Sorry to hear the state of affairs in the spine world in Italy.
Patients who come for surgery generally need two visits. The first is for the introduction, a thorough history and physical examination, review of any images and the possible order of new images. This visit might also be needed for further diagnostics such as injections.
When the diagnosis is certain, then the second visit is for the actual surgery. Prior to that surgical visit, preparation is made for surgery. This might include blood donation, workups for other medical problems (hypertension, cardiac disease, pulmonary or kidney disease) and other testing and modification as necessary (stress testing or medication modification).
There are occasions that only one visit is necessary such as an obvious disc herniation causing leg pain without other possible pain generators.
Dr. Corenman
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.