Customer Reviews

Hip Replacement or Hip Resurfacing: A Story of Choices

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought this book hoping for an objective assessment of the benefits of hip replacement versus hip resurfacing. It does not come close to the promise of its title. Basically, it is a description of the author's experience, which, though valid, does not provide an objective perspective. There are a few useful words of advice, but overall this book is an advocacy platform for resurfacing. Having said that, I did give an extra star because I now feel more compelled to look further into resurfacing than I would have otherwise done.

January 2009 - an update: I looked further into resurfacing, and chose to go with this option for my hip. I am very happy with my choice, and strongly urge anyone who needs hip replacement to look at resurfacing. I still would not recommend this book, however.

This book is presented as a brief bio of the journey the author went through to find a solution to back and hip pain. It is a quick read, and you will find tidbits of information regarding total hip replacement surgery verses hip resurfacing. Since it is a personal account, there is relatively little medical information except for some drawn diagrams and a forward by her surgeon. If you can get past the poor grammar and poorly contructed sentences, this may well be a book you can use. I was looking for a book with an emphasis on these two medical procedures. I found that I had to sift through the personal accounts of her own experience to gleen what information I could that might pertain to my situation. It is encouraging to see her results as portrayed in the pictures of her post surgery pilates classes. As the author well says on many occasions, the information regarding both total hip replacement surgery and hip resurfacing surgery is readily available on the internet. The actual procedure called hip resurfacing is so new in the United States you will hardly find a physician who will perform it, much less an insurance company who will pay for it. It isn't terribly helpful to know the author had to travel to Belgium (all at her own expense) to have this procedure done on her hips, as most of us simply cannot afford this option. Save the money you would spend on this book, and search the internet for information instead.

I would like to share with you an astonishing book who could transformed your life if you are in needs to have hip surgery as the author's life was transformed by a bilateral Hip Resurfacing, a promising surgical technique of the hip, but remained unknown, unaccessible and unaffordable. You will read a disturbing biographical story marked by a story of uncompromised choices.

I have a great interest in this book. I had a hip resurfacing 08/09/2003 after 10 years aching lumbar pain which radiated to my left knee, and this awsome book was released at the moment l returned home. I instantly ordered. It. l received the book around diner time 10 days later and l read it through before supper, and l have read it over and over since. Once you open the first page it is impossible to stop reading.

The author of the book reveals her ``search realty`. She was told by a specialist that she had spinal fusion. She was also told that she was in need hip surgery to both of her hips. She found out that deteroriation of her hips and the manner in which she was being forced to walk was harming her lower back. and responsible of the eminent danger of spinal fusion. She needed hip surgery quickly to avoid spinal deterioration. She was handled out an appointment for bilateral hip replacement and spinal fusion but the doctor avoided to tell her the issue that Total Hip Replacement surgery was very restrictive and invasing surgery hard to revise, which would have put an end to her career as Pilate instructor. She however determined to ask a second opinion for her spine and she was told that if she gets her hips fixed quickly her back will straight out and she will see a great improvement and the problem of her spine should be resolved.

The authour learnt about hip resurfacing by joining the Surfacehippy Discussion Board and read all she could lay her hand on. She came to the conclusion that Hip Resurfacing less invasive offers more range of motion and revision is a lot easier. It is amazing to see how she could get all the information through reading and exchange and support from this amazing discussion board. She choosed to have hip Hip Resurfacing. Her insurance refused to pay for hip resurfacing because this surgery is experimental and not approved by the DFA. Hip Replacement already approved by her insurance, but she choosed Hip Resurfacing, but had to be paid out of her pocket..

We are moved by the tragic condition of her spine, back and hips that could not be more critical.She is under the extreme urgent pressure to have her bilateral resurfacing done the most quickly to avoid definitive and irreversible degeneration of her spine, back and hips..

Two main reasons seemed to have guided her decision where she will go and to whom she will entrust for her resurfacing. The first was a financial.one. She will go to belgium because the cost in Belgium were one third of the cost in the United States. She was blessed to have been able to borrow the money. Tthe second was Dr De Smet who had the reputation of taking the tough cases with success.

The testimonies throughout the book are awsome. The skill of the author to put in words how she discovered the tragic degenerescense of her spine, back and hips is unsurpassable. The author graciously shares how she tooked the best radical heartrending decisions for her global health without compromise whatever was the cost. in a manner that the reader is chalenged to take the best decision by analizing every aspect when his health is at stake in order to be able to make the best decision.

