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Dr. Tristan Lai, MD

Dr. Tristan Lai, MD

Pain Management*
15+ years of experience

Dr. Tristan Lai, MD is a pain management specialist in Spring Branch, TX and has over 15 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Uniformed Services University of The Health Sciences in 2006. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Methodist Hospital Stone Oak and Legent Orthopedic Spine. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

4.6 Star Rating
Based on 15 reviews 4.6 Star Rating (15 reviews)

Practice

19750 State Highway 46 W Ste 104 Spring Branch, TX 78070
Telehealth available

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At a Glance

  • Areas of Expertise
    Dr. Lai specializes in the areas of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine. See board certifications
  • Explains Conditions Well
    Patients said this doctor explains conditions well. See reviews
  • Offers Telehealth
    This doctor offers telehealth appointments. Call the office to schedule an appointment.
  • Practices at Top Hospital
    Patient Safety Excellence Award™ See hospitals
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Dr. Lai's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Lai

4.6
15 ratings, 12 with a written review
5 star
87%
87%
4 star
0%
0%
3 star
7%
7%
2 star
0%
0%
1 star
7%
7%

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Great Dr
Dr Lai is a great Dr. He has taken care of my pain and my mothers as well. Easy to get appointments. His staff is wonderful.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Shirley cook – Nov 15, 2023
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Dr. Lai is very caring and compassionate!
My experience with the front desk is impeccable, they are kind and very friendly! All the staff is impeccable with kind, friendly and compassionate. All the staff (from the front to the back) are awesome. Dr Lai is very caring, compassionate and listen to your explain your pain, he takes as much time with you and discussing your pain issues.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Sep 19, 2023
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Dr. Lai took care of my pain management and is very professional and very knowledgeable in his job . I recommend him to my co-worker’s in the military.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Ruben O. Lopez-Lugo – Dec 28, 2022
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He is the most amazing Dr.
He thinks outside the box. He always has new ideas. He will make you so happy you choose him.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Nov 16, 2022
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One of the best doctors on San Antonio.
The best! The only doctor so far that actually cared about helping me and not just prescribe pain medicine. I don’t do pills, I don’t care about just few hrs free of the pain, that is not the solution I was looking to get. He truly cares about his patients. My last lumbar injection lasted me more than a year and for someone that deals with chronicle back pain , it is a miracle especially with a very active life like mine. I was sad to hear he moved but I found his clinic and so happy to continue to have him as my doctor.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Eglantina Stickles – May 23, 2022
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I have had multiple SI joint injections with Dr. Lai. He has always been informative, thorough , patient, and kind. He always answers any questions I have no matter how small. I have lived with chronic pain for many years, but great Drs such as Dr Lai make it a little easier to bear. I recommend him to any one in need of a pain management specialist!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Patricia Martin – Sep 14, 2021
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Dr. Lai is a very sensitive and caring doctor, who gives thorough examinations before making any decisions. He is therefore very effective in his treatments.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Nov 18, 2019
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I just recently saw Dr. Lai once. As an Army brat I clearly felt he definently had a Military background. Further research did indeed verify he is a retired Military Physician. Respectfully I notice a certain way they carry themselves and interact with others. I thank Dr. Lai for his service and do admire the manner in which he handles his self. It is too soon to give a fair, honest review. I can only speak of my impression of Dr. Lai at this point. In my opinion, very professional and thorough to include observant. I did get the feeling of analyzing my every word, move. Certainly this was in a professional medical manner to observe health and any obvious abnormalities in your joints etc. You may not notice, but yes he see,s for example that little pinky you did not mention that is arthritic. I did feel a bit intimidated, that being said, in today,s world Doctors have to ask a million questions and make sure you are an informed patient for their own reasons and compliance of Med laws
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Debra Kline – Oct 02, 2019
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Dr. Lai administered several knee injections to both of my knees, after a referral from my Primary. He was excellent, relief was immediate. Took all the time necessary, always on time, very personable and attentive. Staff is wonderful as well, insurance issue cleared up immediately by Claudia. Highly recommend - 5 stars for sure - Lee Harle August 1, 2019
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Lee Harle – Aug 06, 2019
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I was seen by Dr. Tisdall, ONCE, then immediately handed to one P.A. after another, then, all of a sudden, I had to see a doctor. Hmm. Now I am seeing Dr, Lai, oh Lord. He doesn't look at you! He looks down and I don't know if that is his upbringing or what but if someone doesn't look at me, I think they've got something to hide. As said by another patient, he makes a diagnosis based on "looking" at you/your records! He recommends the same things that have been tried and failed. His next failed treatment is physical therapy. I think he was hired to get ALL patients off ALL pain medications. I wonder if someone if the government didn't look into Dr. Tisdall's clinics, and see the plethora of P.A.s writing pain prescriptions. Maybe he should hand out pistols to people with intractable pain because he just doesn't get it.
What went well
  • Office environment
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
JanattheRanch – Aug 02, 2019
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Dr. Lai gave me a spinal injection and a hip injection. He was very professional and informative regarding both procedures. Additionally, in my follow up appointment, he took all the time I needed for answering my questions. Highly recommend him!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
V. Gwen Treat – Jul 25, 2019
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I had two spinal injections with dr Lai and his team. They were awesome. They were patient and kind. They took care of me very well
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Elizabeth Storie – Jul 18, 2019
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Leave a review

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About Me

care philosophy

Retired military physician now moving on to the private sector. I am a comprehensive pain specialist who compassionately treats all chronic pain conditions. My goal is to work with you to improve your quality of life through a combined approach...read more
  • Pain Management

  • Pain Medicine

  • Interventional Pain Medicine

  • Interventional Spine Medicine

  • Anesthesiology

  • Pain Medicine Anesthesiology

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio

    Fellowship Hospital, 2012
  • San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium

    Residency Hospital, 2010
  • Uniformed Services University Of The Health Sciences

    Medical School, 2006
  • United States Air Force Academy

    Undergraduate School, 1995
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Anesthesiology®
Anesthesiology
Pain Medicine
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

Locations

Practice

Unavail19750 State Highway 46 W Ste 104 Spring Branch, TX 78070
1
  • Call
  • Fax
  • Hours
    • Mon: 7:30am - 4:30pm
    • Tue: 7:30am - 4:30pm
    • Wed: 7:30am - 4:30pm
    • Thu: 7:30am - 4:30pm
    • Fri: 7:30am - 4:30pm
  • Directions

Practice

Legent Orthopedic Spine Hospital5330 N Loop 1604 W San Antonio, TX 78249
2

Affiliated Hospitals

  • Legent Orthopedic Spine

    5330 N Loop 1604 W
    San Antonio, TX 78249
    Recipient of 3
    hospital awards

    Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2025, 2024)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    93%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    5% higher than the national average

    86%
    Patients who gave a rating of 9 or 10

    11% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
  • Resolute Health Hospital

    555 Creekside Xing
    New Braunfels, TX 78130
    Recipient of 1
    hospital award

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    84%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home
    75%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    1% lower than the national average

    View all patient feedback
  • Methodist Hospital Stone Oak

    1139 E Sonterra Blvd
    San Antonio, TX 78258
    Recipient of 22
    hospital awards

    America's 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    80%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    4% lower than the national average

    75%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    1% lower than the national average

    View all patient feedback
Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality