Best Back Surgeon ever, he performed surgery on my back in 1998 and have been fine until just the past few weeks. They said I probably would need another surgery within about 10 years, well I went way beyond that !

Submitted May 3, 2020

Both my wife and I had surgeries performed by Dr. Wattenmaker. Both very successful. I am writing this 10 years following surgery - still no back issues (knock on wood). He was very thorough in showing both of us our injuries on MRI and in his explanation of the procedure to fix it. Neither of us had issues with his bedside manner. He was matter of fact, to the point and knowledgeable and informative - which is what I want in a Doctor

Submitted May 3, 2017

All of these comments are so right. He performed surgery on my neck, and I have headaches still 17 years later. He does surgery for the money! Heads up, he is so WC prejuduce!!!!

Submitted Jan. 25, 2017

This Dr. is not very empathetic and only wants a quick surgery to make some money vs. giving suggestions to heal on your own. I avoided two addition disc surgeries through chiro and massage and Dr.Wattenmaker would not even entertain writhing a quick note so that I could obtain a massage chair on my HSA even after he performed my surgery. If you can go to the Virgina Spine Institute in Reston. They are 100 times more professional and really help their patients through pain.

Submitted Dec. 21, 2016

I was sent to Dr. Wattenmaker for an IME(Individual Medical Evaluation) through WMC. I was injured in 2008 at work. I had a cervical fusion on C-5,6-7 in 2012 by another surgeon in NOVA. I believe he gets paid dearly to write reports to benefit himself and WMC. He blasted the surgeon who performed my surgery, which I believe is unethical in the medical field. His bedside manner was the worst I've ever seen. I definitely wouldn't recommend this surgeon to anyone. I had two other IME's before this one and the surgeon was always respectful and helpful. BEWARE!!

Submitted Nov. 6, 2016

Dr. Wattenmaker was the most abrasive and obtuse doctor I have ever met. Cold with no bedside manner whatsoever. Also extremly insulting. His secretary was also very rude and abusive both over the phone and at the desk.

Submitted Aug. 18, 2016

Dr. W. may be a wonderful surgeon, but I found him lacking in bedside manner. I read the marginal reviews prior to my appointment but wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. I will not be going back--unpleasant experience.

Submitted Nov. 10, 2015

Dr. Wattenmaker has performed two surgeries on my spine L4/L5 and 10 years later I was one of the unlucky ~3% to get reoccurrence. Each time his course of treatment was thoughtful his explanations complete thoughtful and accessible. I have referred 2 other people to him over the years and he has in both cases provided successful non surgical treatment paths. His front desk support team have been great.

Submitted Sept. 22, 2015

Dr. Wattenmaker spent a long time with me, showing me my images, explaining them to me and answering questions. He said the most common reason for unsuccessful spinal surgery is surgeons operating on patients who actually need lesser treatments.
My pain reached the point that I needed to lean against a wall for support while walking. By the time I saw Dr. W, I was way overdue for surgery. I had physical therapy which didn't help. The first two series of epidural steroid injections helped greatly but the third series did nothing. When I awoke from anesthesia I could immediately feel improvement. For a year my leg would become numb after driving for over an hour. Now I've been 100% for many years.

I've spoken with others who complained that he was dismissive but he couldn't have been more helpful to me.

Submitted June 16, 2015

He and his staff is very rude. Don't care if you are in pain or not. Writes bogus reports of your condition. To benefit his providers he is not patient relationship Dr. He wrote a bogus report for worksmancomp. When he was hired to do an IME. Six month later I'm have surgery on my l3.l4.l5. Just by his rudeness I don't recommend him. And then falsify your report for his benefits.

Submitted Aug. 7, 2014