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A happy patient’s experience

Discectomy & spinal fusion  -  Kelan M.

Discectomy & spinal fusion - Kelan M.

“I had a discectomy and a fusion at the L4-L5 level. I was not going to live my life the way I was with my back pain and inability to do anything. I’m 56 years old and I feel I’ve got half my life to live. I sought out Dr. Gravori knowing he was somewhere in the valley. I went from being very active, running and hiking all the time to in the last couple of years doing pretty much nothing. I knew that it was going to better my life and that I needed to do it. Following the surgery, I knew that I was feeling really good. I felt great. Going to the right surgeon is everything. Dr. Gravori is really easy to talk to. He’s really easy to ask questions. I was an old 56 year old and now I feel like a young 56 year old.”


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Arturo M. – Spine Surgery

Arturo M. – Spine Surgery

It’s just a street for a lot of people, but for me it’s a lot of tears, a lot of terror, a lot of violence. A lot of crying. But here in this street, so much happened to my life and I’m thankful to be alive. Right here, I was a tiny little kid getting stabbed, getting beat. Some were punching me with their fists. Some were kicking me. And whenever I tried to protect my face, the other guys would open my hands so the guy could clearly hit me in the head. I went to Dr. Gravori because I needed two spine surgeries. I had to find the best doctor out there and after doing some research, I made my best decision to go talk to Dr. Gravori. When I was younger, I was beaten by seven men, by gang members. One had a bat and hit me multiple times. Roughly over 50 times. From the beating all my life I have suffered from a lot of headaches, a lot of back pain, a lot of neck pain. I had to find the best doctor. I tried many doctors and many procedures. They didn’t work. Eventually, I had to find a spine surgeon. And I researched. And after doing so much research, I found Dr. Gravori. I met him, and he told me I needed two surgeries. I decided to give Dr. Gravori a chance. He didn’t only say what he said, but he delivered on everything that he said. It was just amazing, I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe the result. I couldn’t believe everything that I read. I lived it, went through it, and I’m a perfect example that there is hope. Ever since I went through my surgery, the headaches are gone. I always tell people, there’s three things that help me to be here, where I am right now. It’s my faith, choosing the right doctor, and my will. And I’m so thankful for that. I thank God for that day that I met him, because now I feel like the best part of my life has just started. The best part of my life has just begun.


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Chronic back pain  -  Ed H.

Chronic back pain - Ed H.

“I had injections, I went to the chiropractor, I had physical therapy, and all of this went on over a period of years. Finally, the injections didn’t work any more. I went to my family doctor and I had to do something because it was ruining my life. I asked him, ‘Who would you send your wife to? Or your mother? Or yourself’ He said, ‘I wouldn’t hesitate going to Dr. Gravori.’ Immediately, I felt very relaxed with Dr. Gravori. He goes into the procedure and explains it in language I could understand. He does less invasive surgery. The healing time was quicker. The results are amazing. After the first week, progress was phenomenal. I started walking around the block for a bit. Within two weeks I was walking two miles everyday. No pain. From one little incision, he was able to go in and take care of the whole problem.”


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Brain surgery  -  Marcie D.

Brain surgery - Marcie D.

“I went to seen Dr. Gravori in January for brain surgery. Before I had the brain surgery, I had a hard time walking by myself. My husband had to help me. I had constant headaches. From what I understand, they were like migraine headaches and I had to lay down and could only lay on one side. I was then referred to Dr. Gravori. After the surgery, I was in ICU one night, a regular room the next night, and then I was home the following day. It was a wonderful experience. I had no pain and I was up and walking by myself within a day. Dr. Gravori reassured me when he talked to my husband and I. He was very direct but he was very soothing at the same time. I was very nervous, but he alleviated that terror. He’s got a great bedside manner. I would definitely recommend him to anybody that had to have brain surgery or spine surgery.”


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Brain surgery  -  John H.

Brain surgery - John H.

