After getting frames back the money will be sent to the patient back.
5. To the house cleaner the cost of food is not included in a payment (the approximate cost of food you may look on the website https://www.okeydostavka.ru/spb2).
6. We assume that it will be cheaper to get a second-hand wheelchair, office chair, walkers and crutches.
7. The approximate cost of drugs is specified. You may look on the website http://www.eapteka.ru/
8. We would recommend to take quantity of money 20% more than calculated.
9. Surgery + 10 days in clinic (minimum) in private clinic = 296.000 + 8.532x10 = 381.320; in municipal clinic = 148.000 + 4.400x10 = 192.000
10. We can perform operations on 2 segments at once.
11. The cost of additional small surgery – frames reassembling or achilles tendons release – 75.000 in municipal clinic and 130.000 in private clinic (approximately).
12. In case of complication additional operation costs approximately as much as primary.
13. The advance payment is 200.000 + cost of nails (if nails are needed) in municipal clinic (in cash) and 400.000 + cost of nails (if nails are needed) in private clinic (in cash). Private clinic can provide the bills (papers about payment).
14. We can't provide preoperative consultation on Saturdays and Sundays.
15. We can provide surgery in 3-5 day after end of consultation in private clinics and in 2-4 weeks after end of consultation in municipal clinics.
16. The minimum recommend term of stay in St. Petersburg after operation – 2-3 weeks.
17. The minimal approximate cost of taxi for the patients with a wheelchair or crutches – 30 per 1 km and 5 for 1 min of waiting. The minimal approximate cost of transfer for the patients in a wheel bed – 2.500 per an hour.
18. Cost of 1 assistant – 700 per an hour.
19. There is no English-speaker staph in municipal clinic. There is English-speaker physiotherapist in municipal and private clinics.
20. We assume that it is possible to rent apartment cheaper than 30.000 in a month. In this case, it will be probable not very clean and convenient apartment. In this case, we can’t assist in renting.
21. In case of apartment renting payment of the realtor - 100% of payment of a rent in a month. In addition, the client posts bail of 100% of payment of a rent in a month. Thus, the first sum for payment is equal to payment for 3 months. The payment in cash acceptable only. We recommend cleaning the apartment every 2 weeks (minimum) and before leaving.
22. We ask you to take into account that the main clinic for foreign patients is private. In case of accident most likely you will get treatment in private clinic.
23. The possibility of LON or LATN we can determine after x-ray examinations only. DICOM format of x-ray pictures is needed.
24. LATN – lengthening and then nailing. LON – lengthening over nail.
25. About assistance, trainings, rebandages, trips: make the plans in 2-3 days beforehand, please
-
The above post is basically Dr. Leonid Solomin <solomin.leonid@gmail.com> reply to me.
|
-
in private clinic - 137.000 (LON – second step)
+ 2 days in clinic:
8.532x2=17.064 (double room)
11.340x2=22.680 (single room)
19.872x2=39.744 (lux room)
They want ~2.000 EUR for frames removal and putting some screws in? In Russia?
I know, the prices are considered as cheap, but I did this second step in Germany and even they charged me less than this.
Also, you don't have to stay in the hospital after surgery, it can be done outpatient.
If you arrange to have your second surgery in the morning, you can "go" to your apartment in the afternoon and save those 250-570 EUR for sleeping over.
-
They want ~2.000 EUR for frames removal and putting some screws in? In Russia?
I know, the prices are considered as cheap, but I did this second step in Germany and even they charged me less than this.
Also, you don't have to stay in the hospital after surgery, it can be done outpatient.
If you arrange to have your second surgery in the morning, you can "go" to your apartment in the afternoon and save those 250-570 EUR for sleeping over.
That's the price for doing it in the luxury clinic (x2 looking at the list). Plus it's a separate surgery, anesthesia, frames removal from both legs, locking the nails with the screws. I'm pretty sure no one will bother doing this in Germany for 2k EUR, unless it's (partially) covered by the insurance.
-
When I say that even a German clinic charged me less, then even a German clinic charged me less, for Good's sake!
The prices shown here state 137.000 rubles for the surgery including everything plus 17.064 to 39.744 rubles for the stay in the hospital.
That's ~2.000 EUR for the surgery including everything plus ~325 EUR for a hospital stay in a single room that you actually don't even need.
Here is a photo of my bill from a German clinic where I had the same surgery:
(https://s2.postimg.org/fv5icskit/Frames_Removal_Locking_Nail_Anesthesia_Outpatien_G.png) (https://postimg.org/image/fv5icskit/)
You have to remove 172,94 EUR from my bill for a "Umstellungsosteotomie" where they re-cut my left leg and instead add 148,81 EUR for locking the nail in the left leg (which we didn't do back then) add the costs for 3 more screws (76,88 EUR; 2x 38,44 EUR) and add the costs for one additional frames removal (49,60 + 23,33 EUR).