This book is bearer of hope in midst of adversity when one has to choose the type of hip surgery he needs. Resurfacing is not magic, we are reminded that it will go up to the level we devote ourselves to do our exercises, and also our astonishing warning if we are tempted to neglect them. The reader will find in this book the necessary informations to take a rational decision. This book was written with the contribution of Dr De Smet, one of the rising star of resurfacing and gives to the book a additional credibility.

l have read this book over and over an the more l read it the more l appreciate it, though it makes me so sad to find out how much author suffered. The history of her fight will be an inspiration for many people. Thank you so much to spread out the word and l'm sure that by reading this book many people will be able to renew their normal activities they were forced to abandon. l wonder if this book could not one day be followed by true story seen on T V.

I hope the review will trigger your interest for this book which aims to spread the good news of hip resurfacing. It is also my prayer that this book encourages you to make the right choice if you are in needs of hip surgery.

Best Regards

Richard Thivierge.

As a potential candidate for hip replacement, I was eager to read the book to learn more details about how to compare and contrast the different options. Unfortunately I didn't get this from the book. Instead, it's almost an historical summary of this woman's step-by-step process through surgery. I hoped for so much more.

Ok,like another reviewer said I gave it 2 stars as it got me to keep researching.I had my hip resurfaced just under 2 weeks ago.Her book rather underminded and glossed over the recovery,talking about other single hip surgery patients going out site seeing etc.The author had both hips done simultaneously.
I went into this optimisticaly and in fairly good shape and fairly young. I wish I had spent the first week of recovery in a coma.This is major orthopedic surgery.I truly recommend the proceedure,but like a full hip replacement it is no walk in the park. (Pun intended)Go for it but with open eyes. Do your research.This proceedure is now FDA approved in the USA,Search Birmingham Hip also FDA approved for a certified surgeon.Best of Luck

This is a must read for anyone facing a (THR) Total Hip Replacement Surgery. Unfortunately even though the FDA finally approved the BHR device in May 9, 2006, still many Orthopedic surgeons either bad mouth resurfacing or do not even mention it to the patient. This is not acceptable. The patients need to know the options available out there. Anyone that has been told to get a THR should read this book, then join the surface hippy website, (for free) which is a message board full of information and patients that have been there or are looking into resurfacing. Go to Yahoo>Groups> type in Hip resurfacing. Bottom line, a THR amputates a perfectly good bone for no good reason, a resurface just caps the bone and makes your hip act more like a normal hip restoring all functions and allowing the patient a full return to activities including running marathons, skiing, Martial Arts, etc. Would you rather your doctor pull your tooth and do a root canal or crown it? Read this book to find out more about the choices we have. Do NOT listen to your OS (Ortho Surgeon) if he tells you that you need a THR especially if you are under the age of 65. A THR was developed for someone over the age of 70. If you want your activity level to be that of a 70 year old, then go ahead and get a THR, otherwise, read this book and learn that the option for a young active person is a resurface and only a resurface. If you have questions go to this website

Yahoo health groups and type in hip resurfacing for the surface hippy website, or go to the new website surfacehippyinfo.com

This is the rest of your life, it is such a shame that docs are not making patients aware of this procedure. I read the book in September, 2005 and I had my hip resurfaced in December 2005. I am back to full activities. Did you know that with a THR many can not even cross their legs anymore??? Do NOT get a THR. It is a prehistoric surgery that limits your activities for the rest of your life.

Interesting, but not balanced. This book was published prior to information on the newer total hip replacement (THR) technologies and prior to the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) procedure approval by the FDA for United States. I appreciate her enthusiasm, but the there is not a lot of good information in here; her writing style is painful.
For people with hip issues, I strongly suggest that you do a lot of research on the web, talk to your orthopedist and understand the pluses and minuses of both techniques. Resurfacing looks like a great leap forward for people with severe hip problems (arthritis and displacia), but it is no silver bullet.

I've had conventional hip surgery as opposed to minimal invasive in 2003 after meeting with the surgeon who developed the latter. My remaining hip has almost reached the point of surgery but I'm still reluctant to try the minimal invasive procedure. However, "hip resurfacing" has great appeal for me. I read Peggy Gabriel's book in one session and I believe the procedure is starting to appear in the U.S. I have yet to contact the Hip Society of America, San Francisco, just waiting to hear more about this procedure which has been done in the Netherlands for some time. Ms Gabriel's book makes a strong case for resurfacing.

I finally had to face the fact that I needed hip replacement. I had put if off for years because I couldn't face the loss of such a large part of my bone structure. Then I discovered Hip Resurfacing and the decision was easy. This book gives a great description of each from a real life context. i chose resurfacing. The book was so good that I passed it to my doctor that was planning on having a total hip replacement. After reading it, he changed his mind and joined me in my decision to go with resurfacing. Please read this book before making your decision.

I picked this up at the local library and began looking at it in the Hospital's Hip waiting area. I really enjoyed it and it helped me to clarify my decision. When I spoke with the Doctor he agreed with the "resurfacing" and now I just have to go and have it done.
Thanks Peggy!
Henry.