Complaint Review: Laser Spine Institute

I went to LSI and was told by physcian that I needed laser spine surgery and anyone wanting to fuse my spine was wrong.  I agreed to have surgery on my lower back and mid back.  I was told surgery would be in the morning and I was to arrive by 8:30AM  Upon arriving I was taken in the pre-op and changed into a gown. 

I was then hooked up to various monitors and asked vital questions.  As the IV was getting ready to be placed into my arm the nurse says "Dr Prada will be here in a second to speak with you before suregery"  I replied that I didn't know who Dr Prada was and Dr Morris was my Surgeon.  I was then told Dr Morris was on vacation.  I was very agitated and demanded to speak with a supervisor.  While waiting on the supervisor I was told Dr. Prada was very good and I should trust him to do the surgery. 

The supervisor arrived and told me that Dr Morris would not be there because of a death in the family.  I then asked why I was not informed of this before now?  They apologized and I was told Dr Prada was very good and he could do the surgery.  I was still aprehensive and spoke with Dr Prada when he was done with his previous surgery.  He was a very nice Dr and we spoke.  He understood my concerns of not previously speaking with him.  He then said "Let's go look at your MRI's together"  We both went over to look and he said "I don't know what Dr Morris was looking at but I don't agree with his assesment.  You need a fusion" 

I was in total shock because had I not said anything I would have been on a table!  Dr Prada then said since he didn't agree he would not be operating on me.  I left the center very disgusted after wasting almost 4hrs being there in pre-op.  I was then told by hospital admin that they would have the chief Dr look at the MRI's and give his opinion. 

The following day I was called and told the Chief Dr recommened that I have the back fused.  I then asked if he was willing to do the fusion since he recommended it.  I then asked "if he is willing to do it what is the soonest he could do it?"  I was called back later and told that he would not be willing to operate nor would anyone in the clinic.  I was told to go seek attention elsewhere! 

Now I have wasted the last month of my valuable time and I do not have any relief and almost had a surgery that would have been non benefical by a Dr that I had never met prior to surgery.  This is a total lack of communication and should not be allowed or tolerated. 

When I was there I felt like I was on an assembly line and they give the impression that it's so routine that anyone can do it.  LSI doesn't feel any remorse over what happened nor do they care that they cost me time and emotional distress with there mistake.  I wouldn't recommend them to anyone unless you don't care who operates on you and you don't care about your body.