Bobby K-B Tay

MD

Vice Chair of Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgeon

Dr. Bobby K-B Tay is an orthopedic surgeon at the UCSF Spine Center, where specialists from many disciplines collaborate to provide optimal treatment of spinal conditions. These include spinal degenerative disorders, trauma, tumors and infections. Tay is particularly interested in caring for patients with degenerative diseases of the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as those with spinal tumors or fractures. He has significant expertise in minimally invasive surgical techniques for the spine.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, Tay earned his medical degree at the UCSF School of Medicine. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at UCSF and then completed a fellowship in spinal surgery at the University of Miami Health System.

  • Education

    UCSF School of Medicine, 1993

  • Residencies

    UCSF Medical Center, Orthopaedic Surgery, 1994

  • Fellowships

    University of Miami School of Medicine, Spine Surgery, 1999

    University of Miami School of Medicine, Spine Surgery, 2000

  • Board Certifications

    Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

  • Academic Title

    Professor

Conditions I specialize in

Treatments I provide

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    418 Ratings
    About our process
    Feb 18, 2023
    Dr. Tay earned my respect years ago when he got a team together to discuss my complex back issue. Years later my old back needs the best neurosurgeon I can find and I've already asked him to decide what to do it and do it. His diagnostic approach is impressive - careful step-by-step aimed at doing the most good with the least risk - for the best longterm results.
    Feb 18, 2023
    Expert prepared honest
    Feb 09, 2023
    Dr. Tay listens to any concerns and offer's possible interventions in a detailed manner. He is empathetic and kind. I am lucky to have such a skilled and good natured surgeon.
    Feb 09, 2023
    Dr. Tay was wonderful! He was kind caring and sensitive to my issues. He was patient and listened. His assistant in the room was very sweet and kind. Dr. Tay is really at the top of my long list of Drs. I wish he was able to help me but he took the time to explain why he can't and he is so knowledgeable about my conditions!
    Feb 07, 2023
    What can I say!! Dr Bobby Tay is a ROCKSTAR!Excellent surgeon fabulous sense of humor andGreat personality
    Feb 07, 2023
    Great Doctor!
    Jan 26, 2023
    I traveled 3 1/2 hours to see Bobby Tay and am really glad that I did.
    Jan 12, 2023
    Dr. Tay and his staff nurses and x-ray personnel were professional friendly comforting kind... Absolutely a cut above.
    Dec 24, 2022
    Everybody and everything was great
    Dec 22, 2022
    Thank you
    Nov 18, 2022
    Dr. Tay was outstanding in every way! He really listened to me provided excellent insights was caring brilliant and professional!
    Nov 11, 2022
    Great doc& PA
    Oct 27, 2022
    I feel fortunate to have Dr. Tay as my surgeon. He is kind and compassionate as well as highly skilled. Most drs would not help me because of past surgeries. He helped me get better. Thank you Dr.Tay.
    Oct 27, 2022
    Dr. Tay is the best! Kind caring and brilliant!!
    Oct 14, 2022
    Dr. Tay and his staff are professional kind and attentive to all aspects of their patients care and needs.
    Oct 10, 2022
    I will easily recommend Dr Tay he's awesome
    Sep 26, 2022
    Always fun to visit with my "Rockstar" doctor and his care team.
    Sep 22, 2022
    Wow! What a different experience this was from my experience at Stanford. Dr. Tay and his team were professional insightful kind caring thorough and spent time answering all of my questions with grace. My experience at Stanford was the complete opposite. I'm so glad I switched to UCSF!
    Sep 17, 2022
    Overall was good experience. Dr. At appt. Was rather rushed for this old lady.
    Sep 14, 2022
    Dr Tay was very thorough on expectations of surgery and he has great patient manners
    Sep 08, 2022
    Very satisfied with the level of care
    Sep 04, 2022
    Still waiting for follow up PT instructions from PA
    Sep 01, 2022
    Again my only complaint is that I was not informed that I was supposed to bring a CD of my MRI I had recently at Mark Twain Medical Center in San Andreas.
    Aug 18, 2022
    My neck has been a problem so I am very thankful to have Dr Tay as my care provider.
    Aug 13, 2022
    The Dr was friendly professional attentive and explained findings discussed options and presented a plan.
    Aug 09, 2022
    Dr. Tay did my partial discectomy at L4/L5 in 2006 and he did such a great job and is such a great doctor that he was the only one in mind I had when I needed another discectomy at L5/S116 years later. I was so happy to see that he was still on staff at UCSF.
    Aug 08, 2022
    Dr. Tay is one of my favorite physicians. He is extremely friendly and I trust him 1000%.
    Jul 31, 2022
    Dr. Tay ia amazing. Kind thoughtful and a great surgeon!!! Thank you for fixing my problem!!!
    Jul 28, 2022
    If I could give dr tay a 10 I would!
    Jun 07, 2022
    I have had a very scary surgery and dr tay has basically given me back my life.
    May 30, 2022
    A bit of more questions post visit that could have been coveted in the visit ..ie referral to another specialist due to a condition affecting my visit to Dr Tay
    May 27, 2022
    Dr. Tay is the best!!!!
