The LSI Story
Being so overjoyed with the freedom from pain, I was able to partner with Dr. St. Louis, Dr. Michael Perry and Dr. Glenn Hamburg and open LSI in March of 2005. We started LSI in a small 2,500 square foot office based surgery center with only one operating room and a staff of 12 employees, performing approximately 15 surgeries monthly. By June 2006, LSI became an ambulatory surgical center, in order to facilitate the growing number of patients who were seeking relief from their excruciating back and neck pain. Soon thereafter, we realized that in order to help an increasing number of patients, while continuing to provide the same level of hospitality and service, we needed to open another facility on the west coast.
We plan to open the Scottsdale, Arizona Laser Spine Institute outpatient surgical center in January 2009. This new surgical center will cater to those who prefer to travel to the western U.S. We have had the opportunity to help over 8,000 back and neck pain sufferers from around the world since 2005 and it is our mission to help as many people as possible who are experiencing pain or discomfort from spinal conditions. We are very excited about this new facility and the opportunities that it presents for our patients. In a later post, I will give you more details about our new facility in Arizona.
It is amazing to see that we have grown by leaps and bounds in the last three and a half years. I feel we have grown successfully over the years because of our dedication to providing the highest quality of service to our patients. I always enjoy hearing stories from others about their lives before and after surgery. Being a former back and neck pain sufferer, I truly understand what they went through and how difficult it was to live life. Because of my experience, I can relate to the frustration of being accustomed to performing daily activities and having to stop because of the severe pain. I feel it is my duty to educate others on their conditions and the healthcare treatments available today, but also to make people aware that they are not alone. From time to time, I will have expert guest bloggers who will discuss some of the latest innovations in endoscopic spine surgery and answer questions that you may have.
To date, I can truly say that being involved in LSI is the most gratifying experience I have ever had in my entire life. Moreover, I want to fulfill our company's mission to help as many people as possible, so I welcome comments from everyone. Please feel free to offer suggestions on how we can improve our service.
We plan to open the Scottsdale, Arizona Laser Spine Institute outpatient surgical center in January 2009. This new surgical center will cater to those who prefer to travel to the western U.S. We have had the opportunity to help over 8,000 back and neck pain sufferers from around the world since 2005 and it is our mission to help as many people as possible who are experiencing pain or discomfort from spinal conditions. We are very excited about this new facility and the opportunities that it presents for our patients. In a later post, I will give you more details about our new facility in Arizona.
It is amazing to see that we have grown by leaps and bounds in the last three and a half years. I feel we have grown successfully over the years because of our dedication to providing the highest quality of service to our patients. I always enjoy hearing stories from others about their lives before and after surgery. Being a former back and neck pain sufferer, I truly understand what they went through and how difficult it was to live life. Because of my experience, I can relate to the frustration of being accustomed to performing daily activities and having to stop because of the severe pain. I feel it is my duty to educate others on their conditions and the healthcare treatments available today, but also to make people aware that they are not alone. From time to time, I will have expert guest bloggers who will discuss some of the latest innovations in endoscopic spine surgery and answer questions that you may have.
To date, I can truly say that being involved in LSI is the most gratifying experience I have ever had in my entire life. Moreover, I want to fulfill our company's mission to help as many people as possible, so I welcome comments from everyone. Please feel free to offer suggestions on how we can improve our service.
8 Comments
Leave a comment
The Laser Spine Institute provides minimally invasive procedures to combat spinal and nerve conditions, which often times cause neck and back pain.
"Please feel free to offer suggestions on how we can improve our service".
As a current potential International client may i suggest in the contact us section, in the personal information part you add a OTHER option in the State of origin question. (as not everyone lives in the U.S.), currently it is impossible to submit an enquiry using my actual address.
Also a simple email address to contact you on may be a good adition to your website.
Dear Aussie,
Thank you very much for this suggestion. Our IT department is in the process of rectifying the issue and once complete, our international patients should be able to submit their information with ease. Aussie, were you able to speak with anyone at LSI? If not, please send me your contact information and I will be happy to have a patient advocate call you ASAP. Thanks again for helping us to improve our service.
One suggestion: be more upfront on the main LSI site about your locations -- it's not easily found. Other than that -- great site, good job on the blog.
I need help!!! How can I convince the military doctors and aka (Tricare) to see that this is not an experimental procedure in spinal repair/treatment? I have a bulging disc, ruptured disc or slipped disc what ever you want to call it. In the C5-C6 area and ask to go too the LSI center. I was told by both Tricare and the military doctor that they would not support this and I would have to pay for it out of my own pocket. The problem is I decided to have a fusion done not once but twice due to their screw up’s. Now I’m in worst condition then before. I refuse to go through another surgery. Plus I need treatment for the problem in the L5-S1 region. What can I do to get real medical help around here? I gave the military 20 years of service and can’t get the medical treatment I need.
Sincerely Help!
I need help!!! How can I convince the military doctors and aka (Tricare) to see that this is not an experimental procedure in spinal repair/treatment? I have a bulging disc, ruptured disc or slipped disc what ever you want to call it. In the C5-C6 area and ask to go too the LSI center. I was told by both Tricare and the military doctor that they would not support this and I would have to pay for it out of my own pocket. The problem is I decided to have a fusion done not once but twice due to there screw up’s. Now I’m in worst condition then before. I refuse to go through another surgery. Plus I need treatment for the problem in the L5-S1 region. What can I do to get real medical help around here? I gave the military 20 years of service and can’t get the medical treatment I need.
Sincerely Help!
Randy
Dear Randy,
Thanks for posting! We have Patient Advocates, who are expert in issues relating to insurance and a Consumer Finance Specialist, who is an expert on issues relating to medical procedure financing. Together, they will help you to find the best available option.
Sincerely,
Bill Horne.
I am 18 and have been in pain for 2 years. I have bulging discs between L4 and L5 and L5 and S1, but every neurosurgeon and orthopedic doctor tells me they aren't that bad and I'm too young to do anything. I can't go through a whole day at school without laying down, and anytime I sit for longer than 15 minutes my legs go numb. I had to give up soccer my senior year(this year), haven't been able to run for 2 years due to excruciating back pain (I completed a half marathon 4 years ago). This week as I came down the stairs at school carrying books, my legs went to jelly and crumbled and I fell down the stairs. My mom is an ICU nurse and she knows what I have is not acceptable, and even the neurologist says it's not a systemic neuro issue, it is a back issue, but nobody will help me.I've been doing acupunture for about 4 weeks, and it helps with the pain some, but the numbness happens everyday, all day when I'm sitting in class. Can you help me, even though I'm young? I want to live my life again, not just exist and lay around because it hurts to be upright.
Dear Sarah,
I am sorry to hear that you have been in pain and not able to find relief. We generally advise folks to explore conservative methods before pursuing surgery, especially at such a young age, but I see that you have already done so. I shared your post with our Surgical and Medical Director, Dr. Kevin Scott. He advises that you send your MRI or CTscan for a courtesy review. Our doctors would then correlate the findings with your reported symptoms and make recommendations accordingly. Thanks for writing.
Sincerely,
Bill Horne.