[JJames]

Dave,

That's I hard question for me to answer. Mostly because he has not performed any surgery on me, so I cannot speak from personal experience. I have done much research and spoke to several other surgeons. He is very highly regarded, comes highly recommended, and has quite an impressive resume. Additionally, I do not consider myself very medically savvy or knowledgeable.

I think if (1) he had even tried to "convince" me that surgery was my best or even optimal option or (2) my medical insurance would've paid when he first proposed the bi-level ADR surgery after my second visit years ago, things would be a lot different now (for better or worse).

To me, any of the potential back surgery choices are a MAJOR decision. One which I would want to feel very comfortable was "right" and "appropriate" for my condition(s) and for my future. Based on my many appointments with Dr. Yue throughout these years, he has not done this.

I have been very frustrated at times due to waiting for months to get an appointment, making the trip of over an hour to his office, waiting for my turn, only to be rushed out of his office. I am almost always left with more unanswered questions when I leave, and even those which I manage to squeeze in are often brushed off. I have left many appointments feeling angry, frustrated, and confused.

I most certainly cannot speak poorly of his knowledge or skills as a surgeon. In fact, if I felt certain that there was a surgery which would help me I would still have him perform it even with all of my negative personal feelings. The problem is that he has never even tried to make me feel "good" about any surgical choice.

I suppose the bottom line is that if you are a surgical candidate, and it can be paid for (cash, insurance, etc.), he is probably a great choice. If there is not a straight line "appointment --> surgical decision --> patient willing and able --> surgery performed" he doesn't seem to want anything else to do with you. You become more of an annoyance than anything else.

Sorry for the length of this reply. I hope that my attempts to put my thoughts in writing have not misrepresented or confused things. I must admit, writing this rant has been somewhat helpful to me in an odd sort of way.

Best of luck to you!

Jeff