Dr. Raymond Sekula, MD

Writing this review post MVD surgery for HFS. It has been 2 months since the surgery. My decision to have the surgery was not taken lightly, have been considering it but was not brave enough. The b treatment stopped working for me and I finally decided to get the surgery done. Now post-surgery wondering why I delayed. I had a very good experience with Dr. Raymond Sekula and have been following him since he was at UPMC. Knew that if I wanted to get the MVD surgery it had to be with Dr. Sekula, considering his experience. Would not trust anyone else. Travelled from out of state to New York. At Columbia Neurosurgery, New York I had an initial tele appointment with Dr. Sekula, he was very patient and answered all my questions ,be prepared, write them down. He also has a wonderful team and they really guide you along the entire process. My experience at Columbia Neurosurgery was great, right from the initial consultations, actual surgery and post-surgery care at the hospital.

Dr Sekula is an incredible doctor. A one in a million neurosurgeon. His knowledge and understanding of trigeminal neuralgia is above and beyond. He did microvascular decompression on me and I have never been happier. He and his staff are very caring and kind. The speed of their responses are amazing. I am so grateful to have found him. There's no one else I'd recommend. He is top-notch.

Dr. Sekula graciously agreed to see me, without an appointment, after he completed his last consultation of the day. After five years of ever-increasing trigeminal neuralgia pain and countless doses of medicines that had ceased working, I found myself talking to a very knowledgeable, professional, kind and caring doctor. Confidence was immediate. The official diagnosis and treatment, (Microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve) were arrived at only after a very thorough discussion regarding the history and symptoms of my condition as well as further medical imaging. And now, recovery seems surreal. Free from pain, I have my life back again. Many thanks, Dr. Sekula, to you and your wonderful team of professionals!

I met Dr. Sekula via telemedicine for trigeminal neuralgia. He was very personable and listened carefully. I traveled to NYC for a high-resolution MRI and, if indicated, microvascular decompression surgery (MVD). Dr. Sekula reviewed the MRI images with me and patiently answered all my questions. He felt the MVD would benefit me and I made the well-informed decision to have the procedure the next morning. Dr. Sekula visited before surgery and conveyed his confidence that this was the right course of action. He visited in recovery, debriefed the successful surgery, made an icepack for me and called friends to let them know I was OK. I spent the night in the hospital, was visited by Dr. Sekula and team at 0900 and was discharged at 1200. Recovery has been quick with follow-up at home by email, text and telemedicine. Space doesn’t allow for me to adequately convey my gratitude to Dr. Sekula who is, in my opinion, both a great surgeon and a kind, friendly and compassionate human being.

Dr Sekula perform two surgeries his professional kind caring. I would recommend him to anybody

Dr Sekula removed a non-cancerous spindle cell schwannoma from my spinal canal almost 10 years ago. I was in debilitating pain prior to surgery as the tumor was pressing on my nerves. 10 years pain free. Quality of Life 100%. Fantastic outcome! 10 stars!

He was, most importantly, a wonderful surgeon who gave me back my life; but he was also a caring, personable man who made me feel as if I were his most important patient and whom I feel blessed to have known.

In 2018 I was diagnosed with glossopharyngeal neuralgia which was treated with prescription medication until they became ineffective after three years. Extensive research led me to Dr. Raymond Sekula and within ten days an appointment for micro vascular decompression surgery. The surgery was a complete success. Dr. Sekula is an amazing surgeon, very compassionate, and I feel went out of his way to accommodate my need for surgery. I feel he probably saved my life. He and his office staff were outstanding. Ron Date of surgery-March 9, 2021

I would give him zero stars if possible. He has ruined my receiving timely care in the Pittsburgh region for a tumor that's causing life-threatening symptoms and tainted the UPMC system with a treatment recommendation that wasn't based on facts but instead his being unprepared for our initial consultation and then trying to cover it up. He was hours late, I had to repeatedly call to check on his status, his staff forgot my appointment, he showed up in the telehealth visit looking unkempt, tired, agitated and clearly didn't even know my case when he failed to initially realize or later fully recognize that I've been having symptoms related to mass effect and trigeminal nerve involvement. He contradicted his own statements about when he recommend microsurgery and continued to push gamma knife. Since then, it's been a battle to try to even get emergency room care for new and worsening symptoms b/c his statements have made people think that my case isn't as serious as it actually is.

