back surgery
 

Has anyone out there in The Villages land had back surgery from Laser Spine Institute? Were you pleased by the mininal invasive result?

I have not personally had surgery from them, but know those that have . results were split about 50-50. The cost is very high and most insurances don't cover it. Even those who have had good results at first , find that after a year or so they are back where they started. 75% of back surgeries are not effective. Most orthopedic surgeons say not to have back surgery until the only way you can get around is to crawl. Try all other options first.

there is a neurosurgeon in TV by the name of Dr. Spurrier. He will have a seminar re: his practice about once every 90 days or so (free) and just had one a couple of weeks ago. His surgery is non-evasive AND he isn't "knife happy". He seems "conservative" in his approach...telling the patient after viewing the MRI whether or not they're a candidate or not. He lists other approaches of treatment first should be pursued. Physical therapy, Chiropractic, medication, acupuncture and maybe one other before surgery and also depending on the nature of the problem. I've heard "mixes" things too about the laser thing and guess from what I've heard would NOT go that route....especially with the fact that insurance doesn't cover it. I've talked to a couple of people who've been patients of Dr. Spurrier and they were happy with his treatment. So I guess I'd give him my business if I had the need.

I see that I entered this post back in February...it was a handful of months later that I had emergency surgery. You'll see my later post further down on this thread!!!

Much to do with back surgery is unfortunately
 

based on the aches and pains of the here and now. However, when contemplating surgery, looking to cure the aches and pains, a key question to get as much information as one can is....after the surgery, as in 5 years later will I still be better off?

I learned a long time ago from a neuro surgeon that 5 years out many maladies are back as before the surgery.
I elected to not have it. Today I am no worse off and maybe even better. The key ingredient for SOME (me included) was increased and ONGOING activity.
The more you move the better you feel. The better conditioned the body and cardio vascular system the more pain free one is/remains.

SOME do not have a choice.

btk

My husband went to Laser Spine Institute. What a ripoff. It cost us $13000 and he was no better than before. After the surgery they told us he needs a coulple more surgeries and they would give us $900 off on the second surgery. You have to pay before you have the surgery. I never heard of such a thing but we fell for their nice talk at the seminar.

That's typical of LSI.

Back Surgery-Golf Coast Spine-Dr. Ronzo
 

I consulted this group because they advertised "minimally invasive" surgery. Well, their recommendation was an open procedure with a fusion of FOUR cervical vertebrae as well as bone grafts. NOT! As someone else posted.."I would have to crawl". Much research later, patients who have this surgery do no better five years (even five weeks) out than those who DON'T. So nice to know that I didn't spend EIGHT weeks in a neck brace for no results.
Now...on the other hand, the third, fourth and fifth opinion I got all said that this practice (especially Dr. Ronzo) was not knife happy, and if you needed surgery, you NEEDED surgery.
BTW...do not have this done at The Villages Hospital. They wanted a down payment up-front, even though I have excellent insurance (CHAMPVA). When I decided to forgo the surgery, they still kept my down payment (almost $2500) until my insurance paid for my pre-ops. Then they told me that it would take "6-8 weeks" for my reimbursement. Funny, they took my $$$ in about 60 seconds, but it takes 6-8 weeks for a reimbursement?? I'm still waiting for my reimbursement 2 months later (while paying interest in on my CC). Caveat Emptor!
GOOD LUCK to all of us!

I am having spine surgery with Dr.Spurrier Have you heard anything elese about him?

I know that he will not do surgery unless he thinks it will really help you. I was sure I was a good candidate for his minally invasive surgery, after he examined me, looked at exrays and MRI, etc... he said no he would not do the surgery because it wouldn't help my exact problem.
I think you are in good hands. Good luck.

I went to two of his seminars...one a couple of years ago and then again a year later. I also researched him online and his credentials seem good! He won't do surgery unless it's a last resort to anything else. So he's not quick to get you under the knife. I had emergency back surgery (non-evasive) with him awhile ago. I had a ruptured disc and the pain was beyond belief and the meds didn't even touch it. I have had good results from the surgery and am very happy with them. I'd had significant back issues for years so this wasn't gone into lightly. I'd say that you'll do well to stick with him. I'd never have any other type of doctor touch my back!!!! Oh...and the reports I heard from the emergency room, all the way to my home-health folks were VERY positive about Dr. Spurrier. The most common report was "I've seen a whole lot of other work from other doctors and Dr. Spurrier's work, patients etc do much, much better!" That was good enough for me. I even heard this from the EMT that came to my "rescue"---he said he'd had back surgery too with Dr. Spurrier and that he is THE best!!

Best wishes!!!

I have had back problems since I was 21 years old, and 2 surgeries. Both surgeries were after symptoms didn't improve for months. While I still have problems, and more symptoms have arisen over the years, at the time the procedures were necessary to relieve crippling pain and get me back on my feet. Over the years, I have had many incidents with my back, and have been laid up for months at a time. In those incidents, after the initial pain, a few weeks later I would gradually improve through exercise and chiropractic. I would only recommend surgery when all other options have been used. Oddly, I had a very physical job that caused my back problems,but I think the physicality of it also helped strengthen my back. Guess it was like a double edged sword. I ended up with a spinal cord disease (arachnoiditis) that is incurable and was caused by a pre-surgical procedure, so I recommend surgery only as a last option. Give PT or chiro a shot.

I was having back pains. The doctor sent me to one of these physical therapy places. After their treatments I felt the same as when I walked in. They were surprised. I asked for an MRI. I was then diagnosed with lumbar stenosis. I went to a neurosurgeon who said that only surgery would help me. I was operated on in November, 2006. I immediately felt better. Some on the pain came back in 2008. The neurosurgeon set me up with a pain specialist. I went to two sessions for the shots. I felt better but it did not seem worth more shots. I am now doing much better than before the 2006 surgery but am not 100%. I can play golf and do some simple things around the house. Tedious work that includes bending still causes me pains. I am glad that I got the surgery. I don't think I could still be a productive and happy person without it.

Best advice I received was from an Army back specialist when I was in the Navy. He said "If you can live with it, do it because there is no guarantee that surgery will fix it or could even make it worse." Now I know Army doctors are not in it for the money so I took that advice and have been glad I did. I exercise almost daily, running, golf, weights, etc. Some days are better than others but it comes and goes and I can live with that. I have two herniated discs in my lower back but can still be active by keeping the supporting muscles strong. When I have pain, it is usually when I get up in the morning. As I move about it usually goes away.

My brother has non-invasive lumbar surgery with Dr. Bono can't remeber the name of his clinic. They cut 3 cm then scrapped the bone separating nerve fron bone. He just got out of his brace Friday and is going to the gym and will begin playing golf on Monday. He states he is pain free. My daughter had a lumbar fusion from a Manhattan surgeon and two years later had another surgery because the bone was growing and entangled the nerve. Then again two years later because the bone grew again. She is pain free and the doctor promised her he had rectified the bone growth once and for all
The surgeon claimed the bone growth was somewhat unexpected.

Gulf Coast Spine Institute
 

Dr. Bono and Dr. Ronzo are both at Gulf Coast Spine Institute. They do minimally invasive surgery; it is not the laser type. Dr. Ronzo did hubby's surgery and he is now back to playing golf at least twice a week and sometimes more. He goes to the gym and plays billiards several times a week as well. Before his surgery, he was on so much pain medication and still in a lot of pain. He doesn't feel 20,30, or 40 anymore, but I don't think I know of anyone going on 80 that does.:a20: Seriously, it has made all the difference in the world for him and they are a Medicare provider.