Dr. Sabatino Bianco, MD

Dr Bianco and Dr Wade did my last neck fusion C7-T1 and then 6 months later on my back L4-S1. I had 5 previous spinal surgeries before becoming Dr Bianco’s patient. I have spinal degeneration with a history of herniated discs, spinal stenosis, as well as other spinal issues. Had a double spinal fusion by first dr (4 days in hospital) with a redo of the fusion 6 months later (4 days in hospital). Three months after that I had a posterior right C6 laminectomy (outpatient), 2 weeks later, right side C5 laminectomy bc of mass found which turned out to be a blood clot at surgical site pushing on spinal canal (2 days in hospital), then 1 week later my left posterior C6 broke in half from a horrible muscle spasm while in neck brace. It finally seemed like things were healing, but 9 months later the entire C5-C7 area had scarring blocking the fusion process and now more shocking pain in fingers, dropping things and awful pain in my hand and arm. Our insurance had changed and had to get new… neurosurgeon. The new dr said I needed to have a 360 fusion: remove all old hardware, remove the C6 vertebrae bc it was blocking the healing process, put a cage in with plate, then do the posterior side with rods from C5-C7. Horribly painful surgery: 7 days in the hospital and was sent home on 11 hydrocodones a day with a host of other meds. Was a HORRIBLE experience. Starting from the 1st surgery I had developed severe allergic reactions to the sutures, tape used on neck and shoulders during and after surgery, allergic to medications and some that never even worked. I finally decided I needed pain management to help. Things seemed okay for about 5 months but then got bad. The surgeon told me my imaging looked fine and to go on vacation to not think about all that I had been through even though I complained of extreme pain when looking down and trying to turn my head. I followed his recommendations. It was awful. My pain doctor asked to see the imaging. He was shocked and mad. He said that the screw from the C7 fusion had gone through and was now tearing the disc btwn the C7-T1. Said he recommended me seeing Dr Bianco for 2nd opinion. I did and he was right. That disc was ruptured and another fusion would be required. He had MRI and CT scans ordered of neck and back bc he said if I have all of the degeneration in my neck it’s most likely in my lower back too…and it was. He said my neck was the priority and back would need to be addressed after. Dr Bianco and Dr Wade took all of our fear, concerns and well being to heart. Surgery was performed (redoing all the anterior fusion hardware with a new plate and screws from C5-T1. He understood my new severe allergies, fear, extreme anxiety bc of how bad all previous surgery went. He promised he would make sure he would not do to me what the others did. The incision was bigger than what he want to do but he had to bc of what the previous surgeon did. I had VERY minimal pain compared to previous surgeries. I was ready to go home the next day but did he wanted me to say one more day just to make sure swallowing didn’t become an issue, as he had to do more cutting than expected. He and Wade saw me every day and I didn’t have the horrible lows of pain meds not working. Six months later we addressed my back L4-S1 fusions. It was a hard surgery and recovery (won’t lie) but Dr Bianco and Dr Wade made sure I was as comfortable as I possible could be. He said if you could go through a 360 fusion done at one time (6+ hrs of surgery), pain medications done every 2 hrs, that apparently never worked, for 14 days before finally seeing a pain mgmt doctor…you will be tough enough for this. That was 3 1/2 yrs ago and I’ve done amazingly well since then. I am with a good pain dr, I’ve had several nerve ablations and steroid shots in neck and back to help with nerve damage from surgeries. I have horrible scarring on the C6 nerve that went to my hand and very bad S1 joint pain from degeneration in the joints. I have referred my aunt to Dr Bianco and he has taken fabulous care of her. Everyone who says they need surgery I always recommend Dr Bianco even for a 2nd opinion. Won’t let another neurosurgeon operate on my spine! I will require future fusions bc of my disc degeneration issue and stenosis but for now I’m good enough to live with a 4-6 out of a 10 pain scale. People need to understand that once you have spinal surgery it’s never going to be pain free and scaring on nerves or nerve damage is a risk but if the pain is bad enough you make your choices. I went through the nerve blocks, steroid shots and physical therapy before my surgeries…lots of money but insurance requires these things. I can’t thank Dr Bianco and Dr Wade enough for helping me to get my life back. I just wish I would have gone to him first. The staff, when I have gone for pre and post surgery visits, as well as all the times my 70 yr old aunt has gone have always been so kind. They are very busy but very kind. I don’t know how his staff is as of 2021 to now but Dr Bianco wouldn’t have unqualified people working for him. If you need possible surgery, pls see him even for a 2nd opinion (which is always important when your spine is involved).

O if it was possible. Dr. Bianco...shame on you! This office put me through 3 weeks of tests, 3 consecutive weekly doctor visits and the co-pays associated with them, and dire news that 3 vertebrae and multiple spineous, traverse, and articular process bones needed to be removed along with a calcified ligament URGENTLY...because my spinal cord was almost totally constricted and I am risking paralysis at any time. We went through the Urgent insurance approval process, ready to schedule the surgery....then his "insurance" consultant Sandra calls me to tell me that I need to pay a minimum of $3000 upfront before he will do my surgery and that he doesn't accept Care Credit. I am a teacher and I don't have $3000 at Christmas time (2020). I asked for a referral to a Neurosurgeon that does and was told, "We don't do that!" When I asked her if him getting my money was more important than my health/safety she replied with a "Ma'am, we DON'T do that!" Dr. Bianco...shame on you!

Dr. Bianco has fixed several issues for me. He removed a brain tumor, filled some broken vertebrae, rebuilt my neck and fused my hip. This last one went awry. Nearly debilitated. HSomething wentbhorribly wrong and I have zero answers. Hardly walk and sick of being in bed! Seeing my GP today for a second opinion. I need help!

I feel better having him as my doctor

Everybody’s been great!

Excellent

Dr. Bianca did my surgery several years ago and screwed up! I was 45 years old at the time and during boot camp my leg would go numb! My back never hurt yet he told me it was part of the aging process! I trusted him because he did a wonderful job on my husband. I only got worse! Went back to see him a couple years later, but was only able to see his assistant. She in turn told me I first needed to see his partner, a nerve doctor before actually seeing Dr Bianca. I then made 2 appointments with him, only to have them cancel both appointments to reschedule! One cancellation was 1 day prior and the next appointment I received a phone call to cancel 1 hour prior! This is after they charged me $25 cancellation fee for missing a follow up appointment the year prior due to my father in law passing away. At this point, I decided that since he did not fix me the first time and he was making me jump through hoops to try and see him that this was a sign to move on! I also left several messages… with his office manager to call me , which never happened! I moved on to another surgeon that commented that my first surgery was “shotty work” I have since been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. So in hindsight, surgery should have never been performed! “Aging process” really?

I have been taking care of wonderfully and would recommend to anyone who needs the help

Absolutely the best drs. A blessing to me. Most professional. Thank you for helping me have a healthy future.

I highly recommend Dr Bianco and PA Wade and their staff.