• Submit your information for a free MRI review

  • Should be Empty:
  • (619) 344-6918
  • 6719 Alvarado Rd, Suite 304
    San Diego, CA 92120
  • CHOLLKIM@EXCELSPINE.COM
Excel Spine
  • Schedule Consultation
  • Free MRI Review
  • About Us
    • Media
    • Blog
    • Surgery Videos
  • Our Team
  • Laser Endoscopic Spine Surgery (LESS)
  • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
  • Diagnosis
  • Resources
    • Patient Forms
    • Patient Experiences
    • Patient Testimonials
  • Contact
Excel Spine
    • About Us
      • Media
      • Blog
      • Surgery Videos
    • Our Team
    • Laser Endoscopic Spine Surgery (LESS)
    • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
    • Diagnosis
    • Resources
      • Patient Forms
      • Patient Experiences
      • Patient Testimonials
    • Contact

Patient Testimonials

  1. Home
  2. Patient Testimonials

Patient Testimonial: L4-5 Isthmic Spondy

Check out this patient testimonial and update on how the patient is doing 7-weeks post Laser Endoscopic Spine Surgery for an L4-5 isthmic spondy. View full surgery video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs_-j0ZAJ1k

Learn ...
about LESS and other State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries at
http://www.excelspine.com

Contact us at https://excelspine.com/contact/ or (619) 344-6918
Follow me on social media: https://linktr.ee/drchollkim
Subscribe to my weekly emails: http://eepurl.com/hsKXO5

Medical Disclaimer
The information in this video is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To address your specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider. The surgical procedures shown in this video are performed by a qualified spine surgeon and may not be appropriate for all individuals.

#patienttestimonial #postsurgery #spondylolisthesis #laserendoscopicspinesurgery #patientupdate
Show More
Patient Testimonial: L4-5 Isthmic Spondy
Now Playing
Patient Testimonial: L4-5 Isthmic Spondy
Check out this patient testimonial and update on how the patient is ...
Check out this patient testimonial and update on how the patient is doing 7-weeks post Laser Endoscopic Spine Surgery for an L4-5 isthmic spondy. View full surgery video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs_-j0ZAJ1k

Learn ...
about LESS and other State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries at
http://www.excelspine.com

Contact us at https://excelspine.com/contact/ or (619) 344-6918
Follow me on social media: https://linktr.ee/drchollkim
Subscribe to my weekly emails: http://eepurl.com/hsKXO5

Medical Disclaimer
The information in this video is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To address your specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider. The surgical procedures shown in this video are performed by a qualified spine surgeon and may not be appropriate for all individuals.

#patienttestimonial #postsurgery #spondylolisthesis #laserendoscopicspinesurgery #patientupdate
Show More
Patient Testimony
Now Playing
Patient Testimony
2.5 months post L3-4 LLIF and my patient is doing great!!! Learn about ...
2.5 months post L3-4 LLIF and my patient is doing great!!!

Learn about LESS and other State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at
http://www.excelspine.com

Contact us at https://excelspine.com/contact/ or (619) 344-6918
Follow me on social ...
media: https://linktr.ee/drchollkim
Subscribe to my weekly emails: http://eepurl.com/hsKXO5

Medical Disclaimer
The information in this video is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To address your specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider. The surgical procedures shown in this video are performed by a qualified spine surgeon and may not be appropriate for all individuals.

#patienttestimonial #patientstories #spine #drchollkim #golfer #golf #sandiego #surgeryrecovery #spinesurgery #backtolife #postsurgery #aftersurgery #llif #fusion #minimallyinvasivespinesurgery #shorts #shortvideo #short
Show More
The Perfect Disc Replacement
Now Playing
The Perfect Disc Replacement
This is a Professional MMA Fighter, Entrepreneur, and Renaissance Man. ...
This is a Professional MMA Fighter, Entrepreneur, and Renaissance Man. He enjoys working out, golfing, punching people in the face, and breaking baseball bats with his shins in his free ...time. About a month ago, while working out he was throwing a heavy, 50lb bag, over his shoulder and it landed on top of his head, crunching his neck. This crunched his disc and created many annular tears which is causing him to be in excruciating neck pain and bilateral reticulitis. He cannot workout or do any of the crazy things he enjoys as of now. We have decided to proceed with disc replacement surgery. Previously, I performed the MIS ACDF surgery on him about 4 years ago, which will allow for surgery on the adjacent area. After much ado, we have decided to perform a Minimally Invasive Disc Replacement Surgery to get him back to doing all of the things that he loves including playing a round of golf with my mom and me!!!

