Planing: patient’s view

Planing the trip to Klinik am Zuckerberg

Information provided BY KEITH AND BONNIE 3-28-07

 

Information for anyone who may be considering traveling to Endogyn in Germany for surgery to remove adhesions.

 

If you are planing a trip to see DR Kruschinski in Germany to have surgery to remove adhesions, the following information may be helpful in planning your trip. This information is based upon our personal experience with DR Kruschinski, the Klinik AM Zuckerberg, and its staff for the removal of adhesions. The Klinik AM Zuckerberg is the private hospital facility that DR Kruschinski currently provides his professional services at. This information is current as of April of 2007, but is based on our visit in January 2007. 

When planning your trip over seas for surgery, you should be aware that very few insurance carriers will cover the cost of this surgery. Most insurance policies cover the cost of medical care including surgery over seas but only in the case of an emergency. Since you will be planning your trip to Germany, you will not be able to inform the insurance company that it is an emergency. Unless you have special medical insurance that covers you any where in the world, (which is offered but is really expensive), you must plan on paying for all cost related to this surgery out of pocket. Your first thought, like ours was, is going to be that there is no way you can afford to pay for surgery out of pocket. Although the surgery is not cheap, the cost of the surgery in no way compares to the costs of medical procedures that are done here in the USA. You will be paying one total fee of 8500 euro which will cover the cost of DR Kruschinski, the anesthesiologist, the operating room, recovery room, all medical staff required in the operating and recovery room, all medication, bandages, and disposables required for the first and second look surgery. This fee also includes the following during your 14 day inpatient stay in the hospital, at "The Klinik AM Zuckerberg." You will receive 24 hour nursing, all required medication, bandages, disposables, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Television (local channels only), telephone (local calls only), Bathrobe, linens, towels, bath soap and shampoo, fresh fruit, bottled water and fruit juice daily and the taxi ride to and from the airport in Hanover to the Klinik AM Zuckerberg in Braunschweig. The only two items that are not included in this fee are the cost for the spray gel and the tip used to apply the spray gel. The cost of the spay gel and tip will be between 169 and 1101 euros depending on how bad the adhesions are and how many kits of spray gel are required. The cost of the tip is 87 euros and the cost of each spray gel kit is 169 euros. The amount of spray gel usually used is between one and six kits. 

If you would like to bring someone with you the cost of the second person will be 80 euros per day. This fee includes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The person accompanying you will be staying in the same room as you. If you go by your self you will be sharing a room with another patient. If you want to reserve the room as a private room you will have to pay the additional 80 euro per day. 

The only other possible cost that one should be fully aware of when having surgery for removal of adhesions, is the possibility of complications with your surgery, and the requirement of other type of surgery work or medical treatment that would have to be provided. If complications did arise during surgery, those costs will be in addition to the costs identified above. The risk of complications is low according to DR Kruschinski, and the anesthesiologist, however there are risks as with any type of surgery. 

To convert the euro to American dollars you can simply go on the Internet and click on a currency converter. Just convert the Euro to the American dollar. As of March 20, 2007, the conversion of 8500 euro to American dollar is $11,310.69. (1 euro = 1.33067 dollars) Again not cheap but when compared to the cost of just the stay in an American hospital, the fee is quite reasonable. When you are ready to book your surgery date you must contact DR. Kruschinski via e-mail or telephone to find out about the availability of the date you would like to have the surgery. When you have agreed upon a date you will have to wire the total fee of 8500 euro to DR Kruschinski in advance to hold the surgery date. When the payment is received he will reserve the room at the Klinik AM Zuckerberg, reserve the operating room, reserve the anesthesiologist and make the necessary arrangements for the taxi to and from the airport in Hanover to the Klinik AM Zuckerberg. I am sure that your first thought will be, can I trust Wiring a large sum of money to a DR in Germany that I have never met? The answer is yes. We did and many others have, and we received nothing less than the medical services and accommodations that we were promised by DR Kruschinski. If you feel a little uneasy, you should call as many of the patients on the contact list and speak with them until you feel comfortable. You should be aware that the conversion rate listed will most likely be a few cents higher at the bank when you wire the total fee. DR Kruschinski will give you the Bank information when you book the surgery. To wire the money its as simple as going to your bank and telling them how much you want to wire (8500 euro) and giving them the Bank information that was provided by DR Kruschinski. The Bank will charge a fee for this service, its usually around $40. To pay for the cost of the spray gel, the spray tip and any spending money you may want to bring, you may find it easiest to order euros from the bank just before you go. It takes about 4 days for you to receive your order. If you are more comfortable with travelers checks you can order euro travelers checks from the bank also. Just be aware that when you come home if you want to exchange your euro at the bank for American Dollars, you will be charged a fee for the transfer for the travelers checks not the currency. The fee could be as much as $75. 

