posted
I am so excited to be coming all the way from California. My TR is June 6th. Can't wait to get things going. My flight will take about 9 1/2 hrs. That is with a layover. I so glad I'm not driving. I can't wait to get home and start the journey. bruingirl
I could see my exact pin on the map. I let my husband put it on there for us. The lonely one in the middle of upper New York, all by itself. We drove for quite awhile to get there. About 13 hours I think. We chose Dr. Berger to do the surgery for many reasons. I also did a lot of research, and I think Kay's post said it best. Another "well-known" TR doctor in Kentucky also caught my eye, but after talking with him and his staff, I decided against him. I felt very pressured and I also found out he charges more for heavier women. I can understand that very overweight women should not have elective surgery because of health risks, but charging by the pound is just plain awful!!! I was well below the weight limit, but that's not the point!!! I felt like he had no respect for women. Upon receiving his infomational packet in the mail, I believe there were references in it to Dr. Berger's surgical technique and how terrible it was. My feeling is that if you have to bash someone else to make yourself look better, then you aren't very good. ANYWAY....I had my TR on Nov. 10th, 2004 and the experience was great. Dr. Berger and his staff are everything that they promise to be and so much more. I am currently 17 weeks pregnant and impatiently awaiting my next OB appointment to find out the sex of the baby! I think that if you do the research you will find that Dr. Berger is the best, hands down and is well worth whatever trip you have to arrange. I wish everyone the best, and a Happy Mother's Day (one day late).
posted
I'm coming from Maine. From what I see on the map, only a few patients have travelled from Maine for this procedure (10-12, mostly from the southern part of the state).
Our flights will be 1 hr 20 minutes from Portland ME to Wash. DC, then 58 minutes from DC to Chapel Hill with an hour layover in between. Same thing only reversed (pun somewhat intended ) on the way back. I can't wait! 7 weeks from tonight, we'll be in Chapel Hill awaiting surgery in the morning.
posted
Hello, we had tr on April 21, 2005. I drove down from Conn. about 10.5 hours. Not a bad ride. I have driven to florida before. We arrived on the 19th. Enjoyed sight-seeing a couple days and met up with SherryD (coming from IL), from here and she was having her tr the same day as well. We all hooked up for dinner. We all have been friends since. (hey sweetie). Anyhow, we all stayed at the Sheraton, which was great. The day of surgery, we both met up with each other and had a walk around the pool. When we had to drive home on sunday, dh drove as easily as possible. I really did not have to stop and walk much, just the need to use the rest room was my issue a few times. It helped to stay an extra day to rest. The pillow was a great thought too, glad I brought it, knowing myself having c-sections, knew i would need it. I did not have to take pain meds, just a couple ibuprofens every 4 hours or so. I was pretty comfy considering I don't like taking pain meds. I am a trooper CHTRC was the best docs center I have ever had to go to. I would go in a heartbeat again and again just because of the experience and patient care they give. Wonderful, wonderful people. I also have searched for a quite a few years, and still came back to the same web site for Dr. Berger. Years ago. I had actually forgotten about his site some time ago when I decided not to go through with the procedure because of my relationship situation. My Ex had told me or reminded me of a time I mentioned this place. I had thought my current dh found it. Did not know it was one in the same place."Go figure". Anyhow, I am starting the BD'ing this coming up week starting the 12th-17th so everyone wish me luck. I will keep you all posted. Take care and god bless.
me-41 dh-42 ds-22 dd-19 tr-4-21-05 tubes were 5.0 and 3.5
posted
Thanks for posting the map....I could actually see the pin DH and I put in. We are from a very small town in PA and nobody had a pin in that area yet. We live close to the NY border so we hopped on a plane in Buffalo, NY to CH.....a wonderful, unforgettable experience
posted
Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and stories! It is so interesting to learn about what went into your decision to choose Dr. Berger for your surgery!
posted
I came out from Fernley NV. I took a plane for obvious reasons. Flew out of Reno and when I left I had pills for motion sickness (Thank you DR B), and the codeine and don't remember the flight home. I hate planes, I got sick on the way out to CH, but great on the way back. I don't think I could have handled a drive over 8 hours, I was very sore when everything started wearing off. Good luck to all of you. I had to say I had an extremely wonderful time at Chapel Hill.
posted
I had my TR on 4/22/05, exactly 2 weeks ago. My experience at CHTRC was incredible!! All the nurses, staff and Dr. Berger were extremely caring and made me feel at ease. I live in Miami, FL and flew to have my surgery. The first week was was a bit uncomfortable but I can honestly say I feel back to normal. My incision is healing quickly and the pain is gone. I'm so glad I found Dr. Berger and hope to have some good news soon.
