My name is Dr. Michael Perry and I am the Medical Director at LSI. Having practiced medicine for 21 years, I know the importance of patient education. This is the reason that we conduct educational seminars nationwide, providing an overview of spinal conditions and treatment options. From time to time, I will share and address common concerns of back pain sufferers and issues relating to minimally invasive spine surgery. In this post, the question that I will address is one that I frequently hear, "Why aren't other large hospitals doing this procedure?"
New procedures like minimally invasive procedures are often subject to scrutiny, but I think that one of the biggest problems facing these innovative procedures is for people to understand exactly what we do. When a person asks their doctor about LSI and laser spine surgery, these doctors may have misconceptions about what can be accomplished. It is unfortunate that some doctors will dismiss what they don't understand. This is sometimes the case with laser technology. First, let me clarify that the laser is simply a tool, used during surgery, strictly on soft tissue. If small amounts of bone are to be removed, the laser is not used for this purpose. Instead, we use small burrs, drills, and rongeurs.
In order to become proficient in these procedures, a surgeon would have to work with a doctor for a number of months, to understand all the applications, limitations and complications that can occur. Most physicians are not willing to give up their own medical practice and join a doctor to learn these techniques. This is the primary reason that more doctors aren't performing the procedure. Let me be clear in stating that I believe that all medical procedures are subject to critical analysis and encourage all prospective patients to conduct research, so that you can be informed and comfortable with your decision, but also ensure that your research is thorough. In fact, I believe that skepticism is healthy and I am always pleased to encounter patients who are engaged and proactive.
New procedures like minimally invasive procedures are often subject to scrutiny, but I think that one of the biggest problems facing these innovative procedures is for people to understand exactly what we do. When a person asks their doctor about LSI and laser spine surgery, these doctors may have misconceptions about what can be accomplished. It is unfortunate that some doctors will dismiss what they don't understand. This is sometimes the case with laser technology. First, let me clarify that the laser is simply a tool, used during surgery, strictly on soft tissue. If small amounts of bone are to be removed, the laser is not used for this purpose. Instead, we use small burrs, drills, and rongeurs.
In order to become proficient in these procedures, a surgeon would have to work with a doctor for a number of months, to understand all the applications, limitations and complications that can occur. Most physicians are not willing to give up their own medical practice and join a doctor to learn these techniques. This is the primary reason that more doctors aren't performing the procedure. Let me be clear in stating that I believe that all medical procedures are subject to critical analysis and encourage all prospective patients to conduct research, so that you can be informed and comfortable with your decision, but also ensure that your research is thorough. In fact, I believe that skepticism is healthy and I am always pleased to encounter patients who are engaged and proactive.
Dr. Perry;
I had surgery June 23rd, 2008 on the L3/4 area and need further surgery at L5/S1 and probably L4/5. The surgery was somewhat successful but because of severe pain from the other areas it has not greatly improved my life. I had to give up my career, all sports I played and my music, as I am a drummer. My business was as a gardener/tree pruner.
After the surgery I was never contacted, so I phoned and was told it was an oversight and I would be contacted periodically. That never happened. I then started phoning in October,2008 trying to get an appointment for early 2009 in Scottsdale, Arizona and continued phoning dozens of times until late December to numerous people. I have since sent a new contrasted MRI for Dr. V. Morris to look at and compare to the one taken at LSI on June 22, 2008. I had been told I wouldn't be allowed to go to Scottsdale when I phoned in November and early December, but apparently someone has relented.
The reason for asking to go to Scottsdale is that I live on Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada, which is on the west coast and only 3 hours to Scottsdale. Also I have friends and am purchasing a home there. I have vacationed there since 1978.
Although I am confident about your procedures and look forward to an opportunity to have my back problems fixed, I must tell you that I wasn't treated as well as your advertisements promise either while I was there for the operation or the follow up.
Before the operation, someone administered the apparatus put on one's hand for the sedative so roughly and painfully that my pulse dropped to 40 and BP to 90 over 50. I was then given a bag of saline solution and waited an extra hour or more before surgery. I have had many procedures with sedatives but nothing like that ever occurred.
I would never have brought any of this to your attention but feel that I have been treated with less care than say Andy Bean or Peter Jacobsen and others I have seen on your advertisements. This is not covered by insurance as I am paying cash and really expect no less care and concern than any other patients you treat.
I have great admiration for the work you are doing and hope you can accept my concerns in the spirit they are meant.
I am looking forward to having Dr.Weiss help me get my life back and take him golfing when I'm better. If you and Dr. Morris want to fill out the foursome, I would be more than happy to take your money.
Respectfully, David D. Howells