Patient Reviews of Dr. Shay Bess, Complex Spine Surgeon

 I have had scoliosis my entire life and at age 65, started having a lot of pain associated with my advanced curvature.
I did a lot of research and decided to see Dr. Bess. I had been to see other surgeons and they did not recommend that I get this surgery, as it was a difficult surgery with a year's recovery.
Dr. Bess alleviated my pain, and at six months, I am riding my mountain bike, swimming, hiking and doing light weights.
It has taken hard work on my part, and I am still healing, but with the guidance of Dr. Bess, his team, and my physical therapist, I am well on my way to enjoying the activities I love.
I highly recommend Dr. Bess for scoliosis treatment. I am impressed with Dr. Bess and his entire team! They are all true professionals!

Dr. Shay Bess performed a c5-c7 ACDF on me. Before this surgery I was having tingles on the top of my arm, the top of my shoulder and the top of my shoulder blade all of the right side only. I was in extreme pain and had been for a year prior to surgery after a bad auto accident. After the surgery, there were no longer tingles anywhere on my right arm or shoulder. I feel extremely grateful for the excellent work performed by Dr. Bess and his team and I would highly recommend him.

I'm 4 years out from a major back fusion with Dr Bess. My quality of life is great. I'm walking, traveling Europe, and able to enjoy retirement. The care I received during my surgery and recovery  was outstanding. If you have scoliosis pain, at least do a consult with Dr Bess. He's a nationally recognized expert.

I highly recommend Dr. Bess for scoliosis patients. From my first phone call to my latest post-operation follow-up visit, I have been truly impressed with the level of care I have received. It is obvious that Dr. Bess and his staff truly care about the well-being of the people in their care. When I first arrived at Dr. Bess' office, I had been in pain for years with my mobility and zest for life decreasing, as I became less active due to the pain from scoliosis. I am a nature lover, hiker and a true Coloradan at heart. I had begun to accept that my days of hiking were behind me. On my first visit, Dr Bess told me that he could do surgery on my back with the intention of increasing my quality of life. While I lacked perspective and hope, he did not. I am officially 3 months out of surgery. I can tell you that Dr. Bess saved my life. I will be hiking mountains again. I will stand proudly at my son's graduation.
My surgery and recovery was nothing less than an exceptionally skilled team of professionals doing God's work. The anesthesiologist called me at home before my surgery, developing a rapport. He introduced himself to me the day of surgery, reassuring me and answering questions. The anesthesiologist told me that he was proud to work with Dr. Bess and his team. The OR facilities at St. Luke's Presbyterian Hospital are the highest quality. The intensive care unit team is very skilled. The nursing team is exceptional. Every single person I encountered on Dr. Bess' team made me feel safe to be in a vulnerable place of healing from major surgery. Thank you, Dr. Bess, Audra, Cynthia, Bret and Jess.

Dr. Bess recently performed major corrective realignment surgery of my spine, after three failed surgeries performed by other surgeons 10-13 years ago.  Dr. Bess' skill is exceptional, as is his (& his entire staff & team's) professionalism, expertise, & personal care.  The nurses, staff and doctors care at Spalding Rehab was also excellent.     

I am so grateful for Dr. Bess. 5 months ago, he performed a spinal fusion and replaced the associated discs (L4, L5, S1).  I had been in excruciating, debilitation pain for years.  I could not stand for longer than a couple minutes.  I couldn't sit on the floor to play with my kids.  I couldn't sleep well.  I was taking 4-5 muscle relaxers EVERY day for years in addition to doing all sorts of injections, nerve ablations, etc.  I also had tried PT and chiropractic care.  Nothing helped at all.  After exhausting every other option, I decided to do the fusion and honestly wish I'd done it years ago.  Within weeks, the surgical pain was gone and I have been basically 100% improved.  Occasionally, I'll have minor pain when I sneeze or if I really over-exert myself, but nothing that even requires OTC medications. He told me before the surgery that he hoped for a 50% reduction in my pain and I've had basically NO pain.  Everyone at his office is friendly and I've never had any issues.  

I appreciate that Dr. Bess took the time to answer all of my questions without using "scare" tactics.  My situation was complex and he went through the what ifs with no pressure as to what I should do.  I took 2 months to make my decision.  I'm now 5 months post op and very pleased with the results.  I have referred my sister and a friend to Dr. Bess

I doubt you can find a better Orthopedic Spine Surgeon than Dr. Shay Bess.  Being on staff at the hospital, I asked other staff about Dr. Shay Bess. They agreed that they would trust him to treat them without question.  I met many of Dr. Bess patients, they all agreed he was the right person to fix their medical condition.  I look forward to my yearly follow-up to see what he thinks about my current medical condition.  