In Germany, the prices for private patients are regulated by the GOÄ (google it up!) and you don't have to pay taxes for surgeries.
No insurance company involved.
So the costs for the second surgery (LON) in Germany are 1.691,36 EUR including general anesthesia for outpatients.
Now tell me that the Kulesh-price for the second LON step is not westernized and even overpriced.
Sometimes, I think, that many of you guys can't imagine how much money private/independent doctors are actually stealing from you.
-
Holy . Also the cost of living in Germany isn't extremely expensive. Can you post how much surgery, physical therapy and everything cost you?
-
When I say that even a German clinic charged me less, then even a German clinic charged me less, for Good's sake!
The prices shown here state 137.000 rubles for the surgery including everything plus 17.064 to 39.744 rubles for the stay in the hospital.
That's ~2.000 EUR for the surgery including everything plus ~325 EUR for a hospital stay in a single room that you actually don't even need.
Here is a photo of my bill from a German clinic where I had the same surgery:
(https://s2.postimg.org/fv5icskit/Frames_Removal_Locking_Nail_Anesthesia_Outpatien_G.png) (https://postimg.org/image/fv5icskit/)
You have to remove 172,94 EUR from my bill for a "Umstellungsosteotomie" where they re-cut my left leg and instead add 148,81 EUR for locking the nail in the left leg (which we didn't do back then) add the costs for 3 more screws (76,88 EUR; 2x 38,44 EUR) and add the costs for one additional frames removal (49,60 + 23,33 EUR).
In Germany, the prices for private patients are regulated by the GOÄ (google it up!) and you don't have to pay taxes for surgeries.
No insurance company involved.
So the costs for the second surgery (LON) in Germany are 1.691,36 EUR including general anesthesia for outpatients.
Now tell me that the Kulesh-price for the second LON step is not westernized and even overpriced.
Sometimes, I think, that many of you guys can't imagine how much money private/independent doctors are actually stealing from you.
You get these prices because you are in a medical need. You have messed up legs that needs to be fixed. It is not a cosmetic surgery. They're saving your legs so you are treated on the same terms as someone who got hit by a car etc. Also that clinic would never operate your healthy legs with those prices.
-
You get these prices because you are in a medical need. You have messed up legs that needs to be fixed. It is not a cosmetic surgery. They're saving your legs so you are treated on the same terms as someone who got hit by a car etc. Also that clinic would never operate your healthy legs with those prices.
No, there are only prices for people with state health insurance, and prices for people with private health insurance which are the same as for people without health insurance (regulated by the GOÄ). If you have had a surgery outside of Germany, you will always have to pay everything which is related to it yourself. That's the law.
If you're not in a medical need, it's up to the community hospitals whether they want to operate on you or not (facelift, liposuction, LL). Prices: GOÄ
Edit: Oh, and everyone loves patients with private health insurance (or without insurance at all), because the prices are higher and there are also no fixed rates which they sometimes only get from state health insurance companies.
-
No, there are only prices for people with state health insurance, and prices for people with private health insurance which are the same as for people without health insurance (regulated by the GOÄ). If you have had a surgery outside of Germany, you will always have to pay everything which is related to it yourself. That's the law.
If you're not in a medical need, it's up to the community hospitals whether they want to operate on you or not (facelift, liposuction, LL). Prices: GOÄ
Edit: Oh, and everyone loves patients with private health insurance (or without insurance at all), because the prices are higher and there are also no fixed rates which they sometimes only get from state health insurance companies.
If that's so, how come Betz or even Salameh who both operate in Germany charge as much they do? Isn't that illegal basically?
-
If that's so, how come Betz or even Salameh who both operate in Germany charge as much they do? Isn't that illegal basically?
I don't think that Dr. Betz does anything illegal.
He is bound to the GOÄ like everyone else.
The most expensive things in Germany are staying in the hospital, physiotherapy and medication.
Intensive care alone can cost you >1.000 EUR per day.
A regular stay in a hospital is 400-500 EUR per night and Dr. Betz wants you to stay for two weeks.
And then there is Betzbone. Prices for equipment are not regulated (as far as I know), so if it "just happens" to be expensive, the price is what it is.
And we all know that the production-cost to retail-price ratio for internal nails is like Apple products.
But the surgery itself shouldn't be that expensive at all compared to the rest.
-
The thing about being in a first world country is that you can probably take care of the frame removal at home instead of going back.
-
Can I go to a municipal clinic if I am a foreigner instead of private?
-
Can I go to a municipal clinic if I am a foreigner instead of private?
Yes, you can. I've done so myself.
-
Yes, you can. I've done so myself.
