Just very disappointed that it was time for my annual MRI to find out he passed. Just disappointed in his office didn't call his patients to inform them and refer to another doctor. read more

Went in earlier this year for consultation. He was the only neurosurgeons of the four neurosurgeons that did not recommend me to have surgery after seeing my MRIs results. Unfortunately, he was the first that I went to see and really impacted(delayed) decision. Good thing I had booked the others surgeons and they all saw the urgency from the MRIs to recommend surgery right away. In addition their staff seems like they don't care or are professional. Nobody was their to really check us in or even when completed let us know of any follow up. They were like all on break or something. Fast forward to payment for consultation... Thank goodness for insurance. They definitely billed a pretty unreasonable amount just for consultation compared to the other surgeons. I paid through insurance on time and it got rejected because Dr. Kim's office didn't process it on time... Now they are sending me the bill a few months later in the mail requesting payment. Also, they don't have a portal and request payment through mail or phone. It's a freaking mess. I wasn't going to write this review initially for the consultation but in addition to their office/billing department making me do extra work is a bit irritating. So, I would recommend going elsewhere for your consultation and not here. read more

Dr.Kim did a posterior foraminotmy C5-6 in 2010 on my husband (who is also a doctor). He came out of the surgery partially paralyzed w/ a transected spinal cord and Brown Sequard lesion. For years he has suffered. Dr. Kim is not worth the risk. read more

Dr. Kim is awesome! I had two major surgeries on my cervical spine. They were both emergencies. Dr. Kim was able to fix all the problems and I got my full range of motion back. I had very little pain after the surgeries. Dr. Kim had another doctor monitor my nerve reactions within the surgical suite to make sure everything was still working while he operated. Dr. Kim is very empathetic and has a very good bedside manner all while keeping a professional attitude. I recommend Dr. Kim to anyone who has a spine issue. read more

Dr Kim and his team were excellent from the first appointment, lower back surgery and post surgery. It's been 11 days since my surgery and I am feeling so much better. Dr Kim is easy to reach and responded immediately when I had a question. Thank you Dr Kim. read more

I had been suffering with sever neck pain for many years. I was experiencing sever arm/hand tingeling and pain. I heard about Dr Kim through a mutual friend and saw him. Had surgery on my neck, and went from a 9/10 on the pain scale down to a 1/3. He is a quiet, gentle gentleman and a pleasure to have as my Dr. Cannot recommend highly enough!!! read more

I had a 3 level cervical fusion done by Dr Kim in 2014 ..I was terrified as I just had a Hysterectomy/excision of endometriosis/appendectomy 4 months prior ..Dr Kim was amazing just what I needed a calm , confidant Dr. Unfortunately, I do have more spine issues but he did an amazing job..I have had 14 surgeries to date..Dr Kim is my favorite of all of them. I don't want anymore Surgery but if I absolutely need it I would go back to Dr Kim. First thing he said to me is "you must be in alot of pain" read more

Dr kim took great care of my back my surgery was flawless and with a little over 2 weeks I have less pain and am moving around better than I have in 6 years he very knowledgable and a doctor that I could trust read more

About 10 years ago I was looking for a spinal surgeon and was disappointed when the one recommended said "I'd really rather be golfing". So I just said no and went back to work and dealt with the pain. (I was also a bit scared just to have spinal surgery, so that was part of it) Working construction and house painting finally took its toll on my back and literally disabled me...instantly. After careful and extensive research to find a reputable surgeon for spinal surgery, I found Dr. Kim. His team was by far the most professional and personable medical team I have ever encountered! They even answered the phone when I called and didn't make me "press 1 for English" or keep me waiting forever. Within 2 minutes I could tell these folks really cared. They kept in constant communication with me via emails and voice calls on almost a daily basis. Morgan was simply fantastic and helped me to get all of my tests, X-rays, MRI's and everything scheduled and in order and had my surgery arranged in a matter of about 2 weeks! I got to speak with Dr. Kim via video call and he really impressed me with his caring attitude and confidence. He went over all of my images with me and explained everything in detail. He performed surgery on 4 levels of my lumbar spine in a matter of about 90 minutes and when I woke up I was out of pain! I spent one night in their facility and got to meet the rest of his team. What a SUPER bunch of professionals! Each individual that was involved spent time with my wife and I and explained all that was going to happen. They had warmed bed sheets, towels and linens for everything. Their facility is IMMACULATE and their team reflects that! They wheeled me out the following morning (even though I could walk now) and I almost miss them already. These folks really know how to take care of people like they're humans instead of just a patient. I have more work to be done (on my cervical spine) and there's no question where I'll be going for that. Check out Dr. Kim's professional training and innovations on Google. He has an incredible skill set! Dr. Kim is one of the finest surgeons around! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND his services, his ENTIRE TEAM and his skills to anybody that wants to be confident with the person operating on their spine! Thank you so very much you guys for giving me my life back and for being such a caring and professional team! Sincerely! Tim read more

