Dr. Michael Gary Sugarman, MD

I had occasional lower back pain and was receiving injections in my back every 6 months from a pain management doctor. Dr Sugarman convinced me that he could rid me of pain and need for injections by inserting plates and screws in my lower back. I had the operation and came out of surgery in severe upper body pain and my hands paralyzed. The lower back is not near the nerves that would cause this. His associate did a second operation to my neck in hope that by putting plates and screws in my neck that my hands would work. The operation didn't help. They did a third operation to remove the plates and screws from my back as they were infected. Thus making the entire operation unnecessary. My hands and legs worked well prior to the elective surgery. Dr Sugarman only says " never happen before...I'll get to the bottom of this." Well it's two years and I haven't heard a word. My hands are paralyzed. They are trying to teach me to walk again. I can't wash ,shave, or dress myself. I live… in constant pain. Im in a nursing home. I see no one. I'll never drive again. I lost everything.

Dr. Sugarman performed Spinal Fusion (L4-S1) on me in May 2017. Dr. Sugarman was professional with great bedside manner, accurate in diagnosis and my scar almost invisible. If there where 10 Stars he would have them all.

I love Dr Sugarman and Bernie. I have had two surgeries and am in need of another. I would never go to another doctor. I continued to have pain after the second surgery and Dr Sugarman stayed with it till he found the root of the pain. He did not brush me off or just wright me off to pain managment. I now have to have the third surgery to correct the issue. Most doctors today just sent you for pain managment.

I am a patient of Dr. Sugarman and it has been a month since my surgery. I am very pleased with the outcome my neck fusion involved C3 through C7 with bone used from the bone bank. After surgery in recovery I felt minimal pain never took any narcotic medications. Was very pleasd with both Dr. Sugarman and his PA Dr. Bernie Racey

has done two surgeries on me 2001 & 2004 all pain gone. I consider myself very fortunate to have found Dr. Sugarman

Knowledgeable, and accurate diagnosis.

There is definitely a scheduling problem for this doctor. On my last vist i waited 3 hours to be seen. There was 4 of us waiting to be seen by dr sugerman in the waiting area and when they called on the first person people started clapping and cheering because they finally got called on.He did my surgery and his bedside manor was a zero. I was told his bedside manor was great but not in my opinion. After my surgery he did not come to see me or ask how I was doing or anything until over ten hours later! Then when he finally seen me he asked how I was feeling and I told him I was in a lot of pain and his response was "WHY"!! 6 months later after surgery and I am in more pain then ever!!!!!

I saw this Doctor who was recommended by my GP. He was very professional. His staff on the other hand is a different matter. I had seen a Neurosurgeon previoulsy in a different state who had prescribed a surgical procedure. At the previous doctor I got copies of my X-rays and MRI to facilitate my treatment. Dr. Sugarman recommended a more involved procedure and his staff said it would require a 2nd opinion. I was going back ot the state where i got my inital assessment and asked for Dr. Sugarmans assessment so I could get the 2nd opinion there. His staff agreed to email me the infomation on Monday of the following week. I received a call from his staff that Monday and was told I DID NOT need a 2nd opinion and scheduled the surgery for 2 weeks later. I still requested the info for my doctors visit. I did not received the information until that Friday, too late for my appt. I requested my X-ray, MRI and Cat Scan disks to go get a 3rd opinion from a different doctor since I now had 2… different courses of treatment. After 3 weeks of requesting I cannot get MY OWN X-ray and other disks from his office after beig told they were ready. This will require me to get the tests redone at an additional cost and require me to be subjected to additional radiiation as a result. I have terminated my use of his services due to these issues as I now have no confidence in practice.

My first visit was fine. Was given an order for an expensive full-body nuclear bone scan. Upon my return and after waiting for over an hour, his PA (never did see the doctor) questioned why I had the test done. In other words, it was unnecessary. I only needed a bone density test. Also, info in my chart was incorrect. NOT GOING BACK.

I had triple fusion done on 10/11/10. Dr. Sugarman answered all questions I had.Performed all necessary testing to accuratlydiagnose problem. My surgery was rescheduled so he could follow through with visits the 3 days after surgery.His staff has the highest respect for him.4 weeks after surgery, the X-Rays show his work to be 100%. My particular surgery took 10 hrs, but it is the best quality.I would highly recomend Dr Sugarman to anyone with spinal issues.