Two surgeries, neck and lower back ten years ago. Both successful. Great pain before surgery, very little now. Professional and skilled surgeon. Thankful I was referred to him in that time and place. Thanks Dr Z
Brent S.

Submitted Feb. 19, 2017

I've had 3 surgeries with Dr Zimmerman and my x-mother-in-law had 2 and I was just in the process of sending his contact information to a girlfriend who needs back surgery and I stumbled on this. I told her and I'll tell you, I wouldn't trust anyone I know or love or even meet on the street to anyone but Dr. Christian Zimmerman. He is the best in his field. He doesn't have a great bedside manner but that's where Christina and the others jump in. So, you have to ask yourself do you want your bum powdered or do you want the "Very Best NeuroSurgeon"??-- Powder your own bum, or ask one of Saint Al's great nurses!

Submitted Jan. 8, 2017

Dr. Zimmerman operated on my mother's neck in 2009. She should have only needed a 4-5 day hospital stay. After the surgery she didn't have use of her right hand and was in extreme, wake up in the middle of the night screaming pain. When the nurses finally called Dr. Zimmerman. He told my mother that the pain was in her head and walked out. He barely stepped inside the door and he did not examine her before coming to this conclusion. The next day a rehab doctor came to look at her hand and told her that the loss of function isn't normal and the pain was not in her head. He found a large blood clot and was able to remove it. Had it been left much longer she would have died. Instead she just suffered for 4 days because Dr. Zimmerman couldn't take 5 minutes out of his day to examine his patient. I would not recommend this doctor to anyone.

Submitted Feb. 2, 2016

Dr. Zimmerman saved my loved ones life @3 years ago when he was expected not to survive the next hour after being life flown to St Lukes Hospital with a massive head injury . We will forever be grateful! He is a miracle worker! SURE he has his own way of being straight forward with a no nonsense style, but, I'm sure that's because he means business! He saves lives!! The man is brilliant at what he does! Thank you so much Dr. Zimmerman!! :)

Submitted Oct. 22, 2014

Dr Zimmerman did a Cervical Fusion on me 5 years ago and explained my options thoroughly. He stated that I had another questionable disc directly above the C6/7 that may need an operation too. He left that decision up to me and based on my lifestyle, we decided not to fuse 5/6. He warned me that I might have problems down the road with that, and here I am. Not only 5/6 but 4/5 too. After the first successful surgery, I returned to work in 1 1/2 weeks. I will be seeking his advice soon and if I must have a surgery, I have faith in him. I hope he has good things to say about the possibilities of a multi level disc replacement. The FDA has an approved device and research suggests that people recover quickly and they reduce the liklihood of future damage to adjacent discs. This is a big deal to me as other areas show symptoms already. We shall see. Dr Zimmerman is a good man and a fine Surgeon and one of the things I liked the most about him was his humble demeanor.

Submitted July 23, 2014

Mixed, I had my first surgery in April 2004 by Dr Hajjar, Blue Cross nothing but pain for a year,and they treated me like I was crazy, at the time Dr. Zimmerman was part of the same practice but I gave him a try, he said they couldn't see anything on my images but he went back in May 2005 and did clean up and took out 6 grams of scar tissue and disk material I was grateful and he made sure I knew I wasn't crazy or making it up, I was able to go off pain meds for 6 mo + back to work for 3 years but by 2008 I was in pain and suffering, I had my fusion in 2009, l4-l5-s1 it has been chronic pain with nerve damage than I was refered to pain management and that is where I am 3 years later, the fusion failed (they didn't use my own bone) I'm investigating what was used and I can't have the hardware removed I've developed arthritis in my spine think this is due to the bone grafts used, I'm up in the air with Dr. Z as for his staff PA is nice nurse is a foul tempered cow sarcastic rude cruel.

Submitted July 5, 2012

Dr. Zimmerman did a surgery in 1995 on my spine. I told him before the surgery I did NOT want screws & bars inserted in my back. He agreed. He did just the opposite and implanted screws and bars. He stated in the post op report that I was in his office and signed a paper requesting the screws and bars. After the operation I have been in severe chronic pain ever since. The problem is after the operation Zimmerman refuses to treat me for pain or anything else. When I tried to schedule an appointment I was rudely rejected by his nurse to go somewhere else. Could it be they are covering something up? I don't know. I highly suggest going to another doctor over this guy! It has been over 16 yrs since the surgery and I have not been able to work and my life has basically been ruined. Thanks Dr. Zimmerman, hope you sleep well, because I haven't had a good nights sleep in 16 years.

Submitted Aug. 5, 2011

Dr Zimmerman is excellent. He's not a hand holder but he's not without feeling either. His PA did come in first and speak with us at length going over history and present physical state of things and then Dr Zimmerman came in. He also spoke with us and gave us an idea of what to expect and what his recommendation would be to do. He pulled up xrays and CTs to show us exactly what he was talking about and asked if we had any questions. His office staff did drag their heels a bit getting surgery scheduled but were very friendly. His confidence helped put my nerves at ease.

Submitted July 11, 2011

Dr Zimmerman was very helpful in the initial visit...it was left that I was to receive a cat scan and would follow up afterwards. 2 weeks later after the cat scan no call, no follow up when I called to see why they simply said the Doctor decided not to do surgery and would not give me a follow up appointment. His nurse was sarcastic and unprofessional. I now am getting another referral so I can get some real answers. Not that I was given one from Dr. Zimmerman.

Submitted Feb. 25, 2011

While I have heard good reviews from my uncle, and over 10 other people he treated me indifferently. First, I was examined by his nurse before Zimmerman even stepped into the room. I given a short review and asked some questions by Zimmerman. I told him about the problems with my back and weakness in my legs and loss of bladder controll and bowel controll while sitting. I was then told by Zimmerman there was one of three things he could do for me, and I was sent on my way. A week and a half passed and I was told by the secretary that there would be no follow up.

Submitted Oct. 11, 2010