Dr. Frank Rudolph Hellinger, MD

GET A 2ND OPINION ~ Johns Hopkins called him a "cowboy surgeon" I'm still here 7 years later, no operation no rupture. I would be dead if I had followed through with the surgery he recommended. GET A 2ND OPINION

I had a headache and fever for 3 days, and was sent to him for evaluation with MRI scans in hand that showed nothing. The nurse and Doctor IMMEDIATELY tried to sell me on the angioplasty procedure like used car salesmen. No wonder he's done over 500 of these procedures. Note that an "event" like a stroke or death can occur with 1 in 500 of these procedures. He's done over 500, and I don't like those odds if the procedure is not really necessary. I understand it is the definitive procedure if a stroke is suspected, but I felt there was no need for this expensive, risky procedure, running a wire and flashlight from my thigh, up inside my brain and root around looking for problems, and tangle any weak spots up with wire to seal them off. HEY, wait a minute, I'm only 58 and it was a headache with fever and vomit and my first episode. It had long subsided by the time I got to him. Its been several years with no recurrence. I think I just had a touch of encephalitis and glad I… passed on this hip-pocket angiography recommendation. I said lets do a MRA (like a MRI scan, only high-definition for the brain) and see. It came back clean, and they still leaned on me insisting I needed the procedure. No thanks Doc, I need to make my house payment, not yours. If you go, just be aware EVERYBODY that walks in the door needs an angioplasty procedure.....

After being diagnosed with a carotid artery dissection Dr. Hellinger put two stents in and kept me from having a major stroke. He took his time with me and my family answering ask questions and gas been diligent following up on my recovery and progress. I feel blessed that Dr. Hellinger was there for me twice to put me at ease during a very scary time. His office staff and surgical team are very pleasant and also take their time to answer our questions, phone calls have always been returned promptly. I would recommend him to anyone.

I was told later by John Hopkins and University of Miami doctors that if I had proceeded with Dr. Hellinger's suggested surgery it likely would've left me disabled for life. I'm living untreated without permanent deficit (stroke) but still living because I did not follow his advice and instead am only taking anti seizure drugs. Please read about the aruba study for AVM do not rush your choice! LIVE WELL!

We had an emergency and he was there, Can't say enough good things about him. Please if you ever need a doctor with his skills, choose him!

Amazing Dr, very nice man. IDr. Hellinger very good at what he does. He saved my life. He and the Florida Hospital are a very good combination to getting well. I rate them both 10