FAQs

“Should I consider surgery or wait?”

The honest answer: Surgery should be your last resort, not your first choice. As someone who’s “not selling operations,” I’ll always tell you both the good and the bad about surgical options.

Consider surgery when:

• Conservative treatment (physical therapy, injections, medications) hasn’t helped after 6-12 weeks
• You’re experiencing progressive weakness or numbness
• Pain significantly impacts your ability to work or enjoy life
• You have structural problems that won’t improve with time

Wait if:

• Symptoms are manageable with conservative care
• You haven’t tried appropriate non-surgical treatments
• Your condition isn’t causing neurological damage
• You’re not ready for the commitment recovery requires

My approach: I’ll examine you thoroughly, review your imaging, and give you an honest assessment. If surgery can help, I’ll explain exactly how. If it won’t significantly improve your situation, I’ll tell you that too.

“How is your approach different?”

Engineering meets medicine: My background as a biomedical engineer brings mathematical precision to surgical planning. I don’t just operate—I analyze, calculate, and optimize every aspect of your care.

Outcomes-driven: Every decision is based on data, evidence, and your specific goals. I track patient satisfaction, functional outcomes, and long-term results to ensure we’re achieving real improvements.

Honest communication: You’ll get both the good news and the challenges. I explain procedures in terms you can understand, discuss realistic expectations, and never pressure you into surgery.

Innovation in practice: As an NIH-funded device inventor, I often have access to cutting-edge techniques and technologies not available elsewhere in the region.

Military precision: My Air Force Reserve experience and trauma background mean I approach every case with discipline, preparation, and attention to detail.

Whole-person care: I understand that spine problems affect your work, family, and lifestyle. My goal isn’t just to fix the problem—it’s to get you back to the life you want to live.

“Will insurance cover this?”

Most procedures are covered: The vast majority of spine surgeries I perform are medically necessary and covered by insurance, including:

• Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans
• Major commercial insurers (Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare)
• Workers’ compensation (when appropriate)
• Most employer-based health plans

Pre-authorization: My staff handles insurance pre-authorization and will contact you about any requirements or potential out-of-pocket costs before your procedure.

Financial transparency: We’ll provide cost estimates upfront and work with you on payment plans if needed. No surprises.

What typically isn’t covered:

• Experimental or investigational procedures
• Cosmetic procedures
• Some newer implants or devices (we’ll discuss alternatives)

Our commitment: We’ll fight for coverage when procedures are medically necessary and will always inform you of costs before treatment.

“What if I need a second opinion?”

I encourage second opinions: Getting multiple perspectives on complex medical decisions is smart healthcare. I’m confident in my recommendations and welcome patients seeking additional input.

Spinal surgery has increased by more than 300% between 1997 and 2019. In many hospital systems, surgical volume is the metric that matters most to administrators. But I don’t believe in doing surgery for the sake of numbers.

My focus is outcomes—not quotas. I want patients to get back to their lives, not just into an operating room.

If you’ve been told you need spine surgery, I strongly encourage you to come in for a second opinion. You’ll receive a clear, honest assessment of your condition and a balanced discussion of all your options—surgical and non-surgical. The goal isn’t to convince you to have surgery. It’s to help you make the right decision for your health, your life, and your future.

When you should seek a second opinion:

• Before any major spinal surgery
• When treatment recommendations vary significantly
• If you’re unsure about the necessity of surgery
• When considering newer or less common procedures

What I provide for second opinions:

• Complete record review and imaging analysis
• Thorough physical examination
• Discussion of all treatment options (surgical and non-surgical)
• Written summary of findings and recommendations
• No pressure to choose me as your surgeon

If you’re seeking a second opinion about another surgeon’s recommendation:

• Bring all imaging studies, reports, and treatment records
• I’ll give you my honest assessment, even if it differs from the original recommendation
• We’ll discuss pros and cons of different approaches
• You’ll leave with clear understanding of your options

For other providers’ patients: I regularly provide second opinions and often refer patients back to their original surgeon when I agree with the treatment plan. My goal is ensuring you get the right care, not necessarily my care.