Spine Surgery Second Opinion · Naples & Fort Myers, FL
Before you say yes
to spine surgery —
hear another voice.
Modern spine surgery has more options than most patients are ever offered. Dr. Katsevman provides honest, expert second opinions — in person or by telemedicine — for patients who want to know if there is a better, less invasive, motion-preserving path forward.
Telemedicine available nationwide. Bring your MRI. We’ll give you a real answer.
"There’s no reason to kill a fly with a bazooka. Every patient deserves to know if a more precise, less invasive option exists before committing to major surgery."
Dr. G. Katsevman, MD · Neurosurgeon & Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeonin spine surgery
& Fort Myers
most patients never hear about
anywhere in Florida & beyond
Why it matters
Spine surgery has evolved.
Not every surgeon has.
Many patients are scheduled for spine surgery using approaches that were standard practice 10 or 15 years ago — open incisions, routine fusion, no hardware alternatives discussed. Meanwhile, the field has developed minimally invasive techniques, motion-preserving implants, and biologic augmentation that most practices simply don’t offer. A second opinion ensures you know what’s available.
A second opinion is not an act of distrust toward your current surgeon. It is a standard of care. Major medical centers encourage it. Insurers support it. And in spine surgery specifically — where the difference between a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and a multi-day hospitalization with hardware can come down to the surgeon’s training — it can change your outcome profoundly.
This is Dr. Katsevman’s core philosophy — and it shapes every surgical decision he makes. The goal is not to do the most surgery possible. It’s to do precisely the surgery that is needed, through the smallest possible approach, preserving as much of the patient’s natural anatomy as the diagnosis allows. Sometimes that means fusion. Often, it means something better.
What sets Dr. Katsevman apart
Surgical options most patients
are never offered elsewhere
Fellowship-trained at Barrow Neurological Institute — one of the world’s premier minimally invasive spine surgery centers — Dr. Katsevman brings a specific set of techniques and technologies to Southwest Florida that are simply not available at most local practices.
Whether cervical or lumbar, patients told they need fusion are often candidates for artificial disc replacement — preserving motion, protecting adjacent levels, and recovering faster. Most surgeons in Southwest Florida do not offer disc replacement. Dr. Katsevman offers both.
For lumbar spinal stenosis with Grade I spondylolisthesis, the TOPS System is an FDA Breakthrough Device proven superior to fusion: 77% vs 24% overall clinical success at 2 years. Dr. Katsevman is on the official Premia Spine surgeon locator — one of very few surgeons in Florida offering this procedure.
The only surgeon in Naples performing up to 3-level tubular laminectomy through a single quarter-inch incision. Spinous process and posterior ligaments preserved — meaning many spondylolisthesis patients avoid fusion entirely. Same-day discharge. No restrictions at 6 weeks. In select patients, Dr. Katsevman also uses an ultrasonic bone scalpel — a high-frequency ultrasonic instrument delivering more precise bone cuts, less bleeding, and reduced trauma to nerves and the dura compared to traditional burrs. Used when the anatomy calls for it, not routinely.
Not just a discectomy. Remove the herniated disc via 18mm METRx tube (incision smaller than a quarter). Replace the annular defect with Barricaid® (81% reduction in reoperation for reherniation). Regenerate with PRP biologic therapy. Same-day discharge. No restrictions at 6 weeks.
When fusion is the right answer, how it is planned matters as much as whether it is done. Dr. Katsevman utilizes EOS EDGE — full-body, weight-bearing X-ray imaging with dramatically less radiation than traditional imaging. Specialized software then measures key spinal alignment parameters to plan the optimal correction before the patient enters the operating room. Not all fusion surgeons plan this carefully.
For patients who genuinely need fusion, Dr. Katsevman always uses real-time spinal navigation and robotic-assisted technology for hardware placement. This is not a marketing claim — it measurably improves accuracy, reduces radiation exposure, and lowers the risk of misplaced screws. Many surgeons performing fusion in Southwest Florida do not use navigation or robotics.
Dr. Katsevman offers Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Aspirate (BMA) at the time of surgery to accelerate healing and reduce post-operative inflammation. Applied to the epidural space, disc, and incision — from the patient’s own blood — no rejection risk. 36% back pain reduction at 12 months. 73% disability improvement in clinical studies. An optional upgrade most practices do not offer.
Many carpal tunnel patients are still offered traditional open surgery with a large palm incision. Dr. Katsevman performs endoscopic carpal tunnel release through a tiny wrist incision — minimizing palm pain, speeding recovery, and allowing faster return to daily activities. Same problem. Smarter solution.
The honest comparison
Standard spine care vs. what Dr. Katsevman offers
This is not about criticizing other surgeons. It is about being transparent with patients about what the spectrum of available care looks like — and why a second opinion is worth your time.
What many patients are offered elsewhere
Fusion as the default for most diagnosesMany practices default to instrumented fusion for stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and disc disease — whether or not motion-preserving alternatives exist.
Open surgery with large incisionsMulti-inch incisions, muscle stripping, and 1–3 night hospital stays for procedures that can be done through a quarter-inch incision outpatient.
Disc replacement not discussedACDA and ProDisc-L require specialized training — practices that don't offer them rarely mention them as options.
No biologic augmentationPRP and BMA are not routinely offered at most practices, despite peer-reviewed evidence supporting their benefit.
Fusion without precision alignment planningNot all fusion surgeons use EOS imaging or software-based alignment analysis before surgery.
What Dr. Katsevman brings to the conversation
Fusion only when truly indicatedDisc replacement, TOPS, tubular laminectomy, and 3R Discectomy are all on the table first. Fusion is recommended when it is genuinely the best choice.
