I had an endoscopic lumbar microdiscectomy for a herniated disc at L5-S1 in Feb 2025. I was suffering from EXCRUCIATING and Debilitating back pain that had caused me to be completely bedridden for almost 3 months. As a very active and holistic person (I teach yoga and skateboard) this was a hard place to be in. What started as simple back pain, over the course of a month left me unable to sit AT ALL, barely walk or stand more than 5 min, and by the time I saw Dr. Melamed, even laying down was painful. My herniated disc was pinching nerves (and a ligament I found out post surgery!) causing painful sciatica down my left leg.
As a holistically minded person I had done chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, decompression therapy, hyperbaric oxygen chamber, supplements, etc. first to avoid more medical intervention. I had even gone to the ER with no relief. I had seen other surgeons who recommended a basic discectomy (which is more invasive). I really wanted to avoid more invasive treatments. Eventually I caved and got an epidural steroid injection, which made my pain worse!
From the moment I called Dr. Melamed's office I felt heard. When I arrived for my appointment on a Tuesday and they saw how I was barely able to move they helped me get situated in the room on the bed so I didn't have to stand (vs. when I saw my in-network doc who made me wait for almost an hour in the waiting room where I almost fainted from standing with the pain!). The moment Dr. Melamed came in (after looking at my MRI) he was SHOCKED I hadn't gotten referred to surgery sooner. We talked about healthy ways to support the body even post surgery. He was able to get me into surgery THAT week. I don't know if that is always possible (I was definitely expecting to wait a week or 2 to get in to surgery) but bc he saw how intense my pain was he helped get me in sooner and I started crying right there in the room! I felt like I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
From then on communication was clear and I went in to surgery that Friday. As someone who has never had surgery before it was nice that I was able to call him with questions before surgery. The day of surgery went smoothly and successfully. It was only a few hours and I had immediate relief post surgery. I was able to leave the hospital after 2 days (I chose to stay a full 2 days even though he said I was cleared to leave sooner) and had a drain post surgery that I was shown how to take care of. He followed up to make sure I was good. And I had my first follow up within a week of surgery. I was able to walk with no pain right after surgery! And already took a mile walk that same week! Sitting was painless, as well, but took me a week or two to adjust to. I am now a month post op and feel pretty much back to my normal self! I have slight nerve tenderness from the sciatica I had down my leg prior to surgery, but it has already subsided almost to zero in less than a month! I can drive with no pain and always try to take breaks to stand, rest and walk around often. My back still gets fatigued if I stand/walk for too long as my back is still building strength, but the more consistent I am with my PT and movement the more improvement I feel. I'm shocked that I feel this good only a month post-op.
I cannot recommend Dr. Melamed enough. He LITERALLY saved my life. And he did so in the least invasive way possible. He takes the time to tell you his recommendations and he heard me when I said I really didn't want surgery but knew that I needed it so he provided the least invasive option and I'm forever grateful. He is one of the few surgeons I found that does endoscopic discectomies, which, for someone active who wants to be able to still do the sports I was doing before, was incredibly important. I didn't want to lose range of motion and I feel that Dr. Melamed was the best doc for the job!