Hi android, Then the surgeries, how much cheaper was it for you? I am doing cross lengthening so how much would that be roughly speaking? wow, I am really happy about this, private costs so much more.
-
Dr Kulesh states that Ilizarov without any nails is the safest method. It's stated in his word document which he sends by email.
-
Price generally includes: Surgery for apparatus and removal (and nail installation/removal) if this is discussed between LON/LATN/External
Approximately 5 days in hospital post surgery, food, medicine
1 set of x rays
Possibly PT during this time
Everything excluded:
Post care
Medication
PT
Yes, the price is very cheap with Dr. Kulesh. There are many diaries in the section coming from his clinic, best read them.
-
Hello
I received a very detailed document from him, but little bit confusing also, a lot of information and I am not sure about the package price.
Did you get any realistic forecast regarding the budget ?
Let us Know.
-
Hello
I received a very detailed document from him, but little bit confusing also, a lot of information and I am not sure about the package price.
Did you get any realistic forecast regarding the budget ?
Let us Know.
I get the feeling that to get the answer you are looking for, you need to fly to Russia and have a face to face consultation but go with fully prepared questions written down and ask how the pricing works, for example is it charged per leg, what is the cost of complications and which ones etc. Ask lots of questions about costs and ask for a breakdown, ask how long it is likely you will need a carer for should you plan to pay for one, how long you might have to say in Russia for, get a full detailed breakdown there and then. In the word document he sends, you will see various dates which are available for a consultation in 2019. He is quite strict about this. It would appear he is not that interested in discussing things via email. I got the feeling he simply wants you to look at his word document, look at the dates on which he will be available for a consultation and then simply send him a brief email saying something like "I would like to have a consultation on this date". Ensure the date or the dates you can go match the consultation date options he sent in his document. Then book it and just go. Then ask the questions. Come back with a good estimate of how much it will all cost and then add some extra money for unforeseen things that could happen.
-
Does Kulesh speak better english and is more responsive than Dr. Solomin via e-mail?
-
I've watched Dr. Kulesh answer e-mail. He easily gets more than 100 messages per day. He has to sort through them and respond to actual and current patients before he can consider answering your third variant of the same question regarding "whatever". Nonetheless, he tries and he does so with far more patience than I possess.
The "file" contains all of the current information--but you have to read it carefully to fully understand things.
If you want to know if you are a good candidate for surgery, the best he can tell you by e-mail is that "it's possible".
My procedure (9 cm bi-lateral lengthening of tibias and fibulas with LATN; plus, ATL) cost me about $22K INCLUDING airfare, apartment, food, transfers, meds, PT, etc. I stayed in St. Petersburg for distraction and returned home about one week after my LATN surgery.
Solomin/Kulesh take an advance for each surgery (250K rubles recently at a municipal clinic--prices change). You settle up after surgery when they have the final costs--could be 25-50K rubles in either direction. Meds, x-rays, hospital room charges, PT, transportation, MD bandage change, etc. are extra but relatively inexpensive.
Some of the extras are mandatory; some are not. For example, x-rays after each 1 cm of lengthening and MD bandage change 1X per week are mandatory.
What I did is deposit a chunk of rubles; then, got an updated statement each time a charge was incurred. Billing and charges are extremely transparent once you understand the process.
In fact, PT was so inexpensive (1500 rubles) that I ordered extra sessions once I learned that my therapist was a Ph.D., knew what she was doing, and was far more skilled than any US physical therapist I encountered. Same with meds--I ordered extra so I would have some to bring home with me--400 rubles for a month's worth.
-
Hello,
I've been communicating with Dr. Kulesh recently. He said that they "recommend" lengthening 10% max of the original bone length (usually 3.5-4.5cm). That seems odd and much lower than other claims from other doctors, who recommend usually 6-7cm max (consequently 18-20% of the original bone length). Any idea what's up with that?
I'd say if you go for cosmetical reasons and unless you want multiple surgeries/lengthenings, 4cm is really not worth the time and effort and money. I wouldn't do LL unless I get to have at least around 6cm if I'm being honest. Which seems acceptable for others doctors.
-
Hello,
I've been communicating with Dr. Kulesh recently. He said that they "recommend" lengthening 10% max of the original bone length (usually 3.5-4.5cm). That seems odd and much lower than other claims from other doctors, who recommend usually 6-7cm max (consequently 18-20% of the original bone length). Any idea what's up with that?
I'd say if you go for cosmetical reasons and unless you want multiple surgeries/lengthenings, 4cm is really not worth the time and effort and money. I wouldn't do LL unless I get to have at least around 6cm if I'm being honest. Which seems acceptable for others doctors.
That doesn't make any sense! 6cm is very reasonable lengthening for all other LL doctors (at least in the femur).