Need recommendation for a doctor to perform NEOBLADDER surgery

Sol

Let me mention a few things about Dr.Schoenberg. When you go there for your visit they will give you a list of former patients that you can call. I spoke with a lot of them before i had surgery. Some patients are very young and some had their surgery done years ago.(This was important to me because i wanted to know long term results). Dr.Schoenberg's nurse will also give you a copy of his book which has a lot of good information. I live 30 minutes from Duke university which people brag on a lot. I read that the cancer and urology divisions are some of the best around but i did not have a good experience there so i chose to drive 5 hours. Dr Schoenberg does a lot of NEOBLADDERS which(IMO)greatly reduces complications. I think that they give everyone considering this surgery a copy of the book and a list of patients but i wanted to mention this in case they don't. Wayne

Sol,
Great idea to explore surgeons. On the other hand being close to home is a big factor after surgery. Whatever your decision, having a equally qualified surgeon in New York may be in your best interest, let us know your finla outcome!!! Gene

Thank Pat,

I have an appointment to see Dr. Schoenberg in February. I think you would agree that a personal visit is much better then a phone interview.

I am still a bit hesitant to go so far, Dr. Schoenberg is 5 hours away and if I can find an equally big Surgeon here in NY it will be much better. I am getting great feedback on Dr. Schoenberg and that is why I would like to meet him before I make my final decision.

Sol i had no choice but to go 4 l/2 hours away....follow up care took place at home with local uros, an oncologist , and my internist which i arranged for ahead of time...you're in a very fortunate position to have hospitals and experienced teams around you in NYC.....i was not so lucky...when i did have a complication i found NONE of the hospitals would admit me as they had not the slightest idea what an Indiana Pouch was...hard to believe. It was the fastest trip to Cleveland i've ever had!!
If you want to see others posts just hit their name and it will go to their profile and hit "see this persons latest posts".
Dr. Schoenberg is extremely helpful..he has his own email address and he will answer you if you have some questions...his nurse usually calls and sets up a phone interview. I would take advantage of it. He has no problem telling you who is the best in what part of the country. urology.jhu.edu/markschoenberg/index.php
Pat

Hi Eileen and Mike,

Hope Mike continues to feel even better. Thanks for your comments; your story gives me a tremendous boost. I can use every bit of this as I am trying to decide if I should go for the Neobladder surgery.

I am in NY and heard of Dr. Schoenberg but am hesitant to go to MD and do the surgery as I am 5 hours away. In case there is any complication down the road Ho will I be able to get to him in hurry?

Is there any place on this forum I can look up all of your posts?

Dear Sol,

I haven't been on the forum in a while because my husband who had his RC on Nov. 5th, is doing so well, so I haven't really had the need.

We HIGHLY RECOMMEND, without any reservations, Dr. Mark Schoenberg at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. My husband is about 9-10 weeks post op. He has his neobladder - went back to work right after January first, full time. He is back in his regular tennis games and plays 3-4 times per week. He is continent in the daytime and pretty good at night. In such a short time, he has had a great recovery. His surgery only lasted 3 hours. Good luck with your search - we love Dr. Schoenberg.

Eileen, Mike G's wife