Dr. Lola Chambless, MD

I have been with Chambless since 2017. I developed onset IIH and was not responding to any treatments and had to have a shunt placed quickly. I never saw her except 1min before surgery. Never saw her once post op. Fast forward to 2023. I knew something was wrong with my shunt and she blew me off for almost 10 months. Only did imagining and would take weeks to call back. I kept pushing and finally did elective ICP monitoring and found out I was over draining. I had a revision surgery and post op I finally got to see Chambless and I told her unfortunately my symptoms are not better and her response “I’m not doing anything else to your shunt” and walked out. Chiari malformation was mentioned in MRI and when I asked about it they said it was nothing. Well I finally got a second opinion and immediately they found the chiari malformation and I had to have a 3rd brain surgery in one year bc Chambless wouldn’t listen. I will NEVER go back. Be careful if you choose Vanderbilt Neurosurgery!!

terrible!!

Was referred to have "her" place a spinal drain in 2018 and in 2019. Both times, never saw her at all. Residents do the procedure and both times they tried to put stitches in my back without numbing the area!! Just no concern/compassion for the patient. The "needle" looks exactly like a fishing hook---its not Vietnam--get some Lidocaine for goodness sake! This time, I had a spinal headache after they removed the drain, I called and said I could make appointment or go to the ER (very little concern). I asked if the stitches they put in would dissolve or if I had to have someone take them out (I live 3.5 hours away)--they said, they "did not know. Look at the stitches and if they are clear, they will dissolve; and if they are black they have to be taken out." If you are going to teach residents--then "teach" residents how to document and patient compassion. Common sense would direct to numb an area you are going to put stitches in. Would you treat your family the same way? No.

Dr Chambless was supposed to give me a consultation for Chiari. She ignored my brainstem compression. I have Complex Chiari, also known as Chiari 1.5. Also, she laughed at me when I asked if she would be checking me for Ehlers Danlos. She said “you aren’t double jointed like a contortionist are you? Then no there is no need.” It made it clear she does not know enough about chiari to properly treat the patient fully. Guess what, I do have EDS and I clearly have the skull anatomy to show it too.

I went to Dr. Chambless because I had a brain tumor. She did my surgery back in June 2016. I took no pain medication. She came in every morning when she made her rounds to see how I was doing. I was paralyzed in my right leg with hardly any movement but she told me before I had the surgery in one of my consultations that is to be expected. She sent me to therapy closer to home back in Knoxville Tn at Patrcia Neil where I had speech, occupational and physical therapy. I am forever grateful.

Dr Chambless gave me a diagnosis for my condition that at least 10 other neurologists couldn't do. I'm forever grateful.