My husband was referred here by his doctor. He spoke to someone in Dr. Lawton's office about a week and a half ago and explained why he was referred - for bulging discs. He was told to get all of his records together and sent over to the office so they could make an appointment once everything was received. (He had to go to the imaging facility to sign a release in person to get his records sent to Dr Lawson's office) My husband called today for an appointment and the woman he spoke to said they didn't treat patients with bulging discs. My husband asked why he wasn't told that over a week ago when he initially called....he's been in a lot of pain and was counting on being seen ASAP. The lady was short with him, replied "I don't know, that wasn't me." And told him "I have other things to do." She was incredibly rude. 1-educate your staff on the treatment you offer so this doesn't happen again. 2-educate your staff on patience and customer service skills This is very frustrating because my husband is in incredible amounts of pain - this was wasted time getting records and waiting for an appointment. If we would have know over a week and a half ago that they didn't treat patients with bulging discs, we could have easily gotten him an appointment with a doctor that does. Hopefully we can get in somewhere quickly - an office with better customer service. read more

Saved my husband's life 2018 after he had a burst aneurism.... Was great from the start spent 2 weeks in ICU & my husband walked himself right out with no problems. read more

I have been referred to Dr. Lawton from a fellow neurosurgeon Dr. Ducruet. Another neuro. told me my brain aneurysm was so small, no neuro would bother with it. Within 3 weeks, it had tripled in size and with the angiogram, Dr. Ducruet was able to get a good visual to see that it had irregular morphology and Dr. Lawton was the best in his craft to clip it. I have complete faith in Dr. Lawton. He is clinical rather than chatty, but I know had I had a list, he no doubt would have answered anything. Dr. Lawton and his team will undoubtedly make sure this 48 year old mom, wife, daughter and grandmother leads a long, healthy and blessed life. His staff is warm, friendly and informative. read more

I experienced a ruptured aneurysm in February 2012. Dr. Lawton was my neuro surgeon, and hands down-the reason I am still ME after it happened. He is a master at what he does, and I would not trust my brain in anyone elses hands now that I've met him. He participated in the Aneurysm and AVM Foundation Awareness Walk just this last weekend, and I had the opportunity to thank him, and express how greatful I am for him. He may be all business when he's in the white coat, but he is extremely nice and welcoming when he is not. I thank my lucky stars every day that I live within a reasonable distance of a medical center with someone as skilled as Dr. Lawton! read more

I was initially introduce to Dr. Lawton during a book signing event at Soma Arts which was coordinated by Carl Zeiss during a neurosurgeon convention at the Moscone Center. Many professionals attended this event. He spoke about his book and different aneurysms and procedures. I got to video him giving his presentation. Very enlightening. He seems to be the main neurosurgeon if you need one. On a personal note. I brought my step dad in after he had his angioplasty of his brain. We met with Dr. Lawson and said that what he had wasn't an aneurysm. Relief on our side, but it still doesn't answer the question as to what's wrong. He was quite abrupt with his answers when we had questions. I guess since it is out of his hands for now, that there was probably nothing that he couldn't do. I trust his opinion and he did recommend that we do come back in a year or two for a follow up check up. read more

I had a spinal cord tumor and cysts removed in 2015. The prognosis from my local Palm Springs, CA neurosurgeon was 50/50 (Eisenhower Medical Center Spinal Institute), with possible paralysis. No thanks! I searched for months until I found Dr. Lawton. Surgery went well with no loss of previous function. Within 36 hours I suffered a heart attack in hospital which then brought the focus elsewhere. I recovered nicely. Dr. Lawton is now CEO of Barrow Brain Institute, Phoenix. read more

