Health Organization for Pudendal Education

KC17 wrote:I hope everybody finds a cure, be it from a neurosurgeon or a primary care doctor, whether they got plasma or didn't, whether they got their ligament severed or got a replacement. I want people pain free.

Karyn wrote:Hi Greg,
Thank you for sharing your belief with us. I'm wondering why you felt the need to taunt our members and moderators, though, at the end of your statement?
Regards,
Karyn

KC17 wrote:Greg,

I also firmly believe that having a neurosurgeon perform surgical decompression of nerves is a great idea--they've dedicated their career to just that, surgery of the nervous system.

However, I also believe that the doctors whom are performing the surgical decompression of the pudendal nerve that are not neurosurgeons, are skilled in their own right.

But you probably would go with a GYN doctor if you were to have a hysterectomy, right, and an OB to deliver a baby, right?

If they weren't, they wouldn't be allowed to perform the procedure and they wouldn't have people pouring in to see them every year. Some have even found relief of this dreadful condition through these doctors.

Much of the "pouring in" has to do with hype and scare tactics, ones not necessarily being given out by the doctor (we know you're talking about Dr. Hibner now). We have some people who are doing their utmost to scare everyone into thinking that if you have your ligaments cut, you WILL develop all sorts of problems. We also have people who are unqualified who are making comments like "Hibner's the best". But, we do have a doctor who seems to be giving it his all to make the PN surgery the best it can be, with Dr. Hibner's changes he's made to the TG surgery. What we don't know yet is if of the changes are producing better results yet. We know they produce a bigger bill, but it's the results that count.

Also, Dr. Antolak is a urologist who does the PN surgery, and you don't see people pouring in to see him for surgery. Perhaps if everything else was the same with him, but he was a neurosurgeon, he'd have more patients and successes. His first surgical patient, if I recall correctly, killed himself. I don't know too much about his patients since then.

So if I was introduced to a handful of individuals new to this condition I would suggest they weigh their options (proximity, skill level, etc.). Additionally, we all are most concerned with results---we want to be cured. So I'd also suggest they check around, find out what the doctors are claiming as far as surgical results and successes, talk to others who have been down this same path and go from there.

I agree with your statement above, except for proximity. If I thought the best doctor doing this was in Libya, I'd go there. My surgery was in France with Professor Robert.

With that in mind, from what I've read over the last year about this is that the team in Houston appears to be having the most successes (unfortunately we don't have a lot of people like Celeste who stick around and let us know [thanks Celeste, you rock!]). Is it because they have a neurosurgeon who is doing the surgery? Is it because they have preformed more surgeries? Is it that those individuals who were cured would have been cured if they would have had the surgery elsewhere regardless? WHO KNOWS? Not me.

Those are certainly valid points. I do think that many of Dr. Hibner's patients may just need more time to reach the point where they are able to have the nerve regenerate and for them to be cured or greatly improved. I've said this many times on tipna. But, in response to some claims that "Hibner's the best", I do have to come back with "where's the proof", or "where are the products of his success?" Listen, if Dr. HIbner ends up being the best, it'll be great because it'll mean that he improved upon the traditional TG surgery. I've got no wagering or financial incentive here. Like you, I want what's best for all of us.

I hope everybody finds a cure, be it from a neurosurgeon or a primary care doctor, whether they got plasma or didn't, whether they got their ligament severed or got a replacement. I want people pain free.

Amen.

Regards,
Krista

KC17 wrote:With that in mind, from what I've read over the last year about this is that the team in Houston appears to be having the most successes (unfortunately we don't have a lot of people like Celeste who stick around and let us know [thanks Celeste, you rock!]).

GregT wrote:Much of the "pouring in" has to do with hype and scare tactics, ones not necessarily being given out by the doctor (we know you're talking about Dr. Hibner now). We have some people who are doing their utmost to scare everyone into thinking that if you have your ligaments cut, you WILL develop all sorts of problems. We also have people who are unqualified who are making comments like "Hibner's the best". But, we do have a doctor who seems to be giving it his all to make the PN surgery the best it can be, with Dr. Hibner's changes he's made to the TG surgery. What we don't know yet is if of the changes are producing better results yet. We know they produce a bigger bill, but it's the results that count.

RJR wrote:Greg,
I don't have the data you have...and didn't as I was evaluating my choice...so I can only relay my experience. I went though the whole 9 yards (diagnostically) at both Houston and Phoenix, studied each approach, weighed the pros and cons and differences of each, reflected on my conversations and experiences with the two surgeons, sought the advice of several of Wash DC's well-regarded MDs, and made the decision that was best for me. Not a perfect process, but felt I did medical due diligence the best I could.

A significant factor for me: I felt correctly diagnosed at one center, and not so much at the other...and my surgery results validated my suspicion.

Having a capability is half of the equation...the other half is in the quality of its implementation.
RR