When planning your trip you will need to book airfare between the USA and Germany. Our flight in January with a few months advance booking cost us $462pp round trip. We flew from Newark, New Jersey to Amsterdam and changed planes with our final destination Hanover Germany. It is my understanding that some airlines do fly into Hanover direct but it is only during the spring or summer season. During the winter there is no direct flight from the US. Another option is to fly to Frankfurt and change planes there. Depending on the airline the cost is about the same. If you do choose to go during the season (may thru Sept) it will cost more than in the winter, probable double the air fare. When you are booking your flight, plan on leaving between 4pm and 9pm at night. Most flights leave at night which will put you in the airport in Europe between 6am and 9 am. The time difference between the East coast of the USA and Hanover Germany is 6 hours ahead. When you book your flight give your self enough time between flights. Amsterdam airport is very large and it will take you some time to get to your next flight. It is one large terminal, it will be a long walk from one gate to another. You will have to go thru customs about half way thru the airport terminal. You have to do this regardless of where you are going. When you get to your gate you will have to take a bus which will take you to you plane out on the tarmac. You will have to go up a small flight of stairs to get on the plane. This plane is not a commuter plane, it is roughly the size of a 737. Frankfurt airport is not as large, however it is still quite a long walk from one gate to another. The flight to Amsterdam or Frankfurt is about 7 hours and the flight to Hanover is about another 2 hours. When you book your flight make sure that you tell the airline that you will need a wheel chair on the return trip. Also if you are booking a flight on an airline that uses the 747 ask for a seat that has a bulked in front of it. It will give you a lot more leg room. If you are flying on an airbus there is no bulkhead so the seats are all the same. Don't worry about the long distance between the gates on your return trip home. The airport in Hanover is very small. It is a short distance between the entrance where the taxi will drop you off and any of the gates. It is a short distance between the gate and the airplane. When you arrive in Hanover airport you must take your baggage to the center area and have it screened by the x-ray machines. After your baggage is screened you can go to the airline counter to check in. You have to have your baggage screened first, you cannot check in first. When you arrive in Amsterdam you will have to walk down the stairs and get on the bus. Because you will need a wheel chair you will sit near the front of the plane so don't worry about finding a seat on the bus because you will get off first. When the bus gets to the main terminal just look for an airport employee who will be waiting for you They will escort you to the escalator up one flight to the next floor. At top of the escalator there will be a golf cart to take you to your gate for the return flight back to the USA. If you are in Frankfurt you will need to ask for a wheel chair when you check in at your airline counter. If you need assistance an airport employee will push you to your gate. You will have to go thru a security check point in Frankfurt airport also. When you are on the plane home for the US just confirm with one of the flight attendants that they will have a wheel chair waiting for you. When you get off the plane the a person with the wheel chair should be waiting. This airport employee will push you thru customs to the exit of the airport. Remember even if you feel OK, you should use the wheel chair. Don't take any chance of overdoing it by walking. It is a lot of walking and you just had surgery. Besides it will speed up the process of going thru the airport and customs if you do use the wheel chair. 

