Pain experiences reviews

July 27, 2022 Lower back pain is gone, just mostly slight discomfort. Spinal fusion was performed on July 18, and I am out of Cedars Marina Del Rey Hospital and at California Rehabilitation Institute in Century City for a week now. I have had numerous spine surgeries in the past, all done by the very skillful Dr. Khurana. All of them have given me total pain relief within a week or two. No more serious pain meds are needed, just Gabapentin and Tylenol. I would very much like to thank Dr. Khurana and his skilled team for making my life pain free. Special thanks go to Surgical Coordinator Jessica Lopez who always took my calls, answered my numerous questions and scheduled my surgery date. Special thanks also to Noor Lakhani for ordering my meds prior to surgery and with helping me get placed with Cal Rehab...I'm very appreciative. Others deserve mentions as well, Elena De Silva who coordinated the delivery of my ice machine and helped me with my post operative back brace. And Bianca who also ordered my pre operative pain meds. And especially all those wonderful people at Cedars Marina Del Rey; the Anesthesiologist and all of the operating nurses and technicians. I am thankful for what you did for me. And I look forward to not seeing you in that environment again. But if I do, I know I will be well taken care of. Thanks again to Dr. Khurana...you were sensational.

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Sanjay Khurana, MD

Considering that age attracts doctors, the older I get I need more doctors. Along the way I found Doctor Khurana to be the best of the best. I completely trust him and his skills partially based on the success of my low back fusion last year. That surgery changed my life and I am looking forward that he will be putting a new disc in my neck later this year. I have been seeing him for about 15 years regarding pain management leading up to surgeries.

Sanjay Khurana, MD

I am so happy with Dr Khurana and his staff. They are always professional and helpful. I was anticipating him to say we need to operate. But, he said if you can deal with the pain let’s wait a few months and see if the body will absorb the herniated disc. There is no risk in waiting. People always say, “ surgeons just want to operate! Dr Khurana is not that type of surgeon.

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Dr Leonel Hunt is an excellent surgeon and he has a great staff! I was suffering from an excruciating pain due to a torn disc that was pinching my nerves. My husband had called many surgeons in order to make an appointment for a potential surgery and all have given him sometimes within 2 months of wait. His staff was very kind after my husband was explaining how much pain I am suffering to email him as they were talking over the phone to see if he can see me soon. I was in his office 5 days after! It was obvious that he had studied my MRI images before coming into the room because he knew what exactly was wrong with me and spotted the areas I was suffering with pain. His bed manner and presents and how involved he was with me throughout was remarkable. I am very grateful I picked and trusted him. I am 7 weeks post-op and feel amazing. Thank you so much Dr. Hunt!

Leonel Hunt, MD

Dr. Khurana and his Staff are an Exceptional and Professional Medical Team. Personable and Caring. Dr. Khurana is an excellent and knowledgeable surgeon. I had extensive spinal decompression and lower back fusion surgeries 6 months ago. My treatment and overnight stay at the LA Spine Surgery Center was 1st Class. I am healing exceptionally well and I am relatively pain free now. I am looking forward to getting back on the golf course soon. I highly recommend Dr. Khurana.

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Dr. Bae is a brilliant, trusting, confident doctor and a great surgeon. After herniating a disc around Christmas time, I had surgery on 2/1/22. I am fully healed with zero pain. I am grateful for his PA, Olivia, for her amazing post-op patient care and wound care. I give them an A+!

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Hyun Bae, MD

I trusted Dr Khurana the first five minutes of my initial exam expressing his aggressive approach to handle several conditions, one being dangerous and risky. But knew this surgeon was my top choice and I would be in the best surgical hands possible. I had very little pain, more discomfort and aching during the healing process. He is a “Master” at his skills finding answers for every ailment, and would recommend him to all as back surgery is serious business. Prepare for building your energy levels back in time. Do the PT exercises to heal and move so important as well.

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Dr. Bhalla is superb! He diagnosed my condition and prescribed surgery which has made me much more comfortable. I am not experiencing the pain I had pre surgery.

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

Dr. Bhalla saved my life! I spent a year in bed, spending absurd amounts of money on XRAYS, MRS's, chiropractic, epiderals, pain management, back specialists and so much more for my back problem only to continue to get worse. Dr. Bhalla from Day 1 made me feel safe and I knew I could trust him to cure me. I am only 39 years old and was very scared to have surgery, even though I was almost unable to walk or stand due to severe pain. But Dr. Bhalla did exactly what he said he could. I can actually live life again and think about the possibility of carrying a child. I cant thank him enough and recommend Dr. Bhalla and his amazing staff to anyone and everyone!!!

