The 411 on Laser Spine Institute LSI

[Rob Wilson]

I am one of those ADR patients that still have stenosis after ADR. I went to LSI and they cost me a lot of money but did not fix the problem fully. Then I went to Bonati and he seemed to fix the stenosis. I know there is bad press on Bonati as well. I was fortunate to get a good healing from Bonati though.

[ADR seeker]

Originally Posted by Rob Wilson

I am one of those ADR patients that still have stenosis after ADR. I went to LSI and they cost me a lot of money but did not fix the problem fully. Then I went to Bonati and he seemed to fix the stenosis. I know there is bad press on Bonati as well. I was fortunate to get a good healing from Bonati though.

My concern is that places like Bonati advertize that they are doing something other surgeons don't. What they do is insert an x ray guided cannula into where the disk is and they nibble away at it and leave most of the disk in place. Other surgeon to the same thing but charge 1/2 the price. They advertize that what they are doing is something that only they do. I am not disputing the effectiveness of the procedure. It is a good procedure for the right candidate but it has some drawbacks.

They don't tell you that it weakens the annulus and can lead to the the nucleus of the disk leaking out and rupturing through the annulus and onto the nerve or cord.

What these laser spine and so called minimally invasive factories to is no different than what other surgeons are doing. It's hype and slick marketing. My advice is to deal with a university hospital or a place like the Mayo Clinic.

Bonati has been sued and fined many times.

That group is former partners of Dr. Bonati. I wouldn't go to any of those guys.



Check out these fine tales:

Pasco: Back doctor sues over trade secrets

Tampabay: Is surgeon innovative, or unfit?

Miracle doctor Alfred Bonati

I believe LSI has had fraud written on it even before they were formed. they left bonati institute when the law suits started against dr. bonati and his clinic. (what ever it was called)

so i believe they are fruads to begin with.

so

LSI has done this....
Medical Malpractice Attorney:Unprofessional Conduct:Medical Practice Act. | MedicalMalpractice.com

via

The "British West Indies Medical College" Scam

[mmglobal]

Many of these types of clinics provide first rate care. They have a specialty that they primarily do and they are quite good at it. However....

The objection I have to many of them is that they never met a patient they didn't like. I know there are exceptions and I know people who have been turned away as non candidates. For every one I know that meets that profile, I know several who have gone there with poor results.

I don't object to occasional poor results. Hey, this is spine and there are no procedures that don't have failures and horror stories associated with them. What I do object to is the patient who has a disc that is so severely compromised that it is not a good candidate for MISS. Too many of these doctors feel that they have license to do way too many surgeries because it is MISS and they are unlikely to hurt you. May as well try. Too many of these clinics are run like money factories. Remember the folks at Disc Cure? They wouldn't let you talk to a doctor without paying $500 up front!

That is great, unless after you've paid them for a surgery or two that you really weren't a good candidate for; so now you cannot afford to have the next surgery that you really need. I've seen this way too many times.

Again, if what you need is what they are going to do... they can be great. I also know many successful patients with MISS from Bonati and LSI.

Mark

[upperwestside]

Hi, I just joined on here. I wanted to see what the general sentiment was in these forums about the big minimally invasive spine surgery providers. I heart the smilies.

I agree with Mark that it seems you have some surgeries that go well with the big providers. Some seem to be better than others though, based on their philosophy and motivations. It's too bad spine surgery isn't more regulated. Some seem to really care about good patient results, that's the good news.

It looks like LSI was just sued by Hulk Hogan for selling him on their type of laser surgery when he really needed a spinal fusion. There seems to be a lot of negative feedback about them in general, and quite a few law suits. Did they just lose a law suit for fraudulent business practices? I heard something about it but can't find it now. I just see medical suits.

Anyway, it seems like Bonati has good press out there. I think there are good local providers too. Like in New Jersey, I have seen several around that aren't one-hit wonders, so they don't have an incentive to just sell you on one thing. Well enough rambling, I'm still absorbing everything going on out there.

[Maria]

I'd like to state that back when I was living in Fla around 2003 Bonati had a not so good rep yet it seems that with time this Institute has improved at least in terms of reputation.

I think one has to realize that:
A) there are failures in spine surgery with just about any surgeon and that doesn't necessarily have to do with the surgeon or just with the surgeon

B) There can be improvement (or the opposite) in the Institute that comes out of negative reviews so to continually label anything for infinity either good or bad without knowing much more about up to date and current practices/outcomes is useless as credible information.

C) One should exercise caution on believing statements such as "we'll have you trekking in Tibet in no time" or statements that sound too good to be true. One has to really do the research and IMHO get a number of opinions, weigh them, and make the best decision possible. If it's an emergency situation things might be different re taking time to research however often there is enough time to try the conservative route and research the surgical options.

good luck to anyone that suffers spinal pain and has to decide on where to go, what to do and when to do it regarding spine surgery. It's a huge decision and can definately be a life altering experience.

[Rob Wilson]

I can only give my own personal experience. LSI is below average at best. Bonati performed an EXCELLENT surgery to fix what LSI was not capable of doing and LSI said it could not be done. Bonati fixed me.