Dr. John Serak, MD

Dr. Serak performed a L4-S1 ALIF with posterior instrumentation on me. 53 y/o male with recurring herniated disks and degeneration over >20 years. With Dr. Serak's advice and after learning about other's experiences, I believe this was the best procedure for my situation. Based on my results 4 weeks post-surgery, it was an amazing success. All nerve pain is gone and I feel great. I was unable to stand up straight or walk even a half mile before surgery and I am now walking over 2.5 miles with no problem and have recently started PT. Still a lot of rehab and healing to do, but the surgery went extremely well and I trust that was due to Dr. Serak's expertise along with that of all the supporting staff and the professionals at Sky Ridge. I am genuinely grateful for the people that dedicate their lives to helping us be health and whole. Thank you Dr. Serak and Sky Ridge Medical Center for your excellent care!

Thank you for getting me through my back problems WITHOUT surgery.

Dr. Serak is one of the most friendly doctors I've ever met. He really takes the time to listen to your concerns and explain the treatment plan thoroughly. He is incredibly knowledgeable and is willing to answer any questions you have. His staff is really friendly and accommodating as well. Overall a wonderful experience!

So, your back is giving you more grief than you can stand. Mine was too. If you’re like me, you’ve heard lots of horror stories. And, you’re plenty nervous about the prospects of surgery. Before I agreed to back surgery, I interviewed several respected surgeons – all of whom provided a typical “10 minute drive-by review” of my MRI; referring me to an assistant to schedule the typical surgery - that would drastically change my life, forever – without satisfactory answers to my questions and concerns. While I’m not a Medical Doctor, I am a Ph.D., Certified Natural Health Consultant, Holistic Health Practitioner with extensive experience helping people protect and restore their health using holistic methods, lifestyle tactics and natural remedies. I have a deep respect for the medical arts, but, over the years, I have witnessed the unanticipated consequences from a “drive-by review.” Finally, I found Dr. John Serak. My appointment was an open discussion with a confident… surgeon. We actually discussed my symptoms, surgical options and likely outcomes. Aided with a simple x-ray, to support the MRI, Dr. Serak identified and recommended an alternative surgical approach. We discussed the time line for surgery and recovery, my responsibilities for recuperation and rehabilitation. It has been 10 weeks since Dr. Serak performed the surgery we discussed. I am pleased to report that Dr. Serak’s surgical recommendation has exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend Dr. Serak to my friends, clients and you. Frank A. Lucas PhD, cNHC, HHP

Great bedside manner! Very happy with my surgery!

Unfortunately, complications occur, and they happen to every surgeon. We even know the rates at which each complication occurs, and it is my philosophy to provide each patient with an full understanding of the risks prior to surgery. When a complication occurs, I consider it my duty to explain the situation to the patient, and do everything I can to remedy the issue. Honesty and integrity are the cornerstones of my practice. I am sorry that the individual who left the negative review does not have that perspective, but I will continue to strive to provide the highest level of care to each and every patient I encounter.

In my first lumbar surgery, Dr. Serak left too much disk material in my spine. It oozed out onto the nerves, so I was unable to walk without severe pain. This led to a second surgery, where he removed the rod and screws from the right side of my spine. He was unable to replace them, leaving me with half of the hardware needed to support my spine during fusion. Thus, my L5 vertebra has continued to slip forward. After 8 months, a CT showed no signs of fusion, making me wonder if he failed to correctly insert enough bone graft material, or if it had been removed along with the oozing disk material. He then proposed a third operation, this time through my abdomen, to replace the "cage" he had incorrectly inserted between my L5 and S1 vertebras. But I did not want him to operate on me ever again. I travelled 2,000 miles to the prestigious New England Baptist Hospital (NEBH), where I should have gone in the first place. From my CT and MRI scans, the physician and PA surmised… that his surgery had caused the "cage" to collapse and that he had positioned the screws incorrectly. Dr. Serak never mentioned these outcomes, or should I say he either hid them from me or was unaware. The NEBH recommended waiting on surgery until my now continuing pain becomes unbearable. Evidently, the complications in my spine caused by Dr. Serak are so bad that the risk of trying to mitigate them with more surgery is too great and might leave me worse off. I had been referred to Dr. Serak by a physician at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. In discussing my situation with his assistant, I was told that they no longer refer patients to Dr. Serak. Unfortunately, I had been referred before they realized his lack of skill. I should have paid attention to the fact that Dr. Serak is not Board Certified. It was a bad mistake to choose him.

Very good at explaining my cervical problem ,explaining images, and surgical options! Great staff!!