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Robotic in Phila area.

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Posted 11/19/2007 4:18 AM (GMT 0)

Hello,

I'm been diagnosed with PC and have chosen robotic surgery as my treatment. I have done plenty of research and out of the many surgeons in the Philly area, I am considering Dr Lallas (from Jeff) and Dr Lee (from Penn). I have already had a consultation with Dr Lallas. I found him to be professional and personable. Having done over 400 robotics, he is definitely qualified. I have a consulation scheduled in Dec., but I'm wondering if there really is much different between the two surgeons. If I was pleased with Dr Lallas, am I really buying anything by waiting to talk to Dr Lee?

Would really appreciate any feedback on either surgeon.

Thanks.

Posted 11/19/2007 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
    Hi ~ Phillysub & Loved Ones…   W elcome     to…    ~ HealingWell ~   and   A    “ Special ”    Warm Welcome   to   You !   Knowledge gives us POWER….   POWER takes away the fear.   ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~     Click   on   link   below for important information that will help you ~ help us!!   Welcome New Members ~ to HealingWell     The information (link) listed above is to help you get started on your journey.       It is a journey best traveled with friends.            Welcome ~ New Friend from all the members here... on HealingWell.com   v       IdahoSurvivor ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1160/1313099593_9f819e3ff8.jpg   v       bluebird ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/mamabluebirdWelcome.jpg
Posted 11/19/2007 9:06 PM (GMT 0)

pHILLY SUB,

On 11/07/06 I had robotic surgery at Penn Presbyterian Hospital in Phila. Dr David Lee did the surgery. I was his 848th. I know two others from my area that had Dr Lee as surgeon.

I cannot say enough about Dr. Lee, he is very personable, and all of his staff say the best about him. What I found is that you cannot be guaranteed of the outcome. I have been fortunate, incontinence for about two months, one pad a day, then occasionally leakage if I drink wine, etc. now after one year very seldom. Erectile function works with Viagra, and coming back naturally.

However, one of the other guys still has a lot of trouble in both areas. The other, a doctor, is about similar to me. We are all between 52 and 60. I am age 60.  In summay, I would say you would not be wrong choosing Dr Lee.

I am very open to questions.

Lanco   

Posted 11/20/2007 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
Lanco,

Thanks for your reply.

I'm curious.....prior to selecting Dr Lee, did you consider any other surgeons? If so, who did you consider.

Thanks,
Phillysub.
Posted 11/20/2007 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Phillysub,
I did consider John Hopkins in Baltimore. In my area the robotic surgeon had done less than 100. Phila is a train ride away. I went there on Tues morning, operation on Tues afternoon, and walked out of the hospital on Wed at noon, came back home by train. Cathiter in for 6 days, and back to work in 8 days.

I also looked at open surgery with the best surgeon in my area, but after a lot of research, decided robotic was the way to go. I have talked to over 20 guys to get their experience pre and post. Short term recovery by robotic is much faster, but long term seems to be the same either method. Everyone has a different experience in the long run. It seems that guys in good shape before do much better.

It does take patience. After one year, I am still improving.
I hope this helps.
Lanco
Posted 11/21/2007 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Philly Sub        I had my surgery with Doctor Lee on Oct 22d. All went well. I am 1 month out since surgery. No incontinence from Day 1 - still hard to believe ! He spared most of my nerves. ED coming along - have soft erections and am confident will be OK down the road. Doctor Lee is terrific - I highly recommend him. Although I also live in the Philly area, I met with Doctor Tewari in New York, Doctor Patel at Ohio State, Trebulsi from Jefferson and Jarow at Johns Hopkins. If I did not use Lee - I would have traveled to New York to have Tewari do surgery. All things considered equal, since Lee was in Philly and 20 minutes from my house - I chose Lee. He has over 1000 surgeries under his belt and is very personable. With his experience, there was no need to travel out of the area. I chose him over Doctor at Jeff because Lee is most experienced in Philly area from my research and as good as those out of state. I spoke to former patients of all of the doctors, except Jarow. Having said all of this, you have to be comfortable with your surgeon - but number one in my criteria was having a doctor with a lot of experience doing the Robotic procedure. Lee met that criteria and is very likeable. Fortunately, Tewari, Patel and Lee were able to do procedure within my time table. I was concerned that Lee would not be able to operate on me until January 2008. After discussions with his surgery coordinator -Cathy -she was able to get me scheduled in Oct. If you are able to wait - you should meet with Lee. He has two office locations - Philly and Radnor. I was able to meet him earlier by seeing him in Radnor.    I had all of the same questions as you -  I truly understand what you are going through. If you want to talk to me - let me know how I can contact you. *click on links below CPB Gleason 6 (3+3) - PSA-2.7 - T2a - Age 66 Diagnosed July 23, 2007 Da Vinci surgery scheduled - Oct 22, 2007        *   bluebird ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum     **** E-Mail Addresses for Members Only (Masking for Security)   Communicating with members via.... HW web-based e-mail ** Post Edited By Moderator (bluebird) : 11/21/2007 5:12:16 PM (GMT-7)
Posted 11/21/2007 7:12 AM (GMT 0)

CPB,

I'm glad to hear that all went well with Dr. Lee. I have an appt with him in 2 weeks, so we'll see how it goes. My one fear is that I am impressed with him, but can't get surgery scheduled until later than desired. I could get the surgery scheduled with Dr. Lallas (Jefferson) by end of January. So we'll see what happens. I really just want to get this darn prostate OUT!!!  Getting impatient thinking about when I can get this "show on the road". Hopefully all goes well with Dr. Lee.

Ken

Posted 11/21/2007 11:55 AM (GMT 0)

Philly Sub

Ken

  I had the same concern that I could not get a surgery date with Doctor Lee that was soon enough for me. As I previously stated, Doctor Lee told me to work with his surgery coordinator - Cathy whixh I did. She was able to schedule me for surgery on a date that was satisfactory to me. There are always cancellations and openings - I am sure you can get a satisfactory date. With all of the doctors I met, they were able to work with me on surgery date. By the way, as Doctor Lee advised, Cathy likes chocolates !!  FYI - my surgery was approx. 3 months after my diagnosis. Good luck.

CPB

Posted 11/21/2007 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
nono  PhillySub

Dr. Lee is one of the best in the country.  I had an appointment scheduled with him, but he was booked up for months and I had a pretty aggressive cancer, and wanted to get it out ASAP! My surgeon, Dr. Burnstein at Bryn Mawr spoke very highly of Dr. Lee, but he still feels the RP procedure is more through.  I had VERY LITTLE pain, discomfort after the surgery, and 5 months later could not be better.

It would help to know your numbers (PSA, Gleeson).

Wishing you all the best going forward!!! yeah

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