Dr. Rolando Garcia JR., MD

I consulted with Dr. Garcia regarding an ADR surgery (artificial disc replacement). At the time he was very VERY honest, did the right thing and warned me that due to my petite anatomy, the disc he proposed to use, Active-L, may not fit. And he may not know for sure until he was into the surgery, and that it may convert to a fusion procedure. It would have been so easy for him to hide this information from me and to push me ahead. Ultimately, I needed to go overseas anyway for a surgical solution to my pain (though I was part prompted by the wider selection of disc prosthesis sizes in the EU). But also my USA coverage on my global insurance had timed out. Once I got into care with a top surgeon in the UK, It turns out Dr. Garcia was completely right on the "too petite anatomy" count. Ultimately, I wasn't a good candidate for ADR (an elegant "360" front/back fusion was my best solution because my disc space was so destroyed/facets were really troubled)...But even if I WAS ultimately a… candidate for ADR, my bones/disc space was still too small for the best-selected disc (M6) in the UK/EU. He got that so right! I really appreciated Dr. Rolando Garcia's honesty and willingness to give up the opportunity to do my surgery in the US, in the interest of telling me honestly that the prosthesis may not fit; therefore I could explore all my options and ultimately get the right procedure that has now cured me 100%. One other note as I read some of the reviews: this guy is not supposed to be your friendly best friend. He is there to consult and fix you. Come in informed; do your research and homework; have an intelligent conversation about your care with this scientific, brainy medical craftsman. He is there to offer his expertise and to give you an elegant solution to your spinal issues-- not butter you up with warm/fuzzy. That's always a bonus but just appreciate the man for who he is and what he can do for you. :) Thank you!

In 1999, Dr. Garcia performed a Scoliosis fusion extension on me from previous surgeries that I had. For 6 years I had suffered with agonizing pain in my left leg and after going to multiple surgeons, he agreed to operate on me to try and fix it. He was very nice. I liked him. He was willing to help me and I appreciated it. During the surgery though, I had an issue with the anesthesiologist. He didn't give me quite enough anesthesia. I was still fully awake when Dr. Garcia started operating, but yet I couldn't tell him. The rest of my body was asleep and I was unable to lift my arm or open my mouth to let him know I was still awake. As soon as the operation began, I felt it like an electric shock and my heart was beating way too fast, uncontrollably and the next thing you know, I was hearing a "Code Blue" alarm and I was gone. From what I experienced, I died and I knew I was dead. I don't know for how long, but long enough to go down a tunnel to a bright white light (alot of people… experience this, as did I). The feeling I received from that light was pure love, warmth and safety - like being wrapped up in a warm blanket. I wasn't in my body anymore, I was floating along.. It was so peaceful, I didn't want to leave it. If that was GOD, it was truly a remarkable experience, but the white light seemed to be of extreme energy. Time had no meaning and next thing I know, I was coming backwards from the light and I woke up in the ICU, blown up like a balloon. In all the surgeries I've had, and I've had many, this is the first time I experienced this and was all swollen like the Michelin Man. I asked Dr. Garcia if I died and he refused to confirm or admit it. He danced around the subject. So I asked "when did you realize I was still awake?" He said "Luckily, you jerked the table". That experience changed my life dramatically. Not only did I have short-term memory loss, but every day when I woke up, I would be in the middle of a panic attack. Like something jolted me awake every day. 20 years later and I STILL have this happen. I believe Dr. Garcia knew more than what he was telling me and not a word of it was mentioned in my medical records. It was written that there were NO COMPLICATIONS. I went back to him several times after that surgery as I was having problems with pain still and he couldn't figure out what it was from. At one point he told me he couldn't help me anymore and put me on pain medicine and that was the end of our relationship. I was politely told not to come back. After going to several other doctors after him, I was sent to New Orleans to see a renown radiologist and he found the problem within minutes. I had a hole inside where it had come undone somehow after the surgery. I believe if a surgeon operates on you, no matter WHAT happens, they should be honest with you and take responsibility for what happens in their operating room and while you're in their care. Dr. Garcia did fix the pain I had in my left leg for 6 years, and I am grateful for that, he did an awesome job at it, but to this day, it haunts me what happened to me and he wasn't truthful with me. I know the truth because of what I went through and what I still go through on a daily basis and I wouldn't want anyone else to go through what I have. Anything can look good on paper when in reality, it's a different story.

