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It was a fairly minor surgery called a laminotomy. There was no fusion and it was only one level 3 - 4 . I'm embarrassed to say I didn't ask him why the symptoms came back although I'm assuming it's because in the beginning he told me I might need a fusion a year after this surgery so I'm assuming it's because he didn't fuse the bones together after he opened up the space. But that's a good question to ask him. It's a little embarrassing I like him a lot I even would say I had a crush on him which makes the decision trickier. He is at Columbia and was supposed to be one of the best spine neurosurgeons in New York. He's fairly young compared to some of the other surgeons I've spoken to he's I think around 50 or maybe even a little younger.
Replies to "It was a fairly minor surgery called a laminotomy. There was no fusion and it was..."
@annie1 If I remember correctly back to your conversations before your laminectomy, didn’t you have opinions from other surgeons recommending against laminectomy and in favor of fusion? Is osteoporosis also involved? That may have been a reason for a surgical recommendation.
I also agree in choosing a surgeon based on his/her training, skill and record of success and enough experience to be good at what he/she does.
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@annie1
I have had 3 spine surgeries--2 went perfectly and the last one was complicated by a spinal bleed. I didn't stop taking the Eliquis far enough in advance of the surgery date to minimize bleeding risk. It can take up to 2 weeks to get that stuff out of your blood; but my Cardiologist insisted 3 days suspension was fine. I am in my mid 70's; tht should have called for much more caution regarding the thinner.
Spine surgery is never a sure thing; not that you appear to think in that direction. However, I wish I had just recently consented to upgrading my 1-level fusion to a 2-level since I have a congenitally narrow interior of the spine.
Much depends upon the individual patient's physiology and spine health as it affects treatment choices. The most important question for the surgeon is; have we identified what the specific issue is, and what are the options/ Which treatment option will likely fix the problem? "Measure twice, cut once".