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

Best doctor ever. I would recommend him to anyone. He has great bedside manors and is an expert in his field. I had neck surgery and had absolutely no pain and have had excellent results. Eight months later I had lower back surgery for my chronic Spinal Stenosis issues. Again, virtually no pain. That was last October and after three weeks I was walking two miles without pain and playing golf after eight weeks. I feel better than I have in years. Even back to coaching baseball again. Two thumbs up!

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

Dr. Bhalla is a caring, thorough doctor who listens to his patients and explains the procedure that he feels is necessary extremely well. I would recommend him to anyone who has back pain of any kind. Thank you, Dr. Bhalla for all you have done for me and my husband.

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

I don't really know where to begin. I was introduced to Dr. Khurana after injuring my neck and not having any strength/extreme pain in my shoulder. This was a Tuesday afternoon around 3pm. He reviewed my MRI and knowing the pain I was in insisted that his assistant schedule me for surgery Thursday that same week and not wait until Friday. I had a herniated disk. It was in pieces. It was only one day but it showed a lot about the doctor understanding his patients and doing what needs to be done to put them first. He answered all my questions, was honest about everything I asked him, and most importantly made me feel like I was his only patient despite having I believe 4 other procedures to do that day. I didn't even get a 2nd opinion...this guy was so impressive upon meeting him my father who is a physician and I decided it wasn't necessary. I handled zero paperwork, everything is done for you, what a pleasure. Lastly, I was back at work 4 days later. I was back playing 18 holes of golf 5 weeks post op. No rehab was necessary. I simply cannot say enough good things about this man. I thanked him 1000 times over and its still not enough. I am back to normal life. Dr. Khurana is the absolute best!!!!!

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Incredible results from an incredible spine surgeon! Dr. Hyun Bae possesses a completely different level of understanding and surgical skill-set that elevates him well above his peers in his field of expertise. Just look at his resume, it's clear why he's considered the best spine surgeon in the U.S. by those who've had the pleasure of being repaired by him. It wasn't by chance that I went to Dr. Bae, I researched spine surgeons in the U.S. extensively and interviewed several before concluding Dr. Bae was clearly the most talented surgeon I could select. And he didn't disappoint me! The entire staff at The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration is very professional and highly efficient. This included scheduling my appointments, working with my insurance company, coordinating my surgeries and all follow-up appointments, including phone calls checking on my recovery progress. Tackling my complicated issue required two separate cervical spine surgeries. The first consisted of a posterior laminotomy, medial facetectomy and foraminotomy at level C7/T1, followed 3-weeks later with a complete 2-level anterior disc replacement at levels C5/C6 & C6/C7. State of the art titanium/polymer artificial discs were securely implanted, providing me with a full range of motion and pain-free use of my neck. Both surgeries were performed at the Advanced Surgical Center of Beverly Hills on an outpatient basis, which would have been unimaginable just 5-years ago. Amazingly, my disc replacement surgery began at 7am and I was in my vehicle being driven home at 1pm the same day, wearing only a soft neck brace for the ride home, which I never needed to wear again. My recovery and pain management has been way better than anticipated. In fact, the most difficult part of my entire recovery has been forcing myself to take it easy to give myself time to heal, simply because I feel so good. It's only been 7-weeks since my second surgery and I honestly feel like I can physically do anything without pain or limitations. I'm patiently waiting for Dr. Bae's clearance before returning to my regular workouts, active lifestyle, and pursuit of competitive golf. My recommendation to anyone in the U.S. searching for the finest spine surgeon available to diagnose and perform spine surgery on them is to include Dr. Hyun Bae on your list to interview. Resist the urge of selecting your spine surgeon simply based on geographical conveniences. Travel if necessary, your spine is too important.

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Hyun Bae, MD

I am so great full with Dr.Bhalla for helping me with my back problems. I was constantly in pain and was loosing feeling on my right leg. He made sure to be very specific on my first appointment and what steps to take. My best choice was having lumbar surgery on my lower back haven't had pain ever since then and it's been 5 months since I had my surgery. Thank you so much to Dr. Bhalla and I would HIGHLY recommend him.

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Amandeep Bhalla, MD

The front office and the nurse that escorted me to the room made me feel so welcome as a new patience. Dr. Millstein was very open and receptive to understanding pain in my arm and provided a solution. Dr. Millstein had great bed side manners and did not rush me. Thank you

Eric S. Millstein, MD

Dr. Hunt and his office are terrific. I had had great pain and trouble walking any distance. He quickly diagnosed my problem, spinal stenosis, with a vertebrae pressing against my spinal cord. He was able to schedule surgery around my work and it was quick and the result was excellent.In and out the same day, and a speedy recovery. I could not be happier and recommend him to any friends in need.

