Hip Replacement or Hip Resurfacing: A Story of Choices (Paperback)

~ Peggathy Gabriel (Author)
Key Phrases: hip resurfacing, Story of Choices, United States, Holiday Inn (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This book is a source of valuable information for anyone who is searching for the facts about hip surgery. The information in this book can help to answer questions about total hip replacement, revisions, hip resurfacing, preparations for surgery as well as post surgery. It also includes information on doctors who are performing the hip resurfacing surgery.

The introduction, by Dr. Koen De Smet, along with a chapter on questions and answers can bring forth clarity to the reader. Dr. Koen De Smet is one of the pioneers of the hip resurfacing surgery, and considered by many to be one of the foremost hip surgeons in the world.

This book reveals ways that patients use our new technology to find the answers that they are entitled to and often not given by their physicians. Frequently, patients are not informed of the options available. Knowing what questions to ask your doctor would be a gift that this book may provide.

When Peggy Gabriel was told that her scheduled total hip replacement surgery would drastically change her active lifestyle, and that she would be facing future revisions, she desperately searched for another alternative. Thus, she entered a labyrinth of discovery, intertwined with medical and insurance issues that would ultimately lead her to a satisfactory solution.

This book is a story of a journey by Peggy Gabriel, laced with facts, personal experiences of others who have had hip surgery, and victory over pain and limitations.

About the Author

Born In Detroit, Michigan in 1949, Peggathy (Peggy) Gabriel is a certified life coach, active professional artist, and Pilates instructor.

In the fall of 2002, Peggy could barely walk as she boarded an airplane to Ghent, Belgium. The pain that she had been experiencing was intense, as both of her hips were bone on bone. She was about to have both of her hips resurfaced by one of the worlds finest surgeons. Just eight monthes before, she was scheduled for double total hip replacement and spinal fusions.

Today she is active, teaching Pilates, doing yoga regularly, kayaaking, and much more, without pain or the worry of dislocation.

Her gratitude has brought her to write this book, so that others may experience the blessings that she has.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (September 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410765652
• ISBN-13: 978-1410765659
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #323,829 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Personal Bio, May 29, 2005

By	Andy King (Scottsdale, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

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.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Informational, but not well written and over priced, May 25, 2005

By	Nikita "NS" (Auburn) - See all my reviews

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.

39 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hip Resurfacing Hip Replacement, October 24, 2003

By	richard thivierge (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

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.