Dr. Leong Tan

48 hours post triple laminectomy, walking, pain is under control and feeling pretty good.

I underwent a laminectomy in 2017, so I have a benchmark to judge my current experience. Though this was with a different Neurosurgeon.

Dr. Leong Tan has significant experience in spinal surgery, and he has been great to have in 'my corner' re this matter. I know his careful and professional surgery has contributed to myself feeling so good right now, and so soon post surgery.

He is thorough, from the first time I visited him in his rooms, to his daily visits here in Hospital. He referred me to a Neurologist to confirm my condition, and called me pre surgery to answer a question which I forgot to ask when I had previously visited his rooms.

He is a character, and has a great sense of humour. However, what was key in choosing Leong Tan, was the recommendations from other Surgeons.

However, now with experience, not only is Leong Tan a highly experienced Neurosurgeon, he shows great compassion pre and post surgery. He has visited every day, (now day 5) and undertaken a thorough review of my condition on each visit, including changing my drain today, not leaving this to the nursing staff. My previous Neurosurgeon visited just once.

Finally, if you are required to wait an hour or so, post your scheduled appointment, look at this in a positive way, as he will spend as much time as required with every patient, which can lead to delays. When your issue is spinal related etc, then waiting an hour or so is not a big deal. The critical choice is the best Neurosurgeon.

Firstly I am putting my name to this referal Michael James aged 60, as I noticed that some people who have written their referal about Dr Leon Tan, especially a nasty one, do not have the guts to put their name to it. OK let me start, I have had back pain for over 10 years now. I first saw Dr Leon Tan in 2017 and after many tests and MRI scans Dr Tan did a titanium disc replacement between L3 and L4 in May 2018. I have had 2 cortisone injections with not much pain releif, this is when Dr Leon Tan made the decision to do the disc replacement. The operation was a great success and I was back to normal activities with in 2 months.I found Dr Tan and his staff, amazing words from me I can not speak highly enough about these guys. In october 2023 I started to have back pain again and back to have more test MRI, xray and scans. The diagnosis was a bulging disc and arthris between L4 and L5. I had a cortisone in November which helped a little and another cortisone in Janurany 2024 which did not help much at all. Back to see Dr Tan in march 2023 who made the decision to do a spinal disc fusion on L4 and L5. This is where I am at now, I am in the Gold Coast Private Hospital and had stage 1 of the spinal fusion last Tuesday and stage 2 of the fusion last Thursday. It is now Saturday, 5 days after my first stage operation and I am sitting up in my chair next to my bed writing this referral. I feel amazing, Dr Tan has been to see me every day and he walked us (wife and myself) to the nurses station to use the computer to show me all the xrays of the operation and to fully explain the whole operaton in full detail. Dr Leon Tan is an amazing Doctor, person and someone who goes far beyond what many others doctors have ever done in the past. He is a caring, amazing human being with a great bedside manner. I cannot and I really mean cannot recommend him highly enough. Last point, I am staying in hospital for 10 days as I live 8 hours away and Dr Tan did not want me to travel while I was still in pain. I would also like to thank his staff who stayed back after their shift at his surgery to get me in to have an MRI as I was only in town for the day.

Lastly for the people who write a bad referrals and don't put their names to it, all I can say is you are a very weak person. If you need to say something bad about someone at least have the guts to put your name to it.

regards Michael James

After a change in my aneurism, and no more health insurance, Dr. Tan referred me to gold coast hospital for angiogram and surgery. They put me on cat2 list, within 3 months. That time was up November. Since the initial consultation, I have had no angiogram, phone call, letter, enquiry or request for MRI. My sight is failing, feel so abandoned. I felt very confident with Dr. Tan and offered to pay him but he refused, now, I am left abandoned, confused, frustrated.

After being told there was nothing structurally wrong by another rated surgeon I had a appointment with Dr Tan now after surgery early December I am having my first game of golf tomorrow. six weeks after a laminectomy!!!!
The man is amazing I am pain free and in awe of him great sense of humour extremely polite and courteous as are the staff.
Wouldn't go anywhere else.

The most informative and conclusive Surgeon I have met. I'm so glad I made the appointment with Dr Tan and look forward to a brighter future.

I went to Dr Tan with bulging discs and a pinched nerve.I had been in chronic pain with this for 6 months. Dr. Tan explained exactly what was needed surgery wise and I felt very confident on leaving his rooms.
I had a disc replacement and 2 plates and screws inserted in my spine, yes it is very painful surgery but it has fixed the problem. Before the surgery he showed me an animated video of exactly what was going to be done and that was so reassuring for me.
Dr Tan is very matter of fact but that was exactly what I needed as I had been putting off surgery for so long.
I would highly recommend him to anybody needing this surgery. He is definitely my hero as I’m now pain free.

