If you were like me and were facing spinal/back surgery, and had heard all of the horror stories that about 90% of the people that had these were the same or worse off than before the surgery, you would certainly try and wait until you found that “top neurosurgeon” that everyone is looking to find. After developing structural problems that my pain management doctor could not address, he ordered a new MRI. After getting the radiologist report he said that he was coming to refer me for a surgical consultation with Dr. Sekhon. That doctor, and two of my other doctors, all said that if they had to have back/spinal surgery that Dr. Sekhon is the only doctor that they would let operate on them. I thought that this was a good recommendation so I set up an appointment to see Dr. Sekhon after he had studied my MRI. My wife went with me to our first visit. We found Dr. Sekhon to be very concerned about my condition and he took a lot of time to review the MRI scans, both from the side and from the to down, and explained what was going on. He said that if I did not have the surgery soon that I risked some of the nerves dying and that would cause permanent paralysis. He explained exactly what he would do in the surgery and had models of the spine for this particular procedure so I could see the results before and after surgery. Even I could see from the MRI scans how bad the compression of my spine had become so I called the next day to set up a date or surgery pending insurance approval. I did have another appointment with one of Dr. Sekhons PA’s who went over all of the pre-surgical procedures so I was completely prepared of what I was facing. They also told me that I would have to go to physical therapy, for from 4 to 10 weeks, after the surgical staples were removed. Dr. Sekhon also told me that it would take 3 months before healing was complete and it would take 12-13 months to fully recover from the surgery assuming that I went for the physical therapy.
On the day of surgery Dr. Sekhon came into the pre-surgical area and again explained the procedure in detail and mentioned all of the possible risks and side effects of the surgery. He then had the anesthesiologist come and talk with me about the procedure. Upon waking up in the recovery room I already felt that the pain and numbness in my legs and feet were already gone. He came in my hospital room the next day to talk about the surgery and how well it went.
My follow up appointments at 2 and 6 weeks went very well and the physical therapy is helping me to do things that I was not able to do the last 4 years. Dr. Sekhon and his staff took and genuine interest in my case and me as a person. I have absolutely no reservations in recommending him for neurosurgery of any kind. I am only 6 weeks out of the hospital and my recovery seems to be amazingly well. If I would have known the positive outcome of these results I would have HAD this surgery some time GO.
ALAN DI STEFANO