After my husband had been misdiagnosed twice (concluding it was alcohol related) he finally saw Dr. Rao through the ER at Mission. We will be forever grateful. He had been having mini-strokes and seizures caused by a growing aneurysm. Thankfully that has been fixed by the best Neurosurgeon, Dr. Rao.

Last year I developed severe Spinal Stenosis which sent excruciating pains down my legs into my feet. I could barely walk (or even sleep). My friends (some of whom are doctors), all warned me that spinal surgery was the very LAST thing I should EVER consider! So I tried acupuncture, painkillers, hypnotherapy, chiropractic and physical therapy. As the pain got worse, my regular doctor referred me to Dr. Vikas Rao and his wonderful team. After evaluating the results of an MRI and CAT scan, Dr. Rao convinced me that spinal surgery was necessary to prevent my condition from getting even worse. So I very reluctantly agreed to have him perform my surgery. I expected to have to stay in the hospital for at least a day or two afterwards, and then at least several weeks of painful recovery at home. But here is what REALLY happened: Dr. Rao scheduled my surgery for 1 pm at Mission Hospital. I was given general anesthesia and "woke up" thinking "so when will Dr. Rao begin the surgery?" (All sense of time vanishes when you're under general anesthesia). The bottom line is that I was back at my home by 6 PM that same evening!!! Within the first 2 days after the surgery, my pain was about 90% BETTER, and in the following week (and ever since), I am now feeling 98% cured. It was an amazing experience. Since I'm on Medicare, I definitely lucked out that I not only got the BEST surgeon out there, but Medicare covered everything! Dr. Rao, I will be forever grateful to you!