Patient Testimonials

Came to see Dr. Lebl in January for a c5-6 herniated disk. Performed surgery on March 6, 2018 after two months i was already back to the gym and feeling back to myself again. Great Doctor with a wonderful bedside manner. He explained everything in detail to me and made me comfortable before and after the surgery. Photo attached was three weeks after surgery, can barely see the scar.

Back in the Saddle: An Equestrian's Inspirational Comeback Story

Johanna Faricelli is an equestrian with a passion for all things horses. After starting to feel pain both in her hip and back, she traveled from Florida to New York to seek care at HSS. Johanna underwent a hip replacement with Dr. Seth Jerabek and two spinal surgeries with Dr. Darren Lebl.

I am an active 60 year old woman who moved to New York from Pennsylvania in June, 2015. I had been having back pain with radiculopathy for several years. I saw a surgeon at local medical center for 3 years, who initially recommended conservative treatment. After 6 epidural corticosteroid injections, 3 rounds of physical therapy, and daily oral diclofenac, I was still getting worse. My surgeon and I felt surgery was my only alternative. He recommended a fusion of L4-5, and L5-S1. I scheduled surgery and had another MRI in preparation. When I read the radiologist's interpretation of the MRI, it was clear that I had a significant spondylolisthesis at L3-4, which was, radiographically, my worst level.

Since I was now living in New York due to my career, I decided to seek a second opinion at HSS. Based on my research, I chose to see Dr. Darren Lebl. Thankfully, he agreed to see me almost immediately. Within a few weeks, I had had a diagnostic CAT Scan, and met with Dr. Lebl. He felt, consistent with the MRI from the previous medical center, that my worst issue was at L3-4, but that I also had a cyst and significant bone spurs at L4-5. He felt that while I had stenosis at L5-S1, that I would be able to cope with that. He recommended a fusion at L3-4, with the insertion of an artificial disc, and a laminotomy at L4-5 for removal of the cyst and osteophytes.

I was so totally impressed with, and confident in, Dr. Lebl, that I scheduled my surgery that day. I had that surgery on January 11th, and it was a resounding success. I am virtually pain-free today, and have no remaining nerve symptoms. The attached picture is of me (yes without makeup and with my hair a mess!) when I just finished walking a mile at Kensico Dam, 10 days after my surgery!!! Additionally, my Husband and I took a very active trip to Alaska for 15 days in May, and I was back to playing golf in July. I can't say enough about Dr. Lebl. He is a tremendously gifted surgeon, who truly cares about his patients. He always spent all of the time that I needed when I saw him in the hospital or his office, and he thoroughly explained the surgical procedure and my expected result and recovery, to both my Husband and me. He personally came to see me each of the 7 days that I was in the hospital, which is unprecedented. I have recommended him to others already, and my Boss' husband is scheduled for surgery with Dr. Lebl in October. I will continue to see Dr. Lebl for any back problems I experience in the future, regardless of where I may be living. I don't think you could find a better or more caring spine surgeon anywhere!! Thank you so very much Dr. Lebl, for getting me back in the game!

Back in 2012, it became clear that I would have to undergo spine surgery as I had exhausted every other treatment option available. After consulting a spine surgeon in NJ, and following my primary care physician's advice, I decided to consult the spine surgeons at HSS. As soon as I met Dr. Darren R. Lebl, I knew I had found the surgeon that I would trust my spine to. I'm glad I did because Dr. Lebl is a brilliant spine surgeon. He is a great diagnostician and a 'top notch' spine surgeon; taking the time to explain the findings, as well as the procedures. Dr. Lebl shows great concern for his patients, always keeping their best interest at heart. Dr. Lebl is soft-spoken, caring and compassionate. I will remain eternally grateful to Dr. Lebl, his surgical team, his assistants, his PA and all of the hospital personnel that contributed to my recovery. Thank you for helping me "get back in the game". A special thanks to his assistants: Jiselle Manohar and Lily Marchena; you're efficient, professional and a real pleasure to work with. Thank you to his PA, Vanessa for always coming to my rescue. Thank you to all the amazing nurses that cared for me.

I chose Dr. Lebl in early spring after getting a finally accurate devastating diagnosis December 26th, 2014. I do not regret seeking a second opinion and deciding to go forward with HSS & this surgical team. Planning with family and other preparations went through the summer for a mid September surgery date. At this writing, six days after a 9 hour procedure, I'm going home up two flights of stairs, slowly, and without a cane. As I'm not permitted to lift over ten pounds for a few weeks or carry anything, I can also go up those steps without holding onto the railing if I chose to, as I was taking two steps at a time in the PT dept. during recovery to prepare for the higher steps at home. I intend to provide additional updates as recovery continues. From what has been called 'spinal reconstruction surgery', where I was so scared of the complexity of the procedure I wrote a will and considered the prospect of not coming out of the operating room alive (and I've had a number of other surgeries), no discredit to the surgical team. It was just that major. Going forward was the only way to potentially have a quality of life in later years, and I had every hope of coming out better than going in. To be walking unassisted with a normal or unchanged gait before leaving the hospital and maybe even able to dance and be an athlete again has more than pleasantly exceeded expectations. It's really possible, and the staff at HSS has been exceptional as well.

