Michael Herbauts Story: Finding Surgical Relief in Germany After NHS Delays
- A Critical Condition and Unbearable Waiting Times
- Choosing Germany: A Decision Born of Necessity
- A World of Difference: Treatment at University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich
- The Booking Health Difference: Support Throughout the Journey
- Life After Recovery: A New Beginning
- The Value of Seeking Quality Care Abroad
For Michael Herbaut, a British patient suffering from severe cervical spine degeneration and osteoarthritis, the path to recovery began with frustration in his home country and ended with life-changing treatment in Germany. His journey highlights the transformative impact of seeking quality medical care abroad when faced with overwhelming obstacles in one's healthcare system.
A Critical Condition and Unbearable Waiting Times
Michael's condition was debilitating. The severe degeneration of his cervical spine with osteoarthritis had progressed to the point where the pain was nearly unbearable. "The pain was so bad that I would spend up to 12 to 20 hours screaming with pain on the floor. That's how bad it was," Michael recalls.
His quality of life had deteriorated significantly. With collapsed discs in his neck, the nerves controlling signals to his arms were being compressed, causing excruciating pain. The migraines triggered by his condition were relentless, leaving him incapacitated for hours at a time.
Despite the severity of his condition, Michael faced the harsh reality of the UK's National Health Service (NHS) backlog. Following years of funding cuts and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHS was struggling with an unprecedented waiting list for elective surgeries.
Michael found himself caught in a healthcare system overwhelmed by demand. With approximately eight million people waiting for elective surgery in the UK, his prospects for timely treatment were bleak. The prevailing attitude he encountered was particularly frustrating: "If you can walk, then you're not considered urgent."
Even when surgeries were scheduled, they were not guaranteed to proceed as planned. "You get all your pipes and tubes put in, and then the doctor brings down the curtain. He says, 'I'm sorry we haven't got a bed for you, you've got to go home.' It's happening daily," Michael shares, highlighting a common experience for many British patients.
Faced with the prospect of waiting indefinitely while his condition worsened, Michael made the difficult decision to withdraw his life savings and seek treatment abroad.
Choosing Germany: A Decision Born of Necessity
Michael's search for alternatives led him to Germany, a country renowned for its excellence in spine surgery. "The reason I picked Germany was because you've been in the press many years ago with your exceedingly good spine surgery techniques," he explains.
However, navigating the complex world of international healthcare presented its own challenges. "You can imagine it's scary from this end because you don't know how to put that package together. You know, which hospital would you pick? No idea. It wouldn't have a clue," Michael admits.
This is where Booking Health entered the picture, providing the guidance and support needed to make his treatment abroad a reality. Within just two days of contacting them, Michael had a proposed date for his surgery. The process moved quickly from there, and within six weeks, the operation was completed.
A World of Difference: Treatment at University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich
Michael's journey took him to the prestigious University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich, where he was treated by Professor Meyer, a renowned neurosurgeon specializing in spine surgery. The difference between his experiences in the UK and Germany was remarkable.
In the UK, Michael had been warned about the invasive nature of the surgery he would eventually receive. "I was warned that I might not be able to drink and eat for several weeks. I was told I might never recover my voice fully because they do a much more intrusive surgery in the UK," he recalls.
By contrast, the approach at University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich utilized advanced robotic-assisted technology for a minimally invasive procedure. "I was surprised that the system in Germany was a robotic-assisted system," Michael says. "The scar is here, fully healed."
The results were beyond his expectations. "I could not believe that I was awake, and I had food, and I could speak the next day, having been told that I might not speak for months properly in the UK and I might not be able to eat. I was eating sandwiches the next day."
"The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery at University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich, under the leadership of Professor Meyer, is internationally recognized for its exceptional expertise in complex spine surgeries. The department specializes in minimally invasive techniques and robotic-assisted procedures, offering patients like Michael less traumatic interventions and faster recovery times compared to traditional surgical approaches. The facility's excellence in neurosurgery and spine surgery has earned it a reputation as a leading center for patients seeking advanced surgical solutions for complex spinal problems."
Perhaps the most significant aspect of Michael's treatment in Germany was that Professor Meyer identified an additional issue during his consultation and addressed it during the same surgery. "During the consultation with Professor Meyer, it was just out of the blue, he said, 'Oh, you've got similar deterioration in the joint above. I'll do that at the same time,'" Michael recounts.
This decision proved invaluable, as it saved Michael from potentially needing another major surgery in the future – a particularly risky prospect given his age and heart condition. "I could have one done here in the UK, and in perhaps two or three years, I would need another one done. And at my age, with my heart surgery, heart disease, surgery of that nature is very risky for me," he explains.
The Booking Health Difference: Support Throughout the Journey
Michael's experience was greatly enhanced by the support provided by Booking Health. From the initial inquiry to post-operative care, he was guided through every step of the process by a team of dedicated professionals.
"Michael Schmidt was constantly phoning to make sure that everything was alright. Was I okay? Was everything going okay? Did I need anything?" Michael shares, highlighting the personalized attention he received from his travel manager.
The on-ground support was equally impressive. "Oksana was my day-to-day support, and that couldn't have been any better," he adds, referring to the translator who accompanied him throughout his medical journey in Germany.
The comprehensive coordination of his care eliminated the anxiety and uncertainty that often accompany seeking treatment abroad. Everything from appointment scheduling to hospital admissions was handled efficiently, creating a streamlined experience that contrasted sharply with the delays and complications he had faced at home.
"It's so streamlined in Germany. We wheeled around in different departments, and it just happened incredibly quickly, all the pre-op and stuff like that," Michael marvels.
Life After Recovery: A New Beginning
Today, Michael is experiencing a significant improvement in his quality of life. While his migraines haven't completely disappeared – a possibility he was aware of, given the extent of his arthritis – the debilitating pain that once dominated his life has subsided considerably.
"I'm not on the floor screaming anymore," Michael says with relief. "There are some very slight changes in the last few weeks that look like something is settling down, because when you do surgery like that, all the nerves in that area have got to recover and relax from the crushing."
Looking back on his experience, Michael has no regrets about his decision to seek treatment abroad. "Should I have needed further surgery and I could afford it, I wouldn't hesitate. No hesitation at all in coming back, particularly to that surgeon and that hospital," he affirms.
His advice to others facing similar health challenges is heartfelt and straightforward: don't wait if you have the means to seek treatment elsewhere. Michael's gratitude extends particularly to Professor Meyer, whose expertise he credits with transforming his life. "I told him he saved my life, and he didn't believe me, but he has," Michael concludes with emotion.
The Value of Seeking Quality Care Abroad
Michael Herbaut's story stands as a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of seeking quality medical care abroad when faced with overwhelming obstacles in one's own healthcare system. It highlights the importance of not resigning oneself to excessive waiting times, the value of personalized care, and the transformative power of advanced medical technologies.
Through Booking Health, patients like Michael can find not just medical treatment but a comprehensive support system that guides them through every step of their healing journey. As Michael's experience shows, the decision to seek treatment abroad can be the first step toward reclaiming one's life from debilitating pain and disability.
For patients considering treatment abroad, Booking Health offers a range of comprehensive services:
- Selection of the most suitable clinic and experienced specialists
- Appointment scheduling within the shortest possible time
- Assistance with medical visa and travel arrangements
- Personal medical coordinator and interpreter
- 24/7 support during your stay abroad
- Follow-up support after treatment
When faced with long waiting times or limited treatment options at home, Booking Health provides a pathway to world-class medical care without unnecessary delays. Their expertise in organizing complex treatments abroad has helped numerous patients like Michael access the care they desperately need, when they need it most.
