Outpatient Spine Surgery Center

Patient Testimonials

Outpatient Spine and Surgery Center has received several letters from our satisfied patients which we want to share with you.

From Paula Nixon

Dear Dr Tepper,

For several years I have wanted to tell you how well your surgery went on my Kelly Nixon in February 1997. Kelly would have told you himself but he just doesn't get to around to writing anyone.

Just to remind you, he had a huge saw fall on him breaking up 3 vertebrae. You put an 11" in his back. He has been doing very well. A few months after he got out of the hospital, he was repairing the inside of my father's house, including painting the whole inside, ceilings, and all. He moved to San Diego where he bought himself a kayak and a bicycle and cruised all over San Diego. He really felt good while he could exercise. Course he couldn't do the heavy work he had done before, but he is doing remarkably well. Probably a lot due to your skillful surgery.

Now he is in his third year going to school at Napa Community College taking a course in telecommunications. This course has many options, teaches them to do anything in a TV studio, run the camera vans at ball games, conventions, and special events, work in transferring video to film, etc. His friend took the course and after 2 years was making $100,000 a year.

It is supposed to be a 2 year course, but since Kelly's math skills were negligible and his electronic knowledge non-existent, which is what this course is all about, Kelly though the better part of valor was to do it slow and thorough. He is getting top grades and will be through in June 2001. These guys are usually hired before the graduate. He recently heard that George Lucas is opening up jobs in his movie production studio for this type of work. Kelly is very creative and always wanted to work there. Maybe this is his chance. In his spare time he bought a pool table and flies model airplanes.

Thank you. You (and God) did a good job.

Paula Nixon

From Joyce Vincent

Dear Dr. Tepper,

Hi. My name is Joyce Vincent, and a month ago I had a 3 level Spinal Fusion. I would like to tell you about everything that had happened to me before and after the Spinal Fusion.

In early of 1998 I went to my doctor complaining of pain in my leg and back, after examining me he ordered a MRI and a nerve test. After the tests came back he called me in and said that I would need surgery on my back to take out the discs that were pressing on the nerves. I agreed after the second opinion, so surgery was scheduled for November of 1998. After surgery I thought everything was okay because the leg pain was gone but I still had pain at the incision of the surgery site, which I thought was just healing pains. After 3 months I was back at work thinking everything was okay.

I was still seeing my doctor for routine visits, when I would see him I would let him know that I was still having pain. He said that it could take up to a year to completely heal.

The pain kept getting worse and worse and I made an appointment to see him because my pain pills weren’t working. I was taking more and more of them just to stay out of pain. He decided to get another MRI to see what was going on. When the results came in he said, I want to send you to a spine specialist because I think you are going to need a Spinal Fusion.

I was really upset and asked him if this will take me out of the pain, he said I can’t promise you that but we can hope that this will take care of your problem, the worst scenario is that the Fusion doesn’t take, then you might have to have another operation.

I was sent to Dr. Gill Tepper who I was told was the best spine doctor in the valley. Dr. Tepper said that he would need to have a discogram done first but by just looking at the MRI he agreed with my doctor. I told him that I was concerned about all the pain I was in and that my doctor had put me on Percocet, which is a strong pain pill which I wanted to get off of ASAP. He said he would know more when the results of the discogram were in.

I went and had the discogram, the next day I ended up in the hospital because the pain was out of control. After 2 days I was discharged. That next day I had an appointment with Dr. Tepper to go over the results of the discogram. When I saw Dr. Tepper he said that I definitely need a 3 level Spinal Fusion. I asked him what the chances are for this to fix the problem, he said pretty good, the only problem would be that if one of the levels didn’t fuse.

As I was waiting for the insurance company to okay the surgery I began to go down hill, the pain was worse so I was taking 8-10 percocet a day to try and control the pain; I was having bladder trouble. I was having a hard time dressing myself, most of the time I had to have help getting dressed. I still was working but just barely hanging on. I finally called my main doctor and left a message for him that he had to operate on me because I just couldn’t take anymore pain. He called me at work and was shocked that I still was working so he told my boss that I was off work as of that day and wouldn’t be back until after I was healed.

