Dr. Gupta in Chicago?

[badback4me]

I have posted here in the past about needing some help due to the progression of my kyphosis. I had Cottrell rods put in T3-L2 in 1989. My kyphosis (Schuermann's) has drastically progressed up my spine into my neck area. I have a big curve where my neck meets my shoulders. I went to my local doc (not the one who did the original surgery), and he said he wouldn't do any more surgery on me unless I had compression problems. Keep in mind that I cannot lay down flat because my neck curves so bad. I have to have a pillow behind my head because otherwise my head would not touch the mattress.

Anyway, I saw a couple of people here talk about Dr. Pernendu Gupta at the University of Chicago. I emailed him to see if he did kyphosis revision surgery. His project manager emailed me and wants me to call about an appt. I live about 3 hours from Chicago, but am willing to drive if he is good and can give me another opinion about whether I can be helped.

Does anyone here have any experience with Dr. Gupta? I saw an older woman this weekend who was completely bent over, and I am so afraid that will be me sooner rather than later. I am only 41 and can't imagine what it will be like in 5-10 years.

Thanks for any info.

[CHRIS WBS]

I just came across your post today. I am a 59-year-old woman who had first-time surgery by Dr. Gupta a few months ago. I cannot say enough good things about him. Besides being a gifted surgeon, he is a truly compassionate doctor. While I was in the hospital, he would come by every day and take me by the hand and walk with me. I had no appetite following surgery and could not get any food down. He came by one day with a chocolate Ensure on ice. It sure tasted good after making every attempt to eat the hospital food. Dr. Gupta was the answer to my prayer.

Chris

[skpauly]

Hello, Dr. Gupta performed my thoracoplasty at age 20 (I am now 23). He was phenomenal. I have severe issues with nausea after surgery and he was the first surgeon who really listened to that. I went two days after surgery without vomiting, very exciting for me :)

He also really listened to my concerns and made a decision during surgery to remove only 4 instead of 5 ribs, because the aesthetics would not be greatly affected and due to my curve it would help me heal at a much greater rate. I highly recommend him.

[SARAHK]

I wish I had seen this post earlier. I haven't been on here in awhile. I had my revision surgery with Dr. Gupta in Chicago in March 2007. Like everyone is saying on here, he is the most compassionate doctor and really listens which to me is the #1 most important trait in a physician.

I began searching for a new doctor after seeing a Dr. Hammerberg at Rush who saw me for all of 5 minutes, prescribed some therapy and told me to take an advil. The therapy part was good but his short, nonchalant attitude left me in tears. He didn't listen to me when I said "I am in a tremendous amount of pain".

It was only until I saw Dr. Gupta that something was done about it. I literally searched online for scoliosis doctors in Chicago and picked him because he looked so kind in his picture! Crazy I know. But the picture was right.

I told him "I cannot live like this anymore". And even though there wasn't anything jumping out at him on my CT scans, x-rays...he believed me and made a plan. I am now 2 years post-op and feeling better than I have my whole life!! I still have some pain when I work out really hard, but other than that, I couldn't be happier. Even my shoulder pain that was like a stabbing knife pain is gone.

Chris I'm so glad to hear everything went well with your surgery! I haven't talked with you in a long time. How are you doing now?

[CHRIS WBS]

I’m doing great, Sarah. It was a very rough surgery but the end result was well worth the pain and long recovery. While I too had some issues with Dr. Hammerberg, in his defense I must say that he allotted me two hours of his time in my initial consult with him, more time than any other doctor gave me. And I know he is highly respected among his peers. Susie Bee here had a great experience with him. I have an appointment next Wednesday with Dr. Gupta and hope I get a good report. I’m happy to hear that you are doing so well two years after your revision. Sarah, I’ve sent you a PM regarding Dr. Gupta’s nurse. Chris

[Susie*Bee]

Sarah-- I'm very glad you found a doctor that met your needs. I know Chris has been very impressed with Dr. Gupta too. I guess I'm just posting here to say that we all seem to have different ideas, but Dr. Hammerberg has been very good with me, and I want to mention that. I've been seeing him for almost 4 years now. He has been patient with all (and I mean ALL!) my many questions and concerns. I don't know if I hit him always on a good day or that you and Chris hit him on bad days! :confused: Regardless, I would be remiss if I didn't say something here about the fact that he has been caring and concerned with me.

[SARAHK]

Glad to hear Susie that you had a good experience with Dr. Hammerberg. I probably shouldn't have been so quick to criticize him since I've only seen him once. And now that you say that, I'm remembering that one of my friends said she has seen him and really liked him too. When I told him I was in a lot of pain he literally said "Take an Advil" and walked out of the room. I was stunned I think. And maybe I didn't convey to him well enough that it wasn't just any pain, it was a pain that was interfering with my life. But to me, it seemed that he didn't have the time of day to sit and listen to exactly what was going on. And just the way he said it and left me in the room staring at the horrible x-rays of my spine on the wall, just made me feel completely hopeless.

But truly I'm glad you and others have had good experiences with him and that he isn't as careless as I thought.

[kennedy]

I see dr gupta brother munish at uc davis spine center