BEWARE: I had been diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis and went to Dr St. John with the idea of having a surgery. Dr. St. John tole me that he would have to put a rods and screws inot my spine. ( a lamendectamy) He told me if I did not have the surgery right away that I could possibly be incontinant for the rest of my life because of an apparent bulging disk. He told me It would take 3 months to resume activity, up to a year of rehab and certainly I would not ski that season. Luckily my wife suggested calling an Othorpedic dotor that is a friend of ours in San Francisco for some feed back. He referred us to a neuro surgeon to whom we sent the MRI right away. ( Dr. Brian T, Andrews) After looking at the MRI, he infomed me that he could simply make a one inch incision and clean out the blockage in my spine using a tiny micoscope. Dr. Andrews told me I would have little down time after the surgery. the so called bulging disk was not an issue.The next day I went to SF and Dr. Andrews was able to fit me in. I had 2 hour surgery. Later that afternoon I walked out of the hospital took a 1 mile walk and in one week I was back skiing. I have had no trouble since. I have a one inch scar on my lower back. Don't go to Dr. St. John for back surgery .Go to a nuero surgen. read more