posted
The decision to come to CHTRC was one i made after much thinking,praying,and reading. I was skeptical of using a Dr. I found online for a surgical procedure, especially one that is so important. It was such a leap of faith. And I am not one who trusts easily. The cost for a TR here at home (which I still would have had to travel 3 hours for) was gonna cost about $15,000-$20,000. When I saw that Dr. Berger does it for $5,600 (discounted price), I was overjoyed at the possibility of finally having my TR. Then shortly after reading the cost, the realization that (please don't take offense to this) I did find the place on the internet, set in. I knew nothing about this place, or Dr. It was not in my town, or even close, where I could ask around about it. I read everything on the website, starting at the home page working my way thru it. I paid special attention to the message board. I would read it from what seemed like morning to night, stopping for little more than to prepare meals (which I ate in front of the computer). I went back as far as the messages would go, and read EVERY one of them. That was in Aug. 2002, It took me quite a while to read them all, but once I had, I KNEW that Dr. Berger was the one that I would trust to do my TR. I had my TR 3/8/05 and don't regreat it one bit. I was soooo happy about it (and still am). Everybody made me and DH feel so comfortable. I don't even remember being nervous about anything but the length of my tubes. Which turned out GREAT 8.5 each side. I guess what was the deciding factor for me was the message board. Everybody on here is so supportive, and helpful. I am still on here about 3-6 times a day, just reading, praying, laughing and crying with others. I think it is a WONDERFUL part of the site. I honestly doubt that without it, I would have decided to use Dr. Berger. Others can post "testamonials", but these are actual patients (past and present alike) posting about their experiences. Not someone posting what makes the Dr. "look good" (and who actually knows if it is even true). I for one would just like to thank God for Dr. Berger. Everyone has a reason for existing, and by golly, Dr. Berger had found his. I also believe that there are angels here on Earth, and Dr. Berger is one of them. And that he has a special place right there in Heaven reserved for him because of all his good works. Sorry so long. Just thought I'd put in my 2 cents. Sandi
posted
Julia Smith, RN Member # 10 posted May 06, 2005 06:41 AM
~~We would love to hear about some of the issues you have faced in coming here for surgery. Why did you decide to take this leap and what - if anything - helped you to make that decision?~~
For us, we had researched TR for two years, there were doctors much closer - that charged $13,000 to $22,000 - when questioned - none had done more than 15 or 20 procedures TOTAL and their techniques meant a hospital stay, and at least 6-8 weeks recovery, and not ttc for 3 months. They did not keep track of success rates. We then started looking at specialists - a web search will show you that there are a few scattered around the country. We contacted each, one by one, and were shocked at what we were told.
One doctor claims 80% success rates - but upon further questioning, that success rate includes IVF, and IUI - he couldn't give me numbers on TR alone.
Another doctor, when questioned about the various ways he reattached the tubes - told me I didn't need to be asking those questions - he's the doctor and he knows what he's doing.
Another doctor, without taking my history or any information, insisted that he could help me, but that I needed to schedule immediately. For all he knew, I could have been an 80 yr old woman, who weighed 900lbs - he never asked, just insisted he could do the surgery. Scratched him off the list as well. I should note, one of his nurses called me the following week to try to get me to schedule - the bad used car salesman approach. At least she asked a few questions, then informed me that at my age, I didn't have time to SHOP AROUND.
Another doctor, when questioned about what options there were if TR failed (he does the hsg immediately following surgery) said I'd be given a discount on one cycle IVF procedure through his clinic. That's all well and fine, but drive 3 days for IVF after 8 wks healing from his TR? I thought not.
Dr B's site was one I returned to again and again. What impressed me most was his ENCOURAGING his patients to talk to each other, share experiences, good and bad. Not one other doctor would give patient contacts/referrals. His nurses were friendly, helpful, and yet HONEST. The stats are right there to see - no fudging numbers, no hiding behind ivf or iui successes. His technique has taken him years to perfect - and he's constantly updating/finding new ways to make it easier on patients - he doesn't do just one kind of reversal. The cost was also a factor, I'll admit - for the $500.00 additional fee for the laparoscopy package, we were given a type of insurance - the way we looked at it - if my tubes couldnt be repaired, we'd be refunded a portion of the TR fees.
With literally hundreds of patients providing glowing referrals, though we were nervous, we felt it worth the risk to travel to him. We could not have been happier with how we were treated, the whole experience we were made to feel as comfortable as possible. When a slight problem arose at the hotel (I popped a stitch) not only did a nurse arrive, but within minutes, Dr B himself and another nurse arrived also. Rescued by the calvary - and it honestly was just a minor thing.
Its been 7 months since my TR - no pregnancies yet, but no regrets over have the surgery either.
Thank you Dr B, and your wonderful staff for giving us the chance to hope every month.
posted
We drove from Maryland, about 6 hours. I am SO glad we did not fly, I really believe I was more comfortable in my car than I would have been doing the whole airport routine. BUT, if we lived further away I may have felt differently. I was just really glad to be able to be in my own house the night after surgery. Travel pillow was a must have in the car.
posted
Everyone in our office recognizes and is appreciative of the leap of faith you each take when you come here for surgery. It must be very frightening to travel cross country for surgery with complete strangers. Our goal is to make the process of getting here (scheduling surgery, getting information, etc.) as simple as possible so that - in the end - you still feel it was worth the long journey and lengthy travel time!
We would love to hear about some of the issues you have faced in coming here for surgery. Why did you decide to take this leap and what - if anything - helped you to make that decision?
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Love]](graemlins/hearts.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic
© Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center
