Do’s and Don’ts of Back Surgery

Have you ever felt like you were rushed to a decision, whether you were buying a new car, purchasing insurance, or getting a medical treatment? 

This is exactly the type of approach that board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Ali H. Mesiwala and our team make every effort to avoid at our neurosurgery practice — especially when it comes to serious decisions like back surgery. In fact, our goal is quite the opposite. We take the time to ensure that each of our patients is confident and comfortable with their treatment choice.

Each year in the United States, surgeons perform about half a million lumbar spine surgeries, and the following is what we think each patient’s presurgical journey should entail.

You initial evaluation for back pain

If you’re among the 16 million adults in the United States whose lives have been limited by chronic back pain, you want a solution that will help you get back to your daily activities without discomfort.

From our point of view, we call these “activities of daily living” (ADLs) and the impact your back pain is having on them is one of the first factors we plug into your spine surgery equation. So, please prepare a list of activities that you feel have been impacted by your spine problem and be as detailed as you wish.

During your first visit with Dr. Mesiwala, we first review your symptoms and your ADLs so we have a clear picture about how your back pain is impacting your life. Next, we perform an extensive physical and neurological exam, which includes advanced imaging so we can see what's going on inside your spine.

Your treatment recommendations for your back pain

Once we complete our evaluation, we deliver our findings and recommendations. We endeavor to take the time to explain why we are making a certain recommendation, and we invite you to ask as many questions as you wish. If you’ve done some research, feel free to bring that along and we can address it, too.

For example, if we recommend an artificial disc replacement, we can discuss the different implant options and why we feel one is better than another. Or, perhaps you want to learn more about the surgical approach since there are several types. These include minimally invasive, endoscopic, and open techniques, and we want to make sure you understand each type and why we’re suggesting a particular one for you.

During this visit, you can also feel free to ask about Dr. Mesiwala’s experience in whatever surgery we suggest — he’s happy to provide any background you need.

We also focus on explaining what recovery will be like for you after your spine surgery so everyone is on the same page when it comes to expectations.

Get a second (and third) opinion

Once we make our recommendation for resolving your chronic back pain, we fully support you getting a second, and even third, opinion. Spine surgery is a serious and irreversible decision, so we want you to feel confident going in.

If you’d like, we can point you in the right direction for these opinions, and we’re happy to facilitate the exchange of information with any other provider you choose.

The bottom line is that back surgery is a major decision and one that shouldn’t be rushed. Take your time, ask questions, and gather all the information you need so you can make a decision that’s best for you.

If you have more questions about spine surgery or you’d like to come in for an evaluation, please contact one of our offices in Newport Beach, Marina del Rey, or Rancho Cucamonga, California, to schedule an appointment.