At the age of 15 is when I had my first spinal surgery at a hospital in Morristown, NJ. A tethered spinal cord, which was described as "an easy fix". Surgery seemed impossible at such a young age, but living life on pause and being robbed of my love for horseback riding was no way for me to begin my life. After surgery time had passed, and I began feeling normal again, until a new scan revealed a stress fracture at L4, a fracture that began to cause me more pain I had ever experienced before. Many different doctors had turned down my case, fearing that doing a spinal fusion on a 16 year old would be too dangerous. It was then that we turned to the innovative way of Hospital for Special Surgery.

Meeting Dr. Darren Lebl, my mother and I knew he was not like the other doctors. When we met him at first, we felt hope, instead of fear, as he gave us an option we had not heard before. Even though it wasn't guaranteed, just like any surgery there was a chance it wouldn't fix the problem, but somehow just a different surgical answer to the pain seemed life changing. On New Years Eve of 2013, I had my second spinal surgery, a bone graft placed at my L4 vertebrae, in attempt to alleviate the pain I had had for so long. Recovery was long, but I eventually began to feel my life moving forward. I was riding horses again, which is something I had began to fear I would never have back.

The back pain returned my summer before senior year, and with much disappointment we had discovered the bone graft was taking, and it was time to think about a fusion again. Through this time, HSS, especially Dr. Lebl, provided me and my family with an answer to every question, and helped us comfortably make the decision for me to have a spinal fusion, L4-L5, at the young age of 19. The recovery was long, and the stay in the hospital felt like eternity, but I don't think I would have felt more at home in a hospital bed than I felt staying at HSS. As I left after about 2 weeks, I couldn't thank the nurses enough for the care and support they provided me.

Although the months after were painful, I am now 8 months post op and have a clean bill of health. Dr. Lebl and the entire HSS staff has provided me a life I was scared I would never fully be able to live. About a month ago, I was able to get on a horse again, and I realized it was all worth it to feel that joy again. I can leave for college next month, and finally move forward without being plagued by back pain, and I know I couldn't have done it without HSS. My family and I will always be grateful for these doctors and this hospital for allowing me to press the play button on my life again.

After several years of progressively worse back pain and treatment from a chiropractor, physical therapist, and pain doctor I made the decision to get the surgery that was called for to have any hope of long term relief. I met with two local orthopaedic surgeons, and lastly with Dr. Lebl at HSS.

A little research revealed Dr. Lebl's resume to be head and shoulders above the others, by education, experience, and training. The hospitals' low infection rate was also a factor. I underwent a 5 1/2 hour surgery last June. Rehab and recovery, while painful, was more or less what was discussed and expected. Within six months I was well on my way to a good recovery. Within a year I resumed activities I love, kayaking, tennis, and of course wrestling with three young grandsons. I've been back to my retirement job as a personal trainer for almost a full year and recommend HSS to all my weekend warrior friends and acquaintances.

At 68 I'm grateful every day for being able to move around pain free. I must mention the professionalism of the hospital staff as well. I was attended to by a United Nations of staff who couldn't have been better. Thanks for the forum to express my gratitude.

Although I am early in my healing, Dr. Lebl has given me the greatest of gifts already - I woke up from multi-level major spinal surgery with the ability to regain control of my right arm already returned to me!

I recall my Father’s often used expression of exclamation and wonder. A particular endearingly colloquial expression at reclamation of good fortune and tides turned. “Now for that - I’d cut off my right arm!"

I believe that it’s a battlefield exclamation, ingrained in the consciousness of those who defended Our Nation in wartime, like my Father. I wish I could shout out loud, “The use of my right arm has been returned to me, by the surgeon Dr. Lebl!"

Dr. Darren Lebl, orthopedic spine surgeon, is a great blessing that I am endlessly thankful for.

For Dr. Lebl’s surgical expertise, his diagnostic precision, and his compassionate care, I am ever grateful! He explains your conditions, the options, and goals of each step of the surgical procedure in full clarity, detailing the necessary procedures to regain functionality. Using your MRIs and radiological images, Dr. Lebl illustrates and conveys to you, his patient, a thorough understanding of your surgical treatment goals. In easily understood clarity and with compassionate patience Dr. Lebl explains procedures expertly. In respectful listening to your concerns, from your very first diagnostic meeting throughout your surgical experience at HSS, and throughout your post-surgical recovery process, Dr. Lebl and his staff provide unsurpassable, inimitable world class care!

