Picking the Right Surgeon - a Strong Recommendation

See my stats below. I got six different opinions from 4 different major med centers across the US on what method of treatment I should use. All but one recommended surgery, followed by radiation. The two local urologists told me all of the left nerve bundle, and possibly the right also, should be removed. One at a nationally prominent med center was emphatic that all nerves be removed; both sides. I did my research and was convinced Dr. Randy Fagin from Austin was the right one for me, in spite of concerns voiced by some that his notariety would result in "assembly line" care. The day after emailing his office I got a call from his office and had a tentative appointment. The next day Dr. Fagin called me and I finalized the decision. See results of nerve sparing and continence below. Not only was the surgery very successful, but the level of care and service was better than anything my local doctors have ever provided me. When I was in pain from bladder spasms a week after surgery and back in my home town, I called his office when I couldn't reach my local doctor. Dr Fagin called me back within an hour and called my pharmacy with a prescription. The next day he called me to check on me, and told me it was his night off that day but to tell the doctor taking his calls to put me through to him anyway. As a doctor's kid, I know how sacred their time off is, and this is simply unheard of. I cannot recommend this man enough!

Nice story.

Personal recommendation of a surgeon from a previous patient is something that definitely increases the comfort level of a PCa patients choice in selecting his surgeon. It is a shame there isn't a better way for prospective patients to get more info from previous patients.

Dan

goodlife,

thats one advantage to my open surgery, i know for a fact, that my surgeon was the one that had his hands on my insides. he had an assistant from his practice with him, but told me that was only because of a surgical requirement by the hospital I went to.

david

David,

I had a ureteroscopy a few weeks ago where they run a scope all the way into your kidneys. I insisted on a spinal block, so I was awake the entire time.

My URO never touched the instruments. His resident did the entire procedure, under his guidance. I'm starting to think that once the lights go out, we really have no idea what goes on.

I'm sure your surgeon did as he said, and my surgeon told me he did it as well, however, I found it curious that my roommate in the hospital had his surgery scheduled at the same time, with the same doctor. I think the assistants get it all set up, and the big guy jumps on the controls for the snip snip, and then the assistants clean up.

Anyway, I'm not complaining, just don't want someone to think that because the doctor has good stats, and happy patients, that their procedure will be a slam dunk. Too many variables.

Julios,
Dr. Fagin did my surgery as well. The one night stay and care at the hospital was first class. My recovery was quick with minimal pain. Dr. Fagin gave me his cell phone number and email in case I wanted to contact him. I have sent him emails in the past and he replied within hours. I highly recommend him.

You can tell your surgeon that you wish him to do the entire procedure and, I believe, they are required then to do so.  You don't want to sound like a b_tt, of course.

Mac's robotic surgeon (after visiting 3 medical centers - UCS, UCLA and City of Hope in southern california) was Tim Wilson at Hope.   Mark Litwin (UCLA) would have been our choice had we gone open. 

The surgery was a huge success - tomorrow we get our first post-surgery PSA.  (and, of course, we're still nervous despite his excellent recovery in all areas.)

Paella

I just want to follow-up on one person's response. He pointed out that some big-name surgeons actually let their assistants do some or all of the surgery. When selecting a surgeon, I recommend you ask him if he will be doing it himself, then ask him if you will be able to get an "Opertive Report" after the surgery. In that report they have to say who did the surgery, and who assisted. I can imagine surgeons who are also professors at university hospitals might tend to let someone else do it more often.

BTW, I got such a report from Dr. Fagin, and he performed the surgery himself according to the report. He had an assistant who did things like attaching clips during the surgery.

Julios,

I was readin g the surgery report that I got a copy of. The doctor told me that he was able to save both nerves. The surgery report said one was cut.

When I asked him about it, he said, well, I did spare both nerves. My resident wrote the report and must have mistaken what I said.

I still don't know what to believe, but whoever did mine, did a masterful jib in my opinion.

I had the same experience a goodlife. I was told that both nerves were spared, but when reading the surgery notes I found that one wasntken out. I don't know f the report was wrong or not. I never had a problem with ED and didn't bother to bring it up. I had my surgery at a regional hospital, however, my surgeon was well regarded and very experienced in DiVinci.