WARNING: DO NOT HAVE HIP REPLACEMENT BY DR. ZEEGAN.

I am writing this long overdue review with a heavy heart to share the devastating experience my mother had under the care of Dr. Erik Zeegan at UCLA Orthopedics. The total hip replacement surgery performed by Dr. Zeegan has left my mother with PERMANENT brain damage, and has caused immense pain and suffering to both her and our entire family.

My mother was 100% independent before her hip replacement surgery, even with her constant hip pain. She was an excellent driver and took care of all her finances, errands and medical appointments. She was a vibrant woman who loved life, travel, was an excellent cook, and had a very active role in the lives of her grandchildren. Now, she lives in the memory care unit of an assisted living facility, is very confused, and requires help with activities of daily living. She has trouble with speech, comprehension, basic math, cannot pay bills, doesn’t understand the calendar, can’t track time, and was deemed unsafe to drive. She regrets every day that she had hip replacement by Dr. Zeegan at UCLA. She has said repeatedly, “I wish I never did the surgery because it messed up my brain.”
What should have been a relatively short hospital stay turned into a never-ending nightmare. The surgical procedure was described to us as a routine operation with a short one-night hospital stay. However, the reality was far from that, and started a LIVING HELL. My mother encountered numerous complications following the surgery, leaving her health in a permanently deteriorating state. During surgery, there was excessive blood loss. In addition to that, after surgery, my mother suffered a hematoma which was NOT addressed in a timely fashion, and resulted in more blood loss, requiring 3 units of blood. The day after surgery, she was so pale, weak, and listless and looked like death warmed over. Dr. Zeegan had his fellow and residents see my mother the day after surgery and he did not see her. You would think that the attending physician, knowing about the blood loss and other problems, would want to see the patient rather than push it off to training doctors. But no…Dr. Zeegan did not see her at the most critical junction of her care.
Instead of being discharged after one night, my mother endured six long days in the hospital, with no respite from pain. After 6 days at UCLA hospital, my mother was discharged home. She only stayed there for a few hours before she was transported back to the hospital by ambulance. Even with a private duty nurse at home, extreme pain made her unable to even stand up with assistance. The next day, my mother was transferred from UCLA to a skilled nursing facility, where she remained for 32 days. Still in excrutiating pain and very confused, she required so much assistance that we had to hire a private duty nurse to be with her 24/7. Only at her 10 day post-op appointment was it discovered that Dr. Zeegan fractured my mom’s femur (thigh bone) DURING surgery. Witnessing her suffer through the physical and emotional agony during this period was nothing short of heart-wrenching. The toll it took on my mother and our family was immeasurable.
At that point, due to the broken femur, she had to spend 4 weeks in a wheelchair in the rehab facility, followed by 6 weeks using a walker. The prolonged stay also meant additional financial burden and emotional distress for our family. We spent close to $50,000 in private nursing care to assist her. The most devastating consequence of all has been the PERMANENT cognitive deterioration my mother experienced after the surgery. For a period of time, my mom was able to return to her home, but was never independent again, and required more and more help to the point where she could no longer live in her own home and was moved to assisted living. It is beyond comprehensible that a total hip replacement procedure could lead to such a severe and irreversible decline in her cognitive abilities. We trusted Dr. Zeegan to prioritize my mom’s well-being and ensure a successful recovery, but instead, he has left her with a life-altering condition. The pain, suffering, and devastation of my mother and our family cannot be overstated and will haunt us for the rest of our lives.
I strongly caution anyone considering Dr. Erik Zeegan at UCLA Orthopedics for surgery TO GO ELSEWHERE.

Submitted Feb. 26, 2024

Dr. Zeegan replaced my hip and my entire experience with him and the Santa Monica Orthopedic Hospital was top-notch. He was great about answering all my questions and his physician assistants and nurses were all incredibly nice. I feel that I received the best medical care. I actually chose Dr. Zeegan after looking at reviews and making an appointment with another surgeon. I read that Dr. Zeegan is one of the top 40 surgeons in the country. A lab tech at the UCLA Calabasas facility said he is in the top 10. I believe it! I highly recommend Dr. Zeegan.

Submitted Nov. 21, 2020

I waited several months for a surgery date with another knee surgeon in Santa Clarita. After experiencing very disappointing customer service and lack of critical information regarding my surgery date, time, pre op care, I cancelled my scheduled surgery. I immediately began researching reviews and credentials for a new surgeon. I found Dr. Zeegen's office and have had a tremendous experience! The customer service has been exceptional. Dr. Zeegen was very thorough, answered all my questions, and repeated X-rays which were not done previously to confirm his diagnosis. Vickie, the surgical coordinator was extremely efficient and confirmed my surgical date and time the following day! I know I made the right decision and I now feel confident about moving forward with my surgery!

Submitted Aug. 22, 2017

The staff is always very professional. Dr Zeegan had X-rays order and that was helpful. Everything went well. My knee bending was at a 90° he told me to continue to do what l have been doing. He is going to submit a series of physical therapy. I am to see him in 6 months. Over all my visit was good.

Submitted Aug. 18, 2017

Dr Zeegen is one of the most competent doctors I have ever gone to and his work replacing my hip was/is one of the more rewarding experiences I have ever had. I have recommended him to several friends and will continue to do so.

Submitted Aug. 1, 2017

It was very quick getting in to see the dr no wait time at all and I was late too. The staff was very quick with the service and went above and even did an X-ray when I was an impatient at California health care. My stitches were removed with no pain or discomfort. I know I'm getting the best care with this team. Dr zeegaen's expertise puts me at ease.

Submitted July 26, 2017

I was early for my appointment but I was called in early after a short wait. I mentioned I was due for an appointment on my right leg in a few months and the staff was able to examine both legs on this visit. Very efficient!

Submitted July 17, 2017

Doctor Zegeen is a very caring, passionate, well educated practitioner and very skilled in his profession! I am very honored to have him perform my first hip surgery to correct my hip dysplasia on my left hip. Looking forward to getting my right one done in a few more months! I highly recommend to any one requiring surgery to their hip or knee modalities to utilize his service and his great staff! Sincerely, Michael Paul Banyar

Submitted July 11, 2017

I checked into Valley Presbyterian Hospital Tuesday morning, June 20th, where I had right hip replacement surgery. Everything went very well. The care and services were excellent.

Submitted July 7, 2017

Dr. Zeegen had performed this procedure on my mom and we were very happy with the results. When it came time for my hip replacement, I had no doubt who would perform the procedure. No regrets whatsoever. It's been 3 months and though I still have some healing to do, I am extremely satisfied with the results. I wouldn't hesitate recommending Dr. Zeegen to anyone.

Submitted July 4, 2017