Hi guys! I would like feedback on choosing a Neurosurgeon.
I have followed and researched on these threads leading up to and after my 1st decompression earlier this year and need to have a 2nd as I still have blockage. I have seen so many people post that we should see a true Chiari specialist, not just any Neurosurgeon. What exactly does that entail? What does a ‘true Chiari specialist’ mean? I think that I have the most wonderful Neurosurgeon that I trust completely, he is one of the top Neurosurgeons at one of the best hospitals in my state. He’s knowledgeable, kind, compassionate, confidant and performs multiple decompressions a week. That being said, he is not listed as a true Chiari specialist, his bio and practice are not solely Chiari as he treats many skull base conditions, Chiari being one of them. Is this what everyone means when they say true Chiari specialist?
I think that you are also missing the threads and comments that talk about that there are no real “Chiari specialists” - just advertising campaigns and lawsuits. My understanding is that sub-occipital decompression surgery is not a challenging surgery in the neurosurgery world. Finding a surgeon with a low percentage of infection rates, complication rates, and repeat surgeries is more important for your recovery than finding a “specialist”.
What is the post-op follow-up schedule like, how does the office deal with phone calls or visits about possible complications? What is the information like about your recovery? Who does the surgeon refer you to if there are symptoms that remain post-surgery that he does not feel will be addressed by further surgery? Does he just was his ands after a successful surgery according to the MRI? Does he talk to you about symptoms that can be addressed by surgery and those Chiari symptoms that are not well-addressed with surgery? Do you know the difference? Does he?
Hi Gabby_jazzypants. Thank you so much for that! That’s exactly what I wanted/needed to hear! I feel so grateful and blessed with my neurosurgeon, I just needed a little clarification on what everyone was referring to because yes, I obviously missed the threads saying there are no true chiari specialists.
