Need to find the best private spinal surgeon

[Allofaflutter]

I’ve looked at reviews which all have and are good so how do you know which to choose? Is there a place that show death stats etc?

My back is a mess. If I ever need it, Ann Mitchener. Wonderful woman.

Some suggestions here OP- https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/5013925-anyone-know-a-really-fabulous-expert-spinal-surgeon?reply=134910624

Please see detials below

Surely that depends on area? I know top ones in East London & Essex.

Mike Grevitt in Nottingham. He’s one of the best in the Uk and teaches all over the world.

@TheFairyCaravan I also came into say Mike Grevitt. Used to look after his scoliosis patients a lot. Lovely man. Used to bring his mum to the ward on Christmas Day with mince pies. But I think he's retired. Not sure if he still does any private work.

I would only go on personal recommendation, definitely not from someone I didn't know online.

My daughter was treated by Neil Oxborrow but I know Hassan Dashti is highly recommended too, he treated my friends daughter.

It very much depends on what is wrong with the spine in question. Could you give some extra details?

My daughter had her scoliosis operated on by Mr Bernard and Mr Bishop at St George's in Tooting. They did an absolutely superb job and she is poker straight now. I believe Mr Bernard has a private clinic, not sure if Mr Bishop does or not.

Just to add that my daughter had a huge curve before the op (over 100°)

@Toddlerteaplease he operated on me twice, and injected my back many more times. I always felt safe in his hands. I think he might be retired from the NHS now but I got that link from the Spire hospital so he might do some private work.

Miss Hui Ling Kerr in Gloucester. Safe hands and the most dedicated doctor I know! Over 20 years of training, practice, she's NHS as well as private.

I’m in Norfolk area. Sequestered disc pressing on caudi equina nerve and s1 nerve and spinal cord. Spire has a Norwich hospital.

My husband had major spinal surgery last year, metal rods from top to bottom, we are also Norfolk based. He initially saw Mr Rai at Spire but was operated on by Mr Sean Molloy in London as it was so specialist and needed all the facilities that London could offer. Mr Molloy is a perfectionist and would highly recommend but travelling to and from Norfolk to London wasn't easy, especially driving home post operation.

Alex Gibson at RNOH Stanmore, London operated on DD and has been wonderful in every way. Really any of the spinal surgeons at RNOH are absolutely fantastic, you can’t go wrong. It is a world renowned hospital for spinal surgery and every surgeon there is right at the top of their field

@kell4life makes a good point about distance to travel home after surgery. Don't go too much out of area.

What did you think of mr rai? He’s the most expensive one at spire healthcare Norwich,does that mean he’s the best?

Honestly for the right surgeon it is worth travelling. DD had major spinal surgery in London (18 screws and 2 metal rods inserted) and 5 days later flew home to Northern Ireland just like any other passenger, pain well controlled and comfortable. Travel isn’t as big of an issue as you’d imagine whatsoever and we were very pleasantly surprised

Yes I’m thinking that too. stanmore sounds great but 3 hours travel doesn’t.

We used to have patients from all over the country for scoliosis repairs. And they had to be able to sit out on a chair, for the length of time it took to get home.

I just wish the nhs wasn’t falling apart. I was seen by a spinal team who medically gaslighted me. Because with the menopause I’ve been having wetting issues urgency they call it, where suddenly I need to go and I keep not quite getting there. The surgeon said well if you are now just wetting yourself unexpectedly then it’s all the same previous thing. Nothing to do with this. I keep saying no I don’t feel the need to go then I’m wet. Not the same. Changed. But no he said go home it will heal in 6-8 weeks. No surgery needed. This was an on call dr at best part of midnight. My gp had got the mri results and called me out of hours telling me to go straight to hospital right away straight to surgical sdec. Then I sat there hours and then finally I see this on call dr. My left leg is numb but still can feel very reduced sensation all of it including bum on both sides. My foot is so painful numb like it’s been outside in snow with no shoes, can’t bend my toes only my big toe. It’s reduced sensation when I wipe. I’m so scared I’m going to be permanently like this. It took me two weeks to get a mri. It’s three weeks now since it happened. I read on a caudia equina charity page surgery within 48 hrs is best for 100% recovery. I feel so let down but the nhs. Desperately trying to find the £12k the operation will cost. Anyone want a slightly used kidney?

We may have to sell our car to get the surgery, so public transport home sounds even worse!

5 hours all in all for us to get home from Stanmore with multiple taxis, time spent waiting in the airport and an hour long plane ride - we honestly had absolutely no issues. Just made sure that pain relief was kept topped up and brought a pillow to go behind her back. I too have worked with many scoliosis patients so was quite impressed really

Allofaflutter Mr Rai came highly recommended but due to the complexity of my husbands surgery, and the fact he was 6ft 4 before op had to work with another surgeon. For simple procedures they can operate in Norfolk but when my husband initially started the process we weren't aware that he’d end up having the procedure in London, which required a 2 week stay and on the days i visited him it was a 12 hour round trip. Stanmore is around 30 minutes closer than the hospital he had his operation at which was in St Johns Wood for which I had to get on the tube when I visited as car parking is limited. I know Mr Molloy also works at Stanmore, my recommendation would be to try and get it on the NHS. My husband has private medical insurance from his work and thank goodness he did, as his current bill is £135,000 with more going on for each visit. Even a x-ray is around £700! I don't know what you need done but go into it with your eyes open. I don't think you’d be able to get complex surgery done in Norfolk but Cambridgeshire might be a better bet see what surgeons work from there.

Mr Rai came highly recommended but due to the complexity of my husbands surgery, and the fact he was 6ft 4 before op had to work with another surgeon. For simple procedures they can operate in Norfolk but when my husband initially started the process we weren't aware that he’d end up having the procedure in London, which required a 2 week stay and on the days i visited him it was a 12 hour round trip. Stanmore is around 30 minutes closer than the hospital he had his operation at which was in St Johns Wood for which I had to get on the tube when I visited as car parking is limited. I know Mr Molloy also works at Stanmore, my recommendation would be to try and get it on the NHS. My husband has private medical insurance from his work and thank goodness he did, as his current bill is £135,000 with more going on for each visit. Even a x-ray is around £700! I don't know what you need done but go into it with your eyes open. I don't think you’d be able to get complex surgery done in Norfolk but Cambridgeshire might be a better bet see what surgeons work from there.