I'm giving Michael Lawton 5 stars not because he has a charming personality and a great bedside manner but because he's an amazing surgeon. I was diagnosed with an AVM in the fall of 2007. I was seeing an ENT because my sense of smell had diminished (I couldn't smell my daughter's diapers and everyone thought I was just lazy not changing them). I have a history of cancer in my family and thought I better make sure there wasn't anything floating around in my head that shouldn't be there. The ENT just happened to see the AVM on a scan and sent me to a neurologist. The neurologist said it was no big deal and sent me to UC telling me they would probably cauterize the little veins that were feeding into it (I think that's right) Then I met Dr. Michael Lawton who just flat out told me I needed to have this little mass removed (in a complete robotic manner) which was not consistant with what I had been reading online. I was TOTALLY put off by his personality and the manner with which he answered the questions we had for him (my sister was with me) I spent the next year investigating and had 4 different opinions other than his (Stanford and CPMC). The younger surgeons said take it out and the older surgeons said I shouldn't worry about it (the scoop is that this little mass can run the risk of just bursting and causing a bad headache or actually killing you) I was lucky it was detected and most likely had lived with it from birth. I had decided to have my little nitus (I think it's called that) surgically removed and was almost positive I was going to do it at CPMC because I LOVED the neurosurgeon's bedside manner at that institution. But I kept thinking that Michael Lawton was the king of AVM removal in the country and I really shouldn't be thinking about bedside manner (I had a thyroidectomy through UC about 10 years ago and the surgeon not only had hideous bedside manner but he nicked a vocal chord and my voice has been impaired since. AND he was one of the top surgeons to see for that particular surgery.......so I had a negative experience with UCSF already which was impacting my decision on this surgery.) But I kept thinking this was a huge surgery and Lawton was so confident there wouldn't be any problems. Plus he was 'the guy' that does the AVM surgeries. (I wasn't getting the same confidence from the other surgeons.....they had not performed anywhere close to the number of this particular surgery that Lawton had. Reading what I've written so far I feel like such an idiot when the decision should have been so clear to me from the get go. Apparently I'm a sucker for a Dr. with a nice, warm vibe.) I decided to make an appointment with Lawton again and let him know I needed to feel warm and fuzzy toward him if he was going to perform this surgery because I was really concerned that my negative feelings toward his bedside manner may somehow get in the way of the success of the surgery or my healing process. So we had a heart to heart chat and he was able to muster up what I needed and I booked the surgery date. This dude is a master craftsman. He didn't even shave my head. I had a giant upside down horseshoe incision on the right side of my head and he just stapled it shut. You couldn't even see it. It was beyond my comprehension. 10 weeks later I was back at work as good as new. The staples were removed about a week later. They were wildly generous with the pain medicine which I barely needed. Motrin did the trick. The worst part of the surgery was that my body ached from the position I was put in to perform the surgery .(and it was a long surgery) My head felt fine though! The staff at UCSF was amazing and took excellent care of me. I was in the hospital 4 or 5 nights and that went well too. If anyone needs to have this surgery performed go to Michael Lawton. Because of the negative experience I'd had at UC about 10 years prior I was a bit heisitant. There were a gizzillion things that could have gone wrong if there had been a little mess up (no peripheral vision.....ie no more driving for me etc.) He is the man to see. His demeanor may not have been my cup of tea but he did an amazing job and that was the bottom line. Skip Stanford and CPMC. UCSF is known for their neurosurgery department so don't waste your time getting too many opinions. He is the guy to see especially if you need an AVM removed.....just don't expect lots of cuddles, hugs and chitchat ....but that's OK. read more

I most likely was not sufficiently enthusiastic when I first wrote my review about Dr. Lawton! He is truly a miracle in my life!!! I am now a 10 year survivor of a devastating brain aneurysm, and have few visible deficits because of the highly skilled surgeries I was lucky enough to get at UCSF with Dr. Lawton as my neurosurgeon!!! Triple 5stars for Dr. Lawton and the fantastic nurses in the Neuro ICU!!!! read more

Mr. Lawton is an amazing Dr. who saved my father last year in September2010. I am amazed at how rapidly my father healed and recovered promptly. We are from Fresno and would travel all the way to China if necessary to have Mr. Lawton take care of my loved ones. read more

I called in for an appointment and the receptionist kept laughing and listening to jokes in the background. They ended up saying they would call me back and never did. My how times have changed and the respect gone to zero. read more

very poor bedside manner. Abrupt, had no answers and seemed genuinely irritated to be talking to us. If I could give him zero stars I would. Luckily he is a surgeon so hopefully he has limited patient contact. read more

Dr Lawton saved my life! I collapsed with Grand Mall seizures while eating dinner in 2005 and the head of neurosurgery at a local hospital told me he couldnt help me because he couldnt find the problem. Fast forward to a trip to UCSF and Dr Lawton diagnosed the problem in less time than it is taking me to write this. When he told us he knew exactly what the problem was and he knew how to fix it, I knew he was the the man. His demeanor was one of quiet confidence, and it immediately put me at ease. I walked out of the hospital 36 hours from coming to from the surgery with a bad haircut, but completely fixed. Since then I have scuba dived, water skiied and have my own company building swimming pools. Thanks again Dr Lawton. God bless. read more

