Yes, Dr. Patel does a huge number of robotic prostatectomies--like 800 per year. So, he has to know what he is doing. In my opinion, the huge volume does not allow time for him to personally get into many details with patients. And, his surgeries most likely, usually, do just the basics as compared with the extra work done by Dr. Ash Tewari.
Dr. Patel is cordial and confident. His staff of office personnel do a fine job, including nurses who remove catheter. After my robotic surgery, I attended a workshop put on by Florida Hospital, where Dr. Patel practices. One of Dr. Patel's other robotic patients who attended was a surgeon. I know of a gastroenterologist MD who also had his robotic with Dr. Patel. This doc is Ira Shafran from Winter Park, FL. Both of these docs had good experiences with Dr. Patel. Dr. Patel has with him a Dr. Palmer, who is in charge of the Latin American branch of the business. There is also a Dr. Geoff Coughlin, I believe a urologist, who is kind of in training with Dr. Patel. Dr. Coughlin may currently be the attending physician at Florida Hospital for Dr. Patel, if he is still working with Dr. Patel. Dr. Coughlin is a young fellow from Australia, who may or may not return there.
The Florida Hospital is a newer facility. They have four sets of DaVinci robotic equipment. The equipment is kept busy. Many of the nurses at the hospital are originally from outside the U. S. The vast majority of the nurses are helpful, sincere, and do very good work. Somewhere around, there is a PR patient advocate. If you need help and are not getting it at the hospital, phone Operator and ask for a patient advocate. Chances are you won't get "the" patient advocate, but you will most likely get swift attention from an experienced person at the hospital. My catheter plugged up and the duty nurse could either not understand that or not communicate that to attending physician Dr. Coughlin. The nurse, Olga, wanted to administer Detrol and do a bladder scan, which I refused. Afte 15-30 minutes this was resolved. Dr. Coughlin phoned me and I explained the situation and he quickly ordered the correct procedure (irrigation or purging of the catheter). That resolved the problem. A supervisor also showed up as a result of my phone call to the Operator asking for a patient advocatge. The best nurse encountered there is a Gemini, from the Phillipines. She is excellent in every way. My surgery was on a Friday. Avoid a Friday if you can because medical personnel are reduced for the weekend. I stayed in the hospital 2 nights (about 48 hours) and was up walking (slowly) the first evening.
My catheter was in place for four days. Was removed after the cistogram showed the bladder/urethra connection had healed okay.
Dr. Patel's office sends mixed information on Kegel exercises. His brochure prescribes a smaller amount, while Dr. Palmer and others in the office prescribe a huge number of exercises per day. Regaining continence is a major hurdle for most patients, according to patients at the seminar.
For ED, Dr. Patel may prescribe Cialis. He did for me, but gave no instructions on using this drug. The drug is very, very expensive. If you have the Cialis prescription filled, you may want to start on with only one-half the quantity until you see if it will help you or if you have any unwanted side effects.
Florida Hospital at Celebration is relatively new and is a Seventh Day Adventist facility. It is a good place. There are lots of places to stay near the hospital. Almost across the road is a Ramada Inn (formerly something else) that may have reduced rates. Our room had a special rate of about $40 per night, but the rate was doubled the day we left. There is another big-time name hotel right across the lawn from the Ramada. Lots of places to eat around the motel/hotels. And, there are the hotels named in Dr. Patel's brochure.
Unfortuantely, you and I have no way of determining the success of Dr. Patel's handiwork, except in our individual outcomes. I am still working at and hoping for urinary continence. My surgery was six weeks ago today.
Feel free to contact me at: [email protected].
You have my best wishes for a good experience and a successul outcome.
Ted the Lumberjack