Laser Spine Institute-Tampa

[Fred]

Gail wrote:

I feel the same way. I prayed,and prayed, I was doing the right thing, but something inside was telling me not to trust them. I did it anyway. March 19 2010 I had surgery on my cervical spine. Today is July 19, 2011 I am still in pain. I too called and I have wrote Dr. Louis asking him why the surgery did not work. I was paralized on my right side after the surgery. They told me the muscle was traumatized during surgery. I could not comb my hair. I was so up set. I went back to Conyers GA. I tried to stay postive. I finally got the use of my right arm back. I thank God.
I went to physical therapy, again. March 2011 I started back going to pain managemnet again. I feel like once they get the money, you are on your own. I think they should be shut down. I think they are praying on people in pain, specially the older rich ones.
I need the name of a good attorney in FL to talk too about my case. Maybe we should get a class action against LSI for all the people that got scamed. I am 57 now. No one believe me when I tell them I have this problem. The sides of my neck get very tight from holding my head up. I work for my Husband part time. 4 to 6 hours three days a week. I am hurting so bad when I get home. It is hard to do anything. I was always very active. I can't do a lot of things I use too. I hurt when I ride in a car. Walking down the street with my dog. I love to swim and soak in the tub now. I am out 8,000.00 dollars, my insurance paid the rest $30,000.00 total.
Please advise!
Conyers, GA
<quoted text>

So Gail, you sound like a reasonable woman, but for crying out loud, what on earth made you go to LSI??? No real doctor in the land-of-the-free will refer patients to them, as s/he may lose his/her license. So tell me... did you refer yourself to LSI? Based on what? Are you a doctor? Or a back/neck specialist?
I am sure you have consulted with your GP, and he or she, as all honest doctors, could not say 'aye' or 'nay' on LSI, simply because there is not enough information out there, LSI work like a cult, in secrecy, and will not devulge their records, like any other credible health institute does.
With all the waiver paperwork that you signed at LSI, it will be anything but easy getting your money back, very few succeeded.
It seems to me that you are a gambler in nature, one that likes to take one's chances... so guess what gambler? You lost! it does happen, tough it out... you have no one to blame but yourself.

[Fred]

LSI Patient wrote:

Check out LSI's success cases on their site and follow up with calls if you doubt them. I guess LSI HAS opened their records via success cases. If I ever need surgery again and if I have the funds, LSI is where I would go based on my actual expierience and real surgery I had in Tampa. Dr St Louis is the Dr I recomnd. I am a real patient who had surgery in 2006 and lucked out.

To the so called "LSI Patient”
You probably take us for saps, right? And, you believe that we should trust your “success story” with LSI, and based on that story rush to LSI, and trust our backs and necks with them right?
I trust that you finished your 5th grade, right? And can make a distinction between an OPINION and a FACT right?
Well… this is your opinion! and it is not a fact.! It becomes a fact when LSI opens its records like any other credible health institute in the great US of A, and let others report that. Then is will become a fact, and then real doctors will be able to refer patients to LSI.
You also tell us that you take calls and advise folks honestly, so please be honest with us and tell us the name of the doctor that referred you to LSI, his license number town and state. We are really interested, don’t let us down. Please.

[Fred]

Common Sense wrote:

LSI Patient = LSI TROLL.
Fred = LSI TROLL.
Everybody on here knows you are both LSI Trolls who spend all your time (on LSI payroll, nonetheless) trying to combat all the negative comments littered throughout the internet blogs.
Why don't both of you respond to Gail's wonderful experience at LSI under the expert care of the famous Dr St Louis???? Sounds like they did a top-notch job on her, wouldn't you agree?

WOW. Your mom should be real proud of you… next time you speak with your mom, why won’t you check “substance abuse during pregnancy”. Only that, compounded with bad genes can explain this level of stupidity.

