12/06/2019
Another wonderful review submitted by one of our patients!
M.K.
If you are having serious back problems and it's time to consult a spine surgeon, put Dr. Gabriel on your list. I live and work in a rural area with few specialists. For several years, my increasing back pain was treated with pain killers and recommendations for stretching, so I popped the pills, did the stretches, and ignored the pain.
Eventually I found my way to Dr. Gabriel. I chose him because I was impressed with his credentials, his experience, and his humanity. I figured I had a herniated disc, minimally invasive surgery, boom, done, back to my life.
Dr. Gabriel spent time examining the MRI with me, and explaining what my real issues were (put a check in every box that can go wrong). I had lumbar fusion surgery at Grant Hospital in Columbus about 5 1/2 weeks ago. Dr. Gabriel was masterful. My left foot regained its strength immediately after surgery. My sciatic pain was gone. Grant Hospital's Joint and Bone division is absolutely incredible, from a patient point of view. They prepare you in every way, the care in hospital is beyond outstanding, and they connect you with home care within hours of your discharge.
My case was far more serious than I realized, and my recuperation has been far quicker/easier than I anticipated. I had more problems taking the iron pills the hospital prescribed than in downgrading pain meds to just Tylenol. I am now taking nothing for pain at all, and I don't feel I need anything. I was back to full time work (light duty) 3 weeks after surgery, and every day gets a little better.
One online surgeon commented that minimally invasive surgery can work in certain cases, but in other cases (like mine) the best choice is open surgery so the surgeon can see everything and do the best overall job. The writer concluded that an experienced spine surgeon strives to do the right surgery for the right patient at the right time. There is art, science and savvy involved. Dr. Gabriel has all of that and more, and I am so deeply grateful for all he has done for me.