Staff extremely rude and condenscending. Staff misrepresented themselves and gave incorrect health advice saying how "urgent" it was to have my leg fixed saying it was related to my spine when dr. Polin says , with tests to prove, it's related to a pinched nerve in my leg not spine. Staff was angry I was waiting for a severe bacterial blood infection to clear before having the leg surgery done with Dr. Polin. Dr. Polin was in agreement to wait till I was stable. Not sure why the receptionist was angry and gave incorrect advice. When I asked for more clarification receptionist got very defensive and verbally abusive. I was shocked and completely confused. I do not trust this facility with my care due to misinformation, miscommunication, misreprentation, and extremely rude behavior.

Submitted March 25, 2023

Staff was abusive, lied about what happened to make them look in the right. I was shocked, have never been kicked out of anywhere in my life! They didnt want to answer any questions about follow up and wouldnt schedule a follow up appointment so i could ask dr. Polin questions about future surgery. Extremely rude and condenscending receptionist, dont know her name but has red hair and wears glasses and dressed extremely cashually. She was verbally abusive and shouldn't be doing this line of work. Receptionist berated us for waiting to get the surgery done with dr. Polin due to waiting for other injuries to heal. This was already discussed with dr. Polin and he agreed so im not sure why the anger towards us for waiting? Have never been treated so bad when going to a medical facility. I am appalled and shocked and I advise others to seek healthcare elsewhere. Very bad and upsetting experience

Submitted March 24, 2023

I consulted Dr. Polin after a very bad experience with another surgeon. Dr. Polin took my history himself (even hand wrote his notes) and read it back to me to ensure that he understood correctly. He sent me for additional testing to rule out possible Shoulder or Carpal Tunnel issues. He was very thorough in his explanations of the surgery he recommended for me and he was very patient with all of my questions. I have had two prior spine surgeries and two orthopedic surgeries and I have never felt so well informed before surgery. My surgery went well and follow up post surgery met all of my expectations when a minor issue arose. I highly recommend Dr. Polin. It was a bit frustrating getting surgery approved and set up as it is nearly impossible to accomplish phone contact with his staff. Numerous voice messages went unanswered however they were working behind the scene to get insurance approval. Once I lowered my expectations for contact with the staff, all went well. I will definitely be going back to Dr. Polin for any spine issues in the future.

Submitted April 3, 2017

While I have the utmost trust that my Surgery will go well, I spent an entire month calling once a week trying to get a hold of his staff. Apparently the 1 receptionist was having health issues and had hired a pt lady. She claims to never have gotten any of my 5 messages. Then to make matters worse, the week before surgery I was to have my pre-op phone call. It NEVER happened. I tried calling on Monday and got the pt person I'm assuming, she said to call after 2:30. I called 4 times and left messages, I even faxed, I recieved no call. I called the hospital to try to get some info about my Surgery as all I knew was that it was to be sometime Friday with Dr. Polin. Good Sam didn't have me on the schedule. So I decided to try the after hours number to talk to Dr. Polin. I finally got his receptionist. She told me that she would call the hospital and schedule it and get back to me after hours. I asked her if she could guarantee that, and she scoffed at me. I explained my heightened level of frustration, she again said she'd call me after hours. I waited until 6:10pm to call, as the office hours are till 5pm. I got her, and she said she was still working late, and that she had planned on calling me at 6:30pm. I asked her if my insurance had agreed to extend the time-frame for the surgery and she said yes, but the rest she'd tell me in 20mins. 1 hour later, she finally called back. I learned that I'd have to be at the hospital at 5:30am, Dr. Polin and I discussed an afternoon surgery so I could stay over -night due to some housing issues I have. I told her this, and she said I had to be there at 5:30am. I told her the bus will not get me there for that, she then stated in a not so patient tone that I would not be able to take the bus back home. So at this point my ENTIRE knowledge of my surgery is that the highly recommened Dr. Polin would be doing minimally invasive surgery at Good Sam on Friday and I am to be there at 5:30am. I was not told pre-op instructions or anything, she acted like I should know that I wouldn't be going home by bus...how am I supposed to know this? I hung up on her, and determined that I would find another surgeon. I then decided to wait till 9pm and call the after hours line. I got the awesome Dr. Polin. He fixed everything. I will be arriving at 7:30am, be doing the overnight and discharged Saturday. Yet, since his incompitant receptionist never did the pre-op instructions, I actually don't know WHERE in the hospital I am going, or what to not do before surgery.

Submitted June 10, 2015

Dr. Polin came highly recommended to me by my pain clinic. I was new to the area and have had several spine surgeries before. One unsuccessful and the other one was successful but the nerve damage had already been done. I will do almost anything, physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, etc. to avoid surgery. If I am at the point where I am willing to have surgery it is because I can no longer live in that condition. It has to be so bad that I am willing to accept a 50% chance of a successful outcome because anything is better than living with it the way it is. Not a very positive attitude but based on my prior surgery outcomes I feel it is realistic. Dr. Polin saw me quickly, which meant a 6:00pm appointment to fit me in. He explained absolutely everything and left me feeling very optimistic. I had a minimally invasive microdiscectomy. He not only removed the portion of my disc that was causing all of my problems but he investigated thoroughly and found another piece that could potentially do the same and removed that as well. My surgery was successful. The pain is gone. Dr. Polin is so gentle and careful with everything, the incision, moving the muscles out of the way, everything. By day three I was down to my pre surgery regimen for pain control of other issues. The worst it ever felt like was a very mild back ache in the incision area. I have complete trust in Dr. Polin's abilities as a surgeon. I have told everybody I know if you need to have surgery see Dr. Polin. If "knock on wood" I ever need another surgery, I will not wait until it is interfering with my life. I will not put up with so much unnecessary pain ever again. He returned me to actively participating in life. I will without hesitation call Dr. Polin. I cannot recommend him highly enough. Tari J.

Submitted Feb. 15, 2015

Back surgery was a success, until about 6 weeks ago. Now ive been told I'll need surgery again. I really don't want to go thru kaiser again but I have no choice as I am broke and ins is about to expire.

Submitted Aug. 21, 2012

What do I expect in a nuerosurgeon? First, is experience, and a steady hand. Second,top qualifications and the number of procedures with high succsss rate as determined by his peers. Third, that his staff is supportive, team orientated, and dedicated to success. I had spine/nerve surgery by Dr. Polin on May 23, 2011. It was a total success and I have no regrets. He was through in describing the procedure and risks. He was professional and answered all my questions. I continue to have 100% confidence in Dr. Polin. If you don't have confidence in your doctor choose another.

Submitted May 28, 2011

I give Dr Polin a 3 on knowledge,could even be more because I think he is smart, but ego overrides in his case. He decided I was "cured" even though I have a condition that can only be treated, NOT cured. I never even saw him one time after surgery, all appts were with his PA who also refuses to listen even though they have left me almost completely disabled. I was forced to leave Kaiser after 35 yrs with them so that I will be able to find a Neurosurgeon who will help me (this was because he also refused to refer me to an outside specialist)Frustrated and Angry do not come close to the feelings I was left with after having to deal with this "team".

Submitted July 22, 2010

good at his job but extremely rude and cold

Submitted Aug. 31, 2008

This Doctor Is Very Rude! He is the Head of neurosurgery, at Kaiser.I feel sorry for anyone that Has to use his services.

Submitted Dec. 18, 2007