Confused??

[Jennifer]

I got the "Instructions for Surgical Patients" in the mail today....(also got a call from Red Cross to set up that appointment and one from the hospital to do a phone pre-registration--- making it real:no ) Anyways......It's a form letter with spaces to fill in stuff like time and arrival and all that. Under "Surgical Procedure" they hand wrote Craniectomy & Frontal Orbital Advancement????? I the the FOA was when the removed part of the skull and reshaped it? Or is it still considered FOA as they are adding to the upper eyebrow area???

Anyone have any idea?

[Katie]

I thought the same as you, it typicly means they are going to advance a portion of the skull I believe. Isn't Emily going to have the brow filled in with bone dust? Is the Dr's office still open? I'd defenitly give them a call to see exactly what that means :hugg

[Jennifer]

So I'm not the only one who thought that. Maybe it's listed that way for insurance purposes? I will call just to confirm though as all our discussions mentioned nothing of removing anything....just adding whatever (bone dust, paste, whatever it was(big long word she used!) to the eyebrow.....

[KALEMSMOM]

WOW!!! I'd definetely call the office. I thought the FOA was reshaping the orbits area by taking parts of the skull as well??? Hmmm...let us know how that all goes.

[Jennifer]

Dang! I just called- They are all on vacation!!! I knew they were going, but spaced it off. The PA will be back on Thursday and I can ask her then.....But the rest aren't back till the first week in April....bummer. What the heck are they thinking?? Why would they need a vacation? :giggle

[mikaylasmommy]

That sucks. I hate waiting. I thought a FOA was when they moved the brow and the eye sockets were reshaped. Maybe it is just for insurance purposes. That way its not considered cosmetic.

[craniomommynbaby]

Yeah, I figured that filling in the bone would be listed as something different, even for insurance purposes. Calling two different procedures the same thing sure would make me nervous.

[snickers9246]

Maybe they are confused!?!? I would definately be calling them and seeing what's up with that??

[Jennifer]

I got a letter from the insurance company today, saying that her 'physician has requested a specefic service to be authorized. The procedures authorized are listed as:
Exten Craniec; Recontour W/Ost
Recon Bifrontal Orb Rims W/Wo

Under that it says : Approved craniectomy w/ frontal advancement with a 3 day length of stay.

So, I'll call next week just to confirm that nothing has changed as to how we understood it.....I'm sure it's all wording for insurance purposes but now I have to make sure!

[plukids]

I would guess the same as everyone else. I am sure it is wording for the insurance company! Keep us posted! I'm praying that the hours will fly by until you are able to talk to someone!

[Jennifer]

I talked to the PA today. It's just what I thought- doing what I thought (just placing stuff on top of the bone) It does say 'frontal orbital advancement' as they will be doing that (with the paste). I also got the name of the paste- didn't get the spelling (as I was holding a fussy Emily, kids in the back ground and oven timer going off) It sounded like:
hydro appetite cement paste? Mimix is the brand she uses.......

[plukids]

Hi Jennifer! Glad you got the answer you were looking for. I did come across a website for Mimix. Under the description section there are some pretty graphic photos towards the bottom. You may not appreciate those. Skip that section and look at the indications and under clinical photos: CT scans and before & after shots. Here's the link: http://www.lorenzsurgical.com/CF_bone_mimix_IN.shtml
I hope you find it helpful.

[Jennifer]

How cool! Thanks! ( I looked at the photos...couldn't resist). Thanks again for finding it- I couldn't find anything on it! You rule!