Dr. Benjamin Banks Fulmer, MD

Easily the worst doctor’s office I have ever dealt with. My husband had an appointment last week. Dr. Fulmer was nice and fairly helpful. But we had a simple question after that. I have spoken to them on the phone 6 times now and they absolutely REFUSE to ask the doctor the question. They promised he’d call us back and then 4 days later after no call I spoke to them again where they said we’d have to make another appointment if we wanted to speak to him. To ask a question about a medication he prescribed during the last appointment?! That’s insane. The staff is incredibly rude. Go literally to any other office and you’ll have a better outcome.

I wrote this once but don't see it! I had spinal stenosis surgery on my back by Dr Fulmer in Jan, 2019. I didn't get better! First Dr Fulmer kept saying how sorry he was! The next visit he asked me what I thought ! He asked if I thought I was taking longer to heal! He sent me for another MRI on my back and sent me to PT. I kept getting worse! The nurses on the nurse line were very sympathetic. Finally, I went for a second opinion. I saw 2 doctors. A neurosurgeon and an orthopedic. Both of these doctors did X-rays on me and examined me in their office. Dr Fulmer did not have an X-ray machine nor did he have me lie down on the table to examine me. All he did was talk to me and check my reflexes. He then looked at my MRI and told me he was 95 percent certain that he could operate and take care of all my problems! The next doctor I went to for a second opinion told me after X-rays and doing a thorough examination that I didn't even need back surgery! He said I need double hip… replacement. He showed us the X-rays for proof. Then, he referred me to an orthopedic for surgery because he doesn't even operate on hips, but caught my hip problem after a thorough examination with doing Xrays. I found out I have hip dysplasia. Which is a birth defect in my hips causing the problem. Therefore, I feel that Dr Fulmer needs to be more thorough with his exams!!

I'm 34 years old and stay very active. I'm a full time Police Officer, SWAT team member, train Jiu Jitsu 3 times a week and in the Army National Guard. About a month ago, I herniated my L4 and L5 disc with a piece of my disc chipped off and against my sciatic nerve and could barely walk and had excruciating pain down my left leg and back. I had a microdiscectomy surgery on 23 May 2019 and its been 3 weeks and I feel 100% better. The first three days after the surgery I was pretty sore due to being cut on, but that was as expected. On the fifth day I had no more pain form the surgery and stopped taking my pain and muscle relaxer medication. From the day of the surgery I could walk upright and pain free from the herniated disc. I still limit myself to the doctor restrictions, but feel I'm recovering ahead of schedule. With the experience that I've had with the staff and Dr. Fulmer at Birmingham Neuro and Spine. I would recommend them to anyone that's needing help with back… issues.

I had my first surgery with Dr. Fulmer in 2009 fusion c4-5 c5-6 with cadaver bone. I had non union and had to have a second surgery in 2010 on same levels using bone out of my hip. Had success with this surgery. I did not blame Dr. Fulmer for the non union. Had to have surgery again in 2014 for the next level down c7 fusion. We specifically discussed in his office that since I had had a non union on my first surgery that bone would be taken out of my other hip. When I awoke after this surgey I found that my own bone wa not used. He used cadaver one again. I ended up with another non union. Had surgery again in 2016 using bone from my other hip. After surgery I ended up with a parylized right vocal cord. This last surgery should have never happened if my own bone had been used instead of cadaver in my third surgery. I have since hade 3 vocal cord surgeries with a vocal cord implant. I do have a decent voice sometimes thanks to a wonderful ENT at UAB. I would avoid Dr. Fulmer if at all… possible.

I had back surgery in 2013. Dr. Carter Morris did it. Man i miss him. I went to this Fulmer guy with back and leg pain. I can’t have an mri because of a pacemaker. I had a ct scan, then a mylegram, which i will never do again. Now keep in mind, i had already tried therapy, back brace. I hate pain pills. I needed relief. I asked him for some. His reply, we really don’t give those around here. I understand their point. However, the ones that really need them cannot get them. I tried a series of blocks. Still no relief. He made me feel as if i was just thinking I’m hurting. Very short. In and out. Me and my Ins co. Pay a lot of money to these Dr ‘s. Look at your eob. Supposedly it was a 15 or 20 min visit. More like 3 or 4 mins...

Thank God for wonderful surgeons who care for us in emergency situations. I owe my life to Dr. Fulmer and will be forever grateful.

I highly recommend Dr. Fulmer. He was excellent in explaining my condition in terms very understable to me. He offered options for my particular problem. He is friendly and caring. His staff is Great. Surgery was successful and followup was timely.

Dr Fuller is very professional, personable & easy to talk with any concerns. Very polite in answering all of my questions. Dr. Fuller has contacted me directly to answer & discuss my surgery.

After getting no relief from pain blocks and physical therapy the logical choice was surgery for a herinated disc. I was told by Dr. Fulmer it would be a simple fx, return to work in 2 weeks and may have a raspy voice for a month or so. WRONG! After a year I am beginning to feel more normal, I had 6 weeks off from work and still wasnt physically where I needed to be to work, bad muscle spasms, and no voice. One year later and no real volume to my voice. I returned to Dr. Fulmer at 6 months and his reply was "I dont know why you dont have your voice back?" After three scopes I am faced with another surgery for a paralyzed vocal cord. A risk of the surgery that I was never ever informed about!! Check out your risk and proceed with caution. This has forever changed my life. Swallowing is a real issue also. Get choked very easily, also because of paralyzed vocal cord. He offered no help, no follow up, no resolution. Just denial that I had a problem.

Had back surgery at a young age, 33, and he was extremely informative and cured my back pain. Very nice person as well.