Learn about LESS and other State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries at
http://www.excelspine.com

Contact us at https://excelspine.com/contact/ or (619) 344-6918
Follow me on social media: https://linktr.ee/drchollkim
Subscribe to my weekly emails: http://eepurl.com/hsKXO5

Medical Disclaimer
The information in this video is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To address your specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider. The surgical procedures shown in this video are performed by a qualified spine surgeon and may not be appropriate for all individuals. Permission has been granted by all patients in this surgical footage for filming during their procedures and sharing on social media platforms.
Show More
My Hawaii Vacation 1 Month After Laser Endoscopic Surgery
Now Playing
My Hawaii Vacation 1 Month After Laser Endoscopic Surgery
This is a vibrant young 37y woman from here in Sunny San Diego, ...
This is a vibrant young 37y woman from here in Sunny San Diego, California was so inspired to come and see me after viewing my YouTube Channel and knew she ...would be in the right hands! She has a HUMOUNGOUS disc herniation, so large you can't even see the canal which was causing her severe back pain that radiated down her right leg and at times so bad she couldn't leave her house. In order to treat this we will take the most Minimally Invasive approach available using the LESS Technique (Laser Endoscopic Spine Surgery). This will be performed with a little poke hole, pluck out the disc herniation, make sure the nerve is free, remove any loose fragments, treat the edges of the annular tear to reinitiate a great healing response, put a bandaid on it and get her walking again! Thank you for the wonderful testimonial video, it is always my goal to see my patient up walking and doing all of the things they love again!!

Learn about LESS and other State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries at
http://www.excelspine.com

Contact us at https://excelspine.com/contact/ or (619) 344-6918
Follow me on social media: https://linktr.ee/drchollkim
Subscribe to my weekly emails: http://eepurl.com/hsKXO5

Medical Disclaimer
The information in this video is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To address your specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider. The surgical procedures shown in this video are performed by a qualified spine surgeon and may not be appropriate for all individuals. Permission has been granted by all patients in this surgical footage for filming during their procedures and sharing on social media platforms.
Show More
Patient Hikes Nevada Falls in Yosemite 3.5 Months After Surgery!! *Patient Testimonial*
Now Playing
Patient Hikes Nevada Falls in Yosemite 3.5 Months After Surgery!! *Patient Testimonial*
The patient has low back pain with right buttock pain and right S1 ...
The patient has low back pain with right buttock pain and right S1 radiculopathy consistent with his imaging studies studies showing herniated discs at L4-5, central and L5-S1, eccentric to ...the right.

Diagnosis:
L4-5, L5-S1 herniated discs

Operation:
Right L4-5, L5-S1 Minimally Invasive Foraminotomy, Discectomy

Learn about LESS and other State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at
http://www.excelspine.com

Contact us at https://excelspine.com/contact/ or (619) 344-6918
Follow me on social media: https://linktr.ee/drchollkim
Subscribe to my weekly emails: http://eepurl.com/hsKXO5

Medical Disclaimer
The information in this video is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To address your specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider. The surgical procedures shown in this video are performed by a qualified spine surgeon and may not be appropriate for all individuals.
Show More
AMAZING RESULTS LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER A MIS TLIF!! *Patient testimonial at the end of video*
Now Playing
AMAZING RESULTS LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER A MIS TLIF!! *Patient testimonial at the end of video*
The patient has low back pain with left L5 radiculopathy consistent ...
The patient has low back pain with left L5 radiculopathy consistent with his imaging studies showing L4-5 degenerative disc disease with severe left neuroforaminal stenosis and facet arthropathy. He also ...has degenerative scoliosis with multilevel degenerative disc disease; however, he has had temporary improvement with targeted injections.

Diagnosis:
Degenerative scoliosis with left L4-5 neuroforaminal stenosis

Operation:
Left L4-5 Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Learn about LESS and other State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at
http://www.excelspine.com

Contact us at https://excelspine.com/contact/ or (619) 344-6918
Follow me on social media: https://linktr.ee/drchollkim
Subscribe to my weekly emails: http://eepurl.com/hsKXO5

Medical Disclaimer
The information in this video is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To address your specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider. The surgical procedures shown in this video are performed by a qualified spine surgeon and may not be appropriate for all individuals.
Show More
Another Perfect Minimally Invasive Disc Replacement with Patient Testimony
Now Playing
Another Perfect Minimally Invasive Disc Replacement with Patient Testimony
Today I am at one of my favorite surgery centers, Mission Valley ...
Today I am at one of my favorite surgery centers, Mission Valley Heights Surgery Center with my blue team. This is another very special patient that is a family member ...of one of my colleagues. She has been experiencing terrible neck and arm pain. Her x-rays are looking pretty good, it is showing some degenerative disc disease. The MRI is most telling which shows her several disc herniations, some of which we will be treating non-operatively. We do have a few options here, one of which is the most common and that is a fusion but in order to save from a HUGE surgery such as a fusion, we will be performing a Minimally Invasive Disc Replacement. This is best for her since she is young, has relatively good alignment, she does not have focal kyphosis or horrible facet arthritis and most importantly she wants to maintain her range of motion as close to normal as possible while at the same time partly realigning her spine. So the best way I know how to do that is with another Perfect Minimally Invasive Disc Replacement using the secure C implant which is my favorite disc replacement implant of all time!! We are all hoping for a great result to get you back to doing what you love pain free!!!

