Dr. Phillip Kissel, MD

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 an unnecessary spinal 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 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 and grateful for his expertise and care.

My life and my mom’s life are completely different after she went under his knife. She had a benign 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. 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.

Dr. Kissel was a very charismatic, helpful doctor before surgery. Had a microdiscectomy and laminectomy in cervical spine due to radiculopathy. One of 5 herniated discs had extruded putting pressure on my radial nerve in an already narrowed spinal column. I had lost motor function and feeling in my arm and hand in a matter of days and was in excruciating pain. After the surgery, although the severe pain has gone down, I still have pain and numbness in the side of my face, swelling on and around the base of my scull and debilitating headaches along with changes in hearing. After two incompetent 3 minute phone calls as follow up at 3 and 6 weeks and a year of calling his office and being dismissed with statements like, "It has nothing to do with your neck," I have finally received a referral to a neurologist- from my OB. In OB's examination he assured me that a numb face and debilitating pain is not normal and needs evaluation. I see a neurologist tomorrow and hope to have some clarity.

It is very rare, in my personal experience, to meet such a caring, compassionate, straight-forward, easy to understand doctor. I feel so grateful to be in his care and highly recommend Dr. Kissel to anyone who may need surgery.

Dr. Kissel was called in to perform a craniotomy after I fell and fractured my skull. I believe I received amazing care from this doctor. He kept me calm and took a great amount of time explaining the procedure, the outcome and aftercare. I feel like I won the lottery having Dr. Kissel assigned to my care.

Although a friend commented positively about Dr.Kissel, and maybe he is good with specific surgeries, he failed to diagnose my mother’s broken hip, and was somewhat dismissive about her whole situation. I would have appreciated more willingness and aggressiveness on his part to get to the root of her problem, which could have been easily fixed with a hip replacement. After a visit to Los Angeles to the Orthopedic and Spine Center, her problem was diagnosed, but that was after seeing a handful of doctors in S.LO.

Dr Kissel is great. He has done two surgeries on me, L4-5 hemilaminectomy and C5-6-7 fusion. Both procedures went so smoothly. On the L4-5, I walked one mile after awaking from surgery...amazing what can happen when you can feel your foot again. He is clear in what he is going to do and what his expectations of the patient’s role are in the recovery process. Highly recommend Dr Kissel and will continue to see him as long as he has his practice.

Very likeable, kind of guy. The only problem being poor management of unexpected issues during surgery, leaving patient to die at home after release.

Everything was perfect. He was thorough in his explanation of what was happening and what would happen during and after the surgery. He answered all questions. He handled scheduling the follow up, visits during my hospital recovery, etc. I was never left in wonderment.