“I feel great and I feel ready to go back to work tomorrow. Best surgeon in the world! You wake up and you have all the pain before surgery. You wake up after surgery and you’re pain free. The only pain you have is where the incision was, and that’s fantastic. When I came to see Dr. Gravori, my pain level was probably a nine or a 10. I was in a lot of pain, with radiating pain down my back and down my legs. It was pretty bad. After the surgery, I was more or less pain free. I had no more tingling in my limbs. I had two prior surgeries with Dr. Gravori and they were extremely successful. An hour in surgery and you’re finished. No more pain and no more complaining. Dr. Gravori made sure we were introduced to everyone that had anything to do with the surgery. The man stays on top of his craft and he is constantly being educated on new things to put you at ease.”


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Second Opinion Patient

Second Opinion Patient

I came to Dr. Gravori in search of a second opinion. I was referred to him by a co-worker. Initially there was a more simple procedure that had been suggested by the first physician I saw. However, because Dr. Gravori took the time to run additional tests and have me do the additional CT and additional X-rays, he then was able to see that procedure would not have corrected the issue. We did discuss the options that I had and I decided to go with the surgical option. The procedure that I ended up having was an inpatient procedure, and after the first 24 hours the hospital had their staff get me up and start walking around. Although it was uncomfortable the pain was being managed and I went home after two days. I felt after about two weeks that I was starting to then feel better, and getting back to normal. The actual pain had subsided, and I was decreasing the medication that I was taking, and after week three I was on over the counter pain relievers. Prior to me having the surgery with Dr. Gravori, I was in pain and having to take pain medication just about every day. Since I’ve had the procedure, other than the muscle soreness from recovery, I no longer have to take any medication. If I have a friend or someone that is having issues with neck or back pain I would definitely suggest that they see Dr. Gravori.


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Andrew M.

Andrew M.

I was referred to Dr. Gravori because I broke my back in a horse riding accident. I went through a long period of time trying to just strengthen it and trying to have physical therapy, and figured I could get by without having surgery. During that period of time I was taking a lot of Vicodin and things even stronger than Vicodin, and I would delay until I just couldn’t stand the pain anymore, and then I would take them and I would need to get them refilled. It became clear after a year of that and a lot of pain and then I finally read the real MRI, I realized I couldn’t exercise my way out of this and the pain management doctor that I was with recommended Dr. Gravori. I did some searching on the Internet and my pain management doctor said this is the only guy I’d have do what you need. I went and talked to him and I liked him and he was very open. I had the surgery on a Friday, it took seven hours because they were rebuilding and then fusing five vertebrae, and then in two days I was actually walking around with help, and on the third day I was climbing up and down stairs. I have some limitations, I can’t pick up the amount of weight I used to pick up, but it’s a pretty normal life now that I was beginning to think I was never going to have again, and the surgery did that for me. Be open minded, talk to the doctor, don’t delay it so long and in two months you’ll be stunned at the difference in your life.


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The patient was treated by Dr. Gravori

The patient was treated by Dr. Gravori

In May of 2012, I was hit by a car. For four months I went through so many different kinds of pain in my back and my leg, from charley horses to where the muscle was burning all the way down to my foot to where I couldn’t feel my foot at all. My primary care doctor told me I was going to need back surgery, and I heard about Dr. Gravori and got a referral for him. Most doctors don’t even talk to you, they just look at you and look at the chart and look at the X-rays or MRIs or whatever and go about their business. He stood there and told me everything that was happening with me and that was amazing. When I went in for the surgery he said it’s no big deal, I went in and got up on the bed and everything and he told me we’d be done real quick and I’ll have you out before noon and that’s the way it was. The pain was gone. Everything he did for the surgery went perfectly and I had no problems at all and I’m really grateful for the stuff he did for me.


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Catherine

Catherine

I’m so happy to have visited Dr. Gravori, he’s a great doctor. I went to his office because of my back problem. It was very painful all through December, and I would just lie down and take pills. It was like a nightmare. I tried chiropractic and nothing helped, the pain just got worse. I called Dr. Gravori and I made my appointment very quickly and they gave me every test quickly an MRI and X-ray because he saw the pain I was in and I felt so comfortable with him. He saw my problem and he cured my back, and I said to him you have angel hands. When I woke up from the surgery and was able to sit up, I cried, and I told the nurse I’m crying because I can sit. I felt better and I didn’t feel pain. I felt so happy to sit and walk without pain. I have no pain, zero pain. Every time I remember that day I get so emotional because I’m so happy with him and I told him you’re a great doctor.


