Before going to see Dr. Sama, I was in constant pain. I had to sleep in a chair for several months because I could not lie down. I had numbness in my left leg and I could not walk more than 25 feet at a time. After my initial appointment, the process to my surgery proceeded very quickly because I was evaluated as being in immediate need. During surgery, Dr. Sama removed some of the calcification around my spine, inserted a rod on each side and cages around two of my vertebrae.

I believe the success of surgery is greatly determined by the care of the surgeon after the operation. Dr. Sama is very approachable and was available to answer all my questions. My surgery and recovery were much easier because of the care and concern of Dr. Sama and the courtesies of his staff. After my surgery I started with private physical therapy for six weeks. Now, I exercise five days a week, still following the program recommended for me. I am now nine months post-surgery and I am doing great. I no longer have any back pain. I only occasionally feel slight pain down my legs at the end of the day when I exert myself too much, but Dr. Sama advised me that will go away soon.

After going through surgery and the recovery process, I would give Dr. Sama and HSS the highest rating possible. Dr. Sama is not only the most skilled surgeon, but he also has a great personality and maintains a good relationship with his patients. If you find yourself in the same condition I was in before surgery, I suggest that you listen and believe in Dr. Sama’s ability to treat severe back problems. Before my surgery, I felt like I could not do anything because of the constant pain I endured. Now, I no longer feel restricted in my life. I am very thankful to be a patient of Dr. Sama.

Robert D.

As a child I had scoliosis, but I never had any symptoms, so it wasn’t until later in life that I was diagnosed. I was very athletic growing up and staying in shape has always been important to me. It wasn’t until I started a new workout class involving a lot of twisting that I started to have back problems. One day in class, I twisted a certain way and immediately felt a very intense pain in my lower back. At this time, I was already under the care of three doctors at HSS for various reasons. After a month of experiencing this severe pain, all three of my doctors referred me to Dr. Sama.

Dr. Sama is an amazing doctor and his entire staff is always so kind and very friendly. During my first visit, Dr. Sama did an MRI and really took his time to explain everything to me to ensure I fully understood my condition and treatment options. At first, we tried alternatives to surgery, including injections, before Dr. Sama determined that surgery was the best course of action. Altogether, I have had three successful surgeries with Dr. Sama – my most recent being a fusion.

If I could tell someone in a similar situation anything it would be to have the surgery, but understand it is a process requiring dedication. Recovering after surgery is very involved. I did physical therapy at HSS for a while and continue doing Pilates four times a week at the hospital – even during COVID-19 through Zoom using my Pilates Cadillac at home. I still continue to exercise regularly to maintain my health.

Although the road to recovery has not always been easy, I am so glad that my doctors recommended I make an appointment with Dr. Sama. Dr. Sama really is the best. Before each operation, he made sure to explain every detail to me and everyone in the office also made sure I had all the information I needed. Dr. Sama even called me personally to check in after my surgery. He is very caring and the welcoming environment of his office is very reassuring. I love exercising, being active and taking walks. Because of Dr. Sama I am able to continue to do those things!

Mercedes G.

Before my surgery with Dr. Sama, I felt like I couldn’t do anything. It was difficult for me to walk without stopping, bend down, lift things and so much more. While I am a social person, the excruciating pain I was in made it nearly impossible for me to leave my house, which really affected my mental health. I visited many physicians hoping to figure out the cause of my pain and find a solution, but each one wrote me off. When I had my first appointment with Dr. Sama, it finally felt like someone was listening to me and taking my pain seriously.

The day I found out I was a candidate for surgery, my whole life changed, something all my friends and family noticed as well. After my surgery, I became much happier and am able to do so many things I couldn’t before. I can spend time with friends and family again, walk without having to stop several times and even do small things like load my dishwasher.

There is no place in the world like HSS and SpineCare of NY, it is a well-oiled machine and each staff member I encountered was so lovely and kind. The entire process from beginning to end went smoothly, and everyone made sure I felt comfortable and at ease from beginning to end. The people are the reason that SpineCare and HSS are so great.

I have always had such a high regard for physicians, and it meant the world to me when I visited Dr. Sama and he truly listened and cared about my wellbeing. Dr. Sama gave me the freedom of movement and I am forever thankful – he is magic. I continue to recommend Dr. Sama to any person that is in pain, because I know he will be able to change their life.

Tara