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“I had been a back pain sufferer for almost three decades, the last decade or so being the absolute worst.  I have Degenerative Disc Disease, both in my Lumbar spine area and cervical spine.  Pain all the time, yes, but the major factor was it was now controlling my life. I decided to start hunting for a Neurosurgeon that was expert in this field, and could perform the most current and minimally invasive procedures available. I had heard over the years that Cedars-Sinai Hospital had an excellent Spine Center.  I went on line, researched it, and found a number of world renowned doctors practicing there, and then saw Dr. Levesque’s summary of his experience, etc. I just liked what I saw, and started digging into his website, credentials, and any other things I could find.  I liked his philosophy on his website about the treatment of patients.  I also like his pioneering research into Parkinson’s disease, all things Brain/Spine related, and his affiliation with the UCLA School of Medicine and the Brain Research Institute.  It also helps that he has been doing this for a long time.  I read his Testimony before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Science, Space and Technology, on Stem Cell research and found it well balanced and innovative. Ultimately, I made an appointment with Dr. Levesque.  They, right off the bat, were very attentive to my needs.  I met with Dr. Levesque, sat down, and he asked the expected and reasonable questions, did his exam, and ordered more tests, MRI, CT Scan, X-rays.  When I returned, he evaluated my situation.  He calmly told me what he thought would work best for my condition, and what would be best in his professional opinion, in this case, a Level 4/5 Fusion.  I admit, I was a bit concerned about the permanency of this.  Other discs had problems too, but he zeroed in on this level. He allieved my fears and said he does the latest Minimally Invasive procedure through small incisions in the lower back area.  I was way happy about that.  Of course, it’s still fusion, but he assured me of a very good success rate.  I even called from home some days later, asking if maybe a less involved procedure was possible, which is a Disc decompression rather than full Fusion, and totally unexpectedly, Dr. Levesque gets on the phone and discusses my concerns with me….while I am home!!  I am sorry, this kind or service is almost non-existent these days.  I was impressed to say the least.  Bottom line…..his decision was right on the money.  For my particular problems, L4/5 was the main problem area, and Decompression would have been a temporary fix.  I am glad I listened. I am still trying to come to grips how well my back feels.  I am just not used to this.  I notice no difference in my flexibility, although over the last few years I was never super flexible to begin with, due to lack of use of muscles because of the pain.   I once again have hope about the future.  I no longer fear making a sudden move and being incapacitated again.  Then there is Jennifer, the most efficient, and kind person I have ever met in a doctor’s office.  Gets back to any phone calls, emails, in a flash!  Puts up with all my long winded questions and concerns always in a professional manner.   She clearly takes the job very seriously.  All the staff there is excellent.  And I rarely waited to see the doctor more than three to five minutes, most of the time walk in, and they take me! In summary…..I am going back in April 2013 for another surgery on my Cervical Spine.  It too has reared its ugly head, and I knew I would have to do something about it.  I am calm and know I am in good hands.  Wouldn’t have it any other way with any other doctor. My apologies for all who read this long winded review, but again…I am just so satisfied about my progress that I have to say something.  I truly thank God for these gifted doctors, and particularly Dr Levesque.  A consummate professional.  I hope this helps someone in their future decision.  God Bless.”

“I went to my primary health clinic on a Saturday after I collapsed and fell down two flights of stairs. I had a CT scan and was supposed to leave for Texas the following Monday morning and my doctor told me I had to go to the hospital and I had to see a neurosurgeon immediately. A nurse called Dr. Lévesque and he opened the office early to see me that day. I had known there was something wrong with me but I didn’t know what it was and I had been too “male” to go to a doctor. I’d had terrible headaches, and when I collapsed, that’s when I figured it out. Dr. Lévesque reviewed my films and then sat me down in his office to tell me I had a brain tumor. I couldn’t believe it-I just could not believe it. First I argued with him and said no, then it hit me. There are no words to describe that feeling. I was 35-years old. I was pretty healthy, and I was now in a position where I had to process everything very quickly. I called my parents, who said, ‘we’re coming out there, who’s this doctor?’ My mother looked him up and reviewed his CV, and she called some friends who were doctors, as did my brother, and it turns out someone my brother grew up with knew someone who worked for Dr. Lévesque. So there was this amazing coincidental connection and we knew this was our guy. In working with him, I found that not only does Dr. Lévesque have skill as a surgeon, but he has a very caring way about him, which many surgeons don’t. I remember talking to a nurse about this during my stay, and she agreed with me and said I was lucky because ‘a lot of surgeons forgot about medicine years ago.’ Not only is he a good doctor, he’s a good guy. I found him to be a very responsive, involved and caring physician. I would absolutely refer Dr. Lévesque to other patients and I would say that not only is he a skilled surgeon, he’s a very caring individual. He has an innate charm about him in this quiet sort of way and he is very reassuring. And if you look at the research he’s done, he seems to be on the cutting edge as a clinical investigator as well.”

“I had headaches for over a year, and on January 17th, I had a brain aneurysm rupture at home and no one was around to witness it. I didn’t realize what had happened, but afterward I was in bed for four days, nauseous and feeling terrible. I went to the doctor and was misdiagnosed—nobody suspected or realized I’d had an aneurysm. Externally, I looked like I had the flu. When I wasn’t getting any better, I had a CT-scan and was told it was clear the next day. But my internist was concerned because I still wasn’t getting any better. He told me that if my symptoms persisted, I should go to the emergency room. I kept feeling worse and the pain was overwhelming, so I went to the hospital on a Saturday afternoon and had tests run all through the night. On Sunday morning I had a lumbar puncture where they found blood in my spine and on Monday morning, Dr. Lévesque introduced himself in my room and told me he would be performing my surgery. He was able to successfully clip my aneurysm and it was only later that I learned how close I had come to losing my life. I was very lucky not to re-bleed in the four days between the aneurysm rupture and my arrival at the hospital. I had a long rehabilitation after this procedure, in part because my skull had been fully opened to clip the aneurysm. Many people don’t realize that after a major brain surgery, there is a long and tenuous recovery period as the brain restores its equilibrium. You suffer from headaches, short term memory loss, exhaustion, heightened sensitivity to noise, anxiety, etc. Most patients who’ve had a brain injury or brain surgery find this to be the most difficult part—the aftermath. I believe greater attention needs to be placed on this in the healthcare system, because more and more people are surviving brain operations and that means there are more people who need long-term rehabilitation resources. I was thrilled to have Dr. Lévesque as my surgeon because he was committed to helping me access these resources and he followed me all the way through my time at the hospital and referred me to specialists who were able to assist me in my recovery process. In my opinion, Dr. Lévesque has extraordinary expertise and knowledge and is also very gentle and definitely cares about his patients. I could not recommend anybody better.”

“I was referred to Dr. Lévesque and came in to be seen for my back. I was in terrible condition and had been in excruciating pain, just miserable. I’d been on a Fentanyl patch for a year and a half just to deal with the pain. Dr. Lévesque performed surgery and things have been going great since then-they are much, much better. My initial impression of Dr. Lévesque was that he was a good guy. I have already referred others to him and I’ve told them that he’s a great doctor and gets things done quickly.”