Dr Sekula did micro vascular decompression surgery on me and I have been pain free for 3 years. His communication and patient care was outstanding! Co

Dr. Raymond Sekula performed a micro-vascular decompression (MVD) on my 7th cranial nerve to alleviate a hemifacial spasm. The surgery was a complete success! The experience was the best medical experience I have ever had. His staff is top notch-responsive, caring, professional, and highly experienced with hemifacial spasm patients. Dr. Sekula himself is a quiet and unassuming man, with a quick smile and dedicated to excellence in the treatment of hemifacial spasm using a minimally invasive technique that allowed me to go home the day following surgery. I would (and have!) highly recommend him for hemifacial spasm patients. I traveled from Florida to Pennsylvania solely because I would have no one but Dr. Sekula be my surgeon. I trusted him 100% and he answered all of my questions patiently and fully. His office is efficient, kind, and well-organized. He's simply an awesome, caring, expert surgeon! Five stars is not high enough for this man !

Dr.Sekula and his team were remarkable. Very knowledgeable in my hfs condition. I trusted him and his team. Everyone was kind and helpful!

What can I possibly say that can be worthy of what an Amazing Human, and Surgeon this man is. I did my research, and traveled to him. He is truly the best of the best, and I wouldn’t have gone to anyone else. MVD surgery in anyone else’s hands could have consequences that I would never want to face. He is the Master. I have been spasm free since the day he laid hands on me 7/19/16. God Blesses and guides his hands.

I waited for a month for my appointment. A few days before the appointment, I was informed that he doesn't treat my condition. Having never seen him..i'm not sure how he made that determination. I am once again very disappointed in Presby's doctors.

Dr. Sekula saved my life in a way. Two years I could not eat,drink, or even talk without pain. He performed brain surgery on me and it worked and now I am myself again. I can have dinner with my wife and not be embarrassed by having her cut up my food in tiny pieces for me to eat. I can have a drink with the neighbors and not have to suffer through serious facial pain. I can now shave in the morning without putting an ice bag on my face to numb it to be able torun a razor over it. What a great person Dr. Sekula is a great doctor very compassionate and understanding of my problems. You will not find another doctor In Pittsburgh Pa or anywhere who is so dedicated to his profession. The good doctor follow up procedures are outstanding. He called me personally to ask how I was doing he really cares for his patients. I was so lucky to have him as my doctor.

Dr. Sekula is AMAZING! I had surgery 13 years ago for a Chiari Malformation. I have had so much relief even 13 yrs. later. He is very kind, caring, and an extremely talented Dr. I highly recommend him!

Dr. Sekula is an incredible surgeon. He is very thorough and thoughtful. He was very blunt about what could go wrong but his stats were on my side with less than 1% of his 1,000 patients having hearing loss or stroke. I came out of surgery on Friday spasm free and he stayed all weekend to make sure I was healing and comfortable. Two big thumbs up. Highly recommend him. It was a life altering event for me. Thank you Dr. Sekula!!

After 10+ years of suffering with a facial nerve disorder (hemi-facial spasms), I met with Dr, Sekula at his UPMC Presbyterian Hospital office. He confirmed my diagnosis and performed MVD (microvascular decompression surgery the next day. He was successful in giving me back my normal face. He is thorough, compassionate and caring with his patients!

After nearly 8 years of dealing with hemifacial spasms due to an arterial compression I finally flew up to see Dr. Sekula for a consultation. He confirmed the diagnosis with an MRI, lateral spread test, and by observing my clinical symptoms. What a relief it was to watch Dr. Sekula look at my MRI and say “there it is”. After years of facial twitching, spasms, sensations I finally had an answer. And it could be treated via MVD surgery. Dr. Sekula performed MVD surgery on me in October of 2017 with excellent results. I am writing this review 18 months post surgery and still can’t believe what a fantastic outcome I’ve experienced. The entire staff at UPMC is very professional and treated me with kindness and compassion. Dr. Sekula’s resume speaks for itself. MVD is incredibly specialized surgery. I can’t imagine what my life would be like had I not made this important decision. No regrets.

My neurologist referred me to Dr Sekula, his office called me to set up an apt and I asked to make sure he looked at my MRI and they he could help me and not waste my time having me drive 5 hours for nothing. WELL I waited 2.5 hours for him to finally come to my room, He walked in said I cant help you and offered me very little advise and walked out. He wasted my time and money traveling to visit him. I would not refer him to anyone with Insane Facial pain and TN confirmed on an MRI