Giancarlo Barolat-Romana, MD

Whitney Little

Sep 15th, 2021

I am preparing to have surgery with Dr. B in the next few weeks. Every single neurosurgeon I met who is local to me (I live on the East coast) would not do my surgery (too dangerous, risky) BUT recommended Dr. B with flying colors. I have been in a situation that has left me feeling hopeless and not looking forward to living the rest of my life in such awful chronic pain at age 36. Dr. B gave me my hope back, which I think is the greatest gift one can give another. He is personable, kind, humble, empathetic- and brilliant. He truly cares about me and my life, and has made a remarkable effort to get to know me as his new patient. I am confident that Dr. B will be able to relieve my pain. Other neurosurgeons call him the "grandfather" of neurostimulator surgery! What an achievement! It brings me great peace to know, and feel, that there is an end in sight to the misery I've been dealing with for the past 18 months.... 2 weeks after having my 7th major spinal fusion for scoliosis/DDD, I fell down 3 flights of stairs. I sustained a spinal cord injury, broke my spine in 3 places, and had extensive reconstructive surgery. I'm so blessed to be able to walk, but I am still cursed with relentless nerve pain in my legs. I have impressive confidence in Dr. B and his team. Nancy has been a joy and his office runs smoothly and timely. I'm grateful. Even more good news will follow after surgery, I'm sure. Thank you, Dr. B and Nancy!

Cynthia Newcomb

Sep 15th, 2021

Basically Dr Barolat saved my mother's life with a delicate and new back operation and then saved my husband's life with a brain operation. Love him! Everything a surgeon should be with a pinch of humor to keep spirits high.

K Waggener

Sep 15th, 2021

I’m posting two reviews in one. The first is a review of Dr. Barolat (“Dr. B”) and his staff, while the second is my viewpoint on the negative review posted about same.
Review #1:
I’ve had CRPS in my right hand and wrist for 22+ years and have been seeing Dr. B. off and on for the last ~ 15 years. My original SNS that was placed by a local physician never replicated what I experienced during the trial. About 6 years later, my wife read a story in The Denver Post about a surgeon who corrects improperly placed stim. procedures about once a week. I made an appt. to see Dr. B., where he and his PA sat down and actually talked to me. Really. Genuinely. Sincerely. He talked with myself and my wife to fully understand MY situation and what MY experiences, thoughts, hopes, and expectations were - BEFORE telling me how he could fix it!!
Luckily, he implanted a PNS and it worked FAR better than even the previous SNS trial! After several years of significant pain control, the rechargeable battery died (As they inevitably do) and a couple leads had to be replaced. Dr. B. replaced them with the same unit (If it’s not broken, why change it?). However, massive scar tissue prohibited an effective level of stimulation to the nerves. I then turned to getting nerve blocks, then monthly Ketamine injections.
I decided to revisit Dr. B. recently to see what advancements have been made. Very fortunately, he had recently found a way to stimulate the radial and ulnar nerves at the forearm to get stimulation down in the hand. This was an optimal option for me, since I had so much scar tissue in my hand and wrist. He and his staff worked very diligently to appeal the initial denial by the insurance company. I’m in the 1 week “Trial” period now, and couldn’t be more pleased and confidently optimistic regarding how well the new procedure (And tech.) are going to increase my quality of life!
Dr. B. has always gone out of his way to make me very comfortable and educated about any options that may be available, what he’s thinking of doing, why he’s deciding to do it, and what to realistically expect from each. He takes time to listen and even gives consideration and credibility to my own ideas. I’ve never felt rushed or like I was wasting his time. His fantastic bedside manner is unlike any other I’ve experienced - And I have a VERY extensive history of experiences!!!
Review #2:
Ok... I was reviewing some reviews (After all, that’s what one is supposed to do with them - at least to my understanding), and came across a negative review from a screen name of “It’s a trap thing” (Hereafter referred to as IATT).
Really? They’re using this name for a single negative review? It’s not like they used it to maintain credibility. For example, If they had a number of other reviews - Both positive and negative - and repeatedly used the same screen name to establish the illusion of being fair. In the end, their name essentially equates to saying “You’re being tricked” for a single negative (And rather vague) review. I feel this alone negates any credibility whatsoever.
Regardless... It appears as though they went to Dr. B. seeking only a change in programming and were offended when they didn’t get the answer they were expecting. It would actually be negligent for Dr. B. to do anything without a FULL history and his own evaluation of the patient. They then went on to say they HAD to drive 1200 miles because Dr. B. didn’t want to see them. Why? There aren’t other doctors other than Dr. B. located closer than their Kansas doctor??
If you haven’t guessed by now, my opinion of Dr. B. and his ENTIRE staff is about as different as it can be. I don’t typically take the time to post reviews (Yes, I’m one of “Them”), but I felt I had to explain my viewpoint to hopefully undo any negative effect from “IATT”’s review. I’m not fearful at all about the negative impact on Dr. B.. I’m much more so concerned about any cause it would potentially give someone thinking of seeking his care to prevent doing so.
Thank you very much for your time and understanding.

Kristy Helm

Sep 15th, 2021

Dr. Barolat is an amazing surgeon and an amazing person. He stuck with me for three years fighting with insurance to get an implant covered to fix a mistake made by another doctor. He has an amazing bedside manor and I would never go to anyone else.

ItsA TrapThing

Sep 15th, 2021

My family moved to the Denver area from Kansas so my wife could obtain her Masters Degree. She had a Implant placed by another doctor in 2011. Dr Barolat is the person who created that implant but due to some inability to handle seeing other patients has forced my family to lose work and spend money that is not needed to travel over 1200 miles round trip, multiple times, to have issues with her implant addressed.
Office Staff, and the Office Manager, Nancy, were rude, could not communicate, and purely lacked any sympathy for the patient. This also leaks into dealings with the Insurance, Manufacture of the Implant's Rep, and State Operated Programs involved with her case. All of this became an issue after the current issues were tagged as Emergency, and communication between both doctors had occurred and it was said she was needed to be seen ASAP, and Denver was the best location for all party's.