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Spinal Surgery Patient

Spinal Surgery Patient

I started to feel this terrible pain starting in my lower back and it went all the way down into my foot and it just wouldn’t let up. I went to my rheumatologist and they gave me a cortisone shot and that didn’t work, so he said I’m going to call my friend Dr. Gravori and he will take good care of you and he fit me in to see him three hours later. I walked into his office with my MRI and he looked at me and he said let me explain to you what is going on, which was so incredible to come from a doctor. Usually the doctors will just say this is what’s wrong with you, this is what we’re going to do. But not Dr. Gravori. He sat down, he showed me what was going on, and we discussed options and alternatives, and in my case it was surgery. He is a neurosurgeon, so I felt like I was in very good hands. He knew the spine, he knew where all the nerves were, and because he knows orthopedics he knew how this was going to affect me. I had the neurosurgeon, I had the spine surgeon, I had the orthopedic surgeon, I had everything in his capable hands. I went in for surgery two days later and I was fine. I came out of the hospital just a couple of days later and I was walking around the block in my neighborhood within four days. I was out of pain and once I healed I was back to normal.


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Spine Surgery Patient Experience

Spine Surgery Patient Experience

Five days ago I had surgery with Dr. Gravori and I really feel better. Before the surgery I had a lot of pain. But the day after the surgery, this was a big surprise for me, when I woke up I didn’t feel any pain. I woke up and I could go walking, which was magic for me. As an example, my pain before surgery was 9 to 10, but now I can say it is maybe 1 or 2, it’s very different. Before I chose Dr. Gravori I went to many doctors and tried physical therapy and many things but my pain didn’t change. A friend came to my home and said I know a doctor and I know he does magic because he worked with my sister and he is very good. So I got the address and went to Dr. Gravori’s office and we talked three times about the surgery, and he explained everything to me. And I really felt good because he took the time every time to explain everything to me, like what he would do in the surgery, what I could do after, and I felt like I knew everything. I couldn’t believe it. Just one day after surgery I felt good and was walking and I could go to the yard, and drive and do anything, and it was very good for me. I was very surprised and couldn’t believe it and thought is this me? I don’t feel any pain. I think Dr. Gravori is the best choice in Los Angeles.


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Rene - Retrolisthesis and Hernia

Rene - Retrolisthesis and Hernia

"I’m a truck driver and I lift and run. When I would lift, I felt a sharp pain in my lower back. I got an MRI, and it said I have a hernia in L5 and this one is like a little bit backwards. And he said they called this retrolisthesis. But friends told me to search and look for the best doctors. I saw other doctors, but their reviews were only about 30 or 50. But when I saw Dr. Gravori, he had over 200. And that’s when I said, “Wow, 200 reviews.” And I searched for his qualifications. He had a lot of awards and that’s when I made my appointment with him. He was so fast. I called him and he called me back and gave an appointment for a week from the day I called. I write all my questions and when I was in the appointment he went through them with me for every single question. He explained everything clear to me and I feel that that’s the guy. I got the surgery Wednesday at 7 am. The nurses told me that he called twice a day, everyday, in the morning and afternoon, asking how I was doing. So that means a lot, because some people say that after a surgery you never again see the doctor. I’ve seen my doctor several times and he’s happy for me. He knows what I go through and all those things say that you’re in good hands. You’re with the right guy. I feel great and the last time I saw him, he told me that my back is good and that I’m ready to get back to work in a month. I can get back to my normal life. Dr. Gravori is the man."


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Ceasar - Spinal Fusion Surgery

Ceasar - Spinal Fusion Surgery

I went to go see Dr. Gravori because I was involved in an accident in March of 2014 and I had broken my back. I needed him to do a spinal fusion on my lumbar spine. We were driving and I was the passenger in a Scion. The driver was actually speeding, she was going over 70 miles an hour, When I told her to slow down she did, but she kept accelerating even more. And when she stepped on it I knew we were going to hit. And once we hit, I knew my whole life had changed. I went from working out, going to school, having good days at work, to constant pain. Whatever I was used to doing was taken from me. Everything. So it definitely made me feel like I was useless. Especially with the pain that I had. I didn’t think that the pain would be able to be taken away, but Dr. Gravori, he helped me. He said, let’s not try surgery first, let’s try these procedures and if this doesn’t help, then we’ll definitely move into surgery. And it was last resort, but we had to move forward to do it. And now I’m glad that I did it. I went from not wanting to do it to I’m glad that I did it. It’s a big difference. It’s relieving. The best way that I can describe it is that I’m relieved. The way I feel is light, like a feather. It’s one of the best experiences of my life because my life changed at one point and Dr. Gravori changed it back.