When packing for your trip, you will just need comfortable clothes to wear on the trip to and from Germany. While in the Hospital you will need comfortable clothes to wear that will not rub or put pressure on the incisions from the surgery. There will most likely be 4 small incisions that are made for the surgery. One in the belly button, one just below and one to each side. You should pack some clothes to wear if you feel up to going out, just to sit outside, take a short walk or if you feel up to it take the train ride into the city. The seasons in Germany are just like the seasons on the East coast in the New Jersey, New York area. You can use that as a gauge for what type of clothes you should pack. 

Although there is a TV in your room, the only English speaking channel is CNN world news which repeats its self about every 30 minutes. We suggest that you bring a lap top or portable DVD player with your own selection of DVD's. You will not need to pack all kinds of clothes so this should leave you ample room to pack the DVD's. You will also need an electric converter for the DVD player, computer, shaver, etc., when you are there. You can buy a converter at a place like Target or a luggage store for about $10. Don't forget to pack the converter. You will not be able to use any electrical device from the USA unless you have the converter. 

If you are planning on calling home to speak with your family and friends, You can rent a cell phone from a company called Roadpost in New York City. The are also on-line or you can call them at 1-888-290-1616. You can rent a cell phone that will work in Germany and you can purchase a package for a set number of minutes. There is a shipping cost of $25 which is in addition to the package you buy. The cost of their packages is listed below. There are also other cell phone rental providers you can use or you can purchase a sim card for your phone. Just make sure that if you do purchase a sim card that your provider has the rights for the phone to work in Germany. I believe there are also prepaid cards that you can buy to cover the costs for phone calls from Germany to the USA using the phone in your room. 

 

When your surgery is scheduled you will be arriving on a Saturday with your first surgery scheduled for Monday. The second surgery will be on the following Monday. You will be scheduled to stay for 14 days. The first day when you arrive it will take about 45 minutes to get to the Klinik by taxi. There will be a representative from ENDOGYN or the Klinik AM Zuckerberg waiting just outside the door after you collect your baggage in Hanover Airport. He or She will help you with your baggage and drive you to the Klinik. After you arrive you will get settled into your room, have a physical, give blood for blood work, meet with DR Kruschinski and then you may rest from the flight. The second day you will start the prep for the surgery that will take place the following morning. 
The following pictures were taken when we were at the Klinik AM Zuckerberg in January 2007.

 

 

THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE FRONT OF THE PRIVATE HOSPITAL "KLINIK AM ZUCKERBERG" THIS IS THE PORTION OF THE HOSPITAL WHERE THE PATIENT ROOMS ARE LOCATED. THIS IS WHERE YOU WILL BE STAYING BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR SURGERY. THE FIRST FLOOR OF THIS PHOTO IS THE DINING ROOM. THE SECOND FLOOR AND THIRD FLOOR IS WHERE THE ROOMS ARE LOCATED. THERE IS A LITTLE GRASS PARK IN FRONT OF THIS SECTION OF THE HOSPITAL. THERE IS EVEN A PUTTING GREEN AT THE FAR END NEAR THE STREET. 

 

THIS IS THE SECTION OF THE HOSPITAL WHERE THE OPERATING AND RECOVERY ROOMS ARE. THIS SECTION OF THE HOSPITAL IS LOCATED JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE PICTURE ABOVE. THE OPERATING ROOM IS LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEVEL, JUST A QUICK RIDE DOWN THE ELEVATOR AND A FEW FEET DOWN THE HALL. 

 

THIS IS THE STREET THAT THE DRIVEWAY FOR THE KLINIK AM ZUCKERBERG IS LOCATED ON. THE GRASS PARK IN FRONT OF THE FIRST PICTURE IS LOCATED JUST TO THE LEFT OF THIS PICTURE. THE HOSPITAL IS LOCATED IN A VERY QUIET UPSCALE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. IT IS VERY SAFE AND CLEAN.

