Today's surgery

Fixed two adults w  scoliosis yesterday and was off Monday and Tuesday to help w family.
This morning we helped this elected official w spondylolishesis and severe stenosis.
Her mri showed big facet cysts and tight stenosis.
Her quality of life became horrible despite conservative treatment.

Surgery: L3-5 decompression fusion w instrumentation.
Surgical time: 2 hour 05 min.
Complications: none.
EBL: 350.
Blood transfused none.

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic
http://www.heyclinic.com

Advice from my mom for our older guests with stenosis: folding grocery cart.

------ Forwarded Message
From: June
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:43:48 -0400
To: Lloyd Hey
Subject: New cart I have found helpful.

My husband and I recently moved to a Retirement Community.  We were
fortunate to find an apartment in the newest building because the
residents are younger. The lifting and bending involved with the move
aggravated my low back pain, so I ordered a folding grocery cart to
decrease the amount of carrying.  That slight tilt forward as I lean
on the handle makes walking comfortable.  Dr. Hey says it decreases
pressure on spinal nerves.  Now I use it most of the time for long
walks to the elevator, trash room and garage.

For those of you not willing to "look old," I recommend this as an
alternative to using a walker.  It is also more versatile since it
eliminates carrying packages.

June Hey

------ End of Forwarded Message

The other thing my mom is an expert on is water aerobics.
We’ll get her to write up her experience over past 15+ years.
My mom is working on finding picture of this special cart she found so we can add it to this blog.


Dr. Lloyd Hey
http://www.heyclinic.com

My mom meets one of my postop spinal patients in the grocery store parking lot.

------ Forwarded Message
From: June
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:00:52 -0400
To: Lloyd Hey
Subject: Met one of your successful postop patients at grocery store.

After shopping for groceries where we were vacationing in Atlantic
Beach, NC, I met a pleasant lady who was waiting for a grocery cart.  
I tried to give her mine but couldn't lift the weight of all the
groceries.  I told her she would have to wait until my husband drove
the car closer.  She said, "I understand completely.  I had a back
problem, also.  I responded "But the good news is that my son is a
spinal surgeon."  She asked my name and told me Dr. Hey is her
surgeon, too.

As you would expect, hearing gratitude for the relief he has given
this patient and others is a great morale booster for me. I feel
Blessed to have given life to such a caring physician.  I know
patients from all over the country who praise him.  Many had previous
surgery by other doctors that was unsuccessful.  Lloyd accepts these
cases out of compassion, despite the complexity of the procedure.

June Hey, RN


------ End of Forwarded Message

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com

Meeting Ann and Don in Costco yesterday!

------ Forwarded Message
From: Don
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:50:23 -0400
To: Lloyd Hey
Subject: O's Notes!!

           Dear Dr. Hey,  How delighted I was running into you today....truly a small world we live in!!!!!  
            
     After many years of increasing pain and discomfort...and many different Dr.s, inc. a chiropractor, neurosurgeon, etc., plus physical therapy, medication and 4 epidurals, I found Dr. Hey!  I was very discouraged as I am a violinist, love sports (esp. golf at this point), travel and I was having geat difficulty doing any of these without a lot of discomfort. Dr. Hey, was totally confident that he would have me back on the golf course in 6 months.  After a long planned trip, with my last epidural, Dr. Hey performed "his magic", and with my new back I am playing golf, traveling and playing my violin.  Four years after my surgery I ran into Dr. Hey shopping of all places and I'm delighted to say that I'm still playing golf and I'm 75 as of this year!!!.....Tiger Woods I am not but I sure have a lot of fun!!  Thanks to you Dr. Hey ....keep on doing what you do best....your magic!!!  Sincerely,  Ann

........please feel free to edit this anyway you see fit.....I would love to see the final product????   Ann  


------ End of Forwarded Message

Standing up straight, taller than Dr. Hey, and going home!

Mark is heading back home, out west to Idaho after kyphosis surgery a few days ago here at Duke Raleigh Hospital.
Yesterday morning on Saturday morning rounds, nurse Terry took this picture of Mark, Ricki and I, 2 days after his kyphosis surgery.  Ricki and Mark wished for me to share this picture on the blog.
We shared his surgery story earlier in the week.
He is now taller than me (Dr. Hey), with much better posture!
He spent three nights in hospital, and will be flying home in next day or so.
Get well soon, Mark!
Have a safe trip home.

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com

39 yo gentleman w painful 71 degree thoracic kyphosis fixed today.

This athletic dentist came here from Idaho yesterday w his wife.
He has had progressive painful kyphosis greatly affecting his quality of life.
His surgery today went great.
Procedure: T3-L2 instrumentation and fusion w multiple osteotomies.
Surgical time: 4 hour 3 min.
Complications:  none
Blood transfused:  none.
Correction: excellent.
Postop location: PACU then Ortho floor.

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com

Brook, former scoliosis surgery guest watched scoliosis surgery today

Brook is heading off for college in a few days and will be pursuing a healthcate career.

She didn't faint, and had a great time!
Her comments to follow.

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic

Sairah's before and after scoliosis xrays from today's surgery

T2-L3 instrumentation and fusion.
Severe pain and progressive deformity preoperatively w markedly unlevel shoulders due to very high thoracic curve combined w collapsing thoracolumbar curve.
Correction: excellent
Blood transfused: none.
Postop location: PACU to ortho floor to be w mom and family.