Dr. Garcia explained all my options and answered all my questions to my complete satisfaction. After trying some conservative options for my spinal stenosis, we decided on surgery. It went very well; three weeks after the surgery, I don't feel any pain in the leg or lower back. Thank you, Dr. Garcia!

It is impossible to access this doctor even to find a second opinion, if your insurance is not accepted by him, a consultation with the DR costs $ 500.00 dollars plus the cost of two mandatory x-rays that make you even if you have an MRI of less than One week . in short if your insurance does not cover you prepare 915.00 to hear your opinion. Abusive and excessive. He forgot his roots and the reasons why he decided to become a doctor, you are only a pocket number. His staff was very rude on the phone despite calling and explaining my desperate situation. I would not go to a consultation even if they give it to me

Dr. Garcia has saved my life! I am forever grateful!

As a presently retired physician, I must emphasize my own personal experience with Dr. Garcia. I have known Dr. Garcia personally and the staff of Orthopedic Care Center for the past 14 years. If any of my former patients had ever needed a referral for an Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in spine surgery, I would only send them directly to Dr. Garcia without any hesitation whatsoever. I have personally been in the O.R with him at Aventura Hospital to view him perform the same surgery that I was scheduled to undergo in the next month. For almost five hours straight I stood there in complete amazement while carefully observing everything that he was doing from a nearby distance. I wanted to learn as much as I could not only as a physician but most importantly as a patient. At the end of the procedure I believe that my words to Dr . Garcia was, “ Thank you sincerely for allowing me the privilege to be present during this procedure. I will never tell myself ever again that I had a… hard day at the office after watching what you have just done for your patient.” Going through Orthpaedic spine surgery is not an easy thing to do as a patient. However, considering that I have the knowledge as a former patient and a retired physician, that Dr. Garcia never recommends spine surgery until all other treatment options were explored first as alternatives to undergoing surgery. When I was a patient of his for a few years due to a severe motor vehicle accident in 2004, I had to undergo two spine surgeries between the years of 2005-2006. Dr. Garcia was always very ethical, honest, caring and very straightforward with any questions that I had about anything whatsoever regarding my spine injuries. I am very aware that after reading some of the present reviews that Dr. Garcia’s office waiting room can be lengthy at times, very lengthy . However, as a patient you need to understand that the wait time is not only due to the fact that there are other amazing Orthpedists in the practice and most importantly that while any Orthopedic Surgeon has an office visit with a patient than that appointment can NOT be rushed, expedited or hurried in any way possible. Especially when it comes to spine surgery the physician must carefully, accurately and diagnose each patient properly before other patients can be accommodated. I have to admit that I have waited for as long as three hours in that waiting room to see the doctor but there’s an old expression that I truly believe in which states that good things will come to those who wait. Dr. Garcia may presently be a defense expert witness for insurance companies but that has not always been the case. Due to his overall expertise, dedication and commitment to the injuries sustained and overall very strong ethical qualities as an Orthopedic Surgeon , I can honestly say that if it had not been for Dr. Garcia I may not be able to live my present life being able to survive without having permanent paralysis due to spinal cord injuries. Thank you and best regards to staff at Orthopedic Care.

Thanks to him i walk

Doctor Garcia gave me my life back. After struggling with debilitating back issues due to faulty artificial discs and failed back surgeries it was doctor Garcias world class knowledge and expertise that finally made the difference. Not only is Rolando Garcia a wonderful human being he is probably the best back surgeon in the entire country, and I don't say that lightly. When other doctors couldn't help me it was doctor Garcia who not only helped me, he literally saved my life by giving me the ability to function for the first time in 16 years. I highly recommend doctor Garcia to anyone dealing with back issues.

If you want to seat in the lobby and not see the doctor this is the perfect place. However, you can see him walk by thought the little window. When I booked my appointment I made it very clear that my time is as important as the doctor, so I asked for an appointment that wouldn't make me wait forever and ever. After two hours I got up and left.

I had a pleasant experience with this doctor. He was kind and spent enough time with me until I understood what was wrong with my back. He was not pushy for surgery like a lot of other doctors I have been to.