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[chicitita]

Please share opinions which doctor I should choose and why.

[Charizard]

Please share opinions which doctor I should choose and why.

If the options are only these i would choose Betz. Germans makes everything better than most.

[V21]

Giotikas does ITB release, while Betz doesn't. Also he offers PT during all lengthening, something Betz doesn't do. I would not go to Betz to be honest, also considering he is more expensive. What I must say, as a current patient in Greece, is that I am a bit tired of Athens, as there are things I don't like about the city. I don't know if same would happen in Germany.

[Antonio111111]

Bumped to get more answers

Giotikas with Gnail seems great with ITB, full physio, and cheaper.

Seems like giotikas all the way. But maybe I'm missing something? For what reason is betz better than giotikas?

[BetzLandLiberator]

Giotikas does ITB release, while Betz doesn't. Also he offers PT during all lengthening, something Betz doesn't do. I would not go to Betz to be honest, also considering he is more expensive. What I must say, as a current patient in Greece, is that I am a bit tired of Athens, as there are things I don't like about the city. I don't know if same would happen in Germany.

ITB release is questionable - I didn't have, neither all the Betz patients I know, and we are fine. it's not needed.
When I did my LL Betz did have physiotherapists that were working with him for years - Peter Woll and the physios at Vitalis, next to the Park Hotel. They were all great.

Betz is a great choice for femur - probably the best one now that Stryde is out.
For tibia, not so sure.

[Antonio111111]

Itb not being necessary makes him better than giotika? Sorry I didn't get what you mean. Not trolling.

[eric.cartman]

I did my tibias with Giotikas, currently doing femurs with Betz. Personally, I think Betz is a much better choice. He’s a bit expensive but you get what you pay for! Keep in my mind that Betz has been doing this for a over a decade while Giotikas is brand new to mechanical nails (G-nail, Betzbone etc.) Besides, I hated living in Athens for three months - it’s a sh*t hole. The Mediterraneano hospital in Athens is possibly one of worst hospitals I’ve ever seen - the optics looks good and food is great but the nurses and hospital staff are the worst. I’ve had three surgeries in that hospital and can’t think of anything nice to say except the food. Giotikas is a good surgeon but the whole setup in Greece is below average - if you are used to Western European or American standards of healthcare, you won’t be happy in Greece.

If you decide to stay in Germany for lengthening period, Betz lives 15 min from the area and is available pretty much immediately if things go south for whatever reason. Giotikas lives in UK and visits Athens a few days every month, so if you break a screw, for example, you’ll have to wait until Giotikas is back in Athens next month - good luck with that! I have seen this happen to two patients when I was in Athens. Both of them had to wait for almost a month limping around with broken screws until Giotikas was back in Athens to get it fixed.

Another reason is Betz almost exclusively focused on LL only, while for Giotikas LL is something he does on the side - it’s not his main focus.

The main issue with Betz seems to be IT band release which I can’t really comment on  at the moment since I’ve started lengthening only last week - time will tell how much of an issue it is. Betz told me that while he doesn’t like to do IT band release pre-emptively, if it were to become necessary during the lengthening period, he will perform the IT band release surgery as an outpatient procedure.

[o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o]

Giotikas does ITB release, while Betz doesn't. Also he offers PT during all lengthening, something Betz doesn't do. I would not go to Betz to be honest, also considering he is more expensive. What I must say, as a current patient in Greece, is that I am a bit tired of Athens, as there are things I don't like about the city. I don't know if same would happen in Germany.

What's so bad about Athens?

[Nyc brother]

Yea, just curious why is everyone frustrated with the city of Athens? I’m coming next week, and I’m actually really excited.

[zaozari]

It's more expenses but I would make a short list and get a consultation preferably presential, with ALL your questions answered (you will pay a lot of money to one of them after the consultation besides  the consultation itself). Also test their commitment, dedication to patients  not only money  and their own patience!
If in Europe I would include Giotikas, Betz and another one from several possible in the trio shortlist. Don't evaluate by country if they are all in the UE but be cautious about the ultracheap Lithuanian (or Lethonia). Evaluate by technique  cv and experience, atitude towards physioterapy and honest disclosure of the risks and infrastructure (not the luxury of the hotel itself,  more the hospital, how far is the physiotherapy etc.). And avalibility of the surgeon  (for example it appears that Paley allmost doesn't show up to patients anymore and performs around only one surgey each week or month).