Before I went to see Dr. Bess I was told by a doctor I had a serious case of stenosis, was in risk of paralysis and had to cancel an around the world trip.  I was devastated.  Dr. Bess confirmed I needed surgery but it could wait.  A year later I had the surgery.  My life is hiking, cycling, being active.  It's been almost three years and thanks to him I'm still living my dreams.  I just had a checkup, the cervical fusion is perfect, he did a wonderful job.  Within 4 months of my surgery I was backpacking overnight, hiking, traveling, doing everything I wanted to.  But it's not just his surgical skills which excel.  He truly cared about me.  He showed interest in me as a patient and a person, reassured my concerns, gave me confidence, very important, that I would recover.  He helped me with an insurance concern, set me up with outstanding therapists at Atlas Physical Therapy and he and his staff have always been supportive and professional.  See Dr. Bess, have faith and think positive!  Thank you!

Update.  Just had my surgery and everything went great!  I have been a patient of Dr. Bess for many years.  He's compassionate, fair and he is excellent at what he does.  He has helped me many times over the years and I wouldn't consider going elsewhere. Thanks Doc.

I went to Dr. Bess for a third opinion as the first two surgeons who I saw told me that if I didn't have surgery within a few weeks or in a few days that I was at risk for becoming paralyzed.  Dr. Bess told me that I was at ABSOLUTELY NO risk of becoming paralyzed and that I should seek nonsurgical treatment options before even considering surgery.  Dr. Bess recommended that I have an injection in my spine to see if it would help alleviate my pain.  Sure enough, the injection worked and I didn't have to have surgery.  Thank you Dr. Bess for being honest and having integrity and compassion.  I will recommend you to every one I know who is thinking about spine surgery!  

Dr. Bess performed a laminectomy on me approximately six weeks ago.  I woke up and had no pain in my legs.  The reason the surgery was performed and no pain from the operation.  He is the best and I highly recommend him.  This was my second surgery and I finally have a pain free life!  

I've gone from basically being confined to the couch to being physically active again.  Last year I took a 5 miles hike rated difficult, scored many miles on my bike and took up gardening again.  All of that would have been impossible before seeing Dr. Bess.  

Since Dr. Bess operated on my back in June, my recovery has been smooth without complications, starting with less pain and nausea from surgery and continuing to now 3 months postop.  Dr. Bess and his team minimized my kyphosis and even corrected the nerve tangle that had prevented me from standing on my tippy toes.  

Dr. Bess is likely the most ethical, honest, and talented complex spine surgeon in the state of Colorado. He did surgery on my 71 year old mother to correct her debilitating scoliosis earlier this fall. My mother who was stuck in a wheel chair before her surgery for 3 years is now (after surgery) walking 2 miles a day!!! My mother and our family are forever grateful to Dr. Shay Bess. We highly recommend him as he’s honest and compassionate.

After 5 years of suffering with L4-L5, L5-S1 collapsing, I came and saw Dr. Bess. He scheduled surgery for a month out. I was treated like I was gold. My spine had a fusion that has given me complete relief from the pain. Went physical therapy and two months later, went elk hunting in the high country, and was walking and hiking and hunting the way I use to when I was a younger man. Didn’t get an elk, but am so happy with post op outcome and am hiking, hunting, and back to work all the time. All my activities are fun again! Thanks Dr. Bess!

My experience was great! Dr.Bess was nothing but Professional and explained my X-rays to me and explained what needed to be done. My Pre and Post op experience went smoothly with out any complications . My Hospital stay was good with Great Nurses and good care . I also want to thank the Environmental staff, especially Lucia . I was a patient on the Eleventh floor , room 1114 . Dr Bess PA’s were Great at explaining everything.

Dr. Bess and his staff have been amazing to work with.  Their professionalism and compassion towards my treatment, has taken all my worries away.  I had a very complex procedure and the outcome has been better than I could have ever imagined.  My quality of life has improved so much with the movement that I have regained after only 4 weeks.  I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Bess and his staff to anyone who is needing spinal surgery.

Dr. Bess fixed me up.  Spondylitis, scoliosis, spine compression; broken vertebrae; etc. was "treated" to a S1-L4 bolt ladder.  After 2 prior unsuccessful surgeries I've been five years on the mend with good results.  A caveat; Dr. Bess in one of the best doctors I've ever met;.

Such a relief to have a scoliosis consultation with such a compassionate, intelligent doctor.
His staff support team are all warm and caring people. So glad to have found this provider