First, I’ll say the surgery itself by Dr Lonstein, went well. They (Dr Office) seemed to have gone out of their way to get a surgery scheduled quickly. That’s about all I’ve got to say in a positive note.

Now for the rest of the experience. Dr Lonstein has certainly been in the profession for a long time, it seems as though he is very knowledgeable. With that, he’s not one to listen. In every appointment I’ve had, it was hard to get a word in at all, being cut off or being talked over whenever I had something to say.

The communication from his office/office staff is sub-par with not only me, but the hospital as well. I was kept overnight following my surgery, Dr Lonstein came in the following morning, 9-10am to check on me. After a very brief visit, he gave me the okay to be discharged. Fast forward to nearly 5pm, I get word from a nurse that they’ve still not received any discharge paperwork from the Dr Office. I’m then told that this isn’t the first time his office has dropped the ball, but they were aware of 6-7 other patients of the office, who experienced the same.

My 10-day follow up was surprisingly brief; a couple x-rays, reviewed by the Dr, a brief back and forth about how recovery was going, then he was ready to cut me loose. I made mention of pain in my right pec/lat/shoulder, as well as pins/needles in my right arm/hand. His answer was basically, it could go away, but we’ll see with time. I basically had to request physical therapy to see if we can get ahead/address my concerns.

Billing has also been a hassle. After having the surgery approved by insurance, I went to SMH for my pre-surgery Appt as instructed my the Dr Office. I use the term ‘instructed’ loosely. I was basically given a piece of paper by office staff with a date/time, to show up to the hospital and to follow up at the Dr Office immediately afterward . At the hospital, I go through all the necessary steps, one of which was paying my insurance deductible, among others.
Upon completion, I return to Dr Lonstein’s office. Once there, I’m checked in. The Dr comes back, asked how my appointment went, I told him it went well and did everything on the their checklist; Covid screen, MRSA screen, labs, UA, etc. He very briefly listens to my heart, then says he’ll see me in two days for the surgery. When leaving, one of staff at the front desk said I owed a $50 co-pay, I asked for what, she said for my visit. I asked if she meant the 5-min where he listened to my heart then let me leave?She ended up only charging me $5, only to get a call after leaving that she made a mistake and will get the remainder after surgery.
Fast forward nearly two weeks after the surgery, I get a call from a woman at the office stating there’s an issue with my insurance. She states that I have a balance of ~$1000 because the hospital took my deductible payment. I informed her that no one at their office said who to pay, that they sent me to the hospital for everything I needed to do, pre-surgery. She tells me that I’ll need to call the hospital to get payment refunded because they shouldn’t have been paid that portion and that I should get on the phone soon, as it’ll probably take multiple calls. I informed her, as a Veteran, I followed their instructions, though vague, to the letter. She then gets short with me, mumbling something under her breathe, then something to a co-worker as she’s hanging up. I’ve now received a bill in the mail, coincidently enough, is almost identical to what was paid to the hospital prior to the surgery. When trying to contact the office during regular business hours, I’m forwarded to an answering service, who informs me they’re having issues with their phones. So I guess I’ve got a fight on my hands with regard to being unjustly billed.

Take what you will from this information when reviewing offices to handle your spine surgery.

Submitted May 4, 2021

had herniated disc in my back with severe sciatica. Dr. Lonstein operated on me and pain immediately gone. Great job. He is the one to see if you have a neck or back problem.

Submitted April 18, 2020

I had a herniated disc in my neck. Chiropractic and pain management did not help. Went to see Dr. Lonstein, he showed me the problem, did surgery, and I am now feeling great and pain free for the first time in 9 months. Excellent surgeon and he takes time to listen and explain things.

Submitted Aug. 3, 2019

I spent more than two months going to four surgeons to get help with my pain. I was so confused as to what option to choose. Made the decision to get one more opinion with Dr. Lonstein and he put me at ease with his understanding of my problem and what to do to fix it. He made sense and didn’t make things so complicated so I had the surgery and any trace of pain is completely gone! Many many thanks

Submitted July 19, 2019

I had neck surgery with Dr. Lonstein and I am doing great , I had severe pain going down my arms. e immediately ordered an MRI showing a herniated disc . I had surgery and know I am pain free , I have my quality of life back. I would refer to him to anyone needing surgery. His is knowledgeable and is not quick to operate does conservative care first. I found him and his office staff very pleasant .