I went to see Dr. Kim for a degenerate disk & spinal alignment. He used a substitute material to fuse the four screws he installed on my spine. My body rejected this matter so I had a second surgery with Dr Kim again and guess what? Same materials, Same results. I finally had a THIRD surgery with another Dr. who used bone matter instead. Success! Would not recommend using Dr. Kim for anything. Some of you may have been lucky but I will never go back to him or recommend him to anyone. There are better Drs. Out there. Keep searching. read more

Dr. Kim is a great surgeon, always pleasant and professional. Best in the business. Look no further. Best, Tony Bailey read more

I don't write reviews, I don't read reviews and I would certainly NOT consider writing one if I was asked or coached to do so. However in this case I want to thank a few individual because of a life changing experience that I recently had this past July. My wife works for a large group of orthopedic doctor and surgeon as a therapist. One of her doctors had heard about my extensive past lower back issues and had recommended us to see Dr. Richard Kim who is a neurological surgeon. Dr. Richard Kim was highly recommended by this other orthopedic surgeon so we went to visit his office in late May. At the time Dr. Richard Kim had just came out of a mountain biking accident and he was walking around on crutches. At first I felt that I was in a better shape than him but he assured me that I was the patient and he would do everything that he could to help. Dr. Richard Kim offered my wife and I several remedies with all of their success rate. Dr. Richard Kim suggested many small changes that I would need with-in my daily routine, changes to my diet, exercise and he also made recommendation to my employers to accommodate me in certain ways to help me avoid a surgery. Sadly the employer did NOT. Eventually we moved forward with the planned surgery on July 30th. The surgery process with Dr. Richard Kim and DISC Surgery Center was well coordinated and went super smooth. For planning of the surgery I was told by the coordinator how to prep myself, prep my home, prep my bed and what to expect each day for the next 3 weeks post surgery. I was also trained by the coordinator how to wear the complicated looking back brace before surgery. So far this is what we would like to expect from our health care provider. But the reason I am writing this review is totally different, COMMUNICATIONS...! Who is able to communicate with his/hers doctor, surgeon or health care provider from the comfort of their home by phone call or e-mail? Well, at Dr. Richard Kim's office you will. There is a pleasant young lady who is the coordinator at Dr. Richard Kim's office and she takes pride in her work. Her name is Ms. Amanda Skorniakoff. Ms. Skorniakoff doesn't let her calls go into a voice mail and she responds back to e-mails in full detail before you would think she would. My wife and I must had communicated with Dr. Richard Kim's office well over 20 e-mails post surgery with questions and concerns. Each time we got a respond back in full detail from Ms. Amanda Skorniakoff who ran our concerns by Dr. Richard Kim each time. Thank you for not dragging us into the office for a formal office visit each and every time. We certainly appreciate and wished that this would be the future of our health care system and to reduce overall cost to the patient. Maz & Nazanin 949-878-8044 Mustbeeasy@gmail.com 11-1-2019 read more

Best surgeon around, did me and also wife this week, the surgery center is top notch and the staff is outstanding. Took very good carw of us both Dr kim is patient , very positive and understanding. He was a godsent to me after my botched surgery with dr darrin bergey. He butchered me and dr kim was able to fix all his mistakes. Before surgery see him and you will be surprised. read more

I saw Dr. Kim last week for an initial consult for a herniated disc. Well, they put me in a room and left me there for 45 minutes. I made this appt. around lunch time so I wouldn't miss too much time from work. No one came in to check on me, offer me water or to apologize! I honestly thought everyone had left for lunch and forgot about me. When the doctor did come in, he apoligized, answered my questions and recommended another MRI. When it was time to leave, they said they don't validate the parking! Give me a break! The parking structure is the only place you can park and they only take cash. The cost was just under $8.00. Would have been nice to include that in the packet they email you in advance. Wish I had taken pictures of the time stamps on the ticket to show how long this ordeal was! Won't be going back. read more