[LSI Patient]

Fred, I said I NO LONGER accept calls as its never ending and ties up my phone. I have asked LSI to remove my number,a couple years ago and weather they did or not, I have no idea. As far a making people believe I am a patient...I already proved that in much earlier posts beyond a doubt. I do not have to prove anything to anyone anyway. But bottom line is there should not be resentment to folks who have had success at LSI. Bottom line is if LSI works they are hero's....if not then they are rip offs as with ANY Dr or surgery not just LSI.Most people already know if they are going to LSI despite them asking about it. They knew when they called me all the time. These boards really do not help anyone for the most part.However I am a REAL Patient...look me up but don't call if my number is listed I do NOT answer my phone...monitered. But to call LSI a rip off is rediculous and childish.

[Fred]

To the LSI Patient,
Sorry, but you are missing the point here… it does not matter if you had a successful operation at LSI, or not.
It is not relevant, because this is yet another story, another testimonial.
The question is: who cares? And the answer is: no one.
Because folks on this thread want to make a well-informed decisions, when it comes to their health.
If you search “Wikipedia”, you can find all credible hospitals, and medical institutes on their internet site.
One cannot I find LSI there. WHY? LSI has been around for what, a decade now?
Also, if you don’t mind telling… what is the name of the GP that referred you to LSI.
TIA, Fred

[LSI Patient]

I found LSI myself on the internet. I then printed and handed info and gave www.'s to many Dr's up here and almost all said they simply didn't know about the procedure or if it works or not. No on said anything negative...just I don't know about it. I also gave the info to a bone Dr and he said same thing. I did this in 2006 which may be when LSI started??? or it was relativly new. What sold me was the 90 percent success rate they advertised. It was a VERY costly affair but I got lucky. I had to fly down to Tampa and through their recomnded travel agent, saved a lot of money but it still cost a fortune.From what I have read here it seems to be an operation that works or doesn't work overall with little inbetween.
I can't understand why you or whoever says the place is a scam when they are openning up all across the US. Fancy advertising only goes so far but not that far. As far as their records go, I have no idea about them...thats their concern not mine.
I can say when we were there, the place is a first class establishment with tons people on the payroll and they have state of the art equipment. Its an out patient center not a hospital. We satyed at the Double Tree walking distance to LSI. But the 90 percent success rate is why I chose them. By the way, they never once pushed me for a testamonial, I simply saw the desk and wall and asked what was going on etc. I just can't understand why others cannot be helped even if it means killing pain nerves.

[Fred]

To the "LSI Patient"
You call yourself "LSI Patient", and I call myself "Fred". I could be John, Stan or Rob... and you could be Jack, Sue, or Mary.
You share your personal experience, and tell us that it is genuine… OK… I’ll bite and say I believe you.
How does it help me when choosing my doctors, and LSI??? It does not…
No person in their right mind will trust their backs/necks and hard earn money based on some blog on the internet. And if they do… they deserve what Gail got.
Have you ever asked yourself why there are so many people on this thread?
And the answer is: there is NO credible and viable information on LSI, and people are hanging for every piece of information real or bogus… disgusting. Someone to assure them they are doing the right thing going to LSI, how pathetic!
So Jack, Sue, Mary, or whatever your real name is so called “LSI-Patient”– it does not matter if what you’re lying through your teeth, or telling the honest to god truth. It is not relevant.
People with brain in their head will never go to LSI until it opens up its records, and play fair like any other credible health institute in the USA.

BTW, there are solutions out there. Cost more. True. Work like a charm. But enough digression. Fred

[Common Sense]

Fred wrote:

To the "LSI Patient"
But enough digression. Fred

Enough isn't the word for it, Fred. Wow, you sure are a know it all, aren't you? You just have all the answers for everyone and everything. Your obvious insecurities are coming through loud and clear with your need to be on the attack all the time.

Just for your information, I know more about the spine than you could in two lifetimes. Also, I wouldn't be so quick to question my intelligence as I'm a wealthy self-made man who was able to retire in my early 40's due to collecting royalties off of intellectual property that I've created. I enjoy traveling abroad and helping out with various charitable organizations. I seriously doubt that you can say the same, Fred.

Try spending some time trying to help other's who are in need, rather than being the KNOW-IT-ALL who points out to them what they should or shouldn't have done, you complete imbecile.