 

 

THIS IS AN ELECTRIC TRAIN THAT IS A 5 MINUTE WALK FROM THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HOSPITAL. THIS TRAIN IS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE PICTURE SHOWN ABOVE. YOU WAIT FOR THE TRAIN IN THE GLASS AREA LOCATED ON THE LEFT OF THE PICTURE. THIS TRAIN RUNS ABOUT EVERY 8 MINUTES AND YOU CAN TAKE IT TO GET TO THE CITY. THERE ARE THREE TRAINS THAT YOU CAN TAKE. THE NUMBER 1,4 OR 8. IT COST 1.90 EURO TO RIDE THE TRAIN AND YOUR TICKET IS GOOD FOR 90 MINUTES FROM WHEN YOUR PURCHASE IT. IT TAKES ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO GET TO THE PART OF THE CITY WHERE ALL OF THE SHOPS, STORES, CHURCHES, SQUARES AND MALL IS. IT IS NOT A LARGE CITY, ITS IS A NICE SIZE, ONE THAT WILL NOT OVERWHELM YOU IF YOU ARE NOT USE TO GOING TO A CITY. MOST OF THE AREA WHERE THE SHOPS ARE IS WIDE COBBLESTONE SIDEWALKS WITH STORES OR SHOPS ON BOTH SIDES. THE TRAIN RUNS ABOUT EVERY EIGHT MINUTES COMING BACK IN THE DIRECTION OF THE HOSPITAL ALSO. THE TRAIN STATION NEAR THE STORES IS LARGER, BUT IT IS STILL OUTSIDE UNDER A GLASS CANOPY. WHEN YOU GET ON THE TRAIN YOU NEED TO GO TO THE FRONT OF THE TRAIN AND GIVE THE DRIVER THE EURO. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE 1.90 EURO EXACT THEY WILL GIVE YOU CHANGE. YOU JUST PUT YOUR MONEY DOWN ON THE LITTLE PLATFORM JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE DRIVER. HE WILL COUNT IT AND IF NECESSARY GIVE YOU CHANGE. HE WILL ALSO PRINT OUT AND GIVE YOU A SMALL TICKET. MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THIS TICKET HANDY WHEN YOU ARE ON THE TRAIN. THEY HAVE UNDERCOVER POLICE THAT WILL GET ON THE TRAIN PERIODICALLY AND ASK TO SEE YOUR TICKET. CHANCES ARE THAT YOU WILL NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE SAYING BECAUSE THEY WILL BE SPEAKING GERMAN, BUT WHEN THEY SHOW YOU THEIR BADGE, JUST SHOW THEM YOUR TICKET. IF YOU GET CAUGHT WITHOUT A TICKET IT IS A 40 EURO FINE, AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE 40 EURO THEY WILL ESCORT YOU TO A BANK, SO DON'T LOOSE YOUR TICKET. THE TRAIN IS VERY CLEAN AND HAS SEATS YOU CAN SIT IN ALSO. WHEN YOU WANT THE TRAIN TO STOP AT YOUR STATION, YOU WILL NEED TO GET UP PRIOR TO GETTING TO YOUR STATION, (SOMETIME AFTER YOU LEAVE THE STATION JUST BEFORE THE STATION YOU WANT TO GET OFF AT) AND PUSH THE BUTTON THAT IS LOCATED AT ANY ONE OF THE DOORS. THIS WILL TELL THE DRIVER YOU WANT TO STOP AT THE NEXT STATION. IF SOMEONE ELSE IS GETTING OFF AT YOUR STATION ALSO, AND THEY ALL READY PUSHED THE BUTTON, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO. IF YOU FORGET TO PUSH THE BUTTON AND THE TRAIN PASSES YOUR STATION, DON'T WORRY, JUST GET OFF AT THE NEXT STATION AND CATCH THE NEXT TRAIN BACK THE OTHER WAY. REMEMBER THE TICKET IS GOOD FOR 90 MINUTES FROM WHEN YOU BUY IT. IT WILL HAVE THE TIME YOU BOUGHT IT PRINTED ON THE FRONT. 

