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Dr. Alexander Khalessi, MD

Dr. Alexander Khalessi, MD

Neurosurgery*
20+ years of experience

Dr. Alexander Khalessi, MD is a neurosurgeon in San Diego, CA and has over 20 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2004. He is affiliated with UC San Diego Health Hillcrest Hillcrest Medical Center. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

3.7 Star Rating
Based on 12 reviews 3.7 Star Rating (12 reviews)

Practice

200 W Arbor Dr San Diego, CA 92103
Telehealth available

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Compare with other Neurosurgeons

Compare Dr. Khalessi with our nearby Neurosurgeons at Palomar Health.

Make an appointment at Palomar Health today at
(858) 480-5558.

Dr. Khalessi is a Healthgrades Choice provider in Neurosurgery

The Healthgrades Choice designation helps you understand the most important factors to consider when choosing a healthcare professional. This designation is earned based on four set standards.
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  • Above average experience
  • Good hospital quality
  • Good patient ratings
  • No healthcare sanctions

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Dr. Khalessi's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Khalessi

3.7
12 ratings, 5 with a written review
5 star
67%
67%
4 star
0%
0%
3 star
0%
0%
2 star
0%
0%
1 star
33%
33%

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D- Probably the worst decision of my life to go with Dr Khalessi in hindsight. Seemed like a good decision at the time. He definitely has the creds and reviews. He was foisted on to me by my hmo after they rescinded my referral to go to phoenix with a top nuerosurgeon. After talking with him he assured me I’d walk out of the hospital and be playing Raquetball by the end of 2020. Neither happened. My buddy Timmy probably could have done better with a hacksaw, pliers a bottle of tequila and then some super glue and duct tape to patch me up. Before surgery I had numbness in the right hand and foot, balance issues, vision issues. After surgery I still have those plus brain fog, ataxia, extreme numbness and pressure on my entire right side, head and mouth, circulation issues (my foot turns purple every time I sit), extreme chronic dizziness, a bloody nose for 18 months. I’m basically disabled for life.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Brett – Dec 19, 2021
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I had a left temporal AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) brain surgery (Craniotomy) in March 2020 by Dr. Khalessi. After much research, I found one of the best neurosurgeons in the nation here in San Diego. Dr. Khalessi shared all the options for my disease and the best option to proceed. He took the time to answer all my questions in detail. Dr. Khalessi and his team at UCSD are excellent. I recommend Dr. Khalessi for any neurosurgery, in particular complex neurological surgeries.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
May 15, 2020
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I had a left temporal AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) brain surgery (Craniotomy) in March 2020 by Dr. Khalessi. After much research, I found one of the best neurosurgeons in the nation here in San Diego. Dr. Khalessi shared all the options for my disease and the best option to proceed. He took the time to answer all my questions in detail. Dr. Khalessi and his team at UCSD are excellent. I recommend Dr. Khalessi for any neurosurgery, in particular complex neurological surgeries.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
May 15, 2020
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Dr. Khalessi operated on me in November 2015. He inserted a brain stent for an aneurysm and saved my life. I thank God for him all the time! From the first meeting he put me at ease. He took time to answer questions and to explain what would happen. There are many skilled doctor's out there. But Dr. K is not only an expert at saving lives, his bedside manner is the best! I trust him and would recommend him to anyone in need of his specialized skills to save their lives! God Bless You Dr.K!!!!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Vickie R. in Menifee, CA – Apr 28, 2016
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I highly recommend Dr. Khalessi. In 2014, he performed a craniotomy to clip an unruptured aneurysm. Since 2010, he's been my follow up neurologist for an aneurysm coil in 2009 by a Chicago doctor. Upon finding a second aneurysm on follow up, we first monitored it, then he clipped it. I had complete trust in him, his skills and his professionalism. The other doctors, nurses and staff around him are all great. I encourage anyone needing a neurosurgeon, to consider Dr. Khalessi. He changed my life.
What went well
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Kim Drolet, L.Ac. in Imperial Beach, CA – Feb 17, 2016
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Know Before You Go

About Me

care philosophy

The Division of Neurosurgery provides the full range of contemporary neurosurgical practice. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we provide care to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate patients with neurological disorders. Our Division also offers...read more

biography

Alexander A. Khalessi, MD, MBA, MS, is a board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in cranial and endovascular surgery. He is Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery, and Professor of Surgery, Radiology and Neurosciences at UC San Diego. ...read more

  • Neurosurgery

  • Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery

  • Neurological Trauma Surgery

  • Neurocritical Care

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • Usc & Lac Medical Center

    Residency Hospital, 2011

  • University Of Southern California

    Fellowship Hospital, 2011

  • State University Of New York At Buffalo

    2010

  • Johns Hopkins School Of Medicine

    Medical School, 2004

  • Stanford University

    Undergraduate School, 1999
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Neurological Surgery®
- 
Neurosurgery
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

Healthgrades receives board action history for physicians and physician assistants. The information displayed here is sourced from independent information providers, such as state board websites, and may not be the most up-to-date information. Healthgrades makes no representations with respect to the accuracy of any information provided here and assumes no responsibility or liability for such information.

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Dr. Khalessi is a Healthgrades Choice provider in Neurosurgery

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    Locations

    Practice

    UC San Diego200 W Arbor Dr San Diego, CA 92103
    1
    University of California San Diego Jacobs Medical Center9300 Campus Point Dr La Jolla, CA 92037
    2
    See all Neurosurgeons in San Diego, CA