The Costs and Benefits Associated With Laser Back Surgeons

If you have a chronic spine condition such as a herniated disc, your doctor may recommend laser back surgery as a minimally invasive way to get long-lasting relief from your condition. Your doctor will not recommend this procedure unless he believes that the benefits outweigh the risks. Before you decide to undergo surgery, it's important to fully consider the costs, risks, and benefits associated with surgery.

Costs

The cost of laser back surgery should be covered by your insurance as long as the procedure is deemed medically necessary. Your exact out-of-pocket costs will depend on the terms of your insurance coverage. If you are uncertain about those terms, you can contact your insurance company for information about your deductible and copay for the specific procedure being used.

Risks

There are some risks associated with laser back surgery, as with all types of surgery. Your laser back surgeon will discuss those risks with you in detail prior to surgery. The majority of patients do not experience side effects, but it is possible to develop side effects such as bleeding, infection, spinal fluid leak, and blood clots. Most of the time, side effects are mild and temporary if they do occur.

Benefits

Laser back surgery has numerous benefits, both in terms of its effect on patients' lives and in terms of how it stacks up to other types of surgical back treatment. The single biggest benefit of laser back surgery is that it helps patients return to life without pain and other symptoms caused by their herniated disc.

Doctors are increasingly turning to laser surgery because it has advantages over traditional spine surgery. Benefits include: 

• No hospital stay
• No general anesthesia
• No large scar
• Lower risk of side effects, including infection and bleeding
• Ability to return to work within a week
• Shorter recovery period
• No need to cut into muscle or bone

Your doctor will be able to give you more detail about the risks, costs, and benefits based on your clinical situation. To schedule a consultation with New York City's top laser back surgeon, please click below and enter your information or call the Datta Endoscopic Vein & Vascular Center at (212) 430-0312.