    May 07, 2022
    Please thank him for me.
    Apr 29, 2022
    Had some post visit questions. Have contacted and look forward receiving the answers
    Mar 24, 2022
    Dr Tay is one of the finest doctors I have ever visited. He is very thorough and explains problems so you can understand in easy way what is happening or will happen.
    Mar 22, 2022
    I did not receive any instructions about follow-up care.
    Mar 10, 2022
    As I've said if you need healthcare these UCSF team members are fun to work with.
    Mar 05, 2022
    Great experience
    Feb 08, 2022
    Bobby Tay was great. He knows me from past surgery/visits and gives forthright answers to questions with detail and responsiveness. He takes his medical knowledge and blends it with my personal needs/desires.
    Jan 20, 2022
    Dr. Tay has a very nice manner in all areas of visit
    Jan 19, 2022
    I felt Dr Tay treated me with great respect.
    Jan 14, 2022
    Dr Tay genuinely cares about his patients and follow ups until patient is healed.
    Jan 14, 2022
    Dr. Tay explained what he was seeing on my X-ray post-op. He carefully explained my options for future surgery Including risks and benefits. He explained my current condition using MRI and a model of the human skeleton. My husband and I understood his explanation and felt very confident in his recommendations and care.
    Jan 02, 2022
    Dr. Tay is amazing how ever his assistant is unbeliveable and horrible.
    Jan 01, 2022
    Everything was explained properly .
    Dec 14, 2021
    Time was tight and their were a ton of interruptions which make it are to accomplish what I wanted. I did not get through my list of questions nor did anyone look at the provided list of questions concerns.
    Dec 10, 2021
    Exceptional care! Very engaged with me as a patient and reassuring in helping me understand my condition and explaining the various treatment options depending upon what the diagnostic studies show.
    Nov 04, 2021
    Dr Tay was wonderful. He made all my apprehension go away.In my opinion he's a great doctor.
    Oct 27, 2021
    Dr. Tay is both a fantastic surgeon and a wonderful person. He takes the time to listen and understand your concerns. He is engaged thoughtful and respectful.
    Oct 24, 2021
    Bad atenci?n from the Doctor to me. I did not expect this bad experience.
    Oct 22, 2021
    Bobby took the time to explain my condition in depth and his use of metaphor helped me finally understand an aspect of my condition that had always escaped me. I have a lot of long term problems with not a lot of solutions but I walked out of the appointment truly happy optimistic and assured that we have a plan of action. I am so thankful that I was referred to Bobby ten years ago. I only wish It had been earlier. I truly believe Bobby has saved my life. He gives me hope for my chronic pain.
    Oct 21, 2021
    Dr. Tay not only explained possible consequences that might arise as a result of the surgery but also gave a point by point explanation of the actions to be taken should any complications arise.
    Oct 21, 2021
    Dr. Tay gave me the information I needed to make an informed decision about the path forward that I wish to take.
    Oct 05, 2021
    Dr. Tay is a "rockstar!" Although I hadn't seen him in four years he was up to date on my situation as if I had seen him yesterday. He was direct when telling me my options even though it isn't always what I wanted to hear and yet he Instilled in me the confidence that he knew exactly the best way to approach and deal with my back problems. He knows a mess when he sees it but still has a plan. I have absolutely no reservations about entrusting him with my future health. He Is also very personable friendly and fun. Call me crazy but I had a good time at a doctor's appointment.
    Sep 16, 2021
    Dr. Tay is the best!!
    Sep 10, 2021
    Unbelievable!!! Dr Tay has been the most amazing doctor I have had. I have had 30 surgeries and this is the most educated I have been prior to a surgery thanks to Dr Tay and the videos were very informative. The service before and after was amazing. The nurses in the hospital were terrific. Dr Mendellis who was working on his fellowship and Dr Garcia we're wonderful kind and very instructive.The care from his staff: Yukon and Keisha and well as everyone associated with the practice went over and above to make me feel comfortable about my 9 and half hour surgery and aftercare.I am now virtually pain free except for healing after enduring 3 years plus of excruciating pain and numbness in my left leg. Thank you thank you all fir bringing me back my life!!!!
    Jul 30, 2021
    Dr. Tay is an amazing surgeon. I could not be happier with the surgery results which greatly improved my quality of life. I also always felt comfortable talking to him. He is very friendly and approachable. Dr. Tay listened carefully to all my questions and took the time to address them in detail. I would recommend him without reservation.
    Jul 29, 2021
    Dr Tay and his staff are excellent
    Jul 22, 2021
    Bad
    Jul 06, 2021
    Eagerly awaiting decision on date of surgery ASAP.
    Jun 18, 2021
    Dr Tay took the necessary time to explain the surgery needed and even gave me a non surgical way. Of temporarily relieving my pain with an injection of medications. I could not ask for more he was great.
    Apr 27, 2021
    Dr Tay is amazing! He talked to me in layman's terms and was honest and upfront with me.

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