Palm Beach Neurosurgery

Dr. Cantando took great care of my father. He has one of the best bed side manners we’ve ever experienced. He was thoughtful, caring, and thorough in preparing us for my 80 year old father’s spinal surgery. It all needed to happen so fast because my dad lost complete mobility in such a short timeframe, and we couldn’t have asked for a better surgeon in his expertise and care all around. Highly recommend him.

came to Florida one year ago. I had to be carried onto the plane and off the plane on a Wednesday evening. My back was in terrible shape. The next day I had an appointment I was immediately sent to JFK for a MRI. I was admitted immediately after the MRI on a Friday I was operated on Sunday. I had a cyst on my spinal cord that caused paralysis in my right leg and foot, and had to have L 3,4,5 fused together. Last week just one year and five days from the operation I met with Dr. Cantando and was given a clean bill of health. I was golfing seven months after the operation and I’m playing softball again! If not for Dr. Cantando I would not be able to do these things. He’s a great doctor and a great guy too!

My daughter was having herniated disc pain for over 2 months. After dealing with it through pain management care it was evident she required surgery to relief the pressure. Through online research we found Dr. Cantando and scheduled a consult with the office staff which we found was on top of their game. But before the consult took place my daughter back got worse so into the ER we went. Dr. Cantando happened to be the surgeon on call; he informed himself of my daughters status through the pain management Dr, who coincidentally referred patients to his office as well. Dr. Cantando was soon after in touch with my daughter at the hospital, and successfully performed her surgery 2days later of her being admitted. She is now recuperating and in comparison to the herniated disc pain now feels sooooo much better after her surgery.
So if you are considering this practice, we totally recommend it. Dr. Cantando is professional, well informed, exceptional bedside manner, caring and an excellent neurosurgeon.

I hope this review helps others, its info I wish I had when making my decision to get surgery to fix a herniated disk causing sciatic pains.
Background: I Had a herniated L5 disk, bulging L4, and it was pushing on my S1 nerve causing severe sciatica pains. I couldn't sit comfortably for more than few minutes, I couldnt even make the drive to work without having to pull over to stretch. I did not, however, suffer from much if any back pain which was strange. I am 31 years old 6' 2 200lbs, I workout, and play hockey but I had to give these up with the pain shooting down my leg - unbearable. I don't know what caused my herniated disc (I believe it was a lingering issue from a hockey injury almost a decade ago).
Dr. Cantando performed a microdiscectomy to remove the part of the disc pressing on my S1 nerve. Prior to the surgery I tried yoga, PT, and a chiropractor with no relief. I did get some relief from certain stretches and I also liked my inversion table, but nothing that would really "solve" the pain, only temporary relief.
I will say the recovery is not the easiest, I recommend a few shorter walks daily (1/4 mile working up to 1/2 mile-1 mile walks) post recovery and progress from there every day. Then work with your PT to strengthen and stretch the muscles around it. I actually had a lot of hip pain during recovery mostly from poor posture and weakened muscles but was able to work with my PT to overcome this.
I also want to mention that the sciatic pain seemed to disappear 1-3 days after surgery , possibly due to the meds, but returned and was almost worse for 2-3 weeks for me. Simple tasks like getting out of bed was tough with such a sore back from the surgery. But then I started to see a lot of progress about a month out.
It's been about 9 months since my surgery and I have no regrets - I've been back in the gym about 2 months out from surgery and back to hockey after 4 months. I focus a lot on core strength and functional fitness (farmer carries, lighter resistance training, and planks).
From what I have read, and from my own experience, surgeries like these (microdiscectomy) are often successful in solving nerve pain, but may not alleviate back pain issues - so if you're trying to solve back pain issues you may want to do more research. You also have to be willing and able to put in the work to make a full recovery- I would be hesistant to go through this surgery/recovery if I was an elderly person.

DR.Brett Schlifka,hands down was amazing.I’m a female body builder,and just about one month post surgery,I had severe nerve damage due to a non-related gym injury as time kept going by the nerve pain got so bad I could barley walk ,and then I stared to loose feeling in my foot it just went numb ,I waited too long to have surgery because I was absolutely petrified ,and was in show prep to hopefully earn my pro card.However I just could not bare standing or posing ,could not even do my own grocery shopping ,I lost my quality of life After my first meeting with him ,after meeting a ton of other surgeons ,I felt he understood my love and passion for what I do,his recommendation to fix my back was to have
anterior lumbar interbody fusion with posterior percutaneous screws ,he also did a curved cage so I can have more flexibility
Surgery was an absolute success!
My scar on my lower adominal is so thin and tiny!
Him and his entire surgery team were amazing!
Kayla his nurse practitioner
Is absolutely just truly sincere and passionate about her work ,and she is the reason my scar is so Nicely stitched up !
Love her !
Think about one thing if you meet a surgeon and he’s available within days or next week ,is he really any good?
I waited almost 2 months for my surgery date because Dr.SHlifka only works with one other general surgeon and he’s also the best !
I’m so happy I waited !
Yes it’s a busy office
Yes you will have to wait for a surgery date ,it was the best wait of my life!
Thank you Dr.Shlifka and staff !