[John Sue Mary]

Fred, what makes you think any "health institutes" do anything like "open their records"? Privacy laws prohibit it and you can count on one hand the number of spine specialists who conduct actual scientific research. They are too busy cutting and fusing.

LSI Patient -- if you believe that 90% success rate, you are as gullible as Fred believes you to be. He is correct in that they have zero credible research. No independent studies. Nothing published. Just lots and lots of advertising.

[LSI Patient]

All I can say is I was there and it worked. If they were a scam they would have been shut down long ago. They were on a national TV show also. I saw the place and was helped. Yes I did believe the 90 percent success rate. On this site you are only hearing about the unsuccessful cases. Its not a level playingfield. I think down the road they may open their books hopefully. I can say for sure when we were there in 2006...the place was packed with people. Sometimes too much research can cause someone who could be helped to not go, and go on suffering, but most people already know if they are going to go to LSI or not. Bottom line is for a couple hours on the operating table, a person can be pain free (if it works) and go back to their lives or not do it and suffer for years.You do all the research you want and pick the best place in the world and results very well could be a disaster. I believe what LSI says on their site completly. How could I NOT go back if needed in the future when they helped me??????? If you don't believe me, there is nothing I can say.....check things out for yourselves.Dr St Louis has impeccable credentials and HE is who I recomnd to do surgery. I don't know about the other Dr's.But this site is anti LSI and people are not getting a honest picture or info. Everyone has to decide for themselves.

[LSI Patient]

Just wanted to add to anyone, I would NOT recomnd back surgery unless your in dire pain. If you can get by with so so pain, that Advil or NSAID ease's, that may be the way to go for ANY back surgery...laser or conventional. But again to answer Fred's question, I believe everything I read on the LSI site despite some horror stories I have read here. Those same horror stories happen more often with conventional back surgery too.

[Fred]

John Sue Mary wrote:

Fred, what makes you think any "health institutes" do anything like "open their records"? Privacy laws prohibit it and you can count on one hand the number of spine specialists who conduct actual scientific research. They are too busy cutting and fusing.
LSI Patient -- if you believe that 90% success rate, you are as gullible as Fred believes you to be. He is correct in that they have zero credible research. No independent studies. Nothing published. Just lots and lots of advertising.

Personal information is (of course) protected by law, but... the procedure, its steps, and success/failure rate are made available. Please name, if you will, one medical institute that does not, holding my breath… don't keep me waiting...

[Fred]

Common Sense wrote:

<quoted text>
Enough isn't the word for it, Fred. Wow, you sure are a know it all, aren't you? You just have all the answers for everyone and everything. Your obvious insecurities are coming through loud and clear with your need to be on the attack all the time.
Just for your information, I know more about the spine than you could in two lifetimes. Also, I wouldn't be so quick to question my intelligence as I'm a wealthy self-made man who was able to retire in my early 40's due to collecting royalties off of intellectual property that I've created. I enjoy traveling abroad and helping out with various charitable organizations. I seriously doubt that you can say the same, Fred.
Try spending some time trying to help other's who are in need, rather than being the KNOW-IT-ALL who points out to them what they should or shouldn't have done, you complete imbecile.

I don't know many people that have retired at 40. Most people retire much later in life... but wait, I know one person who retired in his late 40s… he also ran Microsoft … Are you Bill Gates? Are you married to Melissa? Are you curing AIDS in Africa? Or… are you holding two jobs to make ends meet, and using the internet provided by your employer on your night shift as security guard to post all those mind farks? Your grammar, vocabulary, and choice of words suggest that you did not finish college. Do us all a favor, and keep your peace.

[Fred]

LSI Patient wrote:

Just wanted to add to anyone, I would NOT recomnd back surgery unless your in dire pain. If you can get by with so so pain, that Advil or NSAID ease's, that may be the way to go for ANY back surgery...laser or conventional. But again to answer Fred's question, I believe everything I read on the LSI site despite some horror stories I have read here. Those same horror stories happen more often with conventional back surgery too.

