Kissel Phillip MD 699 California Boulevard, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

"I was diagnosed with a tumor inside my spinal canal pushing on my spinal cord. I got in touch with Dr. Kissel for a second opinion (the first opinion involved a fusion). Dr. Kissel did not feel a fusion was necessary. He did a laminectomy and excised the tumor. I had zero complications. Dr. Kissel explained everything very thoroughly to myself and my husband. He answered all questions honestly. The surgery was very successful and the pain management I received in the hospital was well planned. He visited me multiple times in the hospital and had several follow up calls post surgery. He approved all of the time off work that I needed as well as the physical therapy. For being such a serious and scary medical issue, Dr. Kissel made it as smooth as possible. I am so appreciative of his expertise and care."

"Dr. Kissel and his staff are amazing! I had a herniated disc and was having horrible nerve pain for months. He really took his time to explain everything that was wrong and what he would do to correct it. I never felt rushed out of the office like I have with other doctors in the past. He was very kind and showed he really cared. His staff was very kind as well. I didn't have to wait long to have my surgery and it went well. I have zero nerve pain and can finally walk and stand without that horrible pain. I am so grateful for that! If you need back surgery, I highly recommend him."

"had lumbar laminectomy done twice by this doctor. after 2 years have difficulty walking, was very active before, now I regret ever ever having this surgery, he was very fast in advising me to have this surgery he ruined my life."

"I’d give him negative stars if I could. My life and my mom’s life are completely different after she went under his knife. She had a benign brain tumor removed over a year ago. He said she’d be home about 3-4 days after surgery, and should be back to normal activities like driving in 3-4 weeks. Instead, she was in the hospital for a month, many days in the ICU, and had to have multiple other procedures and surgeries. She was so uncomfortable and disoriented that they kept her in restraints for most of her stay. After the hospital, she went to rehab for a few weeks, followed by months of home health. She’s still not nearly the same person. It’s been the biggest nightmare we’ve ever been through; going from an independent woman, to someone who can’t even remember basic facts about her life and environment, let alone manage her basic bodily needs. I quit my job in order to care for her 24/7 as required after rehab. Words can’t express how much anger I feel towards the whole experience. Both of us lost our independence and still don’t know if/when we’ll ever get it back. I know the nature of cutting into someone’s brain is inherently risky, but we had no idea it could have gone this terribly. Please think twice before going to Dr. Kissel. There are many other doctors, hospitals, and treatment plans that will hopefully give you much better results. I pray your experience goes much better than ours. Life is too precious to spend it this way. We opened up an investigation with the Medical Board of California. I encourage you to do the same if you feel like you’ve ever been wronged by any medical professional and/or facility. God bless."

"Dr. Kissel has been a lifesaver to me and my family (almost no hyperbole in that statement at all). I had been suffering for months with severe sciatica and the related agony and disability that comes with it. After a brief initial visit with another back specialist, I was immediately referred to Dr. Kissel’s office for surgery consultation. I was rushed into the office within days and I was cleared for a microdiscectomy procedure almost immediately afterwards. I was in the hospital having my procedure only a week later. His staff did a wonderful job of pushing my case through insurance which is notorious for dragging their feet on this kind of procedure. So I am very grateful to them as well. Long story short, I was operated on, and immediately my symptoms were all but gone. I am still in recovery and Dr. Kissel told me to expect some setbacks along the recovery road, but I feel so much better already. Dr. Kissel has a wonderful bedside manner and he describes procedures and answers questions in a very frank and straightforward manner. And he treats you with the respect and sympathy one deserves when suffering debilitating back problems. His staff, as I mentioned above is second to none, as well. I would, and will recommend Dr. Kissel to anyone who may need back or spine surgery in the future."