This is the best thread yet! Just poked around one last time before going to Boston, and all this information is just overwhelmingly excellent. I was very tempted to go with SBI, but had to re-mortagage the house to do it, and although my husband was ok with that, I was not. The thought of trying to convince the insurance company, who were "absolutely not, cannot happen" after many phone calls to my case worker, spend months writing letters explaing the difference between the surgical procedures, etc. etc., was just too much for me.
I also think Laura would be the best person to talk to, she still has the patient page on "thestatus.com", but has not updated it. However, it has her gmail address listed. Although, that's Laura, and this is you, and every outcome is different (I heard and soon will find out).
I do believe the recovery is quicker, due to the less invasive procedure. Outcomes? I think they are similar to other good/excellent surgeons with AN experience. Yes, he is a plastic surgeon, but that doesn't mean lipo and b--b jobs, reconstructive facial surgery is extremely complex and involves all our favorite nerves, so that was not a turn-off for me.
Good luck, I am off for my surgery at Tufts tomorrow. Unfortunately also don't know anyone who had it done there to "grill" about it. Have to say that my doc is also not impressed with Dr. S and the whole endoscopic procedure, but I also believe, as time goes by, they'll come to embrace it if it reliably produces good results. He is also not a big fan of this or other patient forums, he thinks you hear more from people that had not so good outcomes and need a place to vent (so to speak). So yes, they all have their bias and opinion, in the end you have to go with your own.
Best wishes, Helga
