Now that you’re preparing for spinal fusion surgery, the next step is to find the right Los Angeles spine surgeon to perform your procedure. Keep in mind that fusion surgery is usually elective, so you’re not likely to be under a tight deadline to commit to surgeon, giving you plenty of time to do some comparing.
Most doctors aren’t going to be offended if you want to seek another opinion or two before making a final decision. Some local spine surgeons may even provide you with contact information for other surgeons who offer spinal fusions, or you can get names by searching online directories. Healthgrades.com is a great resource and is an example of a reputable directory that also provides ratings, which you can use for your comparisons.
You’re likely to hear a lot of certifications referenced in connection with any surgeon you’re considering. There are many boards out there with different criteria for issuing a certification to a doctor, so it’s important to check with the American Board of Medical Specialties (866-275-2267) to confirm a certification.
Due to privacy laws, you may not be able to get names of previous patients from your doctor unless patients have specifically given permission to be references. You should, however, be able to find online comments from patients to get an idea of what their experiences were with a surgeon you’re considering for your fusion surgery. If you do get a chance to ask questions to other patients, consider these:
*You’ll usually find yourself dealing with the staff first, so it’s important to know how they related to patients.
While checking out stats and talking to former patients can help you make your decision, it’s usually best to go with your instincts, finding out who you are most comfortable and confident around.
If you are still in the comparison process, would like a second opinion, or would simply like to have a conversation, reach out to Dr. Hyun Bae of The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration. Specializing in minimally invasive and motion preservation technology, Dr. Bae has extensive knowledge in spinal fusions, as well as more innovative technologies such as artificial disc replacement with Mobi-C that can achieve the same results with more range of motion for the patient. Call 310-828-7757 to schedule an in-person consultation today.