Leonel Hunt, MD

I just saw Dr.Combs first time today. It's a Monday and during Covid19, so it was a bit busy in the office. I had to wait for about 45 minutes to see him. He explained everything to me, my current prognosis, my options, surgical and non surgical treatments. He does Not prescribe pain medications as it was my first time there. I will be calling my primary doctor today. He didn't treat me as an assembly line patient which is nice. Will post more once I have the surgery.

Christopher Combs, MD

Update: Dr. Bhalla performed spine surgery on me on December 38, 2020. Prior to the surgery he came to my bedside and explained what would be entailed in my surgery. I had a lumbar laminectomy L3-L5, instrumented fusion L4-L5, fluoroscopy, allograft ad autograft. He also performed Sciatic joint fusion on me on Dec 19, 2019…Two rods and 7 screws later I am relatively pain free! He is friendly, compassionate and allays my fears prior to the start of any procedure. After the laminectomy, I saw him in the hospital the next morning at 6:45 am! There he was asking if the pain had subsided and it had. Post operative care provided more of the same compassion and general concern for my wellbeing. I have referred many of my friends, family and associates to Dr. Amandeep Bhalla. While I have so much care and admiration for Dr. Bhalla, I would also like to give a 5 star rating to his Nurse. Ronnie is a Breath of fresh air! She is kind, friendly and compassionate. She puts puts you at ease prior to seeing Dr. Bhalla. I have found that I can get an appointment quickly and once you check in for the appointment, Ronnie calls you in quickly and Dr. Bhalla sees you very quick. It is a very well run office. I was referred to Dr. Bhalla for lower back/sciatic pain. He is friendly, courteous and provides a thorough explanation of my problems as gleaned from the MRI. He assisted me in putting aside my fears of an epidural. On the day of my procedure, he came to see me prior to starting and I was greeted with a warm smile. I would like to also give kudos to his Physician Assistant, Mykeal. They are both young medical professionals who strive to make their patients feel at ease through discussion and information. The entire staff of Dr. Bhalla’s office (Corinne the Scheduler), Yvette (his Nurse), and the staff at the Surgery Center should be commended for fast, courteous and friendly interactions with their patients.

Amandeep Bhalla, MD

It is my great pleasure to give Dr Sanjay Khurana a five star rating. I am a retired surgeon that suffered a catastrophic disc rupture with 16 by 9 mm extrusion that broke off L2/3 and entered my spinal canal. The diagnosis was complicated by prior back issues and a recent post motor vehicle accident MRI that was unremarkable. The accident was in June and MRI was in July and by September the pain was debilitating and under pain management I was taking methadone and OxyContin like candy. Short story a renowned Spine surgeon based on the July MRI diagnosed Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. WRONG. Referred to Dr Khurana for a second opinion who did a long and compassionate examination and ordered a new MRI that revealed the monster fragment. Dr Khurana , broke his schedule and operated on me within 3 days as emergency. With in a week post op I was opioid free. Dr Khurana is a brilliant diagnostician,skillful surgeon , and remarkable human being. I am , four years later , enjoying Dr ASG PS I am 71 year old and do not Yelp. Hence I used my wife's account for this Yelp . Thanks dear!

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Sanjay Khurana, MD

The Team of Dr. Garabekyan and his Medical Assistant Zohra are like no other. I was in denial of the seriousness of my hip pain. He was highly recommended by a friend. During my initial visit Dr. Garabekyan spent time explaining what was causing my hip pain and provided clarification of treatment options. We both knew that this would be a surgical case. He was patient enough with me to work on my schedule and not push surgery until I had time off from work. Now to Zohra, she is amazing! Had multiple issues with my insurance company approving imaging and the actual surgery, but she worked thoroughly to get everything approved in time. I am now almost two-months post-op and OMG wish I had heard of Dr. Garabekyan years ago. I no longer have pain in my hip! He's a godsend!!! Not to mention his work ethic, bedside manner, and how much he truly cares for each patient. 10/10 would highly recommend to anyone having issues with their hips

Tigran Garabekyan, MD

It was my first time to be examined by Dr David Lee. I found him very professional, caring and left with full understanding of my medical problem. Virtually no wait time. I will Definitely refer anyone with foot pain to Dr. David Lee.

David Lee, MD

Dr Lee, is a awesome doctor, he did a awesome surgery on my right foot. I am walking better with zero pain. Thank you Dr Lee

David Lee, MD

Dr Sanjay Khurana is an amazing doctor! Ive had previous back pain and a recent injury. This surgery has given me a new lease on life. Thank you so much!

Sanjay Khurana, MD

Dr. Lee made me feel comfortable and I had a lot of confidence in him since a couple of years ago I attended a seminar about ankles. He made me feel good about the non-urgency of my ankle situation and what the next step would be if I encountered more pain, in other words I left there feeling like my proactive appointment was worthwhile and set me at ease.

David Lee, MD