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George59
New User
Joined: 27 May 2008
Posts: 8
Location: NY
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 Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject: Robotic Surgeons |
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I was diagnosed about 3 months ago. Age 59, good health, PSA 1.1, palpable nodule, Gleason 3+3, ver small, both lobes <5%. Anyhow, I am coming to grips that it will probably be surgery. The local doc at the Univ. of Rochester has a daVinci robot with 200+ surgeries but if some one is going to cut that close to areas that keep me dry and up I want the best. I have a consult with Dr. Ash Tewari in NYC. It's a little closer than Dr. Menon in Detroit (who trained Tewari).
Any thoughts on these surgeons or advice on others?
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George |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 4214
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject: Re: Robotic Surgeons |
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George, I am very sorry about your Prostate Cancer. Your prognosis is very good. Your PSA and Gleason are relatively low so your cancer has a high probability on being localized to the Prostate. From what I have heard, your best option is to get the daVinci robotic surgery. Do you know is they will be able to save the nerves?
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
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johnw100
Senior User
Joined: 15 Apr 2006
Posts: 144
Location: australia
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: Robotic Surgeons |
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George,
Dr Tewari is considered to be one of the best Robotic surgeons.
Also in the same category is Prof Vip Patel who has established his state of the art Robotic centre in Florida and mentors surgeons around the world on his nerve sparing technique.
No doubt there are a number of other surgeons who are also expert in Robotic surgery and worthy of consideration.
As you suggested I'd also prefer one of the top surgeons available, and also one who is expert in open surgery. Although unusual, it can sometimes be necessary to revert to the open method. |
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sunshine25
New User
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 3
Location: Orlando, FL
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: Robotic Surgeons |
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I am new to this board and have found it very informative. I truly wish I had found this board 3 months ago it would have helped us so much with the PC nightmare we have been through. My husband was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer 3 months ago and had robotic surgery this past thursday (5-29-08) and it went well (biopsy results are tomorrow). His surgeon was Vipul Patel at Celebration Health in Orlando, Fl and my husband and I highly recommend him and his team. I never knew what a prostate was up until 10 years ago when my husband told me his Dad died of Prostate Cancer 16 years prior....in 3 short months I have gained much knowledge! I believe everything happens for a reason and hopefully we can help other people who have to deal with the dreaded PC.
Thank you for this board!!!
Linda (AKA my husband Dave's Team Captain) |
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George59
New User
Joined: 27 May 2008
Posts: 8
Location: NY
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Robotic Surgeons |
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Thank all of you for your replies.I have read of Dr. Patel and if I was near Florida I would visit him. My consult with Dr. Tewari went very well and I am scheduling surgery in July. He does up to 3 surgeries a day, 4 days a week and has pioneered some reconstructive elements to help return continence earlier and with higher probability. He has published this so I am sure others are including these techniques.
I'll let you know how it goes.
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George |
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chas036
Regular
Joined: 27 Oct 2007
Posts: 37
Location: Binghamton, NY
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| Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:07 am Post subject: Re: Robotic Surgeons |
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I am 57 and I had my surgery 9/25/2007 in Rochester NY at Strong Memorial with Dr Jean Joseph who at that time had 800 surgeries under his belt. So by now i suspect that he has well over 1000 or more because he does on average 4-7 surgeries a week.. If you are not seeing this doc, I suggest you make an appointment and talk with him.
I had the same biopsy results as you, Gleason 6, <5% cancer.
Personality wise, Dr. Joseph is a little hard to make out sometimes because he seems to joke around a lot and not take things seriously, but skill wise, he is one of the best on the east coast, and I am living proof. He was one of the first in the USA to do these surgeries and also teaches many surgeons.
I have had no problems what so ever since my surgery. I have had absolutely no ED problems, nothing. I was getting hard and usable erections within 3 weeks after my catheter was removed, which tells me he cut out the prostate perfectly without any nerve damage.
With respect to incontinence, I was using 5-7 pads a day for the first three months, but then, like over night, I went to 2-3 pads, and then within another few weeks I was down to using only one pad a day, or basically dry. You know what, I never did a kegel exercise. So that tells me, he attached the uretha to the bladder perfectly. Today I am just about completely dry except for a few stress leaks if I lift or move the wrong way.
I was considering Dr. Ash Tewari but after doing a lot of research, I decided that once a docter gets above 500 surgeries, they have seen all there is to see, so the skill difference between 500 and 2000 is not all that much.
Cost wise, my total surgery plus fees was only $21,000 where as if I went to NYC, it would have been $50,000 plus. For me cost was a factor because my insurance only paid 80%.
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Biospy 4/2007 - 2/12 <%5 Cancer Gleason 6
RP 9/25/2007 Uni Rochester, NY
Gleason 6, Negative Margins |
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sunshine25
New User
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 3
Location: Orlando, FL
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| Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:26 pm Post subject: Re: Robotic Surgeons |
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The biopsy results are in and my husband Dave's cancer was organ confined! He's cancer-free  The catheter was removed! He had his first BM! We are thrilled! He has a follow-up visit with Dr. Vip Patel in 6 weeks for his first post-op PSA. Since his Gleason Score was 4+3=7 he will need a PSA test performed every 3 months for the next year. This PC journey has been exhausting emotionally, physically and mentally....having the support of family and friends made the journey a little easier to cope with. No one should take this trip alone...this board is wonderful!
Wishing you good health!
Linda |
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George59
New User
Joined: 27 May 2008
Posts: 8
Location: NY
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:44 am Post subject: Re: Robotic Surgeons |
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Thank you all for your advice. Chas, i will look into Dr. joseph, I have heard of him and I think he has done a live video surgery. My insurance should cover either location equally which includes agreed fees etc. and a total out of pocket cap. we like to think we we go where ever we can but costs are important. If I had to have my surgery at U of Rochester I think I would be happy. However, if I can do a little better for the cost of a few hotel nights I will do so.
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George |
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