I am trying to find out if this doctor has any malpratice lawsuits. I have issues with L4-S1 and he said I need fusion L5-S1 and a flexrod L4-L5. I want to find out anything I can about him before I let him cut me. Anything will help. Also any responses about Spine Fusion would be good.
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I was wondering if you still had questions about Dr. Gelinas?? He is my spine surgeon and I cannot recommend him highly enough!!! There is always some risk in spinal surgery and I was and am thankful that he is my surgeon as I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to do my spinal fusion surgery. Let me know if you have questions.
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I would be very hesitant and get a second opinion. The "flex-rod" he wants to use is provided by a company his brother works for, a brother he used to financially support. This physician is also more concerned with his current legal battles than his patients. (DWI, suspension of hospital priveleges, disciplinary action by the medical board, alimony payments he cannot afford, liens on his real estate...) His motivation in recommending surgery may be based more on his bottom line then the appropriateness of the surgery.
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Have you had surgery experience with Dr. Gelinas? How do you know of his personal issues? I am scheduled to have surgery with him soon, and I find your comments disturbing. I have gotten other opinions, and they all agree with him. Which surgeon do you recommend? Thanks.
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research the procedure. get a third opinion from someone not affiliated with him. go out of town. spine surgery for the wrong reason can ruin your life.
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Dr Gelinas performed a 2 level spinal fusion on me in 2006. The surgery went very well, the pain was eliminated and I have no trouble since that time. He is a highly skilled surgeon, however, I am deeply disappointed about his 3 DWI and I would personally search for another doctor. I think there is a good spine surgeon (Dr. Andrew J. Paterson) that is very good. Give that a try.
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I agree with the 3 DWI's, but you should be concerned that he is in the middle of a third suit by a patient. Check the New Mexico court log. I am very unhappy with the surgery he preformed on me. I have more than double the pain.
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3 DWI combined with an expensive divorce. It sounds like his personal life is a mess and this is someone you want to trust with you future well being. NM court lookup does reveal malpractice lawsuits. I think I would find someone with less baggage - I would not chance it with him.
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Despite Dr. Gelinas's personal issues, he is if not the best, one of the best spine surgeons I have seen operate. I have worked in 4 states and in ortho surgery for 19 years. He is technically an amazing surgeon. If you are looking for a second opinion Andrew J. Paterson or Mark Crawford are great choices
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I both worked with Dr. Gelinas in the past, and had a spinal fusion from him (L5-S1). He allowed me to walk again.
Since I had worked with Dr. Gelinas, I knew that he was and is a very skilled surgeon who specializes soley in spines. I had my first spinal surgery with another surgeon, (due to insurance ) and I ended up unable to walk. I knew that I wanted no one other than Dr. Gelinas to do my subsequent surgery. And should I need more spinal surgery in the future, I will go to Dr. Gelinas as well.
I think the posted reply regarding his personal life is from someone with an agenda, and it has nothing to do with his quality as a surgeon.
Since I had worked with Dr. Gelinas, I knew that he was and is a very skilled surgeon who specializes soley in spines. I had my first spinal surgery with another surgeon, (due to insurance ) and I ended up unable to walk. I knew that I wanted no one other than Dr. Gelinas to do my subsequent surgery. And should I need more spinal surgery in the future, I will go to Dr. Gelinas as well.
I think the posted reply regarding his personal life is from someone with an agenda, and it has nothing to do with his quality as a surgeon.
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I have had several spinal surgeries by dr. gelinas. I almost died as a result of his incompetance (sp).
They were all done during 2008 and all his legal troubles. I found out the hard way about his personal issues. I am happy for those who had wonderful experiences with him. I was not one of them.
After my first botched operation and subsequent untreated infection, no other neurosurgeon would touch me when they found out who my surgeon was, so I had to go back to him repeatedly. It cost me my health, my marriage, and most of all my emotional well-being. Run, don't walk from this monster masquerading as a surgeon. Just 2 cents from someone who lived the nightmare, and still does.
They were all done during 2008 and all his legal troubles. I found out the hard way about his personal issues. I am happy for those who had wonderful experiences with him. I was not one of them.
After my first botched operation and subsequent untreated infection, no other neurosurgeon would touch me when they found out who my surgeon was, so I had to go back to him repeatedly. It cost me my health, my marriage, and most of all my emotional well-being. Run, don't walk from this monster masquerading as a surgeon. Just 2 cents from someone who lived the nightmare, and still does.
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I was facing a very complex lumbar spine surgery late in 2010. My family doctor was aware of all the issues facing Gelinas. As a result, I was referred eslewhere. Not convinced that I was getting the best available advise, I consulted with the doctors at UCLA comprehensive spine center in Los Angeles. A few weeks later, I under went a 6 hour reconstructive surgery which restored a normal gait and eliminated both the pain and weakness. I was off work only 8 days and feel just fine now. There are 3 top doctors at UCLA - Holly, Shamie and Wang. My surgeon was Dr. Wang.
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Dr. Gelinas performed L5-S1 fusion surgery on me a few years ago. I had been referred to 3 other surgeons before him because of the complexity of the surgery and surrounding medical conditions. Two of the surgeons I saw, recommended Dr. Gelinas himself...and this was before I had a referral to actually see him for his own medical opinion. As far as the surgery, Dr. Gelinas and his staff were/are superb. It's been several years, and I am still recovering from the accident and surgery, but I am doing much better thanks to his work. Plus, physicians and Physical therapists always provide positive comments when they see the charts of the work (xrays etc), or the scar on my back. They say it was the best work they have seen.
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Doctor has been terminated from Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. He did two surgeries on me and I am very unhappy. If he is such a good doctor why did he get fired? Maybe it is because of his multiple malpratice suits.
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why do people always try to compare apples to oranges? not every surgery is the same. nor, the physical condition and age of every patient. if you have to get multiple surgeries done, then it's possible your condition does not leave much room for improvement. does every person do everything they can to stay in the best shape possible through all this? both physically and mentally? doctors can't heal anyone. they can only allow the body the CHANCE to get better. it's up to our bodies to do the healing. if you drink, smoke, don't exercise, eat junk food, don't keep your mind active, refuse to have a positive outlook on life, intake a lot of caffeine, allow stress to affect you, do not keep the cardio up EVERY DAY...you'll never recover properly from a surgery, no matter what it is, or how it was performed, or by whom did the surgery.
asking me why you didn't heal correctly is not something i can answer.
why are people turning this into a soap box and pointing fingers? all the drama is irrelevant.
if you didn't do everything possible to heal properly, then your input is also somewhat irrelevant.
if you are one of those people that only exercises when you have to go to PT, then sorry, you are not going to make it back from major spine surgery, and your input in this forum is irrelevant.
asking me why you didn't heal correctly is not something i can answer.
why are people turning this into a soap box and pointing fingers? all the drama is irrelevant.
if you didn't do everything possible to heal properly, then your input is also somewhat irrelevant.
if you are one of those people that only exercises when you have to go to PT, then sorry, you are not going to make it back from major spine surgery, and your input in this forum is irrelevant.
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