Hi, here's the latest update from MasterHY. I put it here just in case it'll be deleted. We all feel with you Master and wish you all the best.
"Hey guys I'm back. I decided its about time to give an update. This is going to be too long to write in one reply, and I simply don't have so much spare time these days.
Let me just first off start by saying that what I write here is my opinion, and in no way reflects the experience of others. Please keep that in mind when making judgements about doctors and this process. Each experience in LL is unique and I can only share mine through my own experience.
I'll start of by saying that I have not recovered. My own understanding of why I have not recovered has to do with the nails that were used, along with an infection that I got when my hip wound opened up just weeks after the surgery on my left leg. I can sit here and bash Doctor Betz, but I won't do that. I will however just document my own experience about how my case was handled and people can decide for themselves what is best or good information for them.
I am in the process of a two stage surgery with an Orthopedic surgeon from the US. The total extra this has cost me is as follows:
July 2014 - flew to Germany in what was terrible condition, exchanged both nails for titaniums. Stayed total of 3 weeks, total Cost including lodging, PT, and surgery was 45K. Prior to that, I was paying nearly 3k per month with a specialist in LL who had helped AndrewShizzles. The sessions did me no good, because overall the bone was not healing. So in addition to the 45K , I had paid almost 12K just in maintenance costs as I like to think of it. Total Cost 12K + 45K = 57K.
By December of 2014, it was clear that my left leg would not heal, and my right just started healing only after the nail exchange. I then asked professor Betz to help me, and he advised I should wait longer. Most surprising was that his attitude towards me had changed. All along he was blaming me for the situation, and later he started to give very vague answers, and even told he doesn't have time to sit and answer my emails. I was asking specific questions and he was giving me short general answers. This was the most shocking aspect , to have your own doctor blame you for something clearly not in your control and to tell you "I don't know why this happened." I was like, wtf? How can a surgeon not know these things? I will explain more later.
By this time I was out of my mind, because I had no solutions and only guess work to go with. I decided that I would not wait longer and immediately contacted several LL doctors here in the US to see what my options are. Lo and behold, to my surprise, most doctors were quoting me 150K for a 2 stage procedure. Again I will get into all of that later, but for now I'll just tell that, my new cost will be approximately 150K.
So here is a summary people: 1. Paid nearly 80-90K for original surgery and costs
2. Paid 57K for PT and nail replacement due to Betz recommendation in July of 2014 when bones were not healing.
3. Paying nearly 150K for correcting what I am left with now, which is a bone deformity.
Grand total: 287K USD
If you guys think that this will not happen to you, I suggest you guys think long and hard. I am not a naysayer, but this experience was something I did not even fathom. I paid for the best doctor thinking I will have the most professional and best team as this is not something to take lightly, and it failed. Will I heal? I am optimist and I will get through this, but I just want others to know, that there is nothing compared to having your health. Sometimes be careful what you wish for.
I will fill on all the gaps in the days ahead. Take care ya'll. "