Mr Khai Lam 2019-12-10 Person 5 5 0

I am 4 weeks post-fusion-surgery, and so far Mr. Khai Lam’s surgical intervention 100% cured my chronic back pain emanating from advanced degenerative disc degeneration. AND I had a delightful experience with all involved! I am an American and for various reasons, (some related to my international health insurance) I found it necessary to seek treatment outside the USA. I consulted with experts in the usual expat centers that are marketing heavily to foreigners for spinal surgeries: Germany and Barcelona. I am really comfortable in London and my insurance would cover me there, so I took a chance on consulting with Mr. Khai Lam at the London Bridge Hospital. Even without the insurance, the cost of this surgery in the UK via self-pay is quite reasonable: about a quarter of what the surgery and hospital stay would be in the USA! Worth every penny if you must self-pay to get your life back! Of all the world-renowned surgeons I asked to review my imaging and case, HE was the one who truly got the diagnosis right. And he DIDN’T tell me what I wanted to hear. Many of these surgeons said I was a “great candidate” for ADR (artificial disc replacement, or TDR, total disc replacement, i.e. with an M6, Active-L or other artificial disc). He took the time to carefully and CLOSELY review my imaging with an experienced, almost cynical eye… AND he was the only one to call me immediately for an unhurried, caring consultation to tell me why I was probably NOT a candidate for the ADR, though he would try “in situ” (during the surgery) to give me a disc. But only if it would help and not hurt. In fact, my having ADR might have solved one problem, but due to the destruction of my disc space and the troubled state of my facet joints, it could have caused more pain and new problems. An elegant, perfectly executed fusion surgery seemed the way forward. After a lot of resistance to the idea of a fusion, I was made to understand how a correctly angled “cage” would restore the disc space and my lordosis (in fact, I had a beautiful postural upgrade when all was said and done!). Proper stabilization could end my pain and the mechanics of the surgery could help avoid future adjacent disc syndrome (and more fusions). In November 2019 after a very VERY long period of daily episodes of painful spinal instability and my lifestyle and mentality in a downward spiral, I underwent an L5 S1 single-level ALIF (Anterior Lateral Interbody Fusion). Two days later, I had a robot-assisted posterior fusion fixation to reinforce the ALIF. This is the same surgery that Tiger Woods underwent, by the way. Mr. Lam visited me every day in hospital (I had a 5-night stay) and his consultations are thorough; his bedside manner is impeccable, warm, and he has a wonderful sense of humor. One could not do better. The London Bridge Hospital staff are top notch, as is the setting and services there (excellent food). Mr. Lam’s medical secretaries were responsive and helpful, and helped me push through with my insurance. For anyone reading this, I think it should be stated that when solving a painful condition: you need to take your medical research, your care, and your contact with your chosen surgeon firmly into your own hands. Often you need to be a bit forthright, get in touch, initiate the e-mails and calls (when they don’t return yours)…Push forward, and only go forward once you are totally comfortable with the surgeon, the diagnosis and the proposed procedure. It took me a long time to get all of this right, but my patience paid off. I got to be treated by one of a small handful of THE BEST spine surgeons in the world—one who is also contributing, teaching, researching and writing. Four weeks post-surgery, I am pain-free, flexible, and recovering extremely well. I credit Mr. Lam’s expertise with much of this. Thank you!