My Doctor is Dr Y. Herschman I met in November 2020 him at Palms West Hospital where I had my first encounter with him. His bedside manner was 1000% respectful. He carefully explained my situation with my herniated disk being compressed on my nerves which was causing me all this pain and told what needed to done. With the amount of pain and partially paralyzed, on my left side I couldn’t move my leg and I also experienced bowel and bladder inconsistencies. Dr Herschman did my S1 laminectomy after six weeks I was back at work. And here in February 2022 I was back in the ER again for the same reasons but at my L5 with a
Bulging herniated disc I was told they was going to reach out to their Nuro surgeon now I’m scared because I don’t want nobody other then Dr. Herschman to do this job because he was who I was use to the next morning I was greeted with a tap on my shoulder and it was him i was so happy to see his face. I explained my problem and he looked me in the eyes and said Ms. Gilbert I’m going to take care of you that he did. I recovered I went back work in four months. Now here September 2022 7 months to the day of my last surgery this time it was at my L.5 and L4 level I had another large protruding, bulging herniated disc which shut down my left side completely this time I was expecting him he came in my room and told me he was doing a fusion I cried because I didn’t really want anything foreign objects in my body but it was the only way to help alleviate the pain. I’m still recovering now as i type this. Dr Herschman and is staff is the best. I definitely trust him with my life x3. Dr Y Herschman you’re the best in my eyes.

I met Dr. Cantando back in 2008 when he was still working for Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. I was born with a nasal encephalocele and he was my neurosurgeon along with his colleague Dr. Brett Schilffka and plastic surgeon Dr. Collini. They did my surgery on that one September day and it changed my life. I don’t think I was able to thank him for what he has done. Or if I did, I don’t think it was enough. Forever grateful to him and Dr. Schliffka for the new life they’ve given me. It’s been 14 years and hopefully one day I’ll be able to meet them just to say hi and to let them see the fruits of their goodness and talent. If their office reads this, please tell them I said hi! -Lily ❤

Doctor Brett Schlifka is the man! I needed a back surgery and was very scared due to my young age and all the possible complications. I put off my surgery for months- even to the point I was bed ridden. I met with several surgeons and picked Doctor Schlifka. His bed side manner is above and beyond amazing. He answered all of my questions and was honest about possible complications. He was concerned about infection but I didn't get one. If I ever needed surgery again (please no) I would only trust this man to cut me. His office kind of sucks with taking calls and calling back and it's a headache to deal with but HE is worth it. I can walk again, run, jump, etc. He gave me my quality of life back.

My mom had surgery by Dr. Cantando. Hemilaminectomy with microdisectomy. She suffered from severe sciatica pain, became walker dependent with shower chair and wheelchair use. As a Nurse myself, I felt hopeless seeing how this condition took over my mom’s life. But after much debate we decided it was time for surgery. Dr. Cantando explained everything and his team were on point with her care and communicated well. My mom now walks without a walker! Post op 1 month! No more sciatica pain! Thank you Dr. Cantando, his PA, the office team! We are forever grateful :)

Dr. Dutcher and his team were amazing!!
They worked with the VA for me to make sure i was covered and walked me through the steps, the do have an automated call service that reminds you of appointments coming up, but you are a patient and have to release your own medical records as well as staying on top of your appointments as well. As many of the reviews i have ready, stating they didn't do this or that, when it's your responsibility to maintain and bring in your records, xrays,..etc. I guess being in the army had me prepared to already to do it on my own, they help lead me in the right direction and always answered my questions in a timely manner and help out where needed as well. The staff is amazing and very courteous as well. Don't take your frustration out on people that are trying to help, most of the time it's something you should be doing anyway to help them help you!! I had a cervical disc replaced and i was back to work in 6 weeks thanks to them!!

I will always recommend Dr. Dutcher and his staff!!!!

Dr. Cantando really helped put my wife and I at ease. He helped smooth out the entire journey leading up to surgery. The process was daunting, yet Dr. Cantando's experience, professionalism, friendly and calm disposition really assisted us through the process. We would definitely recommend him and his team (ENT Surgeon Dr. Archilla) to anyone requiring neurosurgery. The only suggestion I have is for the practice and not Dr. Cantando- that is to have a slightly better communication medium/portal between staff and patients. The office assistants can be sometimes difficult to reach due to personnel moving daily between the satellite offices.

Met Dr Cantando today thru the veterans choice program. He is a listening doctor who is very professional. His PA and staff were great and attentive.
Highly recommend this surgical group.

Dr. Cantando is Very informative, great bedside manner, answered all questions in detail. And great surgeon. I highly recommend him.

I love the care I receive plus the staff is awesome and friendly.

Awesome, wondeful what more can I say

Great surgeons and staff!

My husband's brian Davies had his back operated on by dr cantando in wilkes-barre , Pennsylvania. Brian had fabulous and professional surgery by dr cantando. We alll moved to Florida now, brian snd Michele Davies snd dr contando.

Dr. Contando made me feel like I was wasting his time coming to see him. Meanwhile I'm still in pain wandering what to do nexn. He didn't see a reason why I'm in so much pain nor did he try to figure it out. I was very disappointed with my visit .

Worst office reception staff for a doctor's office. Dr.Schlifka is amazing but the office staff is a nightmare. They are rude, and will not call back no matter how many messages you leave.
I saw the Doctor twice. Once on July 23rd 2021 and then on Nov 10th 2021. I was informed before I saw him that they don't take my insurance . So I changed my health insurance to the provider they wanted. Now, yesterday I received a bill from them for $1,636 for two office visits. $843 per visit.
When I called the office today. They would not give me any explanation.