Charles A Gatto's Online Review Report Card

After a boating accident I had a broken L1 and went Morristown memorial ICU. Dr. Gatto was the on-call surgeon and after reviewing my X-rays & MRI he felt surgery was very necessary but also wanted to review with his partner, Dr. Naseef, who would be performing surgery w him. Since this was an emergency surgery I was not able to choose my surgeon and was concerned since I had no experience with Dr. Gatto or Naseef. I asked a long time nurse working on the spine floor about Dr. Gatto and her response was if she needed spine surgery, Dr. Gatto would be her first choice. Dr. Gatto was very kind & empathetic while sitting by my bedside & explaining surgery in detail. He patiently answered all of my questions, which were many. I wanted to learn all I could about the surgery so he gave me specific information to google. After surgery, Dr. Gatto explained his surgery in detail. At every check-up appt he has been very attentive & taken the time necessary. I have had no back issues since!

I had been struggling with the gradual decline of my low back and the increasing associated symptoms. The Advanced Spine Center was recommended to my by a few colleagues whom each had extremely positive outcomes. I called on a Weds. to see about an appointment which was scheduled for 3 weeks away. An hour later, the scheduler called to see if I could come in sooner, due to the nerve involvement I was experiencing. That rescheduled appointment was set for 2 days later with Dr. Gatto. Once there, I was seen promptly by Dr. Gatto. He was warm, compassionate and interested in hearing my personal experience with the low back pain and associated symptoms. Although I had been treated with an Epidural at a different Orthopedic group, Dr. Gatto read the imagining with a keener understanding and saw a more complicated and concerning issue(s). He was not rushed and spent 90 mins with me combing over the x-ray's and MRI's. (He even meet with my wife and I on the following Monday to explain his findings with imaging to ensure her comfort with the care plan.) My surgical experience was on par with the highest of standards. Upon regaining awareness post surgery, I could feel the symptomatic discomfort I had been experiencing had dissipated. My hospitalization, treatment and recovery followed suit with the high standards one can hope for. I was followed every day with personal visits from the Spine Center Team. They too were quite personable, compassionate, inquisitive of how I felt, if I needed anything and answered all my questions. It was more than obvious to me that the Spine Center Team and the nursing unit I was assigned to have a tremendous synergy. The confidence, and competence of the entire Spine Center Team, Nurses, Patient Care Techs, Physical Therapists and Environmental Services all enhance the level of sophisticated care they collectively provide. From my initial call, to completion of surgery was one week. I could not ask for more prompt service. As you can probably surmise by now, I had an excellent experience and outcome. I am grateful to Dr. Gatto for the return of my health.

Over the last six months I suffered with severe spinal stenosis. Basically, I couldn’t walk ten steps without upper body being completely horizontal. I interviewed a cadre of spine doctors which gave me the same diagnosis. Which was severe spinal stenosis and DDD of L3. Some doctors wanted to do minimally invasive surgery which in theory sounds great but I believe it was only going to be a short term fix. When I went to see Dr. GATTO he explained that its wasn’t going to be a quick fix and I needed this and that, basically straight forward and honest, take it or leave it. Fast forward, I had the surgery fusing L3 to L4along with spacer to allow space for the bundle of nerves that were being squeezed, along with something to do with S1. Dr.Gatto team were organized and completely professional. The operation was a complete success and I can be more grateful to Dr gatto and his team. Btw- on my journey to get pre surgicyapproval some many people knew doctor Gatto and reassured me I was in good hands.

I had an appointment with Dr. Gatto for a second opinion for lumbar fusion surgery. I didn't have to wait long to be seen. I met with Dr. Lohman (Physician assistant) first. Very friendly and listened to all of my concerns. She pulled up my MRI's and thoroughly reviewed them with me. I then met with Dr. Gatto, very pleasant and knowledgeable. He also went over my MRI and stated, that surgery wasn't required at the present time. That there are other options. After being told by another physician that surgery was the only option. I appreciate Dr. Gatto and Dr. Lohman for their honesty. Not just telling me it's not needed,but explaining why.

Doctor Gatto performed life-saving spinal surgeon on my husbands cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines. My husband presented for over a week and a half with extreme back pain which no one could figure out. When he appeared in the ER in a very declined state, Dr Gatto was called in on an emergency basis and diagnosed him with osteomyelitis due to a staph infection that had ravaged his spine. Thanks to Dr Gattos quick diagnosis and treatment as well as his unbelievable team of doctors, my husbands life was saved and he is able to function in his normal daily activities pain free. Not only were his actions life-saving, but he included us in all decisions and kept us very well informed during every step of the process!

Dr Gatto , his physician's assistant Michel , Dr Naseef , were all Outstanding . I had Major back surgery , 16 weeks later I hardly know it was done . I am pain free and feel absolutely amazing . I am truly blessed I found them I thank you all lol and My grandkids thank you , Grampa can play again

Dr Gatto Had performed major spine surgery on me , I would never Know it , I am pain free and honestly can hardly tell I had it done . He is an amazing Dr and surgeon . I am blessed I had found him Thank you Dr Gatto , you truly gave me my life back

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Gatto for the amazing job he did operating on me . For three months I was not able to walk properly where I had a mass on my spinal cord I went through the correct procedures and needed an operation where I had a mass on my spinal cord along with bone spurs . He removed both and I was up and walking the next day . I highly recommend Dr Gatto and his team . He is simply the best I thank him with all my heart i also want to thank his entire team . You need a spine Dr call him Thank you for being the Dr you are! Marcy Sue Rattay .

A few years ago I was at a point where I could barely walk, but thanks to the good people at The Advanced Spine Center it took just a few days to get me back on my feet. A laminectomy & discectomy resolved the problem, and today I’m back to doing many of the things I love to do. Thank you Dr Gatto and all the good people who make up your team.

I was dealing with lower back issues (L4/L5) for about 8 years. I tried injections and physical therapy, which helped for a while. I was recently referred to Dr. Gatto by my physical therapist. After meeting him for my consultation, I knew that he was the doctor that I wanted to perform my back surgery. I set up a follow-up appointment so my husband could meet him as well and discuss my plan of action. My husband knew immediately that he was the one. Dr. Gatto is very thorough, patient, kind, experienced, and truthful. I had my surgery on March 18th and was up walking the next day in the hospital. No more pain in my legs or numbness in my toes. He is an extraordinary surgeon who I will be referring friends and family to. So grateful that I chose him. His staff is confident, friendly and just as pleasant as he is. His expert care has changed my life for the better. I feel like a new person.