A Bishop Hendricken High School graduate in Rhode Island, Gian played Division I Baseball at Boston College and professionally for a Major League Baseball farm team. He returned to Rhode Island, where he’s currently a hitting and catching instructor.

One day, he was lifting weights when he felt a disc slip in his back. The herniated disc sent a shooting pain down his leg into his foot.

Non-surgical treatments, including physical therapy, injections, and microneedling, worked briefly. However, it got to the point when severe pain made it difficult for him to complete everyday tasks like driving or brushing his teeth. That’s when he went to see Dr. John K. Czerwein, Jr., a spine surgeon with the University Orthopedics Center for Spine Health.

Together, they decided surgery was the best way to help Gian return to the active life he previously enjoyed.

Gian underwent same-day microdiscectomy at University Orthopedics East Bay Surgery Center in East Providence, Rhode Island. Just a few hours after surgery, he walked out of the surgery center pain-free. He said he was sore after the procedure, but his severe leg pain was gone.

Now, fully recovered, Gian is back to doing what he loves – teaching area youth the sport he’s passionate about.