how much is surgery?

[joepinger]

Hi, I was thinking of having surgery on my eyes to have the orbital decompression surgery done.  I need to know the range of finances it takes to get this done successfully.  My eyeballs are starting to hurt and need the fatty tissue taken out from behind so it will take away the pain.  What is the general cost of all of this?  Thanks.

[SharonS11157]

Mine wasn't that bad, and mostly in one eye. I think it was a 6. But my doctor operated on both (2 hours on each eye). I went back to work after 2 and a half weeks. But I couldn't wear eye makeup, so I wore sunglasses. I go for the upper lid surgery after 4 months in Feb 2014. I was lucky I got my vision back afterwards. No doublevision. My right eye is still a little bigger than the other, but the dr. says he can correct it with the 2nd surgery. The only thing I'm worried about right now is my upper gums that the nerves are somehow connected to the eyes are a pale pink color. The doctor says maybe I should see my dentist. Just thought it was odd he didn't seem to know.

[SharonS11157]

My insurance paid for 80%.

[slimm32]

I just recently had orbital decompression surgery. On my right eye on July 26, 2013 and the left August 16, 2013. After the first week from the first surgery I noticed significant changes! I was diagnosed in 1997 and immediately noticed a change in my eyes. By 1998, my eyes were extremely protruded and constantly changing. In 1999 I had the radioactive iodine. In 2009 I had lower eyelid retraction completed to help the "appearance" of my eyes, but this only sufficed my self esteem for a couple days. My side profile was the most traumatizing to me and I have grown to hate mirrors. I recently went on a limb and changed insurances to PPO and decided to do my own research and find a doctor that would consider orbital decompression surgery with coverage through my insurance. I found a doctor out of UCLA that was creditable and had extensive knowledge of the best avenues in performing the surgery. My first consult was in late May and here it is August and both eyes have been operated on. Although my surgery went successful I am having n double vision in my left eye (last eye surgery) and my optic nerve is swollen. This is typically not common, I just so happen to be in the lucky 5%. I am very positive that things will heal. I am on a steroid to reduce swelling and go back this week. Fingers crossed! I was told that anyone can be a candidate for the surgery that has protruding. Some doctors require you to be stable for some months before preforming the surgery. I fortunately dealt with my eye issue for over 10 years they jumped at the idea to correct.

[Beagleluva]

Hi there, so happy your surgeries were successful. What was the time frame between the surgeries? How bad does proptosis need to be in order for them to do orbital decompression . Think mine is at 6 to 8 mm and is unilateral. I feel like a cyclops. But I'm only 6 months in from diagnosis .

[nest74]

your posting was so helpful!  thanks.  one question, will PPO insurance cover orbital decompression if you have Graves?  does anyone know?

[Smilerdeb]

When Graves Disease is present...not only does it attack the thyroid but sometimes the eyes too which is known as TED (thyroid eye disease).
The stages of this can be slow or increasingly debilitating and thats why all Graves Sufferers should get their eyes checked by an OPTHAMOLOGIST and not an Optometrist.
The Opthalmologist can detect changes in the eyes that Optometrist cant and it pays to get checked early.
Whenever in doubt, I always say ..get checked.

TED isnt discussed much in this forum...maybe it should be as it is a thyroid disorder.

[Smilerdeb]

Marpo1 has had many eye ops for her TED (thyroid eye disease) and has come through each one brilliantly.
Why not personal message her as she will reply.
Either way, I hope that it isnt getting too bad and hope that it doesnt cost a fortune to get it done.
All the best :)

[tm514]

It is possible you will have more than one surgery, while "orbital decompression" is used to cover the procedures used to correct TED, the surgeries are done in stages.  First, if bony decompression is needed (removal of part of the bone forming the eye socket), it is usually done first.  The second surgery is to correct double vision if necessary, then the third surgery is to correct eyelid retraction.

I had orbital decompression done a little over 2 years ago, having part of the bottom floor of each eye socket removed so that the tissue had room to expand, and they also did some fatty tissue removal and some lower lid work at that time.  That surgery was about 2 hours, with general anesthesia and an overnight stay in the hospital - the bill was in the $6500 range for the hospital, plus the surgeon's bill, the anesthesiologist bill, the pathologist bill, etc.  

I didn't have any problems with double vision, so I went straight to the eyelid retraction surgery where they corrected the upper eyelids pulling back and removed more fatty tissue.  That surgery was about 1 1/2 hours, under twilight anesthesia, and I was on my way home within 2 hours after the surgery was completed.  The hospital bill for that one was around $3000, with bills for the other docs as well.

I must say it was worth every penny - I'd probably think so even if I had to pay all of it out of my own pocket, I am so much better off with my eyes fixed than before.

I wish you luck.  Find a surgeon who has done many of these procedures so that you are in good hands.

[hadeerr]

wut's ur surgeon name please

[joepinger]

I am talking about TED which does have to do with thyroid disorders.  I already did the radioiodine treatment.  Now my eyes are aching and the tissue behind the eye is growing over it and I was asking how much it would cost to do the surgery to take the tissue out.  So does anyone know how much for the orbital decompression surgery?  Thanks.

[cbread]

I am curious too. I will probably have eye surgery in November after I get my thryoid removed.   Keep us posted if you find anything out.

Kristy- he is referring to TED which is thyroid eye disease.

[Kristy2078]

You posted to the wrong forum... this forum is for thyroid disorders.