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com

A very big and loving support team for Sairah this morning before scoliosis surgery

Sairah is a teenager from Florida w a complex scoliosis and  congenital anomalies including cardiac, requiring previous heart surgery.
She knows Jasmine, also from Jacksonville FL who had scoliosis surgery here recently as well!  She actually went to see Jasmine recently and left comment on blog about Jasmine's new shape and improved height.

When I came into Sairah's preop room to see her this morning, I was overwhelmed by the crowd in the room!  Multiple family members were there, and her pastor and pastor's wife. What an awesome loving support group!

We took this team picture together after their pastor led us all in awesome prayer holding hands in a circle. Sairah and her mom wanted me to share this on the blog for others in the expanded support community.

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com

World traveller after scoliosis surgery back in "port" today for tuneup surgery for broken rods

Nancy, from Florida, has travelled around the world several timessince her scoliosis was fixed in her 70's.
Her titanium rods broke down near bottom and became painful, limiting travel.
We used latest spinal implants we tested ourselves in biomechanical testing, and used BMP as well.

She plans to start her next world cruise in January 2010 w her husband.

Her surgery today went great.
Surgical time 3.5 hrs.
EBL: 1,450
Blood transfused: none.



Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com

Going the extra mile

I bumped into Tyrone from Duke Raleigh Hospital security this morning.
He told me that he met one of my out of state patients yesterday who will be coming here for scoliosis surgery next month.
He asked where she would be staying, and she replied the Hilton across the street.
He asked her how she planned to get to hospital, and she said she was going to walk.
Knowing Wake Forest Road is a busy street, tyrone gave her his card, and told her to call and he would pick her up that morning in the Security vehicle.

Thanks Tyrone for going the extra mile to serve others within your shere of influence. You are another key part of the compassionate team!

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic

Awesome artwork fom Amber after scoliosis surgery.

I received this framed beautiful portrait of me holding up a scoliosis xray after surgery from Amber, one of my recent younger scoliosis surgery guests.

Amber: tbank you sooo much for this very thoughtful personal creative gift! 
I simply love it!

Dr. Lloyd Hey
http://www.heyclinic.com

FW: 6 1/2 mos. postop picture. Active younger adult scoliosis woman with excellent posture and good looking incision!

I received this nice note and picture that Pat said I could share with all of you on the blog.
Pat had her scoliosis fixed as an adult about 6 months ago, and her posture and incision look great!
Dr. Lloyd Hey
http://www.heyclinic.com
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery


------ Forwarded Message
From: PATRICIA
Reply-To: Pat
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 09:50:14 -0400
To: Lloyd Hey
Subject: 6 1/2 mos. postop picture

Dear Dr. Hey and Staff,
Just wanted to share this picture taken while canoing on the Black River, NC.  Granted, I did not really paddle that much, but it was wonderful to get back on the water!  Thank you, again, for giving me my life back.
thankfully yours,
Pat

--
Pat

Walmart Spinal Deformity Screening!

Last week, I was out late shopping at WalMart, picking up a few things while on vacation 3+ hours from home.
As I pulled up to the only open register, there was a very friendly woman named Mary Anne who greeted me and helped me.  I couldn’t help but notice that she was supporting herself on the scanning counter, bent over, and appeared to have a scoliosis and kyphosis.  
While she scanned all my various items, I wondered if I should say something, but decided it was best to not make her uncomfortable, or make her think that I was trolling for business!  I also told myself that I need to try to separate my work from home life a bit more, which I have trouble doing!

However, when she took my credit card and driver’s license, she looked up at me and asked: “Are you Dr. Hey, of Hey Clinic?”
This really took me by surprise.
“Yes, I am!” , I replied.
Mary Anne then said:  “I have had several customers come up to this counter and see me bent over and suggest that I go to Raleigh to see you.  My business manager has also been a patient of yours, and suggested that I come to see you.  But I’m scared, and I can function pretty well with a walker and leaning on this counter.”

We then had a nice chat, not pushing surgery, but just letting her know that she is welcome to come up for a visit.

So, maybe it is ok to mix scoliosis care and shopping out in the real world!
It’s also nice to know that Hey Clinic is well known for spine care in Walmart stores well outside of Raleigh!

Dr. Lloyd Hey
http://www.heyclinic.com

T45 huge disc herniation w osteoporotic fracture above previous kyphoscoliosis surgery fixed today.

This 68 yo lady was initially doing well recovering from complex kyphoscoliosis surgery. She was discharged from rehab Saturday and then had incresing problems walking.
We had excellent teammork w doctors out near Boone NC to have her urgently transferred  MRI late last night showed huge thoracic disc herniation w fracture and spinal cord compression, shown on left in photo here.

We just finished doing her reconstruction with 2 level laminectomy, bilateral transpedicular discectomy w intraoperative ultrasound to confirm complete decompression.

Surgical time: 4 hour 10 min.
EBL: 850 cc.
Blood transfused: none.

Many thanks to all of the people in western NC and here in Raleigh who worked together to help this woman in this urgent situation.

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com

Skype Message from Pat from southern Florida expressing thanks for recent major scoliosis surgery

I received this Skype message this morning from Pat, who gave me permission to share it with all of you on blog:

“[8/4/09 9:56:49 AM] pat _____ Hi Dr. Hey........I am doing well down here in FLorida..........I have been trying to come up with the words to express my gratitude and can't find the words! I don't think they exist.....my entire family are so full of joy you can't believe it! I have still some pain in strange places.....but I imagine that's my body adjusting to the new hardware and shape.....I will stay in touch and let you and your wonderful staff and let you know how things are going....I haven't been out yet.........just not up to it yet......but I am walking walking walking areound my house! Again....thanks to the world's best doctor........Pat”

---

Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Raleigh, NC  USA