[jeff]

i also have a herniation at t5-6, i also am terrified at having surgery, i have seen 4 surgeons, 3 who want to operate, 1 said to try physical therapy, i'm doing a phsyical therapy called feldenkreist method, this is for people that can't do normal physical therapy, i've seen a pysiatrist (spelling?), this is a md, who isn't a surgeon and looks at all possible alternatives, injections, physical therapy, etc., i'm using dr. vlachos in beverly hills, she can tell you if you must have surgery, in her office, is a thoracic spine surgeon john regan, a vats pioneer, he should be one of the surgeons you talk to, heard some bad things about him, also dr patrick johnson at cedars in los angeles, he also does vats