This was a wonderful experience. This is my first time I've ever had any significant interactions in a medical capacity (other than a broken wrist). However, a SLAP lesion/ Rotator Cuff surgery scared me.
The mentality: If someone is going to do surgery on me, I want someone who is a specialist and has done this same procedure a LOT! Like hundreds of times... like almost autopilot, and if anything is weird, they can recognize it and not be freaked out about it. This is Dr. Ciullo.
How I found Dr. Ciullo: Internet! There was one very high (5 star) yelp review, but everywhere else on the Internet it said if you are going to have shoulder surgery in Southeast Michigan, you need to have it done by Dr. Ciullo.
The office: Arriving was easy, with good parking. Although I waited for 30 minutes after my initial appointment, I consider that "acceptable". I want my doctor to be thorough with others and with me. It was clean and comfortable, although the bathroom is a fair hike around the building. The staff was very friendly.
Personally: Dr. Ciullo is a nice guy, that doesn't mess around. He gets straight to the point. I was literally in and out, correctly diagnosed, and explained my issues in less than 15 minutes. I didn't feel like he was going to be my buddy, but I didn't feel like I was just a number either. He was pretty clinical, very professional, with a dry sense of humor, and I felt he really knew his material.
Procedure: I knew I had a shoulder issue, and had researched my problem. There is a 4 step test to see if it's one thing or another... I recognized when Dr. Ciullo used it, and was surprised when he reported no major issues. Then I told him if I moved in a certain direction (and showed him my movements) I had pain. He replied, "You have a SLAP lesion, it does not receive blood flow so it will not repair itself, and you have to have surgery. I'm going to send you for a test to confirm it, but I'm 99% sure". And he was Right!
A test to confirm, a phone call to schedule the surgery, and the next time I saw Dr. Ciullo I was being prepared for surgery. Afterwards, he said there was some extra garbage, due to years of irritating the initial tear, and he cleaned it all up. YAY! Bonus cleanout!
3 Days of ice and meds, and I was back to my low impact job. I will be immobilized for 4 weeks, then 8 weeks of rehab, and I should be close to 100% before Christmas.
I cannot thank you enough Dr. Ciullo!
5 STARS!! 10 if I could give them! read more