Go wherever you are the happiest! But remember this: a doctor's office staff are not necessarily representative of the doctor's surgical skills! My pain doc, who is absolutely magical at positioning a lead, has some of the worst office people on earth. He's at UCSD and so the pain clinic has an insane amount of bureaucracy. Veronica, evil Veronica, the surgical procedures scheduling lady is the bane of my existence.

So if you've had surgery with the old guy already and liked the outcome, stick with it. And if not . . . do what makes you comfortable. I can tell you this though- I just moved back to Santa Barbara area of California from San Diego, and when I need to have surgery again I will be going back to my doc in SD (4 hr drive). If you find a good surgeon stick with them. You only want the best messing with your spine!
Lynn
(keep the Oct appointment though. Can't hurt!)