Dr Alexander Barinov (Volgograd, Russia) 2015 Update

General information and response from Centre of Anthropometrical Cosmetology (Orthopedical) Cosmetology and Correction.
Note: Previous Discussion Thread Linked Here http://www.limblengtheningforum.com/index.php?topic=92.0


Surgical Overview
We practice LON surgery alongside with Ilizarov in our clinic. It means that during the surgery you'll have both nails in your bones and Ilizarov device to give your body more support. It's necessary, as our patients don't use a wheelchair and start walking the next day after the surgery. Walking and exercising are very important for better healing.

Growing 5-7 cm takes about 3 months. If a person wants to grow more, it will take longer time. The advantage of LON method is that after the Ilizarov frames are removed, the person can go back to his country without waiting till his bones heal completely. The nails may stay in the bones for a year and be removed in the person's native country.

Growing 5-7 cm is considered physiological and usually doesn't cause any complications. If the person wants to grow more, the most widely spread complication is a ballerina foot due to a contracture in the Achilles tendon. To avoid this, the person should start stretching before the surgery and follow all the doctor's instructions.

There are some contraindications for the surgery and they are chronic and acute cardio-vascular problems, infections, diabetes, depression, calcium deficit.

Cost
The package price of LON surgery is 14,500 euro for a month's stay in hospital including physio, medicines, accommodation and meals. Each additional month costs 1,000 euro. But I must say that from July 1 till September 30 you may have a discount of 2,000 euro, that is 12,500 euro for a month. The price of nails is not included, they cost 2,500 euros and they are ordered separately in each case.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
1) How many patients have you operated for cosmetic Limb Lengthening so far and how many patients do you operate yearly?
-We've operated over 200 patients only for LL so far. Our clinic is not large and we can't accept more than 10 LL patients a year. The operating surgeon is Dr. Barinov.

2) What kind of physical therapy is assigned to the patient?
-The patient does physiotherapy while his staying in hospital, these are special exercises which help flexibility of joints.

3) What maximum amount of lengthening do you recommend per segment, regarding patient safety? What is the daily rate of lengthening?
-Surgeons worldwide recommend to grow 5-7 cm, which is considered physiological. On an average patients grow 0.75 - 1 mm a day. Growing 8-9 cm requires up to 9-10 months of treatment. I must say that the process of growing is very individual, some patients stop at 3-4 cm, others grow 9 cm and it's impossible to predict how the body will react to growing.

4) What are your opinions regarding the weightbearing of the patients?
-Some walk with crutches up to the day the frames are removed, and others start walking without crutches 2 months after the surgery. 

5) How often will you follow up with patients during lengthening?
-The doctors sees the patients almost every day and X-ray is done every month to see regeneration of the bones

6) How fast can patients return to normal life (walking without support)? What is the time required to lengthen 5 cm and 7.5-8 cm?
-From my experience I can say that those who have well-trained strong muscles grow harder, their muscles are very rigid. That's why we recommend our patients to stop running and start stretching exercises before doing the surgery.

Contact
Phones: +7 8442 38 39 27 (call from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (GMT +03:00))
Skype name: volga-volga6
E-mail : [email protected]   
Website: rucosm.com

what has changed since last update, can you not do externals anymore?

She said they do LON alongside externals at the clinic, so I'm guessing for locals they still do externals. I'm not sure what the exact situation is, but apparently someone mentioned that the clinic doesn't offer externals for international patients anymore because of some new rules at customs. Perhaps you're not allowed to have frames at the airport there anymore? I'll get a clarification from the clinic.

Would you mind asking if that's all international? I know Russia allows certain passports to go through without a Visa so it's kind of terrible policy to limit all international patients.

I received a reply back from the client manager, Irene.

"Because of new migration rules, Dr Barinov does LON for international patients. It's possible to do external but the person can stay in Russia only for 6 months. In this case after 6 months, the person can go to Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic and have the frames removed there though it causes more expenses for the person."

oh right is that the issue with the visa for having to return to russia to get the device removed?

i take it now they have to go to Czech Republic to get it removed, i think we need more details on that one, as in the expenses, the hospital etc. and why exactly Czech Republic of all places?

Quote from: KiloKAHN on July 10, 2015, 12:15:31 AMI received a reply back from the client manager, Irene.

