I'm back from Riga, where I talked to a surgeon. There are a few pieces of news.
1. The bad: the surgery costs 1280 lats + 100 already spent + 3 days in the hospital. There will probably be more expenses piling up (rehab?), so I should expect at least 1500 lats, which is $3000. If anyone has spare cash, send it my way.
2. The good: the doctor estimates the possibility of walking without a limp 2 months after the surgery, and the ability to lead a fully active lifestyle – in 6. It's really funny, but while I was there, another guy from Daugavpils came in about the exact same problem with his sister. He started unloading details on the doctor, and the doc said he couldn't care less about the details of his patients' personal lives, and is only concerned with their condition and chances of recovery. As a somewhat antisocial geek, this kind of direct and honest approach actually makes me happy.
The doctor periodically joked that I'm not the only one from Daugavpils with such a case, and so far no one has complained. That's encouraging.
3. The so-so: I have to wait 3 weeks before the surgery so the medial ligament can heal a bit on its own. During this time, activity must be strictly limited, and the knee kept immobilized. Fortunately, not in an uncomfortable plaster splint, but in an advanced adjustable brace for some serious cash. And I won't have to lie in a hospital and pay money for every single day.
Overall, the situation looks tolerable. I wouldn't be able to handle such a sum on my own, but with my relatives we'll somehow manage, though it'll take a long time to pay back. No need to offer loans just yet, if such a strange-for-these-times thought suddenly crossed your mind. If I need it, you'll hear about it firsthand, haha.
Unresolved issues:
1. With work. For now, if I work at all, it'll be just a little – I'm afraid of damaging my leg sitting in an uncomfortable position. Plus, the leg still hurts pretty badly sometimes, especially in the calf for some reason, apparently due to swelling. After the surgery I will most likely work.
2. With insurance. They don't sell it to individuals here anymore, my company most likely won't be able to buy a single one separately, I need a company that can buy insurance for me, if that's possible. Word is, there are chances. I don't know how much the insurance will help with the surgery (unlikely), but it will definitely come in handy for rehab, as well as in later life. If you know anything about buying insurance in such a case, absolutely hit me up. And ask around, if you have anyone to ask. For me, this is a matter of an extra year of living on savings.
Unfortunately, even though the doctor talked sensibly about everything, he moved quite fast – he had a line of patients half a corridor long, despite the fact that a consultation costs 30 Ls ($60) a pop. Attempts at detailed questioning failed, at least for now. In principle, this makes sense, considering the following point (2).
I only managed to find out (from the doctor and the internet):
1. The surgery is laparoscopic, meaning it's done with probes and a video camera through small incisions. That's good, because the scars will be small and it will heal faster.
2. The doctor specializes in knee injuries among other things, as far as I could gather, and does surgeries like mine very often. He's experienced and well-known, speaks at conferences and sits on boards. I won't write his first and last name for now, because the internet – it's too public a place. If everything goes well, then sure. If badly – we'll look at the reasons.
3. The doctor is Latvian, but he spoke Russian with me. This didn't cause any visible inconvenience for either of us. He was assisted by what looked like a male nurse (or an intern), who played the silent type. The girl at the reception desk spoke with a heavy accent, but also without any problems.
More thoughts on the topic:
If it's for money, our medicine works. And by Western standards, the money is probably not big. By mine – it's very substantial.
The government doesn't pay for this surgery because it allows you not just to get well, but to lead an active lifestyle. You can get by without a cruciate ligament, but then you'll only be able to walk without problems, or you'll have problems with active sports. It would be interesting to know if such surgeries are free in Russia, and if bribes are required. I haven't given any bribes yet, although I was told that in my hometown I'd have to - to speed things up and get more attention from the doctors. In Riga, I hope it's not necessary, the surgery ain't cheap as it is.