There are two sides to every story in life I think. The one where you suffer through the pain, try alternate medicine and basically try to keep yourself going by whatever means necessary. A soccer injury when I was 19 was the start for me. Basically; I herniated a disc back then and over the years it got worse. I have lived all over the world and suffered with my back everywhere I went; however when I moved to the US in 2015 that was when my problems really started. I met with Dr. Kim in March 2016 and straight away I felt as though I trusted him to do what was best for me. And I was right. You know when you have a gut feeling about someone? He recommended not have surgery at the time and I tried to continue with the disc injections in my back to see if they would help. I have to say they did, but roll forward a year to January 2017 and I went back to meet Dr. Kim again. This time we agreed that my only options were to continue to suffer the way I was or to have the surgery. I chose the surgery as having suffered for the best part of 30 years I had enough. The best decision of my life! I had a spinal fusion L3-L5 on September 12th, 2017; I have two metal rods, 6 screws and two disc spacers in my back now and I feel like a new man. The pain is gone; all the pain I had in my lower back, in my legs and even in my left foot is gone!
On the 4th of July 2018 I went for my first bike ride and cycled 25 miles - pain-free and my back feels brand new!
Without risk there is no reward; I was, as you would expect, extremely worried about the surgery before I had it. Dr. Kim, his team, and the Hospital have been amazing and more concerned about me and my well-being than anything else.
I expect that I won't have to see Dr. Kim again other than having my regular checkup at the hospital and that to me is the best feeling in the world!
Thank You All!
Spinal Fusion
All by Physician