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Discectomy & spinal fusion  -  Kelan M.

Discectomy & spinal fusion - Kelan M.

“I had a discectomy and a fusion at the L4-L5 level.

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Arturo M. – Spine Surgery

Arturo M. – Spine Surgery

It’s just a street for a lot of people....

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Chronic back pain  -  Ed H.

Chronic back pain - Ed H.

“I had injections, I went to the chiropractor...

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Brain surgery  -  Marcie D.

Brain surgery - Marcie D.

“I went to seen Dr. Gravori in January for brain surgery...

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Brain surgery  -  John H.

Brain surgery - John H.

“I feel great and I feel ready to go back to work tomorrow...

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Second Opinion Patient

Second Opinion Patient

I came to Dr. Gravori in search of a second opinion...

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Andrew M.

Andrew M.

I was referred to Dr. Gravori because I broke my back in a horse riding accident...

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The patient was treated by Dr. Gravori

The patient was treated by Dr. Gravori

In May of 2012, I was hit by a car....

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Catherine

Catherine

I’m so happy to have visited Dr. Gravori...

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Spinal Surgery Patient

Spinal Surgery Patient

I started to feel this terrible pain...

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Spine Surgery Patient Experience

Spine Surgery Patient Experience

Five days ago I had surgery with Dr. Gravori...

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Rene - Retrolisthesis and Hernia

Rene - Retrolisthesis and Hernia

I’m a truck driver and I lift and run...

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Cesar - Spinal Fusion Surgery

Cesar - Spinal Fusion Surgery

I went to go see Dr. Gravori because I was involved in an accident...

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A happy patient’s experience

“I took my mom to see Dr. Gravori for a consult for possible spine surgery. He treated her with such dignity and kindness, which is so often lacking in medicine. Her pain level was an 8. After reviewing all the reports and CD’s we brought for his opinion, he asked her many questions.

Then he proceeded to the exam. Right in his personal office was the exam table so mom didn’t have to go far and it felt personal. Upon exam, he determined that some of her pain was inconsistent with her presenting problem and wanted to check that further by sending us to another specialists before determining if surgery was the only option. VERY unusual for most surgeons not to want to get right into surgery.

The specialists determined a problem and took care of it and my mom’s pain level went from an 8 to a 2 immediately. We returned to Dr. Gravori’s office the following week with update MRI and told him what a good call he made at the last exam to send my mom to another specialists and for knowing the pain was inconsistent.

My mom still has a back problem with her disk BUT, Dr. G is has a fantastic philosophy. He said this: “I’m not treating that disk problem, I am treating you”. Let’s see what comes of the latest tests results still pending from the specialists and then see if what will be the best decision for you.” He really involves the person as a whole person, not just a patient. He has a demeanor that makes one feel that he’d treat your mom, just as well as he’d treat his own mom. I like his conservative approach and overall philosophy.

Surgery may still be in my mom’s future but for now, she’s comfortable, walking again and feeling happy, hopeful and cared for by Dr. G. I thanked him for making that call to look further and he said “the exam is so important. The reports and scans are only part of the picture. The exam is a real art to see the whole person and must be taken with great importance. Too many rush through an exam or don’t bother, there is so much to be learned about the person at that point.

“ I recommend Dr. Gravori if you want to avoid surgery and it’s possible. ”

Healing is an art as much as a science. That philosophy is hard to find in a traditional western medical professional. I recommend Dr. Gravori if you want to avoid surgery and it’s possible. At our first meeting I asked him: “Why on earth did you want to become a neuro surgeon? what a huge responsibility!” to which he replied with a surprised look on his face: “because I can help people” That answer says it all. It’s about others, not about him and his interests, wants, needs, desires. OTHERS. That what I look for in a physician and surgeon.” By: A very pleased patient.