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The best of the best DaCinci Doctors?

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Prostate Cancer
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JWH
New Member
Joined : Jan 2007
Posts : 14
Posted 1/21/2007 12:30 PM (GMT -8)

yeah  Thank's Everyone for the Input

We are encouraged by your positive outcome with da Vinci. We are leaning toward surgery, now, after another week of research. The challenge we face is finding the best most talented, most experienced practitioner. As Dr. Scardino says, "The success of all prostate-cancer therapies hinges on the expertise of the person delivering them and the quality of the technology and facilities available to that expert." We can go anywhere within the United States. We really don't want to go outside the US. In your research, who is the best da Vinci doctor available? tongue Has anyone heard about Mani Menon at Henry Ford Hospital?

I would greatly appreciate anyone’s advice on there experiences and or knowledge on the subject of da Vinci.

JWH Age 49, T1c, PSA 7.4, Gleason 3+3-6, 2 positive cores (2 mm and 8 mm) 2 % Left - 19 % right. Bone scan and cat scan negative.

yeah  

Post Edited (JWH) : 1/21/2007 1:40:59 PM (GMT-7)

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Bent1
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2007
Posts : 26
Posted 1/21/2007 12:51 PM (GMT -8)

JWH,

I don't know specifically about the dotcor you mentioned, but I do know that Henry Ford has a very excellent reputation in this field of surgery.

I had my DiVinci done at Beaumont Hospital by Dr. Sugandh Shetty in 9/06.  I am very pleased with the outcome.  I know he has done sseveral hundred of them.

Bent1

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Tamu
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 626
Posted 1/21/2007 1:34 PM (GMT -8)
JWH,

First of all recognize that when you go after a good Da Vinci surgeon that their backlog will be extensive so you will have to wait as much as three months. Dr. Menon is well known to be one of the experts in Da Vinci and I have read the experiences of several men that have used him and all of them did extremely well. What I have read indicates that he especially has a high percentage of men that are continent from the day that the catheter comes out. He was going to be my choice until I discovered Dr. Joseph Smith at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Dr. Smith has now done over 900 Da Vinci's and does 9 to 11 a week. You can go to the Vanderbilt Urologic Surgery web site and there is posted a video of Dr. Smith performing a Da Vinci. My experience was very good with absolutely no pain at all. It took three months as his schedule is booked three to four months out and that in itself is an indication the demand upon his skills. I actually asked him why his name was not as well publicized as Dr. Menon and his answer was that with his backlog he did not have the time or need to have more name recognition. He trained for the Da Vinci at Memorial Sloan Kettering which I think is the same place that Dr. Menon trained at.

Good luck on your quest. There are several well experienced Da Vinci surgeons in the US so I know you will have a list generated that you will have to choose from.

Tamu
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spinbiscuit
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2006
Posts : 818
Posted 1/21/2007 1:44 PM (GMT -8)
Hi JWH,

Just as Tamu said, Dr. Menon is one of the most recognized surgeons using the daVinci machine. But how long will it be before he can schedule you. Is it possible you may be overlooking an experienced surgeon in your own city? Where are you located?

Glen
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JWH
New Member
Joined : Jan 2007
Posts : 14
Posted 1/21/2007 4:58 PM (GMT -8)

Thanks again for the input.

To answer your question Glen, I live in Phoenix, Arizona.

 

 
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Tamu
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 626
Posted 1/21/2007 8:01 PM (GMT -8)
JWH,

If you go to www.davinciprostatectomy.com and do a quick search for doctors in the Phoenix area that perform the Da Vinci you find several. The Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale has several and if it was me I would be making an appointment with them to get their experience level and complication rates. I had mentioned Dr. Smith at Vanderbilt. When I went to him the first time he gave me all of his experience information and his complication rates. As an example of the complication rates Dr. Smith's is 90% fully continent after 8 months, 8% with stress incontinence and 2% with excessive incontinence requiring intervention. On impotence 70% become potent after one year. He does have a penile rehabilitation program. Wherever you end up make sure to get this information. Any good Da Vinci surgeon will be glad to provide it.

Tamu
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bluebird
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2006
Posts : 2543
Posted 1/21/2007 8:03 PM (GMT -8)
Hi ~ JWH                           Sending a “Warm Welcome” …to You!   I know we can “all” make your journey smoother just by being here for you!   This is a great forum ~ you’ve joined.   I see where you’ve posted on a previous thread with a lot of responses ~ so I’m adding a direct link to it!!!     Working together and making this a team journey will make you both stronger in every area of your life!!!                 “God Bless You”    It's a little prayer   ~   "God Bless You" ...but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you   and guide you on your way.   Take care and know our thoughts and prayers are with you. In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   Previous Thread Started by: JWH   Click and when new window opens with this thread Click on Refresh Button…. SEEKING BEST TREATMENT OPTION AND BEST PROVIDER
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SJC
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2006
Posts : 113
Posted 1/22/2007 11:00 AM (GMT -8)
When I was investigating, I had two robotic surgeons on the list: Menon and and Mark Kawachi at City of Hope in Duarte, CA (Los Angeles). However, I ultimately selected an open procedure surgeon, A. Partin at Hopkins. I don't regret the decision. I agree 100% with your quote from Scardino (an open procedure expert): don't pick your procedure, pick your expert. Make sure he has significant experience and exemplar credentials. Menon and Kawachi met my criteria, as did Walsh and Partin at Hopkins, Scardino and Eastham at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Richie at Dana-Farber. I was 50 at the time of surgery (Aug. '06) and had a couple hour flight to Baltimore. Handled the travel with no problem. I can say from first-hand experience, if your insurance covers the out of State surgeon and hospital as "in network", the cost/inconvenience of travel is insignificant compared to the higher percentage of cancer cure success rate and speed of post-surgical recovery.

I hope my past investigation and personal experience will provide you with pertinent information and assistance in reaching your personal decision on treatment.
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shepla
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 102
Posted 1/22/2007 11:16 AM (GMT -8)
I had DR Eastham in Sloan Kettering in NYC. I had the open Surgery . Ihad great results He recomended the open Radical Surgery. He has done way over 2000 and I am doing very well and am undetectable after 2 months. I am 59 and I agree with SJC about picking the DR. with the most experience and accessibility which I had at Sloan. Shepla
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Jeff 11
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2006
Posts : 24
Posted 1/22/2007 5:37 PM (GMT -8)
I used Dr Menon 6/29 got excellant results. Dr Menon said there is a 96% chance my cancer is gone & my erectile function came back very quickly. Dr Menon does approx. 15 surgeries per week, I got to see him in 2 weeks & was scheduled for surgery in 6 weeks. I would highly recommend Dr. Menon Good Luck

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