Anthony A Virella, MD

I am a Dr Virella success story! I had referred pain in most of my upper left body and arm for many years. Dr Virella knew immediately how to help me, he explained in great detail the procedure and the recuperation and followed my progress even now three years later. I high recommend Dr Virella!

I had back surgery with Dr Virella over a year ago and two days later had complications that landed me in the hospital. I understand that these things happen but when they happen its how the doctor and his staff respond that tells me what the dr is really about. I found out that for this practice the focus wasn’t on me, the patient, but the fees earned for doing the surgery. I sat in the hospital for almost two days without food because Dr. Virella wouldn’t respond to their calls and they said I needed another surgery. He finally came in wouldn’t look me in the eye and didn’t ask me how I was doing or explain what was going on. In less than 10 seconds he told me I didn’t need surgery and walked out. Shortly thereafter an infectious disease doctor came in and told
Me that I did need surgery or I would
Be in serious danger. This doctor too was ignored by Dr Virella but was finally able to compel him to do what was needed for my health. I spent 6 days in the hospital and Dr. Virella never once checked in to see how I was after the second surgery. I felt like He had earned his fee and a second fee and I was on my own. At my follow up appt he told me to come back in a month. He knew I had removable stitches from the second surgery and while I thought they should not stay in for six weeks I figured he was the neurosurgeon and he would know best. At the next visit he said all was well and to come back in a few weeks. He didn’t even have my chart and clearly forgot I had stitches still in. I had to remind him as he was walking out the door to remove them. Obviously they were in too long and were very difficult to remove but I would have hoped he would have made sure to remove all of them. For months after the removal I had a spot that was painful and rubbing. I was constantly feeling the spot trying to figure out what was going on. One day as I was scratching the area a big stitch popped out. Apparently the Dr. hadn’t taken the time the remove all the stitches. Never in my life have I felt so little empathy from a doctor. My next visit was cancelled at 8 am the day of the appointment because, according to the office manager, he had decided to take the day off. No regard for other people’s time and they never called to reschedule either. The surgery did not work and I’m in more pain than before, but that can happen too. What should not happen is the total disregard for the patient as a person. There are other skilled doctors in the area that can offer the same treatment and will treat you as a human being not just a meal ticket.

Ok where do I start? I made an appointment and went in for my initial consultation June 1, 2015. I filled out the new patient packet and they took my insurance card. When I met with the Doctor he went over my symptoms and did a exam along with looking over a 2 YEAR OLD MRI which I had brought in. He determined that I was a candidate for Micro Surgery based on a 2 YEAR OLD MRI!
Within a few days Mina had called to set up the surgery for a little over a week. Unfortunately I had to cancel the surgery the beginning of the following week due to getting sick. A week later I called her MINA to say that I was feeling better and I wanted to reschedule the surgery. She then informed me that THEY NEVER HAD APPROVAL which she initially called me to setup.
After finally getting approval and rescheduling I got a call from Mina 4 days prior to surgery (July 2,2015) to tell me she needed PAYMENT IN FULL being that they were OUT OF NETWORK! Never once did ANYONE inform me of this at the initial consultation visit. Also «SEE AMBER L’S REVIEW DATED 08÷21÷14» as to this is common practice here. I brought this to her attention and she told me it isn’t NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY to inform the patient and I should have called my insurance company prior to coming in for my initial visit. She said once I was there it’s THEIR responsibility to service me. NEVER before have I ever heard of this! Being this was on the Thursday (July 2^nd) before a long weekend (4^th ofJuly) it was TOO LATE for me to cancel the surgery due to their 72 hour notice policy without paying a 20% fee.
Knowing what I know now I should have paid the
20% penalty and NOT proceeded with the surgery the following Monday. The surgery went ok, or so I thought only to end up in the ER Wednesday not being able to walk. I called and informed Mina that day what was going on and that I was going to the ER. They admitted me and I woke up the next day with a 103.5 fever and an INFECTION in my back.
Dr. Virella finally showed up to see me that Friday 2 days after being admitted. I informed him I was HIRING A NEW doctor «DR. ERIC SPAYDE» which he agreed with as a 2^nd opinion. He then asked me if he could follow him? I told him there was NO reason to which disappointed him. REALLY!
After a week in the hospital and on antibiotics I had to have a 2^nd surgery to correct what was done IMPROPERLY originally! I stayed another week to make sure the infection was gone and finally went home after a 2 WEEK STAY IN THE HOSPITAL with a PICC LINE and me administering antibiotics twice a day for 4 weeks. What a mess for what was supposed to be a MICRO SURGERY and 1 week off work.
Bottom line this place is a MESS from the from the front office to the doctor and I would check EVERYTHING out before using him!
Just MY opinion but look at ALL that I’ve been through. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!!!