[LU213]

Except for the weather, I disliked Athens. Riots are common and some people have the riot mentality. Athens has no preparation or care for the disabled.  As with anywhere people may discriminate against the handicapped but in Athens nothing stops them from brazenly doing so.  Getting a taxi is not always guaranteed. If you are alone, and can pay for the male nurse who has a car to take you to PT, that may be your best bet. Most of the sidewalks have no flat part so a wheelchair can enter. Sidewalks look like they were formed from earthquakes. Safety is questionable in some parts of Athina.  Many elevators are too small for wheelchairs. Mediterraneo Hospital is one that I do not recommend. The care there was below par. I will not go back there to get my nails removed. Try to stay in Peristeri where the PT is located if possible. Though, there are less available airbnbs near there. I couldn't find one but I made my decision with little time.  The PT place is small but very good with good equipment including the Alter-G treadmill. I recommend them.  I though cannot comment on Germany.

[Nyc brother]

@ LU213 I’m going to be staying in Egaleo, which I think is a quite area. I thought the doctor wants patients on crutches than wheelchairs, especially with G-nail, is that not possible?

[zaozari]

I suppose there may different clinical approaches, ,specially on the recovery period  on the type and intensity of mobilization. Some doctors may be more cautious than others and some put more emphasis on quick callus formation. What I known is that G-nail fully supports the limb. But maybe some doctors prefer not to "test"it fully and ask the patient to "protect" himself a little more  maybe compensating with other type of "physiotherapy" diferent than just walking, climbing stairs or bike.

[V21]

I agree with LU213 comment. I will explain more in future on my diary, but Athens is in some regards like 20 years before countries like Spain (and Spain is not the most advanced either). Let me give you an example: no ramps for disabled people anywhere. There is a general lack of visibilization of disabled people problems: roads are uneven, being very difficult to use walker or wheelchair, no ramps, when it rains water forms a heavy stream on the sides that can take you down... worse than that is taxi drivers. Hey, some of them were incredibly nice, but others just do things that are unthinkable in Spain. All of us patients here have had the experience of a taxi driver coming, looking at us, and just leaving when realising we are crippled. In my case this has happened 3 times, and I learned that the best is to stand with crutches or walker: if they see you standing they hesitate but they wait, but if they see you crippled on wheelchair they think you need more help and then they are more likely to leave. That's just crazy, and they would lose the job in Spain, while here is "normal".

[LU213]

@Nyc brother. Dr. G provides a wheelchair, a walker and crutches for a reason. I would say use of only a walker is possible since you are not staying in Athina but the crutches they provide are not good. I don't know how the streets are in Egaleo but at least you are close to the PT and not near the city center.   You can get some forearm crutches. I bought some from Amazon.de.    How you heal,  and how long you need to be on your feet will dictate whether or not you need a wheelchair. Sometimes you may also need it for speed. Internet is unreliable but you need a strong signal for Beat and Uber.  If the taxi is arriving in 2 minutes, getting down to the spot in 2 minutes may not be possible without a wheelchair in a multi-floor building. My first day of PT, I just used the walker and it was difficult. The guy who had surgery the same day as I never used the wheelchair when coming to PT. He stayed in or very close to Peristeri.

[Nyc brother]

LU213, thank you for your detailed info and I look forward to meeting you in person.

[Fnyc]

Giotikas does ITB release, while Betz doesn't. Also he offers PT during all lengthening, something Betz doesn't do. I would not go to Betz to be honest, also considering he is more expensive. What I must say, as a current patient in Greece, is that I am a bit tired of Athens, as there are things I don't like about the city. I don't know if same would happen in Germany.

What is wrong with Athens? I am considering getting the procedure there

[V21]

What is wrong with Athens? I am considering getting the procedure there

See the comments above and anyway I will explain further in my diary. Please note this doesn't mean I regret my choice to go with Giotikas. I think he's a very good Dr and for now I'm very happy with my decision to come here. I'm just telling the truth about the city, which has nothing to do with Dr.

[zaozari]

Hi! Just a quick question about Athens and plans theres. Is there Uber/Uber Eats , Bolt, Glovo, Cabify  FreeNow or some of this?
A note about comparing to Spain: there are already 2 surgeons there (directory, I can search the names).

[V21]

Hi! Just a quick question about Athens and plans theres. Is there Uber/Uber Eats , Bolt, Glovo, Cabify  FreeNow or some of this?
A note about comparing to Spain: there are already 2 surgeons there (directory, I can search the names).

There is Uber, but the app is just to call taxi, not the usual Uber black car. No Glovo, but there are two apps that are the same, I use them all the time: Efood and Wolt.

[zaozari]

Thanks!