Minimally invasive as the defaultSame-day discharge. Quarter-inch incisions. Muscle-sparing. Walk the same day. No restrictions at 6 weeks. This is the standard, not the exception.
Full disc replacement capability — cervical and lumbarSimplify, ProDisc-C, and ProDisc-L all offered. Surgeon locator listed for Simplify and ProDisc.
Optional PRP and BMA at time of surgeryBiologic augmentation for disc healing, nerve recovery, and wound healing — delivered in the OR, no extra visit.
EOS imaging + robotic navigation for every fusionAlignment planned before the OR. Every screw placed with real-time navigation. Every fusion optimized for long-term outcomes.
Ultrasonic bone scalpel in select laminectomy casesHigh-frequency ultrasonic instrument for precise bone cuts with minimal bleeding and reduced nerve trauma — used in the right patient, not as a gimmick.
The process
How a second opinion with Dr. Katsevman works
Simple, fast, and available in person or by telemedicine from anywhere in Florida or nationally.
Gather your imaging and records
Bring or upload your MRI, CT, and X-rays — along with any prior surgical recommendations or reports you have received. If you don’t have digital copies, most imaging centers can provide them on a disc or via a patient portal within 24 hours.
No referral is required. Dr. Katsevman accepts self-referred second opinion patients directly. Most major insurance plans cover second opinion consultations.
A real review of your specific anatomy
Dr. Katsevman personally reviews your imaging — not a physician assistant, not a resident. He will walk through what he sees, explain the diagnosis in plain language, and present the full spectrum of surgical and non-surgical options that apply to your specific case.
If a less invasive option exists that you were not offered, you will hear about it. If the surgery you were recommended is genuinely the right choice, he will confirm that too and explain why — so you can proceed with confidence.
A clear plan — on your terms
You leave with a clear understanding of your diagnosis, your options, and the recommendation Dr. Katsevman would make if you were his patient. You are under no obligation to proceed with surgery here — many second opinion patients return to their original surgeon with new information, or pursue conservative management with a clearer picture.
If you choose to proceed with Dr. Katsevman, the surgical planning process begins immediately. Most patients are scheduled within 2–4 weeks.
Common questions
What patients ask most
Is getting a second opinion disloyal to my current surgeon? +
Not at all — and any good surgeon will tell you the same. Second opinions are encouraged by major medical centers, supported by insurance companies, and are a recognized standard of care before major elective surgery. Your health is the priority, not physician loyalty. A surgeon who discourages a second opinion is a red flag; a surgeon who welcomes it is confident in their recommendation.
Does insurance cover a second opinion consultation? +
Most major insurance plans cover second opinion consultations for surgical procedures at standard office visit rates. We will verify your benefits before your appointment. Telemedicine second opinions are also covered by most plans. Out-of-pocket costs are typically minimal — and the value of ensuring you are having the right surgery far exceeds the cost of the visit.
I’ve already been told I need lumbar fusion. Is there anything Dr. Katsevman can realistically offer instead? +
Often yes — depending on your specific diagnosis. If you have degenerative disc disease at one or two levels, ProDisc-L lumbar disc replacement may be an option that preserves motion and avoids permanent hardware. If you have spinal stenosis with Grade I spondylolisthesis, the TOPS System is an FDA-proven alternative with dramatically better outcomes than fusion at 2 years. If you have stenosis without significant instability, minimally invasive tubular laminectomy may decompress the nerves entirely without any fusion. None of these options require you to “give up” fusion permanently — they simply explore whether fusion is truly necessary before committing to it.
Can I get a telemedicine second opinion if I am not local to Naples or Fort Myers? +
Yes — Dr. Katsevman offers telemedicine second opinion consultations for patients across Florida and nationally. You will need to upload your MRI images (a disc or digital transfer from your imaging center) and any prior surgical reports before the visit. The consultation is conducted by video and provides the same thorough review of your imaging and options as an in-person visit. Many out-of-state patients then travel to Naples for surgery after their telemedicine second opinion.
What if the second opinion confirms I need the same surgery I was already recommended? +
That is genuinely valuable information. Proceeding with major spine surgery knowing that a fellowship-trained minimally invasive specialist reviewed your case and agreed with the recommendation gives you confidence and peace of mind. And if the surgery is the same but Dr. Katsevman can perform it through a smaller incision with same-day discharge and faster recovery — that in itself may be worth the conversation.
"I don’t want patients to have less surgery than they need. I want them to have exactly the surgery they need — and not one cut more."
Gennadiy (Gene) A. Katsevman, MD
Neurosurgeon & Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon
Fellowship-trained at Barrow Neurological Institute — a world top-10 neurosurgery center — under Dr. Juan Uribe, a pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery
Neurosurgery residency, West Virginia University — Level 1 Trauma Center
30+ peer-reviewed publications in spine surgery and neurosurgery
Surgeon locator listing: Simplify Cervical Disc (Globus Medical) · ProDisc-C · ProDisc-L (Centinel Spine) · Premia Spine TOPS™
Offers: disc replacement, TOPS, tubular laminectomy, 3R Discectomy, endoscopic carpal tunnel, EOS imaging, robotic navigation, PRP, BMA, ultrasonic bone scalpel
Naples Top Doctor in Neurosurgery — 2024, 2025, and 2026
5-star Google rating · Healthgrades Choice Provider · WebMD Preferred Provider · U.S. News Patients’ Top Choice
Offices in Naples & Fort Myers · Telemedicine second opinions available nationwide
Get your second opinion
Before you say yes to surgery —
hear what else is possible.
Schedule a second opinion with Dr. Katsevman in Naples or Fort Myers, or by telemedicine from anywhere. Bring your MRI. Leave with a clear, honest answer.
6101 Pine Ridge Road #101
Naples, FL 34119
Fort Myers, FL 33919
statewide & nationwide