 

THIS IS A CHURCH IN THE CITY WHERE THE TRAIN CAN TAKE YOU. THIS IS WHAT IT IS LIKE NEAR THE SHOPS AND STORES ALSO. NO TRAFFIC, JUST PEOPLE WALKING. THERE IS ANY KIND OF STORE YOU CAN THINK OF. CLOTHES, SHOES, CANDY, A LOT OF BAKERY'S, AND THERE ARE EVEN A FEW PIZZA PLACES AND FAST FOOD IF YOU LIKE IT. 

 

THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE ROOM WE STAYED IN. SORRY FOR THE MESS, I TOOK THE PICTURE THE DAY WE WERE PACKING TO COME HOME. EACH ROOM HAS TWO BEDS THAT ADJUST, A PHONE BY THE BED THAT YOU CAN CALL OUT ON OR IF YOU IT 7 IT CALLS THE NURSE. ALL THE NURSES WALK AROUND WITH A PORTABLE PHONE. IN STEAD OF A CALL BUTTON THAT YOU HIT AND THEN WAIT, YOU CAN INSTANTLY TALK TO THE NURSE. IF YOU NEED HER OR HIM THEY ARE ONLY STEPS AWAY. THE ROOM IS CLEANED DAILY BY THE STAFF AND ALWAYS HAS A BOWEL OF FRUIT OF YOUR CHOOSING. THERE IS ALWAYS A SUPPLY OF BOTTLED WATER AND FRUIT JUICE ALSO. THE DOOR TO YOUR ROOM WILL BE CLOSED FOR YOUR PRIVACY AT ALL TIMES. THE NURSES AND STAFF WILL KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING. AFTER 8PM AT NIGHT UNLESS YOU NEED SPECIAL CARE. THE NIGHT NURSE WILL CHECK IN ON YOU ONCE BUT WILL TRY TO LEAVE YOU ALONE SO YOU CAN GET YOUR REST.

 

 

EACH ROOM HAS A SMALL OR LARGE TABLE, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE ROOM. THE ROOM ALSO HAS A MOVEABLE TRAY THAT YOU CAN PUT AT THE SIDE OF YOUR BED. YOU CAN EAT YOUR MEALS AT THE TABLE, YOUR TRAY OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOU CAN EAT DOWN STAIRS IN THE DINING ROOM. THE HOSPITAL SERVES YOU BREAKFAST AT 8AM, LUNCH AT 12:30PM AND DINNER AT 6PM. ON YOUR FIRST DAY ONE OF THE NURSES WILL REVIEW WITH YOU THE MENU SELECTIONS FOR THE WEEK. THEY WILL DO THEIR BEST TO CATER YOUR MEAL TO THE TYPE OF FOOD YOU LIKE. SIMPLY PUT IF YOU DON'T LIKE SOMETHING YOU WILL NOT BE SERVED IT. THE FOOD IS PREPARED JUST AS IF A CHIEF WOULD DO IT. BREAKFAST USUALLY CONSISTS OF CEREAL, FRUIT, BREAD, CHEESE, YOGURT, JUICE, COFFEE OR TEA. LUNCH IS LIKE DINNER IN THE USA. IT IS A LARGE MEAL WHICH CONSISTS OF SOME SORT OF A SALAD, AND A MAIN DISH LIKE, CHICKEN, BEEF STEW, FISH OR PASTA. THEY WILL ALSO SERVE BREAD, COFFEE, OR TEA AND A DESSERT. DINNER IS VERY LIGHT. IT CONSISTS OF A FEW PIECES OF CHEESE, A FEW PIECES OF COLD CUTS, BREAD, COFFEE OR TEA. IF YOU WANT MORE THAT THEY GIVE YOU DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR MORE, THEY WILL BRING IT TO YOU. IF YOU WANT COFFEE OR TEA ANY TIME OF THE DAY, 24 HOURS A DAY, THERE IS A STATION LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE YOUR ROOM IN THE HALL. THEY WILL ALSO ASK YOU EACH DAY IF YOU WANT TO EAT IN YOUR ROOM OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EAT IN THE DINING ROOM. ITS YOUR CHOICE, SO EAT WHERE YOU ARE MOST COMFORTABLE.