I was able to get help from Dr. Lawton, who essentially saved my life. I experienced a ruptured aneurism back in Nov 2010. When it happened, I collapsed and passed out. I had an ambulance take me to UCSF where Dr. Lawton operated on me, while I was in a coma. I remained in a coma for 9 days. Thru my recovery, I spent 2 months in the hospital, and another 16 months at home going to multiple therapy places. In January 2012, I set up a meeting with Dr. Lawton so I could thank him for all that he did for me. He was a very nice gentleman and remembered my case very well. I've been back working for the past 16 months at my previous job, and being successful at it. Dr. Lawton is an amazing surgeon that helped me get back my life, and this is something I'll never forget. He's the best! read more

We met Dr Lawton after my 20 year old son was told by Dr.'s at the Stanford neuro unit, that he had an in-operable cavernous malformation in his brain stem that was bleeding. We went for a second opinion at UCSF and Dr Lawton said he WOULD suggest operating on it. He did three weeks later and my son after only 2 months was back at college and practicing soccer with his team. Prior to surgery my son had about 60% use of his right hand and was walking with a limp. Both of those things are completely gone. He has full use of all body parts! and his brain is completely clean. He (Dr Lawton) did what others wouldn't attempt. Cannot thank him and his staff enough.... read more

I was referred to Dr. Lawton by the head of neurology at Mercy Sacramento for ongoing battles with multiple spinal AVMs since the age of 12. That initial event paralyzed me from the waist down in 1970 and required a laminectomy. I recovered almost completely playing sports in HS. In college my legs began to weaken and in the past 43 years I have had four spinal AVMs addressed via angiogram and embolization. In 2012 I was diagnosed with a new set of multiple spinal AVMs which could not be addressed by interventional radiology. On May 23 of his year I walked into UCSF for a mapping angio followed by a spinal surgery to be performed by Dr. Lawton. I truly believed I was in the best hands and I still do although my story goes downhill from here. I fully expected to meet with the neuro vascular surgical team prior to the surgery as I had met with the interventional radiologists team. That never happened. I then expected to meet with my surgeon whose name I didn't even know was Michael Lawton post angio to explain the upcoming surgery the next day. That did not happen. I then hoped to see him the morning of the surgery for a quick chat. That didn't happen. I woke up in recovery 6.5 hrs later and no Dr. Lawton only a resident who proceeded to tell me that my surgical site had been so extensive that my spine was now weakend and may require rods and plates. I woke up again in ICU with a great nurse and my wife by my side to discover together that the surgery had left me paralyzed from the waist down. Again, no Dr. Lawton only a periodic battery of residents under his command who could say very little. This procedure was done over the Memorial Day holiday at his offices request yet I would not see Dr. Lawton for four days post surgery. The nursing staff was amazing and sympathetic to my anguish at the speed dating the residents performed, but no appearance of the man who brought me to the dance. On the fourth day after a second confirmatory angiogram I met Dr. Lawton who apologized for the lack of follow up, but blamed the holiday. A date his office picked. He was not happy about the additional misinformation about my back's stability and assured me it was structurally sound. Three days later I developed a pulomonary embolism in the right lung extending my stay before going to an acute rehab in Sacramento. I saw him two more times, but under he rules of speed dating with little explanation of what was done. I ultimately had to read it the surgical report a month later. In spite of this my legs began to recover mobility and after two weeks at the rehab facility I was released on 6/29. One month and change later. On 7/11 I suffered an acute set back losing all the gains in my legs with severe numbness, sciatica, instability and weakness. Since then my neurologist in Sacramento ordered an MRI which was inconclusive due to hemoclips I wasn't aware were left in. Part of poor communication that sadly falls at the feet of Dr. Lawton. A CT Myelogram was ordered at Mercy General. Three days later I was called by my neurologist who cautiously explained that "Adhesions" had been seen and that he was essentially turning me back over to Dr. Lawton for follow up and possible further surgery. I then requested a copy of the radiology report in preparation for Dr. Lawton's review later that week by phone. The report mentioned "Adhesions" once, but mentioned the term "Arachnoiditis" eight times. This condition is caused generally by an inflammatory response to spinal trauma and invasive spinal procedures such as epidurals, Myelograms and in particular spinal surgeries. The arachnoid lining around the spinal cord become chronically inflamed causing bundling and clumping of spinal cord strands eventually adhering to the protective covering, scaring and in extreme cases ossification (Turing to bone) of that section of the cord. The process is progressive and incurable being treated symptomatically. This includes severe back pain, sciatica, numbness, weakness, spasms and potential loss of bladder/bowel function when occurring in the lower thoracic and lumbar area. I now have four of those symptoms. Like my neurologist Dr. Lucian Maidan, Dr. Lawton only referred to the report citing "adhesions". Neither doctor ever mentioned arachnoiditis. Dr. Lawton seemed cautious in his words offering only to perform another surgery to release those nerves with significant risk. Other than that he essentially said it was a rare occurrence, but offered no additional course of action or action plan. I told him my neurologist Dr. Maidan had essentially recused himself from my case and that I needed a generalist neurologist to guide me through this. He said, "yes, you do" and left it at that. He wished me well and that was that. Yes, he is a superb surgeon, top of his game, but sadly so compartmentalized that he forgets we are humans and not the sum of our parts. In the end Dr. Lawton's surgery was a success, but not for me. read more