Learn about LESS and other State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries at
http://www.excelspine.com

Contact us at https://excelspine.com/contact/ or (619) 344-6918
Follow me on social media: https://linktr.ee/drchollkim
Subscribe to my weekly emails: http://eepurl.com/hsKXO5

Medical Disclaimer
The information in this video is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To address your specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider. The surgical procedures shown in this video are performed by a qualified spine surgeon and may not be appropriate for all individuals. Permission has been granted by all patients in this surgical footage for filming during their procedures and sharing on social media platforms.
Show More
Selena Laniel at the Los Angeles City Qualifiers - American Ninja Warrior 2018
Now Playing
Selena Laniel at the Los Angeles City Qualifiers - American Ninja Warrior 2018
Watch Selena Laniel's run from the Los Angeles City Qualifiers. » ...
Watch Selena Laniel's run from the Los Angeles City Qualifiers.
» Subscribe for More: http://bit.ly/NBCNinjaWarrior
» Stream Now: https://pck.tv/2SjPrgB

NBC NINJA WARRIOR ON SOCIAL:
Like NBC Ninja Warrior on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninjawarrior/
Follow NBC Ninja Warrior ...
on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ninjawarrior
Follow NBC Ninja Warrior on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninjawarrior/

In season 10, American Ninja Warrior follows hundreds of competitors as they test their skills on new obstacles in an attempt to join Isaac Caldiero as just the second person ever to win the $1 million grand prize.

NBC ON SOCIAL:
NBC YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/nbc
Like NBC: http://Facebook.com/NBC
Follow NBC: http://Twitter.com/NBC
NBC Pinterest: http://Pinterest.com/NBCtv/
NBC Instagram: http://instagram.com/nbc

Find American Ninja Warrior trailers, full episode highlights, previews, promos, clips, and digital exclusives here.

ABOUT AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
The action-packed series follows competitors as they tackle a series of challenging obstacle courses in both city qualifying and city finals rounds across the country. Those who successfully complete the finals course in their designated region move on to the national finals round in Las Vegas, where they face a stunning four-stage course modeled after the famed Mt. Midoriyama course in Japan. The winner will take home a grand prize of $1 million.

Selena Laniel at the Los Angeles City Qualifiers - American Ninja Warrior 2018
https://youtu.be/3A2vGbYNiz8

American Ninja Warrior
https://www.youtube.com/AmericanNinjaWarrior
Show More
My 85 y Mom Playing Golf After Two Level MIS TLIF
Now Playing
My 85 y Mom Playing Golf After Two Level MIS TLIF
This is my mom...FOR REAL! Who had a 2 level spondy with stenosis. ...
This is my mom...FOR REAL! Who had a 2 level spondy with stenosis. Before surgery she could only walk about a block or two before her back pain would slow ...her down...and certainly NO GOLF! In July 2019, she underwent a 2-level MIS TLIF by one my colleagues who I taught how to preform the procedure. My mom wanted me to help with the surgery, but they did not let me near the OR…She stayed in the hospital one night, and I stayed with her…staying up all night with the IV alarm blaring every hour or so. She recovered over the next 2 months and started playing golf at 1 year post-op. Now she is better than all of us and routinely plays 18 hole, and she still has a monster swing. Way to go mom!!!



Choll W. Kim MD PhD
Minimally Invasive Spine Center of Excellence, San Diego, CA
Contact us: https://excelspine.com/contact/ or 619-344-6918
Visit our website and Follow us on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/drchollkim
Show More
Spinal Tap - "These go to eleven...."
Now Playing
Spinal Tap - "These go to eleven...."
Spinal Tap lead guitarist, Nigel Tufnel explains the importance of ...
Spinal Tap lead guitarist, Nigel Tufnel explains the importance of going to 11...