 

 

EACH ROOM HAS A TV WITH LOCAL CHANNELS ONLY. CNN IS THE ONLY ENGLISH CHANNEL. UNDER THE TV IS A TERRY BATH ROBE AND ADDITIONAL PILLOWS AND BLANKETS FOR YOUR USE. THE WARDROBE FOR YOUR CLOTHES IS JUST TO THE LEFT IN THE PICTURE ANT THE BATHROOM IS JUST TO THE RIGHT. THE LUGGAGE GOES ON TOP OF THE WARDROBE SO IT IS OUT OF YOUR WAY. WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF PACKING IN THIS PICTURE

 

 

THE WARDROBE HAS TWO SIDES. ONE SIDE FOR EACH PERSON IN THE ROOM. IT HAS AMPLE ROOM FOR ALL OF YOUR CLOTHES AND A SAFE ALSO. IF YOU ARE GOING BY YOURSELF YOU WILL BE SHARING A ROOM WITH ANOTHER PERSON UNLESS YOU PAY EXTRA (80 EURO PER NIGHT) IF YOU ARE TRAVELING WITH SOMEONE, LIKE YOUR SPOUSE OR FRIEND THEY WILL SHARE THE SAME ROOM WITH YOU. THEY WILL SLEEP IN THE SAME TYPE OF BED AS YOU. (THE BED IS A NORMAL TWIN BED, BUT IT HAS BEN RETROFITTED TO ADJUST) IF YOUR FRIEND OR SPOUSE GO WITH YOU THE COST IS 80 EURO PER NIGHT AND IT INCLUDES THE MEALS ALSO. BE PREPARED TO EAT ONLY CLEAR SOUP FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER YOUR OPERATION 

 

THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE BATHROOM IN EACH ROOM. IT IS VERY SPACIOUS, UNLIKE OTHERS THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN EUROPE. THE HOSPITAL SUPPLIES EVERYTHING YOU NEED, EXCEPT I DON'T REMEMBER IF THEY SUPPLIED THE TOOTH BRUSH

 

 

THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE HALLWAY JUST OUTSIDE OF OUR BEDROOM DOOR. IT LOOKS OVER TO THE GRAND STAIRCASE WHICH LEADS DOWN TO THE DINING ROOM AND RECEPTION DESK 

 

THIS IS THE COFFEE, TEA STATION THAT WAS LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE OF OUR DOOR. THIS IS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY. THERE IS ALSO EXTRA BOTTLED WATER HERE IF YOU NEED IT. 

 

THIS IS THE DINING ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR. THE GRASS AREA OUTSIDE THE WINDOW IS THE SMALL PARK WHICH LEADS OUT TO THE STREET IN THE PICTURE ABOVE. YOU CAN EAT YOU MEALS HERE IF YOU CHOOSE. YOU CAN ALSO ORDER OTHER THINGS FORM A SEPARATE MENU THAT THEY HAVE. THE RESTAURANT MENU HAS SOME ITEMS THAT WILL COST YOU ADDITIONAL. WE FOUND NO REASON TO WANT TO ORDER ANYTHING. WHAT THEY SERVED WAS JUST FINE.

 

 

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE DINING ROOM 

 

SERVING STATION IN THE DINING ROOM 

WE HOPE YOU FIND THIS INFORMATION HELPFUL. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, YOU SHOULD FEEL FREE TO CONTACT DR KRUSCHINSKI OR ONE OF THE PATIENTS ON THE CONTACT LIST. THIS IS A MAJOR DECISION YOU WILL BE MAKING AND THERE IS NO REASON TO FEEL LIKE YOU ARE MAKING ALONE OR WITHOUT ENOUGH INFORMATION, BECAUSE IT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU. 

POSTED BY KEITH AND BONNIE 3-28-07