I’ve had a great experience with Dr Virellas work and one year after surgery I feel great. I’ve never felt like him or his staff were unprofessional I work in the medical field as well. I found them to be pleasant. Great results with laminectomy/​microdiskectomy for L3-​L4.

First of all, I don’t know what all these people are raving about on how great of a surgeon he is! Let me tell you this… he is the total opposite ladies and gentlemen! Don’t be fooled by what his website says about him. VERY UNPROFESSIONAL!!! Where do you find a doctor munching on his food right infront of his patients? During my very first visit in one of his clinics he didn’t even have my chart handy. He had nothing but a piece of paper and pen then started asking about my condition. He did his examinations and didn’t plan on taking it further until he saw me in tears due to the pain being so unbearable. I begged him to help me. He then ordered some tests that were unnecessary and had me go home with SEVERE pain. On top of all this, they were very quick on asking for my copay during my visits. They demanded for the copay to be paid first before seeing me. Money was never an issue to me. He wanted me to do the treatments that I have already done. I informed him that I have been suffering from this debilitating pain for a year now and none of the conservative treatments I’ve done seemed to help. This doctor wasn’t attentive at all! Then on my next visit for follow up he walked in to the exam room with food in his mouth and was munching right infront of me. Upon entering the room, he was empty handed. I am in the medical field and professionalism is a big deal to me. I brought all of the necessary files that I’ve had from my previous doctors and all of the X-​rays and CD’s. They made copies of them to keep in their files. I come to find out that all of the copies they made for their records were all thrown back inside the envelope along with copies of my films. While I was in tears begging for his help I couldn’t believe my ears when he told me «I’VE SEEN WORSE». Wow!!! How comforting from a surgeon who claims that he’s caring, excellent, compassionate, and so on. When he insisted on sending me to another physician to get an epidural injection after I had just told him that all of my injections failed, he demanded that I get another one which doesn’t make sense. He should know better since my injections failed he then told me «I WANT YOU TO GO TO THE DOCTORS THAT I TRUST». Then asked me if I use a tens unit (electrical stimulator). When I told him right off the bat that I did all of the conservative care and he should know that a tens unit is part of physical therapy, chiropractic care, etc. (to Dr. Virella: do you really think a tens unit will fix my disc protrusion and the other problems? Absurd!!!) I mean is he really good or he just bought those plaques in his office which said he’s considered one of the top surgeons? And has quite of an attitude when being asked questions. All I can say is, if he thinks he won’t benefit from your case he won’t help you. Because what he does is work on a case that will HELP HIS POCKET, not his patients!

Does not seem much knowledgable. I had a slip disc & he told me that «he does not recommend surgery to 98% of his clients, but I fall in that 2% category». He said that just by looking at my MRI & asking me to lift my leg 90 degrees. If that’s how he determines, if the patient needs a surgery or NOT, good luck getting a surgery from him! Anyways, here I’m 6 – 7 months later 75% recovered by stretching & seeing a chiropractor. All those accolades are meaningless, until a doctor really knows his stuff.

I cannot believe that I am the first to write a review for Dr. Virella. Wow!
I am his patient, he did 3 back surgeries on me. I am extremely happy with him! Anyone who has back problems should definetely see him! My last surgery was a little more than a week ago, it was Micro Surgery. 45 minutes after waking up from anesthesia I was able to stand up, get dressed and go home! Pain Free!
Dr. Virella employs 2 wonderful ladies, Renee and Mina. God bless you for all the hard work you do. From the time you call for an appointment you are treated with respect, with courtesy amd understanding. You dont spend a lot of time in the waiting room. Appointment times are prompt. Love it!
Did I mention that he is extremely handsome? Just saying…
Thank you Dr. Virella!