I will try a second time to post my experience with Dr. Lawton. My first was not recommended most likely because the events of 2013 were very difficult for me and it read like a rant. I want to start by saying that I was referred to him by head of neurology at Mercy Dignity Health in Sacramento. By all accounts I went to the best neurovascular surgeon on the west coat and arguably the nation. My condition was multiple spinal AVMs since the age of 12. With a new one now threatening me in my 50s, the plan was to try to correct it internally with an angiogram or have open surgery the next day. I felt at the time I was in good hands at both UCSF and with its surgical team. I met members of the surgical group fall of 2012 at which time they outlined what will take place. First an angiogram to either correct AVM or map it for a surgery the next day. It was scheduled for May of 2013. During those six months I met with the radiology team prior to the angiogram and tried repeatedly to meet with the surgical team unsuccessfully. On Thursday, May 23, 2013 I entered UCSF for the angiogram. My expectation was that someone would talk to me afterwards and explain what they did and/or why I would need surgery the next day. That never happened even though I asked repeatedly during my overnight stay and only managed to find out the surgeons name, Dr. Michael Lawton. Friday the day of the surgery I expected a huddle with my surgeon and he was nowhere to be found. 6.5hrs on the operating table, I woke up in recovery and still no Dr. Lawton. In ICU I learned on my own that my legs were now paralyzed from the waist down and still no Dr. Lawton, only residents who were very sheepish about saying too much. This continued until Tuesday the 28th when after taking the Memorial Day weekend off he appeared with residents in tow to meet me for the first time. Four days of not knowing if this paralysis was temporary or the new normal! I remember I walked into UCSF, but I wasn't walking out. To add insult to injury, two of his residents originally told me after surgery that my surgical site was more extensive than anticipated and the result would most likely be an unstable spinal column in need of future plates and wires. All untrue. Dr. Lawton tried to explain weakly that it was the holiday weekend, but this was not an emergency surgery and he had chosen that date. He apologized for both his inattention and for his residents mis-speaking. My spine would be fine...although yes, I was paralyzed. Ten days later preparing to be sent to an acute rehab facility, I developed a pulmonary embolism from my immobility. After the fact, I have learned that it could have been averted through the use of blood thinners as a precaution. The impression I formulated was that there was some rush to surgery on a case UCSF itself told me amounts to 200 cases in the population nationwide. Fortunately, it was not life threatening only extremely painful for weeks. After a month between UCSF and Mercy Acute Rehab in Sacramento I went home having made a lot of progress. On July 18th, 2013 I suffered a devastating set back. I had developed swelling of the protective layer surrounding the spinal cord. I lost almost all gains leaving my left leg paralyzed and my right weak and painful to this date. The condition is called Adhesive Aarchnoiditis (AA) and it is not curable and its progressive. Its the luck of the draw on spinal interventions. I was just unlucky. In a way it was preventable had Dr. Lawton taken the time to sit with me prior to surgery and discuss the dangers, the options, the long term outlook, something. I may have chosen another path or agreed to the surgery. I will never know, because in a rush to operate, with poor communication I wasn't given a choice. There is no doubt he is a master surgeon, top in his game, but I am whole human not just a spinal AVM sufferer to be presented at the next conference. To his credit, he did call me personally in the fall of 2013 to see how I was. We had a long talk and agreed there could no more surgery for me. I wish he had been this communicative prior. read more