When it comes to choosing your spinal surgeon, know that who and where you choose enables the quality of the rest of your life.

I wish to express my great appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Darren Lebl, the entire staff involved in my care at HSS, and to also the tirelessly professional dedication of Jiselle Manohar, Dr. Lebl’s office manager at Hospital for Special Surgery.

Thank You,
Colleen Braak
Date of Surgery: September 22, 2017

Thanks to Dr. Lebl I was accurately diagnosed with misplaced screws that extended into my spinal muscles, and after 5 years he removed them and gave me my life back. A doctor here in Michigan performed surgery and the screws were in the wrong area. I came to HSS to get a diagnosis from our countries' best surgeons. Dr. Lebl did not disappoint. He accurately diagnosed me and performed the revision surgery. I awoke without the terrible pain down my leg that plagued me for five years. Now thanks to Dr. Lebl I'm able to participate in life once again. Before surgery I couldn't sit for more than 15 minutes without extreme pain in my back. I'm not only able to sit long, but I'm able to do so much more. I'm amazed at how different and well my back feels. Dr. Lebl literally gave me my life back. I'm so appreciative and cannot express my gratitude.

Dr. Darren Lebl is an amazing and talented surgeon. I was a runner and a few years ago started getting these awful headaches and neck aches. I was always told, either I had a sinus infection or was under too much stress. They'd pass but not after taking Aleve and not running for a few days. I'd run through the discomfort and pain as much as possible. Back in September of 2013 I had an awful headache, by far the worst I had experienced. Again pushing through it I went riding, (horses that is) something I had missed so much. I ended up jumping a nice line of fences, not something I couldn't do since I was a good rider. Went home that night and the headache was unbearable and the neck pain was even worse! I put up with it as I always did for a few days. Then I was in tears.

I went to my Neurologist right away. She sent me for an MRI that day. That evening she called me and told me to see a surgeon ASAP for an evaluation. Scary of course after she had told me about my spinal compression and herniated discs. I immediately called HSS. I went to see Dr. Lebl after a lot of research. What an amazing doctor. Not only was he so incredibly informative but so willing to answer my many questions. I scheduled the surgery for January 15th of 2014. Not an easy surgery but I must add I was able to swallow with no pain almost right away. I couldn't be happier. I am running, swimming, hiking, zip lining, feeling great! No more headaches, no neck pain. Dr. Lebl is an angel to me. I would recommend him to anyone needing surgery. I truly feel wonderful thanks to Dr. Lebl.

After 11 years, 47 doctors, declared disabled I went to see Dr. Lebl. I had some of the most mysterious symptoms anyone had ever seen. One neurologist said it was in my head well most of it was in my neck. Every disc as one point was herniated, everything was collapsing. I could not sit for long, stand for long and pain was my middle name. Multiple medications, wrong diagnosis, chronic migraines, I could not drive anymore, I could not walk backwards, I would fall over in my yard. I was a prisoner in my own body.

I could not tell anyone being a public figure, my insurance would not even pay for pain treatments anymore in my neck. I sued them, Dr. Lebl did my surgery on the worst disc last year 2 days after Christmas when I woke up it was like something had turned off in my body. The tremors had almost ceased. I had my second surgery just 2 weeks ago with Dr. Lebl again...I am able to do more than ever. I will dance again. I lost my ability to sing after the cervical fusion but after one year and retraining my voice I can sing again. Praise God for HSS. I am planning to do my one woman show in the spring, it is going well. I have not been able to do it over any period of time due to my illnesses. Just to have some sense of consistency is something we really take for granted. It is not the big things that make life worth living. It is the small things we take for granted, just being able to drive is huge for me, it means independence, freedom, and a sense of self. I don't need to be who I was...I just need to be who I am now. If you have your health you have it all. Thank you HSS I am a fan!

My journey began with a severe car accident on March 12, 2013. I was involved in a rear impact car accident and suffered severe injuries. At the recommendation of a former student of mine I contacted Dr. Lebl. From the moment I met him and his staff at HSS I knew I had come to the right place. He explained what was wrong with my neck and back and asked what I wanted to do first my neck or my back. Being a teacher I didn't want to miss the start of the school year so I opted for my neck. From start to finish I was dealt with in a professional manner and my worries were at ease because of Dr. Lebl. I had a five level neck fusion and believe it or not was back at work 3 weeks later, Therapy went great and on my final check up we went for a back exam and Dr. Lebl informed me I had a fracture and we would need to repair the damaged areas as quickly as possible so my plans were made and in April 2015 my l-5 disc was replaced and I felt the positive results while still in the hospital. The recovery was a bit longer but I am back at school, loving my new chance at living pain free and enjoying teaching culinary arts and coaching basketball. I wouldn't be here with out Dr. Lebl, my former student and the rest of the staff at HSS. Thank you, thank you, thanks you!!!