No doubt that Dr Tan is the best brain doctor on the Gold Coast. Two years ago, my wife had a cerebral hemorrhage, Dr Tan performed an aneurysm clip implant (brain surgery) for her same day. The operation was 100% successful, becasue she started walking a month after the surgery, and she was 100% recovered after 3 months. Thanks to our Lord for sending Dr Tan to us, and also thanks to Dr Tan for his superb surgery.

My husband and I have had a number of consults with Dr Tan, we find his directness and sense of humour refreshing. After reading some of the other posts here on google I can see that some people don't understand his brand of humour. As far as charging too much..Have you been to a dentist lately ? Or even hired a plumber? Dr Tan is not overpriced considering the level of knowledge and experience he brings to the table.

DR Tan is the best. My Neurologist of 42 years referred me to Dr Tan 17 years ago. I had back surgery which has seen me thru to recently when X-rays and a MRI scan of my lower back shows the problem which is causing severe pain in my lower back and leg. DR Tan will be inserting silicone spacers to alleviate this problem. I have complete trust in Dr Tan in whatever he feels is necessary and would have no hesitation in recommending Dr Tan at the Spine Centre to anyone who has problems with their spine.

Had major surgery to decompress 3 discs.
Home after 7 days in hospital. Very painful surgery but very worthwhile as my leg pain is gone. Highly recommend Dr Tan & his team.

Dr Tan has been my treating neurosurgeon for almost 20 years. He’s performed 4 back operations on me in that time, each time successfully and without complications. He’s got a cheeky sense of humour, talks straight and genuinely wants the best outcome for his patients. He’s a brilliant surgeon, highly recommend.

I can’t believe these people that gave Dr Leong Tan a bad review. I had a back operation 2 years ago and it has been perfect. I am back hiking, playing golf and anything else I want to do. I haven’t taken a pain killer since. Before I went to Dr Tan, I would literally crawl to the shower and let the hot water run on my back before I could face the world, gobbled down mobic and tried every natural treatment available. If you are looking for someone to stroke your ego do not go to him. If you want the problem fixed go to Dr Tan.

He is so popular you will need to wait for your first appointment. Yes he does run late as he gives everyone including you plenty of time and explains everything really well.

Another thing, he will not operate unless it is completely necessary. Three people I know have been advised not to have an operation.

If I could give him more stars I would!

After 2 months in extreme pain an zero control over the lower half of my body and having been turned away from Griffith uni hospital an Robina public hospital 5 times. Doctor Tan took one look at me an ordered an MRI. I had previously had a CT scan which showed a sever central canal stenosis of the L4-L5. After the MRI showed a sever disc bulge in my neck Doctor Tan rushed me into surgery the same day. Not only did this man show that he cared. He didn't even wait to give me a quote or check with my private health fund as to the extent of my coverage. Two days ago I couldn't walk without a wheel trolley. Today (one day after surgery) after having my disc mostly removed an rebuilt out of metal I have almost all the feeling back in my legs. Doctor Tan saved me from permanent damage, possibly paraplegia or quadriplegia and he did so without a thought of where the money would come from. I am going to be forever grateful to this kind man and brilliant surgeon.

It has been nearly 10 months since I was attended to by Leong who preformed a laminectomy. Prior I was experiencing high degrees of sciatic pain for months. I have nothing but praise and gratitude for this wonderful human being. The operation has been a success and I am able to enjoy life to the fullest.

A kind, and compassionate man with a wonderful sense of humour and an excellent patient manner. Extremely well thought of amongst his own peers and considered one of the top neurosurgeons, specialising in the spine. I would recommend him to anyone who was experiencing spinal pain or diagnosed with a spinal issue.

Fantastic surgeon my surgery was so successful, absolutely loved him, I’m confused to some of the bad reviews . I would certainly recommend him .

Great experience as always over the last 3 yrs! Very knowledgeable and experienced Doctor. Staff are very helpful and cheerful!

Had 3 opps all have been great. Good man & a great doctor tells you every thing that's going on & very well priced .

Do NOT waste your time or money. Had a booking for 3.15pm and at 4.30pm still waiting thus had to reschedule because was not going to be seen untill after 5pm. Then yesterday had reschedule appointment and still had to wait over 1 houronly to see hime and told you have AVM and have to book you into someone else.This last 5 to 10 minutes and cost $360 and told nothing other then you born with AVM, learnt more about it at home doing a google search.
In the end could have been a phone call to say you have AVM and we have to refer you to someone else and NOT wasted my 3 hours waiting plus $360.
Pretty sure this is just a scam and way to get paid over $36 for 10 minutes of nothing.
When you have to pay for medical appointments alias NOT bulked billed the at over $300 consultation feeyou should get

1. Seen at exact time of appointment (At worse 5 minutes late )

2. At least 30minutes minimum consultation and given information or details on the problem.

Agree with other reviews this doctor should only be bulk billing with wasting time, not on time or giving patient no information and only less than 10 minutes consultation.

Medical system in Australia is totally third rate and wasting money building stadiums when should be on more hospitals.