2021 update: I'm now planning to actually make something of this channel, so please subscribe for more random ...
content like this & check out my website to see what else I'm up to: https://www.stillo.co.ukShow More
American Downhiller - The Legend of the Men's Team
Now Playing
American Downhiller - The Legend of the Men's Team
Ski Racing Media is proud to present American Downhiller, a feature ...
Ski Racing Media is proud to present American Downhiller, a feature film on the history of the U.S. men’s downhill team. The story of Women and Men American Downhillers goes ...back more than 50 years, long before the advent of the World Cup. The foundations were laid by pioneers like Penny Pitou, Buddy Werner and Billy Kidd in the 1950s and ’60s. Followed by the likes of Bill Johnson, whose brash personality and unapologetic style led to Olympic glory in the mid-80s, Today’s generation, led by Steven Nyman, is able to draw upon this rich tradition and a historic bond.

American Downhillers have always felt they had something to prove. The World Cup is primarily played “at home” for Europeans, where the sport’s biggest names are immortalized by legions of fans and an adoring media. It’s against this backdrop that the brotherhood of today’s American Downhillers is built. It pays homage to the spirit of legends like Johnson, A.J. Kitt, Tommy Moe, Bode Miller, and Daron Rahlves, as they forge a new team identity that prioritizes cooperation and friendship. And it’s a bond that has propelled the team to flourish on the World Cup and built a camaraderie that spans the test of time.

A Ski Racing Media and Jalbert Productions Film presented by POC.
Executive Producers: Joe Jay Jalbert, Jay Jalbert, David DeMartini,
Elizabeth Reeder
Producers: Claire Brown & Scott Lyons
Director of Photography: Susie Theis
Edited by: Susie Theis & Claire Brown
Narrated by: American Downhiller Steve Porino

Of course, no story about the legacy of American Downhillers can be told without sharing the stories of the women's team and the legacy they left, which includes the likes of Penelope Theresa "Penny" Pitou, Cindy Nelson, Picabo Street, Julia Mancuso, and of course—the G.O.A.T. of downhill—Lindsey Vonn.

There are plans in place to tell the story of the U.S. Women’s Alpine Team in the future.
Show More
Life Before and After Laser Endoscopic Spine Surgery (Patient Testimonial)
Now Playing
Life Before and After Laser Endoscopic Spine Surgery (Patient Testimonial)
The patient has diagnostic low back pain as well as bilateral S1 ...
The patient has diagnostic low back pain as well as bilateral S1 radiculopathy consistent with his imaging studies showing L5-S1 spondylosis. His symptoms improved significantly with targeted L5-S1 TF ESIs ...(most recent was (8/04/2020), but the injections provide only temporary relief and patient feels like his functional status has continued to decline.

Diagnosis:
L5-S1 Spondylosis with Annular Tear

Operation:
Right L5-S1 Minimally Invasive Laminotomy, Discectomy (Laser Endoscopic Spine Surgery)

Learn about LESS and other State-of-the-Art Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at
http://www.excelspine.com

Contact us at https://excelspine.com/contact/ or (619) 344-6918
Follow me on social media: https://linktr.ee/drchollkim
Subscribe to my weekly emails: http://eepurl.com/hsKXO5

Medical Disclaimer
The information in this video is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To address your specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider. The surgical procedures shown in this video are performed by a qualified spine surgeon and may not be appropriate for all individuals.
Show More

Ara B.

Age: 59 years old
Occupation: Chef
Diagnosis: Trace L4-5 spondylolisthesis and severe left L3-4, L4-5 neuroforaminal stenosis
Symptoms: Burning and aching from the low back to the left knee and numbness from the left calf to left foot.
Procedure: Left L3-4, L4-5 laser endoscopic spine surgery (LESS)

Watch Testimonial

Isabell B.

Age: 38 years old
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Diagnosis: Severe L4-5 degenerative disc disease after previous microdiscectomy
Symptoms: Burning and aching in low back and bilateral buttocks, along with weakness in left tibialis anterior.
Procedure: Left L4-5 Laser Endoscopic Fusion (via TLIF technique)

Watch Testimonial

Travis M.

Age: 37 years old
Occupation: Vice President of Operations
Diagnosis: Left L5-S1 herniated disc
Symptoms: Burning and aching in his left buttock,
left thigh and left calf, along with numbness in his left foot.
Procedure: Left L5-S1 laser endoscopic spine surgery (LESS)

Watch Testimonial

Live More With LESS

Providing you with customized, precision medicine, while treating you like family.

Schedule Consultation

Excel Spine Center

6719 Alvarado Rd, Suite 304
San Diego, CA 92120

Contact Us

(619) 344-6918

chollkim@excelspine.com

Follow Us

Subscribe to Our Monthly Newsletter

Our Services

  • LESS
  • MIS
  • Diagnosis

For Patients

  • Contact Us
  • Testimonials
  • Blog

© 2025 Excel Spine All rights reserved.

  • Notice of Privacy Practice
  • No Surprise Act
  • Patient Rights