Do most people pay cash which im assuming is really expensive or is a it a hassle to use insurance if using an out of state doctor? I see 2 head and neck ent oral surgeons next week but im considering going out of state to the surgeons that specialize in this condition as my condition is quite complicated, styloid and c1 compression on one side and the other side it looks to be compressed by the occipital artery
Hi, I am also in Louisiana. It has been difficult to find an ENT/oral surgeon who is familiar with ES. I have depleted my savings being referred to many specialists who had never dealt with ES. I think after 6 years, that I am on the right path.My first appointment with that ENT/surgeon is tomorrow. I hope to ask about the usual payment methods and costs.
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Welcome to this wonderful forum, @SoaringEagle! I also had the same insurance concerns. I contacted and had bilateral surgery with Dr Hackman in NC last month. I’m sure others will chime in about other surgeons, but Dr Hackman’s team made it very easy. I gave them my insurance information and they took care of all of it. I was notified within just a few days that we were good to go (I just had to cover my deductible).
There’s a lot of information on here regarding different surgeons, with many people sharing their experiences and results, and excellent moderators who will help point you in the right direction. I’ve learned that ES (and other issues with our complex little necks!) is never simple, but I do know that we all deserve to be heard and receive the proper care and treatment for these debilitating issues. Best of luck to you! Please keep us posted!
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@SoaringEagle & @Janetjeaux - these are the doctors on our list for LA. Dr. Nuss at the top of the list may no longer be doing ES surgeries & that he’s not taking new patients. We’ve gotten mixed information about him. Some members have found they need to see him for something other than ES (i.e. sinus infection, ear pain, etc) then bring up ES at the appointment because his staff won’t make appointments for people w/ ES.
Dr. Hernandez has done ES surgeries for several of our members who, I think, all had good outcomes, but you can search for posts about him using the magnifying glass image in the upper right of this page.
Dr. Dewan more specifically does hyoid bone surgery but it might be worthwhile contacting her to double check on that.
Dr. Hackman in NC has helped many of our members & is the only surgeon on our forum who routinely does bilateral ES surgeries. Dr. Costantino in NY & Dr. Nakaji in AZ have helped those w/ IJV compression especially where C1 is involved.
•Dr Daniel Nuss, Lake Head and Neck Center, Baton Rouge, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (Skull base surgeon) ~ 5/29/21 - We were told by a member that Dr. Nuss is not currently accepting new patients. https://marybird.org/doctor/nuss/
•Dr Moore, New Orleans- has done a research paper but we don’t know about whether he’s done surgeries.
•Dr. Stephen Hernandez, 4950 Essen Ln # 400, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, (225) 765-1765, https://marybird.org/doctor/hernandez/
•Dr. Karuna Dewan, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - Academic Medical Center
1541 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1-318-626-0050
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