"Because of new migration rules, Dr Barinov does LON for international patients. It's possible to do external but the person can stay in Russia only for 6 months. In this case after 6 months, the person can go to Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic and have the frames removed there though it causes more expenses for the person."

IRENE IS NOT THE ASSISTANT OF DR. BARINOV!!! She has no idea. She is seeing Dr. Barinov 3-4 times in a year. Me and many other international patients stayed longer than 6 months.

You can contact Oxana or Tonya for real information.

Quote from: microman on July 10, 2015, 12:23:34 AMoh right is that the issue with the visa for having to return to russia to get the device removed?

i take it now they have to go to Czech Republic to get it removed, i think we need more details on that one, as in the expenses, the hospital etc. and why exactly Czech Republic of all places?

Because many patients dont need a visa for Czech Republic. And there is the partner clinic whose doctors once worked in the Volgograd clinic.

I have sended 2 emails over a week now, still no respond I used [email protected]   

1.How many patients have been treated by you for Cosmetic Leg Lengthening?
Over 200 cosmetic leg lengthening and over a quarter of this operations was for medical reasons. Also more than 1500correction of the shape of legs.

2. Which techniques do you use?
In most cases external Ilizarov frames and his technique are used. In some cases we use apparatuses of different designs. As an exception lengthening over nails (LON) is applied. The method to be used depends on many factors and is very individual taking into consideration specific needs of the patient.

3. How much do you your currently charge for cosmetic LL for each procedure? When will these prices change?
For the year 2015 the price of LL on the lower leg is 14,500 euros which includes surgery and one month's  stay in the clinic in a two-bed ward. Then 1200 euros in a month staying in the clinic and medical service.  After 3 months there are several options for a patient:
a) he/she may stay in hospital till the end of treatment paying 1,000 euros for each extra month spent in hospital;
b) he/she may rent an apartment till the frames are taken off;
c) he/she may go home for the period of bone consolidation and come back to remove the frames.
d) he/she may go to a spa in Karlovy Vary in Czech Republic where the frames will be removed (in this case the price is 20,000 euros);
In 2012 we start performing surgery on the upper leg using LON technique. The package price of this surgery is about 30,000 euros.
The nail – 4,000 euros the operation and a week of staying in the hospital.
The cost of bow leg correction is 7500 euros

 4. What are the lengthening limits for your procedures?
Commonly, lengthening which does not interfere with proportion between shinbones and thighs is 5-7 cm (2" -3"). Besides, lengthening within this limit is much safer. The maximum lengthening in our Center for cosmetic reasons was 10 cm. Apart from purely esthetic reasons, the maximum lengthening is limited by individual stretching capabilities of soft tissues, as well as regenerative capability of the bone tissue. Lengthening of the femurs is possible only by 5 cm.

5. Do your patients need to do any preparation before for their treatment?
Usually no special preparations are needed. Nevertheless, patients must be physically healthy. Prior to surgery patients undergo general medical examination, ECG, radiography, they have blood and urine tests done. Examination may as well be done before the patient comes to the clinic.

6. Is accommodation included in your pricing?
The price as shown in answer 3 is a package price.

7. Are there any medical conditions that would prevent a potential patient from being accepted?
Absolute contraindications are acute and infectious diseases, exacerbation of chronic diseases, chronic diseases with decompensation of inner organs, some skin diseases and psychiatric conditions.

8. In what percentage of cases do your patients experience complications?
Patients experience some complications in less than 5% of my patients. In all cases of complications timely treatment is carried out.

9. Are complications or unscheduled surgery covered in your costs?
We do not charge anything for treating complications arising in course of treatment, unless these complications are due to the patient's violation of rules of treatment and medical advice.

10. Is there any insurance available to cover the patient's treatment?
No. Cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance.

11. What is your official web-site?
http://www.rucosm.com

12. How much do you charge for a consultation?
100 euros

13. What is the best way for potential patients to contact you?
Our e-mail: [email protected]

14. Do you limit your services to people of a certain height?
No.

15. What is your policy for people who are suffering from depression or some other mental health issue, or have suffered from it in the past?
In case of any suspicion about a psychiatric condition a psychiatrist should give his written advice whether it is possible for a patient to undergo a long-term treatment.

16. Is there any other information that you would like to have included?
To book patient consultations and get all information concerning the treatment contact:
Antonina Kumeyko
e-mail: [email protected]
Skype: antonina.kumeyko