United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi, Our 7 yr old son (LTBPI) is scheduled for primary surgery with Dr Belzberg in June, and we're also scheduled to consult with the team at Mayo in a couple of weeks. We're having a difficult time deciding between Mayo and Johns Hopkins and would like to hear of your experiences with either and the whole process of traveling for surgery. I've heard from some of you and appreciate the help, but I think I have "analysis paralysis" at this point. We have so many questions with regards to what happens after the surgery and how to get hooked up with the propper therapists, etc in California when we return. We are confident in both, but stuck on the final decision. We'd love to hear from you and your experiences.
Thanks a bunch!

Take your pick off a deck of cards. It really doesn't make any difference. All of these surgeons have the same knowledge, gained from others. all depends on who you believe has the better surgical expertise. I doubt that it is a horse a piece.
Onepaw

We saw both groups and also some others. Went with Dr. Belzberg and have been very happy. He is very quiet and humble even though he is famous and Hopkins is ranked the best. The kids love him.

They have an excellent team at Hopkns and Dr. Belzbeg will bring in all the other specialists as needed.

Go for it with confidence that you are doing the best you can for your child

Either choice is going to give you the best of the best in this specific field. You have two great options and it really comes down to who you feel most comfortable about. People who went to Hopkins are going to say they love Dr. Belzberg. On the other hand, people who went to Mayo are going to say their team of doctors are wonderful. I doubt and I hope no one will say anything negatve about either institution because they are both more than qualified and caring enviroments for brachial plexus injurues. Go with your heart, who you feel most comfortable with and your choice will be correct. Good luck.
LOVE SUSAN

Just read the response from Punchy Sue and I could not agree more. We are so fortunate to have wonderful medical care in the USA. There are a number of doctors who have expertise in nerve surgery and most are listed here in the UBPN site. They are all probably equal and talented people.

It was a matter of personality that took us to the Hopkins group, but again, we would have been happy with any of the specialists we saw. For what ever reason, my husband was much more confident in Dr. Belzberg and that was good enough for me. I think it was the time he spent with us and the way he explained the problem and what he wanted to do. I really think all of the doctors were recommending the same thing, we just understood it better from Dr. Belzberg.

You have already made the correct choice by only considering the countries experts.