Frequently Asked Questions

About The Bonati Institute…

The Bonati Procedure has been performed since 1982.

How long has The Bonati Institute been performing these procedures?
The Bonati Institute has been performing these procedures continually since 1982. Over the past 25 years more than 20,000 Bonati Procedures have been performed successfully.

What are some of The Bonati Institute’s credentials?
The Bonati Institute encompasses a comprehensive, state-of-the-art 11 acre medical campus, with 80 employees and 9 physicians on staff and treats patients from throughout the United States, Europe and South America. Dr. Bonati holds 6 U.S. Patents on advanced spinal surgery instruments and methods and led the development of the application of the Holmium YAG laser to spine surgery. Dr. Bonati has conducted teaching presentations to nearly 20 worldwide professional medical associations while The Bonati Institute has conducted more than 400 patient seminars since 1996.

Where else are these procedures performed?
Dr. Bonati developed and perfected the instrumentation, methods and protocols for these procedures. Although a number of surgeons have trained on The Bonati Procedures over the years The Bonati Institute was the first to apply these techniques to spine surgery.

Why should I choose The Bonati Institute over other facilities performing similar procedures?
Some other facilities are performing similar surgeries yet they are largely in the “learning” stage while Dr. Bonati, the originator, is in the “perfecting” stage. If all else is equal, it makes sense to go with the practitioner with the most experience.

What facilities and services are offered at The Bonati Institute?
Our 11-acre medical campus in Hudson, Florida, offers the full range of pre-operative, surgical and post-operative services, including medical testing and clearances, clinical services, imaging, recovery, and physical therapy. We are a wholly self-contained Ambulatory Service Center allowing us to complete all medical care without having to “hand off” or sub-contract any responsibilities to third parties.

How many surgeons are on the staff of The Bonati Institute?
Presently there are five (5) surgeons practicing at The Bonati Institute.

About The Bonati Procedures…

How are The Bonati Procedures an improvement over old-fashioned “open” spine surgery?
The Bonati Procedures are outpatient surgeries that do not require overnight hospitalization. The procedures are performed through the smallest incisions possible resulting in far less trauma to the surrounding muscles and soft tissue, minimal blood loss, less scarring and much faster recovery times.

What is the success rate for these procedures?
The Bonati Institute performs over 100 advanced spinal surgeries each month, more than any single facility in the U.S. with a documented immediate success rate of over 90% The success rate of The Bonati Procedures is maintained at over 90% at 3 months, 6 months and one year following surgery. Case tracking shows that The Bonati Procedures are even successful with patients who have previous failed open surgery.

What does “minimally-invasive” means?
The Bonati Procedures are performed through an incision of ¼ to ½ inch in length. Since the dissection is so minute the procedures are gentle enough to allow the patient to remain conscious during the procedure under only local anesthesia.

What if I need more than one procedure?
Each surgical procedure is separated by one week to allow for a post-operative MRI and physical therapy.

Is age a factor in who can have these procedures?
Although The Bonati Institute does not accept Medicare coverage, because we do not employ general anesthesia age otherwise is not a factor in who can be a candidate for The Bonati Procedures.

What areas of the spine do you work on?
We can treat problems in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.

Do you treat any areas other than the spine?
The Bonati Institute made the decision some years ago to only concentrate on treating problems of the spine. This has allowed the Institute to continually and consistently focus on researching, testing and developing improved application of advanced surgical techniques for spine conditions such as stenosis and degenerative disc disease.

Why is the patient awake during the surgery?
One of the big advantages of The Bonati Procedures over old-fashioned “open” spine surgery is that because the patient remains conscious he or she can communicate to the surgeon whether the pain in a particular area is resolved.

Can you help people who have had previous “open” spine surgery or fusion surgery that wasn’t successful?
Approximately 50% of the patients who come to The Bonati Institute have had previous “open” spine surgery that failed. “Open” spine surgery often produces massive scar tissue and this scar tissue can then begin producing radicular pain as it presses on nerve roots. Likewise, the hardware inserted in fusion surgeries can eventually become a problem in that it produces scar tissue, or it can become loosened and move into a position where it compresses a nerve. In many cases we can remove the problematic hardware and relieve the radicular pain it was causing.

About Preparations…

How do I get started?
We ask that you send your most recent MRI (preferably an MRI completed in the past 12 months) to us along with the following insurance information:

Primary Insurance

Insurance Company Name (Please include state if insurance is Blue Cross / Blue Shield):
Insured Name (If other than patient):
Insured ID#:
Insured Date of Birth:
Insured Group ID#:
Insured’s Social Security Number:
Insurance Company Phone Number:
Patient’s Social Security Number (If patient is not the insured):
Patient’s Date of Birth (If patient is not the insured):

Secondary Insurance

Insurance Co:
Insured Name (If other than patient):
Insured ID#:
Insured Date of Birth:
Insured Group ID#:
Insured Social Security Number:
Insurance Company Phone Number:

Why do you need to review my MRI in advance?
Since we do not treat trauma cases, not everyone with a spine problem is a candidate for The Bonati Procedures. Our surgeons will review your MRI within 48 hours of receipt and we will then provide you with a written opinion of the abnormalities found and whether you are a candidate for The Bonati Procedures. There is no charge or obligation associated with this MRI review.

Why do you need to verify insurance coverage in advance?
Since the majority of our patients come to The Bonati Institute from places outside of Florida we want to avoid their being “unpleasantly surprised” by an insurance coverage problem. As a service to our patients we will verify all insurance coverage well in advance of scheduling any surgery. There is no charge or obligation associated with this insurance coverage verification.

How do I know if I need surgery?
If you have tried more “conservative” treatments such as physical therapy or chiropractic manipulation, yet your pain has lasted more than 3 months, is persistent, and seems to be running your life, then you should investigate a surgical solution for your pain.

Can I speak with former patients?
The Bonati Institute maintains an active list of over 40 patients, each willing to share their experiences at The Bonati Institute. To obtain a list of reference patients simply call us at (866) 298-7513.

Where is Hudson?
Hudson is approximately 35 miles due north of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

How do I get there?
You can fly into Tampa International Airport and reach Hudson either by taking the Veteran’s Parkway or State Road 19.

Where can I stay?
We maintain a list of hotels, condominiums, apartments, single family homes and RV parks that we recommend. If you would like a printed copy of our accommodations list simply call us toll-free at (866) 298-7513.