Seeking referrals for NJ Urologist/Surgeon

Friend, welcome to the forum. Care to share details of your diagnosis?

I don’t have any recommendations, I had my surgery in Manhattan, where there are lots of top surgeons. But I’m sure you’ll get responses from those who know, so stick around and stay tuned.

I had my RALP performed at Morristown Medical Center but I cannot recommend my surgeon for a couple of reasons that I won’t get into here. And my homework at the time didn’t uncover any other surgeons in NJ that I would feel comfortable recommending. I strongly urge you to consider looking to NYC where there are plenty of excellent surgeons. Good luck to you!

I have an initial appointment with Dr. Stifelman next week, to perform my radical prostatectomy. I assume a surgery date will soon follow. Care to comment?

Michael D. Stifelman, M.D., is Chair of Urology and Director of Robotic Surgery, Hackensack University Medical Center, Professor and Founding Chair of Urology, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University.

An internationally-recognized pioneer and leader in robotic urologic oncology and upper tract urinary reconstructive surgery, Dr. Stifelman has performed more than 3,000 robotic procedures and has pioneered more than a dozen minimally invasive surgeries. He has performed more robotic partial nephrectomies and upper urinary tract reconstructions than any surgeon in the New York Metropolitan area. He is also one of the top 5 urologists in New Jersey for performing robotic prostate removal (prostatectomy).

As an innovator, Dr. Stifelman has played key roles in developing and directing a robotic simulation skills lab, as well as designing and launching near infrared fluorescence imaging for renal surgery, drop in technology to enhance surgeon autonomy, tissue grafting for ureteral reconstruction and the use of inter-operative 3D virtual imaging. His enthusiasm for innovative surgery and improved patient outcomes extends to education, training, and mentoring. Each year, he travels nationally and internationally to teach advanced robotic surgical techniques to improve outcomes for patients around the world. Dr. Stifelman has been an invited lecturer and guest surgeon in 18 countries across six continents. He also collaborates with physicians at other institutions to pursue research initiatives aimed at improving best practices in robotic-assisted surgery. His research which has led to numerous prestigious awards, focuses on developing and evaluating new technology and defining their exact roles in the operating room. He has published 198 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts, 20 invited reviews/book chapters and 38 surgical technique videos that have been distributed by the American Urologic Association, European Urology and World Congress of Endourology.

Dr. Stifelman joined HackensackUMC in 2016 from NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, NY, where he served in the following roles: professor of Urology, NYU School of Medicine; director of the Robotic Surgery Center, NYU Langone Medical Center; and chief of Urology Services, Tisch Hospital

Thank you for the urology doctor referral, NJFred. I already have a urologist located in Shrewsbury NJ; an adjacent town. I'm currently seeking a good surgeon.

Be sure Dr Stifelman will be the “lead” surgeon if you sign on with him. My understanding is that he often only assists or oversees the surgeries he’s attached to.

Hello Tudpock18, and thank you for your question. Yes, I've considered my treatment options and I have settled on surgery. And thank you for the suggestion of me treating your question as rhetorical. I know I haven't offered my diagnosis.

Your friend

I have a great urologist in northern NJ. He has been very supportive and takes the time to listen and explain. His name is Daniel Lowe MD and he works out of Hackensack University Medical Center. I highly recommend him. I had a RALP 8 years ago and have had nearly undetectable PSA since then.

I met with Dr. Stifelman to discuss surgery. He assured me that he would personally perform the entire single port radical prostatectomy procedure. He also indicated that he would remove the local lymph nodes, which would require a drain. I was also offered to join a blind clinical study where an umbilical chord product would be used to aid in nerve recovery.
Alternatively, he offered a focal ablation procedure, performed by a colleague, followed by Active Surveillance.

To be more specific, Mumbo, Dr. Stifelman suggested I speak with his colleague about focal ablation when we were discussing my options. Then, when I didn't express interest in other options, we explored surgery at depth. After consideration of my data, and a nomogram or two, he decided the local lymph nodes would be removed and examined during the surgery, and others may need to be removed based on pathology.

I've read Dr Stifelman's notes. The Briganti nomogram result was 2.3%. This prompted the decision to remove local lymph nodes.

Any comments on the removal of local lymph nodes based on 2.3%?