To the LSI patient… A belief, according to Merriam - Webster is “a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing”. You believe in LSI, and their gospel, and I have nothing but respect to that. In fact, after reading your recount… all I can say is AMEN. I was taught to say amen after hearing a prayer. BTW, Remember Gail’s posting? She also prayed a lot…
Just bear in mind that there are other people, different than yourself, that make well informed decisions based on facts… not many are left, an endanger specie… so please show some respect to us/them. and TIA

[lisa]

My husband had neck surgery with Dr. Wolfe in Dec 2010 - who is a total jerk with horrible manors and does not give you the time of day before OR after. My husband is now in bed most days because he made it way worse. We have contacted them several times and of coarse no reponse back.... He had an MRI before the surgery and a MRI AFTER the surgery and you know what it shows Dr Wolfe did ZERO!!!!!! The bone spurs he was SUPPOSE to remove to release the nerve he did NOT!!!!! They are the exact same size as BEFORE the surgery........

Now, I will tell you he had neck surgery by Dr Scott three years ago prior and Dr Scott did an awesome job, on his left side but told him down the road he MAY need right side..... and he did but the HUGE difference is the doctor's. Dr Scott was amazing!!! I can also tell you Dr. Scott spent SEVERAL hours working on him to make sure ALL the bone spurs were taken down to release the nerves. Dr Wolfe spent an hour!!!!! I questioned it because of the time difference...... Dr Scott has since quit (I wonder why...) and I believe a few years ago they spent more time and really did the work. I believe now they are a cattle facility and just get you in and out and take your money. Very sad. The pain my husband is in and he would not even consider going back....NOW they are a scam looking for the $$$$'s. I have medical records to prove Dr Wolfe did ZERO took my cash and has never responded to us.

BEWARE they are hit or miss but when they miss more times than they suceed recently according to patients I have spoke with, it is bad - I spoke with a woman they tore something and fluid started to leak out and she was sent to hospital and almost died. Yes it could happen in any surgery but you can not tell me they brag they do hundreds of surgery's in one facilty every day - break down how many surgery's and doctors that do them and how much time do they really spend on one patient.....less than an hour......???? Because it's all about the money NOT the care of the patient. If Wolfe would have taken the time and really removed the spurs like Dr Scott did I believe my husband would not be in pain. They have a great idea but switched from patient care to do whatever it takes for the patient to watching the clock and get you in and out that is why so many RECENT surgerys are failing. How many RECENT success stories have you heard...... almost none!!!! Again very sad - all about the money for them now.

Yes, it is beautiful and everyone is nice but when they are raking in that kind of money it SHOULD be nice!!!!!!

Nobody can turn that volume with that amount of doctors and do a good job - they are all about time and in and out. My husband could hear them talking at times while he was in surgery and he heard Dr Wolfe say come on we have to get on to the next patient!!!! Dr Scott saw us BEFORE and AFTER surgery and spoke with BOTH of us BEFORE and AFTER..... I never met Wolfe - he sends his assitant in after because he said he is too busy......and assitant says she forward any questions and he'll get back with you..... yeah glad I didn't hold my breath - I believe Wolfe is very unprofessional. I should have known better when he did not meet with us before just pre op office help..... I am so sorry I did not follow my gut feeling about the place this last time.I could feel the difference. They have really changed for the worse and it is sad because I do believe SOME of the surgerys do work if done properly. Yes, they may be temporary but to be out of pain for a few years it is worth it.... Like if in my husbands case bone spurs pressing nerves and causing pain and weakness if removed they relieve the pressure. I think removed and burnt..... You get the picture. But the key is they have to spend the TIME and ACTUALLY DO the work!

I would not take my dog or cat to them again.......Lisa

[Common Sense]

Fred wrote:

<quoted text>I don't know many people that have retired at 40. Most people retire much later in life... but wait, I know one person who retired in his late 40s… he also ran Microsoft … Are you Bill Gates? Are you married to Melissa? Are you curing AIDS in Africa? Or… are you holding two jobs to make ends meet, and using the internet provided by your employer on your night shift as security guard to post all those mind farks? Your grammar, vocabulary, and choice of words suggest that you did not finish college. Do us all a favor, and keep your peace.

