The Neurological Institute of New York | New York, NY

Dr. Sekula, It’s now been 11 weeks since my MVD surgery….to say that it has changed my life is an understatement at best. Suffering with this affliction for 4 years had been devastating. When I found out you were moving to NYC, I knew it was meant to be that I would have my MVD surgery with you. As your very first patient at Columbia with my January 2022 virtual appointment, I promised to send before and after photos as you requested! I finally feel emotionally ready to do so. Hitting the jackpot with 2 disorders, HFS and Chiari malformation meant there was a possibility that surgery would have to be stopped if there was no room for you to reach the offending nerve/blood vessel compression causing my Hemifacial Spasm. Thankfully, because of you, that was not the case, and surgery was successfully completed. It’s actually hard now to remember the spasms as I have not had a single one since I woke up post surgery. It wasn’t until 4 AM the morning after my surgery that I realized my face was “quiet”, the best feeling ever. Thank you for changing my life with this surgery, it is such a joy to be able to smile again and look people in the eye without worrying about my face. I feel so very fortunate to have found you and even happier that you moved to NYC, so close to where I live! With warmest regards, S.G.

S.G. Other

Hello Doctor Sekula, I had HFS surgery last November 2022. Hemifacial spasms cause the right side of my face and eye to twitch, especially when I lie down at night. One year after surgery, my symptoms completely disappeared. I got my face and eyes back. In April 1981, I escaped my hometown on a small fishing boat offshore. I thought I was reborn after finding a free land. In November 2022, I met you and you saved my life again. I cannot express how happy I am. I have never felt the value of life like I do now. I take this opportunity to thank the HFS Worldwide team on Facebook. I found this group when I was desperately looking for a doctor. This is the first time I know your name and have strong feelings about my choice of surgeon. Unlike other clinics or doctors, responses take longer. Or I have to call back multiple times. You called me back shortly after I left a message at your office. I remember you told me you could cure my symptoms. I scheduled my appointment and planned my trip to NY quickly because I had been waiting for this moment for so many years. Please remember one thing. I will spread the great work to the hemifacial spasm group that you cured my hemifacial spasm. Please add another successful patient to your list. Yours sincerely. M.L.L.

M.L. Office Visit

I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma in October of 2017. After initially choosing to track its progress, I was informed by my local ENT doctor in October of 2023 that observation was no longer an option. They recommended I consider Dr. Raymond Sekula, to perform the necessary surgery to remove the vestibular schwannoma. After researching his vast knowledge in the field of neurosurgery, and his expertise in vestibular surgical procedures, my wife and I arranged for an online teleconference. It was at that point in time that we realized that having Dr. Sekula as part of the surgical team was non-negotiable, and we set the date for surgery. The next time I met Dr. Sekula was in pre-op, the morning of my procedure. His easy-going demeanor, sense of humor and reassuring manner put any lingering concerns out of my mind. After a successful nine-hour surgery, he again reassured my wife and I that everything was going to be fine. I recently met with him for a post-op appointment two weeks after surgery, and once again his personable manner and encouraging words have me looking forward to the future. If you are facing the prospect of undergoing a vestibular procedure, I would totally recommend Dr. Sekula. Not only will he take care of your physical needs while under his direct care, but he will also offer encouragement, and continue setting you on a path towards total recovery after the fact. Thank you, Dr. Sekula, for all of your assistance!

G.N. Google

Dr Sekula performed hemifacial spasms surgery on me almost 10 years ago significantly improving the quality of my life. I am externally grateful and highly recommend him. God bless him and his staff who performed the surgery!!

J.G. Google

Feb 3, 2021, almost 3 years ago, Dr. Sekula performed some surgical magic and cured me of a hemifacial spasm that I had been dealing with for 12 years. One of the things I liked about Dr. Sekula was his ability to share data on the outcomes of his many prior surgeries. That gave me the data to evaluate my own risk/reward. I deal with numbers and statistics every day in my day job, so I found that comforting. His approach to diagnosis and recommendation seemed very methodical as well. After evaluating me, he said he thought he could help me, but was very honest about the risks and rewards. I completely appreciate that approach. I had seen another doctor about getting an MVD many years earlier but he did not instill that confidence that I got from going to one of the most preeminent MVD surgeons in the world. In the end, results are what matters and he and his team delivered. I have been spasm free for nearly 3 years now and that part of my life is in the rear view mirror. Also, he and his team contact me annually to see how I am doing, add my results to his data set, and communicate that to future sufferers who find themselves in his office. Thank you Dr. Sekula. I hope you never retire and continue helping people like me.

R.S. Google