Back surgery can be a scary prospect, so it’s important to choose a qualified and experienced back surgeon with whom you feel confident. You can begin your search by talking to the family practitioner or similar doctor who recommended you see a lumbar or spine specialist. It’s also a good idea to look at hospitals that are well known for the kind of back surgery you need, as well as to talk to other medical professionals and people you know who’ve had back surgery who can recommend, or advise against, certain surgeons. After you have a few surgeons in mind, do some research to learn about their credentials and specialties. Don’t forget to make an appointment to speak face-to-face with the surgeon before making your decision.
There are numerous sources you can turn to for back surgeon recommendations. If your regular doctor suggests back surgery, or feels you should seek a specialist’s advice due to a lumbar or spine condition, he will most likely also recommend a specific back surgeon or list of surgeons. You can talk with people you know who’ve had back surgery about their experiences and any surgeons they would recommend. Be sure to talk with these people about the reasons why they would or would not recommend a particular surgeon. If you know people who work in the medical profession, such as nurses or other doctors, ask those people about back surgeons they know with good reputations.
Another way to find the best back surgeon for your condition is to look for hospitals known for treating the kind of back problem you have. Many hospitals become regionally and even nationally recognized for their successes with certain kinds of surgeries. Choosing such a highly ranked hospital increases your chances of finding an experienced and trustworthy surgeon.
Once you have a few names of back surgeons to choose from, start researching those doctors. The Internet is a great source for researching back surgeons, but you can also ask for specific information from the chiefs of surgery at the hospitals where the surgeons work. Look for qualifications such as board certifications and previous fellowship training in the lumbar and spine care fields. Find out how much time the back surgeon spends on surgeries and other procedures and treatments for the particular back problem you have. Answers for this will vary, especially because some back surgeons might specialize in a few different spine and lumbar problems, but try to find a surgeon who spends at least half of his time in the operating room treating your specific kind of problem.
Of course, you can’t choose the best back surgeon for your needs until you actually meet the surgeon. Once you’ve obtained recommendations, looked at different hospitals, and researched the qualifications of various surgeons, make appointments to meet with a few of the doctors. Obtain your medical files from your regular doctor to show the surgeon, and talk with him about the details of the surgery. Ask any questions you might have and find out how many times he’s performed the surgery and the percentage of success rate. Once you gather all this information from both outside sources and the doctor himself, you should feel confident enough to choose the best back surgeon for you.