Submitted April 12, 2019

He is the best! Great spine surgeon. Had severe pain for 9 months. They got me into the office the day I called, Sri done the next day. Dr. Lonstein found the problem immediately, operated on my back 3 days later and I have my life back. Pain is completely gone. If you have a neck or back problem Dr. Lonstein is the spine surgeon you want to see. And his office staff is great also.

Submitted April 12, 2019

Best surgery ever. Ended chronic pain for me. Much appreciated.

Submitted April 13, 2017

I was injured at work and was sent to this doctor only because the insurance company was not allowing me to receive much needed physical therapy in a reasonable amount of time. I waited a month and a half without any help and was in major pain. I visited this HORRIBLE person three times. He only checked my reflexes in my arms and turned my neck once to the left and said "I don't see anything wrong," doubled the strength of my muscle relaxers and pain killers, prescribed a THIRD medication, and shipped me back. He left a bruise the size of a half dollar on my forearm because he hit me so hard with the rubber mallet! The second visit I complained about a different pain, in my shoulder and he said "that's not my area and you need to have worker's comp send you to someone else" when the doctor in the PT office said it was because of a PINCHED NERVE where I got hit! If you are an Orthopedic Surgeon, you HAVE to have a clue if you just put your dang hands on where I am telling you it hurts! The second visit, he doubled my workload again and sent me off with the double strength pain meds and the third prescription again. This was after I told him I was in pain in my arm. After an assessment the PT office gave me an assessment that asked for another round of physical therapy because it WAS helping. He said "there is nothing else I can do for you, there isn't anything wrong, here are MORE MEDICATIONS, and that's all there is." Each visit he spent three minutes speaking to me, and I had to rush to ask a question, and at one point he was physically out of the door trying to close it behind him while I was still asking a very important question! The other two minutes he was in the room, he spoke on a freaking voice recorder and relayed information for his personal records that was inaccurate (like what pain I was complaining about,) and he muttered under his breath so I couldn't hear! I do, however, have excellent hearing and when he said something inaccurate I would say in a loud voice the correct response. He probably rerecords his "notes" later. I wonder if I would have gotten better care if I was spending my own money? One response earlier claims the attitude trickles down through to the staff. 100% CORRECT! The office secretaries won't even respond when you say "I hope you have a nice day!" Please, PLEASE! Do NOT go to this man! He has no compassion, no decency, and no qualms about doing a poor job. He only sides with insurance companies, it seems. I don't want meds, I want to have physical therapy to be fixed! Atrocious!

Submitted Aug. 9, 2015

I had surgery done by Lonstein last march. I ended up picking up a bacteria in my back at the surgical site during surgery. Dr. Lonstein kept telling me for six weeks after the surgery that he didn't,t know why I was in such excruciating pain. I ended up in the hospital five times during the summer. After switching hospitals and went to Doctors Hospital and an infectios disease doctor took my case and found the problem (the bacteria). She started the antibiotics. The bacteria had done a lot of damage in my disk and vertebrae . Now thanks to Dr. Lonstein I will be in pain the rest of my life.. I can no longer work or do every day tasks that I did before surgery. Please think twice about letting this doctor do any surgery on you! I wish I would have never met him!

Submitted Jan. 23, 2015

Dr. Lonstein is the best, in my opinion. In June, I was in excruciating pain and had been to pain management clinics, physical therapist, other orthopedic doctors, and undergone tests of all kinds. Then I found Dr. Lonstein. He realized my suffering immediately, and made special arrangements to perform surgery the following week. Today, 5 months later, I have 2 rods and 6 screws in my spine. I am almost completely normal again -- haven't danced yet. His physical therapists and office staff are helpful; however, if you want a conversationalist, go somewhere else. If you want a great surgeon to trust your body with, call Dr. Lonstein. He has done over 6,000 surgeries, and I am glad to have been one of his patients. --A retired lady

Submitted Nov. 27, 2013