The reason you don't know many people that retire in their 40's is because (as expected) morons like you tend to gravitate towards people on their level, and not many morons retire so early. You don't have to be Bill Gates (everything needs to be explained to you like a 2 year old) to be wealthy, imbecile. I'm sorry you clearly still have to live week to week because you weren't intelligent enough to find an easier way.

Don't be so jealous Fred, even though it sucks to be you!!! Just think, you have all day at work to think up more REPETITIVE stupidity to post on this thread. LMAO

[Philip C Young]

lindarace wrote:

i have researched many places for spinal stenosis and disc degenerative disease. Places in Dayton, Ohio, Microspine in Florida, Atlantic spinal carein New Jersey, The cleveland clinic in Ohio. DOes anyone have any concise information to help me know who is legit and what procedure actually works? I was contacted by LSI and I am not impressed with them. Most places will take insurance so that puts them off my list.

My experience with Laser Spine of Arizona was similar to others who have been left, after expending thousands of dollars; with a few months of relief (probably from the nerve blocks which are only injected nerve blocking drugs ) and then with as much pain as before they went to the Laser Spine Institute.
For me I had asked them which tests were required BEFORE I arrived at their Az facility. They responded after receiving MRI , XRay and other tests that I only needed to schedule surgery. Which I did.
They had sent me a very nice letter stating which procedures would be done as recommended by a Dr. perry a board certified doctor and so I looked forward to having spacers placed between my vertebra where I had DDD and laser ablation of bone growth from my spinal stenosis and a procedure to address my facet joint issues.
When I arrived they immediately request more tests including a new MRI and XRAY. In retrospect I should have followed my instinct in realizing that when the receiving doctor ripped up the letter stating the procedures they would be performing was just a form letter sent out to everyone then being desperate for relief I proceeded.
I have exactly the same pain level as before and it was just three months later after the nerve blocks I had the pain return.
So my advice is DO NOT GO TO THE LASER SPINE INSTITUTE.
I looked in disbelief at the MRI and Xray they had just taken and it showed a very healthy spine without any DDD, stenosis or bulging discs.
ODD!? Yes.. But being desperate for relief as so many others were I went for it.
I filed a complaint with the Arizona Attorney general.
Any one else who has experienced mistreatment from LSI should follow their heart and file accordingly if they feel wronged.

[Fred]

Common non-Sense wrote:

<quoted text>
The reason you don't know many people that retire in their 40's is because (as expected) morons like you tend to gravitate towards people on their level, and not many morons retire so early. You don't have to be Bill Gates (everything needs to be explained to you like a 2 year old) to be wealthy, imbecile. I'm sorry you clearly still have to live week to week because you weren't intelligent enough to find an easier way.
Don't be so jealous Fred, even though it sucks to be you!!! Just think, you have all day at work to think up more REPETITIVE stupidity to post on this thread. LMAO

Can someone put this common non-sense out of his/her/its misery. P L E A S E !!!

[Ann]

I had spine surgery almost 10 years ago by a spine orthopedic surgeon in Tampa. I am fused in L4, L5, S1 and spent 9 months in a body brace with leg extension and 3 months in a back brace. I had tried everything prior to the surgery: injections, physical therapy, acupuncture, massages - the works - and nothing had helped. I interviewed 5 surgeons (orthopedic spine & neurosurgeons) prior to the surgery. The recovery from the surgery was very painful & my pain management was terrible. I have never been even close to being pain free although I did have some relief. I am now considering having additional surgery due to the level of increased pain. I'm not sure who will do it, but don't consider the LSI as a choice.

[Empowered Patient]

Hello,
I'm a producer with CNN health. We're looking into the many allegations against Laser Spine Institute and what they told patients about the non invasive spinal procedure. Feel free to email our inbox if your interested in sharing your story: [e-mail]. Feel free to also check out our website for other stories investigating medical errors: www.cnn.com/empoweredpatient