Orthopedic Surgeons/Los Angeles

[sand52]

Hi, I am new to this forum and was researching doctors in the Los Angeles, Orange County areas. I am in need of cervical fusion or discectomy. Any and all recommendations would be appreciated.


Thanks,
Sand52

[dshobbies]

Hi Sand52 and welcome,

The two best doctors in Los Angeles are Dr. Regan in Beverly Hills and Dr. Delamarter in Santa Monica.

Warning, their surgical skills are top notch, not their office manner. It's easy to be put off but you're not shopping for a friend, you're looking for a surgeon.

You're new here and one thing we warn about repeatedly is to educate yourself. Though both of these doctors are excellent choices, you need to understand what they're telling you and make any ultimate decision for yourself, eg; why do you need a fusion? or a discectomy? These are very different surgeries. Do you know what each surgery is? Do you have a current MRI? How many levels are involved? Are there contra-indications for an ADR? Who told you what you need? Why was this the recommendation?

Learn as much as you can before you make a final decision. It's your spine!

Ask us as many questions as you need, that's why we're here. Ask your doctors until you understand what they're telling you. And good luck,

Dale

[Maria]

Like Dale I can recommend the two I saw as well, Dr.Delamarter and Dr.Regan.

I liked both and Mark accompanied me on both visits however I felt that Dr.Regan gave me a bit more of a personal touch, answered my questions more directly and seemed very emphathetic. BTW, he realized I was there for a 2nd opinion not that I was consulting him because I planned to have surgery with him. Mark had actually gotten me squeezed onto Dr.R's schedule some time after another patient he was going along with to see Dr.R.

Now the offices.. Delamarters was difficult to get anything actually rolling till WC intervened and did what they were supposed to do. Very red tape-ish and left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing back when I last was seen there in '06. I felt the office was well run tho kind of cold/sterile except for the radiology tech who was very friendly. I just felt sort of shuffled about there tho I realize it was a very busy office and Dr.D has a great rep as a spine surgeon.

Dr.Regan's office waiting space was with several other docs and the patients all were talking amongst the specialities there and it was such a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and all the comments I heard re all docs in the setting was good. Dr.R. also has a great rep as a spine surgeon and is very busy as well.

The staff was nice as well, very kind. At the time this wonderful PM doc did the intial type of history taking and he was *da bomb*.. and easy on the eyes as well tho I cannot remember his name. If I lived closer I would have wanted to go to that office just to see him for PM!!!

I also consulted with a Neurosurgeon in La Jolla (San Diego County) who was really good and in fact made my WC case in terms of 2nd surgical opinion (again Mark attended this with me and I think he really helped me along in terms of his communication with the surgeon).

What was his name tho.. perhaps if Mark reads this he will remember as at the moment I cannot recall it and the guy is definately worth consulting with and as I recall he was working with cervical ADR at the time of my consultation back in '06.

If I think of his name I'll edit this post tho a bit later~

Allan can add a few more doctors to this list as he's consulted with several others he recommends.

good luck!

[runner]

Sand52,

I like my doc.
He is Dr. Sylvain Palmer.
He is located in Mission Viejo, CA.
He is a neurosurgeon and a very talented surgeon.

runner

[ans]

I really like Drs. Lauryssen, Regan, Khoo at UCLA (accepts BC in full/long wait) and have heard good things about Watkins in Marina Del Rey, Patrick Johnson, and the and Neel Annand (there too). I don't know what Bray's doing but he 's got an excellent reputation too. Best..

[sahuaro]

Dr. Regan did my one-level cervical ADR last year and a friend's 3-level cervical ADR just about 6 weeks ago, with great results. He is also a board-certified internist. And he will patiently answer questions!