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Dr. Frank Coufal, MD

Dr. Frank Coufal, MD

Neurosurgery*

Dr. Frank Coufal, MD is a neurosurgeon in La Jolla, CA. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego and Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

2.9 Star Rating
Based on 39 reviews 2.9 Star Rating (39 reviews)

Practice

9834 Genesee Ave Ste 411 La Jolla, CA 92037
Telehealth available

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Dr. Coufal's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Coufal

2.9
39 ratings, 13 with a written review
5 star
46%
46%
4 star
3%
3%
3 star
0%
0%
2 star
0%
0%
1 star
51%
51%

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Always in pain
This review is 6 years late. My original review was removed. I had a spinal fusion and consequently the s c r e w came loose . I now how several compression fractures, wear a brace and live in pain every day. I used to be an active person and now I’m not . I’m trying desperately to not have another surgery. I don’t recommend Dr Coufal .
What went well
  • Staff friendliness
What could be improved
  • I didn't feel respected
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Mar 31, 2024
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Office staff is the worst! Dr. Coufal recommended surgery but his staff is so inept, unorganized and disrespectful that after two months of runaround, I still do not have a date scheduled. You put my health at risk! Shame on you!
What went well
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Staff wasn't friendly
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Wendi – Sep 01, 2023
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Think VERY carefully before you choose this doctor
In my opinion: Frank Coufal is a Horrible Horrible person and even more HORRIBLE "doctor"!! I’m in terrible pain all of the time – due to Coufal's total oversight and negligence!! But I'm not the only one – read the other patient reviews!! Coufal is all about the money! He’s very glib and pretentious– with a bunch gold jewelry – but as far as I’m concerned he doesn’t possess the talent to back it up! After waiting an hour, I overhead him on the phone talking about his financial investments. Money over patients! I'm DISGUSTED by Frank Coufal “MD”! Need a "ZERO" star option!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • 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
  • Long wait times
8 others found this helpful
Helpful
Temecula Mother – Feb 07, 2022
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Great surgeon. I had spinal stenosis. He did a great job. Can hardly see incision. Feeling great.
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
Helpful
Oct 17, 2021
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I found Dr. Coufal to have excellent bed side manner. He answered all Of my husband and My questions, and he is thinking a bit out of the box with what May be the cause of my 7 year non stop excruciating headaches. I’m certainly hopeful that him going in a different direction from several other doctors might help to point to a direction of the cause of my headaches.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Amanda Sandberg-Seely – May 22, 2021
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I had Major Surgery Nov.29,2017.I was very pleased with the professionalism of Dr. Coufal.He is a great Doctor and I have recommended him to all that have issues. I've had previous neck Surgeries, and he was the first Doctor to give me the results that I had. He not only did Surgery in the front of my neck he did exploratory on the back of neck, determined to find problem, which he did. Surgery lasted many hours. He took such good care of me. I was so scared after my previous experiences. Thank goodness he has had a better assistant Ann, for the last few years. I recently saw him again due to spine issues with pain from hip to foot. He sent me to physical therapy which totally helped, and now I have learned exercises to help me. He also had me have an Epidural Injection in hospital,which really helped as well. I would highly recommend the doctor to all of you. The Surgery he did on my neck was quite Intense, and I was in Constant Pain over 20 years and he was the best. Thank You!!
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
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Linda – Jun 03, 2020
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Almost 1 yr ago the Mayo clinic, AZ did a very risky 11hr surgery to remove what Dr Frank Coufal did to me. Mayo does not believe in artificial disks in the lower back. They took that right out and needed to revise his fusion in which the screw stripped. Prior Dr C surgery he could not find the cause of pain and put me through 3 discograms (human torture) to make sure. Those did obviously not help as 8 weeks after the surgery I was worse than before. He gave up on me at the 4month mark
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
15 others found this helpful
Helpful
Gaby Malcangio in San DIEGO – Feb 24, 2018
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Having been thrust into a totally unexpected and difficult medical decision-making role , I am extremely grateful for the continuous communication, highest standards of care and skill , candor, and caring provided by Dr. Coufal. Three weeks ago I was selected by my cousin to orchestrate his emergency medical situation. The journey has involved a decision to have a brain tumor removed surgically,a careful analysis, and then to proceed to hospice care. He passed away in just one week peacefully.
What went well
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Susan Resnik (cousin of Peter Biltchik) in Del Mar, CA – Feb 20, 2018
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After 2 visits & a promise from him that my surgery would be performed within 2 months, I never heard a word back from his so-called office, which he only temporarily works out of. Then out of the blue I get a call saying that he could operate in 5 days. No preop preparation & after calling 9 times I finally get a return call. A smooth talker & after I finally had my surgery done by another Dr, it was completely different than what I expected. So glad I didn’t use him, he’s a disgrace to Scripps
What went well
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
16 others found this helpful
Helpful
San Diego , CA – Feb 19, 2018
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Worst Neurosurgeon ever! Don't let his smooth talk and fake personality fool you... He did surgery on my back and his office would not follow up with me... WORST OFFICE EVER!!!! He has a swanky office and probably is able to pay for it because he does the surgery then DASHES!!! My back is still a MESS!! His office staff is TERRIBLE! I was placed on hold for 15 minutes each time I called. The follow up appointment I got after surgery was ONE MONTH! He takes his money then RUNS!! BEWARE OF HIM!
What went well
No results
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
  • Long wait times
23 others found this helpful
Helpful
San Diego, CA – Mar 22, 2017
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I visited him with serious buttock pain, sciatica. X-ray and MRI indicated L2-L3 moderate disk disorder w/ desiccated disk, and L5-S1 antherolisthesis but no disc issues. Only option he had was fusion of L2L3 because that spot "causes the pain". He did not recommend any non-surgical approaches prior to that as epidural injections, acupuncture, yoga. He just wanted to *cut*. This is very DISAPPOINTING since the statistics to surgery are sobering. Besides, MISDIAGNOSED my pain that came from L5S1.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Staff friendliness
What could be improved
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
26 others found this helpful
Helpful
John D in San Diego, CA – Nov 01, 2016
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Dr. Coufal performed 2 brain surgeries on my dad to remove a benign tumor in his pituitary, 1st a transphenoidal then the same week a crainiotomy. He was unable to remove the tumor in either surgery. When he woke from the 2nd surgery he lost 80% of his sight--a side effect that Coufal never mentioned as a possibility. His follow up and office was terrible. He's now seeing a world-class surgeon at UCLA who has questioned every decision Coufal made. Do your research and find an experienced doctor.
What went well
No results
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
  • Long wait times
22 others found this helpful
Helpful
Mark Friedman in Los Angeles, CA – Sep 14, 2016
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He is always knowledgeable and makes me feel confident in his assessments. He is very kind and has incredible bedside manner. Better than any doctor I have had and I have been to a lot.
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
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Shannon Meade in Costa Mesa – Jul 04, 2016
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About Me

biography

Dr. Frank Coufal, MD is a neurosurgeon in La Jolla, CA. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego and Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

  • Neurosurgery

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

  • Medical College Of Wisconsin

    Fellowship Hospital, 1999

  • University Ca San Diego

    Residency Hospital, 1998

  • University Of California San Diego Medical Center

    Internship Hospital, 1991
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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Locations

Practice

California Center for Neurointerventional Surgery9834 Genesee Ave Ste 411 La Jolla, CA 92037
1
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