Spine Institute of San Diego

Unilocal friends, a few years ago Dr. Kim performed minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery on my lower back, L5-​S1. Before surgery I couldn’t stand in one place for much more than 5 minutes at a time because the pain was so intense. Now, I’m pleased to report the surgery was a tremendous success and the quality of my life has greatly improved. Dr. Kim is an excellent surgeon and a caring man. He’s very approachable, listens well, and manages your care with confidence. His practice is a well organized machine and all of his team members are capable and caring professionals. I highly recommend Dr. Kim and the Spine Institute of San Diego!
My Best to you Dr. Kim,
Thank you!!!

Ramin Raiszadeh is a genuinely caring person. Very compassionate and of course a remarkable doctor. He treats you as you were a family member. Best and smartest doctor I’ve ever had. His staff are all great, smart and professional.

Don’t even bother with this group. Dr. Paul Kim’s office is slow to respond and is backed up with NO APPOINTMENTS for 8 months!!!

My three star rating is only based on the time you have to wait once you check into the office. Get the first appointment of the day or the first appointment right after lunch-​or you will likely wait! I’ve been kept waiting in an exam room up to two hours. This is unacceptable. I’ve actually threatened to leave and then the Dr. finally appeared. Love my Dr and PA but avoid going here solely due to the wait time. Great magazine selection and hot beverages available.

Dr. Paul Kim has given me a second chance of living a pain-​free productive life! I tried every treatment before getting a L4-​L5 Fusion! I had terrible pain ²⁴⁄₇ until Dr. Kim did surgery. I now can hike, snowboard, have a thriving massage business once again, write books on mental health with a spring in my step, and have even taken up Stand Up Paddle Boarding. He defiantly knows what he is doing! I highly recommend him. You are in excellent hands.
Thanks Again to an incredible surgeon.
Maggie Reese

Great surgeon, horrible after care. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone for those reasons in addition to the hospital they use; Alvarado. The people that work there are completely incompetent. I really wish the doctor would review his staff and do a little housecleaning. Too bad.

Success!
I had an ACDF 3 level with Dr. Ramin Raiszadeh 6 days ago. Outstanding surgeon. Very personable, explains things very well, and carries out an outstanding surgery. I recommend him to family, friends and you.

Ridiculous !! Not happy about coming to talk about my back injury for over 6months with Dr komshad Raiszadeh

I would like to post a letter I recently mailed to Dr Choll Kim of the Spine Institute of San Diego.
March 23^rd 2014
Dear Dr. Choll Kim
I first became a patient of yours in 2010 and was impressed to see how hard you worked for me to get the treatment I needed for my chronic pain from The Workers’ Comp Authorization Board. I have since referred three patients to your office, one of whom had surgery by you.
I understand you’re a busy man, but your treatment of me during my office visit on Feb 10^th 2014 I feel was unprofessional for the following reasons.
For the past two years I have been seen and treated for my chronic pain at your office in Poway by your assistant Dr. Jennifer Schmollinger who in my opinion has done an excellent job. Feb. 10^th 2014 was the first time that I have been in the same consulting room with you in over two years. I haven’t been treated by you, there hasn’t been an email, nor has there been any phone calls or any communication of any kind with you for over 2 yrs.
However, on Feb 10^th when you first came into the consultation room you barely acknowledged me. You didn’t examine me, you didn’t perform any tests, nor did you put one finger on me to determine my status. In fact you refused to discuss any type (any type) of treatment plan with me and told me I could heal on my own. When I said that may mean I’d have to take more medication you responded that you were going to «wean me off pain meds» — My medications aren’t even narcotic?
During our brief consultation you approached me and dangled a sheet of paper in my face that contained my past treatment plan and told me I’d already had too much treatment. I felt as if I were being accused, as if it were my fault. Please, take another look at the treatments for 2013 you will see that I had two RFA’s in my lower lumber. The reason I had two was because your office staff had transcribed incorrect instructions over to Dr. Veliz’s office, instructions that Dr. Schmollinger had clearly written, consequently the procedure had to be done twice.
After waiting one and a half hours in your waiting room, maybe you should be aware of how your five minutes of office time made me feel, I left your office in tears and cried all the way home. If it is your desire to cull Workers’ Comp patients from your office, I can assure you that you didn’t need to go to such lengths.
Dr. Kim, I felt it was important to communicate in writing my experience in your office that day. I can’t believe you’d want your patients to feel dismissed and undergo more stress by the very person whom they look to for support and professional treatment.
Disappointed, from Elena

Incompetent staff. Went to the Poway office and found 4 employees walking around with the deer in the headlights look on their faces. Woman manning the desk had no idea how far behind the doctors were or when they would be able to see anyone even though the patients next to me said their appts. were at least one hour late. Small waiting room that had filled to capacity and people were starting to stand because of lack of seats. It was clear I would probably end up waiting much more than an hour beyond my appt time. Told the receptionists that I wasn’t willing to wait. They ask you to pay before the visit. So I needed to get my credit card payment refunded. The receptionist didn’t know how to do this. I just left telling her I would call up billing. Left several messages with billing over a couple of days and didn’t get a call back. Finally left a message saying I was going to go to Visa to dispute the charge if they didn’t call me back. Got a call the next day. Would never go back to a place like this that has so little respect for patient’s time.

I’m shocked and surprise that there aren’t any reviews for this place? front desk are very efficient and courteous, Dr. Ramin Raiszadeh treated me like I was special and part of his family, I feel confident in having him do my back surgery… I highly recommend this place if you have any doubts or fears about surgery… I know I have had several already… and it’s quite scary…