Dr. Tepper was on vacation and was due back that Monday, his office called me and said that the doctor would cancel his surgery for Monday and schedule me in. I was operated on that Monday and am starting on my 6 week post-op.

I think it’s going to work! I don’t have much pain and the pain I have is healing pain. The best part is that I am only taking 3-4 vicodin pills a day. I am so happy to be out of this pain and everyone around me says that I look a lot better, that they don’t see the pain in my face. In fact a friend of mine was over and I was laughing, she turned to me and said it is so nice to hear you laugh again! I feel like a new person.

I am doing so well that I might start therapy in the second month and instead of being out of work for 6 months I hope to be back to work in 4 months, 3 months if I can talk Dr. Tepper into letting me go back.

My advice to anyone who isn’t sure whether he or she wants to go through with the surgery is GO FOR IT! You have a better chance with the surgery then without it and being in all that pain. If you have any questions I would be happy to talk to you, just ask the doctor to put you in touch with me.

Sincerely,

Joyce Vincent

From Gina Glass

Dear Dr. Tepper,

This is simply a letter to state how thoroughly pleased I am with the outcome of both my rotator cuff surgery and back surgery that you performed on me. Because of your expertise and your warm concern, I feel 100% better.

No one wants to have a surgery, but I know I was in pain and wanted the pain to go away on a long-term basis. In the case of both of the surgeries, I have to say that despite my nervousness about the process, you made it lot easier. Your pre-op care was very professional, you informed me well, an on top of that you and your office colleagues made me feel very comfortable.

I know I have a little ways to go on my back totally recuperating, but thanks to you, I'm on my way to recovery!

Sincerely,

Gina Glass

From Paul Charter

Dear Dr. Tepper,

This letter is sent to thank you, your staff at The Valley Spine Center, and the doctors and nurses at the Tarzana Hospital for your outstanding job in every regard in the neck surgery performed on me. I found everyone to be professional, kind, precise, caring, understanding, and expert in my treatment. Here is my testimonial.

I had a three-section fusion on the discs of my neck on February 11, 2000. This operation took place after a severe car accident I had been in over one and a one half years ago. My treating physician had been wonderful to try every defensive measure possible before recommending surgery. When he decided surgery was the best course, he recommended Dr. Gil Tepper to be one of the outstanding neck and back surgeons in the country. Through further personal investigation, I found this to be true, and decided to see Dr. Tepper for a surgical consult.

From that appointment on I was convinced that if this surgery was necessary, and all professional indications pointed to the fact that it was, Dr. Tepper was the specialist for the job. His work with me from the moment I met him has been marvelous. He is not only a magnificent surgeon; he is an amiable, humorous sensitive, and communicative person. He always takes whatever time necessary to make sure that the patient feels that what he is doing is the best that can be done for them, and that they understand what is being performed.

Hear is an example illustrating what I have stated above. Just before I was put under the anesthesia, he came to the operating table, cupped my face in his hands, looked me square in the eye, and said... "This is going to be a great day for you!" What a comforting statement to make to someone just before a serious surgical procedure.

Since the surgery I have had a rapid recovery. From the moment I came home I realized that the aggravating daily pain that I had n my neck, shoulders, and head was gone. My strength is coming back faster than I thought possible. There is still recuperation and rehabilitation to go through but the immediate release from pain lets me know that what was done by Dr. Tepper was the best choice for me.

I cannot find enough words to describe the gratitude and thankfulness I have to Dr. Tepper and his outstanding staff. All of those on his support team are skilled, yet compassionate. I highly recommend Dr. Gil Tepper, his staff, and the Tarzana Hospital to everyone considering any kind of neck or back surgery.

Sincerely,

Paul Charter