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Recommendation for spinal surgeons in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver or Hong Kong?

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Nov 20, 2002
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Markham, ON

Recommendation for spinal surgeons in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver or Hong Kong?

My mom is diagnosed with osteophytosis, a form of bone-related degenerative disease, that is currently affecting her spine. She was first diagnosed in 2009 in Calgary and her surgery is scheduled for 2013. Her pain increase gradually until the last few weeks, her condition took a turn for the worse, had to take a steroids shot and will need a wheelchair very soon. There were times when she couldn't even get up for hours on end.

We are trying find any other doctors to get a second opinion and perhaps, be able to provide a surgery earlier. Can anyone suggest any spinal surgeons in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver or Hong Kong that I can contact?

Much thanks.
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Feb 20, 2006
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fwhc022883 wrote: My mom is diagnosed with osteophytosis, a form of bone-related degenerative disease, that is currently affecting her spine. She was first diagnosed in 2009 in Calgary and her surgery is scheduled for 2013. Her pain increase gradually until the last few weeks, her condition took a turn for the worse, had to take a steroids shot and will need a wheelchair very soon. There were times when she couldn't even get up for hours on end.

We are trying find any other doctors to get a second opinion and perhaps, be able to provide a surgery earlier. Can anyone suggest any spinal surgeons in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver or Hong Kong that I can contact?

Much thanks.

For the procedure your mom needs, every spine ortho surgeon and/or neurosurgeon in Canada has a wait list for surgery that is a minimum 10 months unfortunately.

I'm not sure about HK.

Did you get your mom on the surgeon's cancellation list? So that if anyone cancels, your mom would get booked in ASAP.
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Nov 7, 2011
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When I had my surgery, I only waited a few weeks with my neurosurgeon. I'll PM you details about it OP.
I had an amazing neurosurgeon, he was very patient with me and the rest of my family.
He wasn't all about numbers & that's rare to find nowadays..most surgeons just want to cut you open.

PS He is in Etobicoke/Mississauga
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Thanks shannn and chibsta08 for the info. I'll definitely ask my mom to get onto the cancellation list.
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Aug 29, 2006
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I would think more carefully before calling them to cancel.

Instead, call your surgeons and info the condition has much worsen and see if they could move it up instead.

You don't need to call to cancel until your mom has already had surgery elsewhere and last time you want is the others don't work out and you are back to bottom of the list.

Also, check if your Health Care would llow you to go out of province for that type of surgery, I know you want your mom fixed up soon but the bill may not be easy to swallow after.

However, if money is no question, a private hospital in HK is likely your best bet for time and success. This is from personal experence with a family member who have had spinal surgeries done both in Calgary and HK.


fwhc022883 wrote: Thanks shannn and chibsta08 for the info. I'll definitely ask my mom to get onto the cancellation list.
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Nov 7, 2011
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I agree, if it's an urgent surgery, they can bump it up..I only waited a month for mine.
They also mentioned that if there are cancellations, they will bump me up even more but they said that it's unlikely because other patients have waited months/years for their surgery.
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May 18, 2012
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If you can afford it I highly recommend the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. My brother has issues with his back and needs surgery. 6 mths for a an MRI, 1 year to get a consultation with a neurosurgeon in Toronto. The health care system in Canada is a joke.
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Jan 12, 2012
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f33dme wrote: If you can afford it I highly recommend the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. My brother has issues with his back and needs surgery. 6 mths for a an MRI, 1 year to get a consultation with a neurosurgeon in Toronto. The health care system in Canada is a joke.

Just curious - how much did you have to pay?
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Sep 24, 2006
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f33dme wrote: The health care system in Canada is a joke.

You're right. Everyone who has a sick child should walk right into a hospital, get their baby healthy, and walk out with a 10,000$ bill.
Sr. Member
Oct 26, 2009
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f33dme wrote: If you can afford it I highly recommend the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. My brother has issues with his back and needs surgery. 6 mths for a an MRI, 1 year to get a consultation with a neurosurgeon in Toronto. The health care system in Canada is a joke.

Not a joke for those who can't afford it. The only problem is the waiting time. You wouldn't want to be in a situation where you're sick with no money. Medical fees/prescription drugs in the US is astronomical.
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May 17, 2007
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This guy is an amazing surgeon.http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/4 ... er-BC.html

Take the reviews with a grain of salt. No, he's not a warm fuzzy guy, but has the hands of a miracle worker. He saved my mom from permanent paralysis. We didn't like him personally, , but I'd trust your mom's surgery to him. He's also known as the celebrity Dr for saving Misty Cockerill's life.
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Dec 4, 2009
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I didn't think you were able to cold call specialists, you need a GP's referral, am I missing something here?
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Toukolou wrote: I didn't think you were able to cold call specialists, you need a GP's referral, am I missing something here?

Any old walkin clinic will do ;) . Or, in the case of spinal diseases/injuries, Spinal Cord Injury BC can assist with referrals. That's how my mom got hers. The first doctor she went to wanted to do a very risky, unproven surgery on her, so she sought a 2nd opinion.
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Nov 20, 2002
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Markham, ON
Thanks for all your suggestions and advice. My mom went to see her GP again and asked them to update the surgeon with more info (i.e. more severe pain, etc). Hopefully, she can get moved up the waiting list. She also did ask if she can get onto the cancellation list (which might let her have an earlier surgery date) but so far, no luck yet.

hdom, you are right, she definitely won't want to cancel until after the surgery is done. Btw, do you still have the contact info for surgeon/specialist that you went with for your family member's surgeries in Calgary and HK? If so, can you please PM me? Much thanks.
Newbie
Aug 13, 2013
1 posts
chibsta08 wrote: When I had my surgery, I only waited a few weeks with my neurosurgeon. I'll PM you details about it OP.
I had an amazing neurosurgeon, he was very patient with me and the rest of my family.
He wasn't all about numbers & that's rare to find nowadays..most surgeons just want to cut you open.

PS He is in Etobicoke/Mississauga
PLEASE, help me find this doctor. I need an urgent surgery but first I need a professional opinion. I have MRI: big L2-L3 protrusion (19x15x10 mm).

Please PM. Thanks
Member
Nov 10, 2007
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Coquitlam BC
Dr Richard Chan at RCH, New Westminster,BC. "The best" per my neighbour who is a RN there.
Newbie
Mar 7, 2011
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Hi Christa

Could you please give me the information about spinal neurosurgeon that you had your surgery with. I have a similar situation with my mother as was described in this post above and really need a consultation ASAP...

Thanks a lot in advance,
Ilana.
Deal Guru
Mar 14, 2005
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Vancouver Coastal Health has a Rapid Access Spinal Clinic in North Vancouver (Lion's Gate Hospital) for BC residents.

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