How did you guys go about establishing being a patient from long distance?

BJ is the "closest" specialist I've found in the event I need surgery. By close I mean... I live in Alabama and St. Louis is closer than Denver or Baltimore!

I was wondering how it works.. do you fly out for your consult, go home and have to travel back for your surgery date? How much travel time would you both say you put into your entire process?

I am a single mom with very limited funding. I will have to leave my daughter with one of my parents while the other parent travels with me and stays at a hotel. I imagine all of this can add up to a pricey venture.

If I need surgery, though, I want someone who is a specialist and won't disable me for life. Seems a worthy investment, to me!

Hello,

There are a couple options to keep costs down,

Have you considered driving instead of flying, that's what we did.

Instead of a hotel, BJ Lodge may be available for $20 a night, but they don't take reservations. It is explained on BJ website.

I believe you can schedule your first appt and surgery at the same time if you are sure you want surgery.

Watch how much pain meds you purchase, I purchased 30 days, which was too much.

Hope this helps,

Regis

Hey Regis,

I would drive.. but I can't! I'm in too much pain. I made a 5 1/2 hr drive to the gulf last weekend and almost got stranded on my way back because I was having to push so hard to keep driving! Irony, right?

Thank you for the other tips, I'll be sure to look into all of that! How many days of pain meds did you actually need?