I lived with debilitating back pain for almost six years. During that time, I saw countless doctors and pain specialists, had multiple MRIs, and tried every conservative treatment you can imagine. Over and over, I was told the same thing: avoid surgery at all costs. No matter how bad things were, surgery was never really on the table. I felt dismissed, unheard, and honestly terrified that this pain was just going to be my life forever.
Meeting Dr. Mikhail changed everything.
He ordered an MRI and actually took the time to sit with me and explain what was going on. For the first time, someone acknowledged how bad my back really was, especially for someone my age. He laid out four different options for treatment, explained each one clearly, and never once pressured me toward a decision. He listened to me, answered my questions, and treated me like a person, not a problem to be managed. Together, we decided a laminotomy was the right choice.
The day of surgery was nothing like I expected, in the best way possible. From Dr. Mikhail to every single person at the surgical center, I felt genuinely cared for. I was calm, comfortable, and reassured the entire time. As strange as it sounds, it almost felt like a gift to be treated with that level of kindness during such a scary moment. After the surgery, I felt great and was discharged fairly quickly. Dr. Mikhail came to see me personally afterward, and that meant more to me than I can put into words.
My recovery has been incredibly smooth. I was off pain medication by the second day, and my pain has gone from a constant 10 out of 10 to around a 2 out of 10, and it continues to improve every day. For the first time in years, I feel hopeful about my body and my future. Dr. Mikhail did not just fix my back. He gave me my life back. I am deeply grateful. read more