My experience with Dr Kim is he is a gifted neurosurgeon offering first class care and results. I credit him for saving my life and a 100% recovery from an emergency brain surgery. In my case, I took a Cat scan on a Wednesday and was diagnosed with a 3.5 cm mass in my frontal lobe. My brain was so swollen from the tumor he recommend we wait a day for the steroids to reduce the swelling and immediately scheduled an emergency surgery. His skilled hands completely removed the tumor with out any residual effects. It turned out to be a benign meningioma and I was home two days later. I am grateful to him for a complete and steady recovery. Its now been six years, and the after care has been continuous and professional. Today, I live to tell you, your in good care with Dr Richard Kim. read more

Do not recommend this office. The office is disorganized and don't communicate well with each other or the patient.

I had a spinal fusion by Dr. Kim in February of 2013. Immediately following the surgery, I had extreme pain in my left side, down my left leg, and numbness in my left foot. Before the surgery, I had back pain only and did not have the pain in my leg or foot. On my follow-up with Dr. Kim, I told him about the extreme pain and his response was; "this has nothing to do with the surgery." The pain and numbness continue, and I am so sorry that I went forward with this surgery with Dr. Kim. Dr. Kim told me that my results would be 80% less pain, and complications were infection and the slight possibility of the hardware moving. I have been under the care of a pain specialist for the past year and have had numerous procedures including spinal injections, additional MRI's, CT scans, physical therapy, and most recently a Mylogram. I am seeing a new physician and hoping that he can correct the damage that I believe was caused by Dr. Kim. This surgery was intended to take some of my pain away. Instead, it has added so much additional pain and has made my life very difficult. read more

I was browsing through Yelp this morning & noticed poor reviews for doctor Kim and decided it was way past time for me to review this wonderful surgeon. If you find yourself needing spinal surgery in my opinion Dr. Kim is the best. I would use no other Nero Surgeon, and have trusted him with my life three times now! I first went to see Dr. Kim in March of 2016 when I was in extreme pain & informed after and MRI by my primary care doctor that I urgently needed lower lumbar surgery. My doctor referred me to another surgeon but I did not feel comfortable with them, they were hurried & explained nothing just that I needed immediate surgery. I called a friend of mine that is a surgical nurse to see if she knew of a good neuro surgeon, she told me Doctor Kim was exceptional, she had worked with him in surgeries and said he was who I should see. I found Dr. Kim to be very kind, calm, reassuring & explained in detail what I needed and the type of surgery (lower lumbar fusion) he would be performing. I have a back with numerous issues and found myself again needing surgery in August 2017. I woke out of a sound sleep in extreme pain & feeling like a bobble head doll, I went to the emergency room where they took x-rays & did an MRI of my neck, (the disks in my neck had collapsed) this time I required cervical fusion. I called Dr. Kim's office & spoke with Amanda the doctor was on vacation but due back the following week. Amanda contacted doctor Kim, had a traction unit delivered to my house to keep my neck stable & had my surgery scheduled in advance of his return. I saw Doctor Kim the day he returned from vacation and had the surgery the following day. Both of my fusion surgeries went well, the recovery time is lengthy and not without it's challenges but, if I had questions or concerns I was able to either speak with doctor Kim or his office manager Amanda they are both reassuring, positive & kind. As I mentioned I have a back with numerous issues and needed surgery yet again 5 weeks ago, this time bone spurs on my spine ( a much simpler surgery) doctor Kim also preformed this surgery and all has gone well. I am hoping & praying that this will be the last of my spine surgeries but if not doctor Kim is who I would call, in my book he is the best and what you want & need in a spine surgeon. read more

Dr. Kim, in my opinion, is a great physician. I was referred to him for surgery on my Cervical spine. During my first office visit, he was very thorough and reviewed my MRI and results from my other neurologist. He answered my questions and never was rude, nor did he rush me out of his office. His office staff is exceptional and extremely helpful, and their follow up is exemplary. I will be returning to his office. read more

Cold, uncaring, didn't answer questions, contradicted radiologist report, didn't do a physical exam

He's now at 3900 W. Coast Hwy, suite 300 Newport Beach. I waited for him for 40 minutes and he spoke to me for only 5 minutes. Didn't even show me my MRI. He is very vague in answering questions, will not explain in detail "why" I need surgery, very emotionless and arrogant. Trust me, you can find a much better doctor elsewhere. read more