Neck Surgery

[Floridagal]

I may need neck surgery and am looking for a neurosurgeon. Can anyone recommend one.

[mfp509]

I had Dr Mark Oliver of Ocala Neurosurgery. They are a wonderful group. I had 2 disks replaced and fusion. Good job and I'm happy with results. It was a "piece of cake".

[KARENNN]

mfp509 , Just curious, did you have to wear the neck brace for a couple months after?
Also, is there a difference in the way it is done if a neurosurgeon does it opposed to an orthopedic surgeon?

[flusher]

Dr. John Cassidy, Venice Hospital, Had 2 discs and fusion with a titatium butterfly screwed in, stayed overnight, no brace. Good as new, going on 10 years now.
Good luck with your search

[NotGolfer]

wouldn't have anyone else but Dr. Dan Spurrier...whose got an office in the Sharon Morse Bldg. He's an excellant neurosurgeon...will do "non-evasive" IF surgery is warranted. At least give his office a call!!

[mfp509]

With my surgery it was an overnight stay and a soft neck brace for 3 weeks. Doctors differ in the after surgery brace - some people I know only wore it for 2 weeks and one didn't have to wear it at all. When I woke up from surgery, all pain was gone. All I needed was a couple of Tylenol for some slight discomfort. What a relief!!

[Floridagal]

Has anyone heard of Dr. Bono?

[KARENNN]

Has anyone used Dr. Ronzo?

In general, of those who had C-Spine with incision in the front of the neck, any difficulty swallowing after?

[Carla B]

My husband used Dr. Kaplan of Ocala Neurosurgery. He did have difficulty swallowing and hoarseness at first but it steadily got better. He had the incision in the front of the neck.

[mfp509]

I also had the incision in front of the neck and had no after effects at all. Some do as mentioned above.

[pivo]

Has anyone used Dr. Ronzo?

In general, of those who had C-Spine with incision in the front of the neck, any difficulty swallowing after?

Karenn- Yes I have had that operation and had a hard time swallowing
average pieces of meat and almost choking, it's been a little over a year
now much, much better but not the same as before the operation it
is also a little sore at times and seems to go from one sside to the other
but you will get use to it.
Ponko

[flusher]

I had the front incision also
after the procedure the orderly brought me ice cream every hour through the night to sooth my throat.

[rn1tv]

I agree with "not golfer," my choice would be Dr. Spurrier. Excellent neurosurgeon!

[Theresa Neville]

I may need neck surgery and am looking for a neurosurgeon. Can anyone recommend one.

I had neck surgery with Dr. Spurrier. He is the best. It may take a little while to get an appt. but well worth it. His no. is 352-391-9401

[784caroline]

I had a disk (C3 - C4)removed with a cadiver replacement.... I was in tremendous pain and muscle spasams before operation..afterwards (i mean 4-6 hours after the operation when I was moved upstairs) they asked me my pain level...I raised my hand and said about 1-2 (very low). BUT you just had major spinal surgerey.......all I said if you knew the pain I was in before this surgery this is a piece of cake. ONly problem I had was my head felt like a bowling ball it was heavy. I took the ice cream offered and had no regrets or problems afterwards with swallowing or range of motion. i was released very early the next morning following surgery...no neck brace. ONly restriction was I could not drive or do wild motions for a week or so.

I had my operation done a number of years ago up north, but I have been to Spurrier for other spinal issues. He is very conservative in his approach and what he offered me worked without any needles or surgery.

[NotGolfer]

I don't know if I spoke of my disc surgery in detail here with Dr. Spurrier. Before all this, he sent me to a pain doctor first (I saw that guy 3X...had the shot 2X). When I had the surgery, which was non-evasive, I was sent home and told not to ride in a car or golf-cart for 2 weeks. I wasn't to bend, lift or stretch for that length of time neither. When the 2 weeks were up, back for the post-op check-up where I was given the thumbs up of "no" restrictions. I'd go back to this man in a heart-beat.

[Floridagal]

Thank you all for your inputs. I am going to make an appointment with Dr. Spurrier.

[vinnie]

No but do not let them take bone from your hip but rather a cadaver if in fact you are having a neck fusion