Dr. Michael Meier Safaee, MD

Based on my personal experience, I cannot recommend Dr. Michael Safaee. Please think carefully, seek multiple independent opinions, and review all your imaging before allowing anyone to operate on your spine. I first consulted Dr. Safaee in 2022 after being diagnosed with epidural lipomatosis in my lumbar spine. A thoracic MRI performed on October 6, 2022, was formally reported as normal. Two days later, Dr. Safaee performed a multilevel laminectomy on my thoracic spine. My life has never been the same. Nearly four years later, I live with constant pain and consider myself approximately 80% disabled. I have undergone additional surgeries, including a thoracic fusion, and I continue to experience spinal deformity, weakness, limited mobility, and severe pain. I have spent a combined total of more than 1,000 days hospitalized or receiving intensive medical care and rehabilitation. Since March 2026, I have been undergoing rehabilitation in Europe, with treatment and related expenses… ranging from approximately $100,000 to $500,000. Altogether, I estimate that I have spent nearly $9 million searching for answers, treatment, rehabilitation, and relief—money I did not have to lose. I have traveled extensively seeking specialists and care, yet I remain in pain 24 hours a day. I have lost much of the life, career, independence, and future I worked so hard to build. As I write this, I have an IV in my right arm for pain management. I am also pursuing the matter in court. My sister begged me not to undergo the surgery. I wish I had listened and obtained more independent opinions first. Some of my previous reviews have disappeared, but I will continue sharing my documented experience honestly. I would not wish this suffering on my worst enemy. Only my faith in God has given me the strength to keep fighting. I have prayed and hoped for relief, but I am still waiting. Please protect yourself: obtain your complete medical records and native MRI images, consult more than one independent specialist, understand exactly which spinal levels will be operated on, and ask why the proposed surgery is medically necessary. Once spinal surgery is performed, some consequences cannot be undone.