Best Surgeon in Los Angeles

13 years 7 months ago #33319 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic Best Surgeon in Los Angeles
Tom thats just amazing..what a great success story. Dr. Skinner retired last year and Dr. Gill took his place and brought lots of his people from The Cleveland Clinic. He's quite well known internationally also and he's a perfectionest and the best at laparoscopic surgery of the bladder. I believe for a long time he was the only one that could do it that way. Dr. Gill was also head of the Transplant Div. at Cleveland Clinic. All of thier surgeons have great reputations. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any one of them at USC/Norris.
Thats pretty ground breaking going after the affected nodes. I had read of a case of that being done only once before...but why not? It makes perfect sense. Maybe they're on to something. You're certainly living proof of that..Congratulations. Continued good health for you.
Here's a little more background on Dr. Gill
www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/15976.html
pat

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

13 years 7 months ago #33318 by Tomc
Replied by Tomc on topic Best Surgeon in Los Angeles
I had a radical cystoprostatectomy at USC in 2003. I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Donald Skinner do the 7-hour surgery. Grade 4, stage 4, 24 lymph nodes tested positive for cancer, a gloomy diagnosis. Surgery and three months of chemo under Dr. David Quinn and i made steady progress, cancer free for six years. Neobladder (thru urethra) works well. I had a re-occurrance last year, had chemo but had to stop due to complications so I opted for surgery by Dr. Anne Schuckman to remove lymph nodes in abdominal area. Recovery was tougher this time but I'm doing great now. Both Dr. Schuckman and Dr. Eila Skinner are top-notch surgeons who trained under D. Skinner. I've know of Dr. Gill and heard of his newer techniques but don't know enough to offer an opinion. If you would like more info, post your e-mail address and I'll contact you directly. Good luck to you folks. Which ever way you go you're in good hands at USC/Norris. I'm living proof.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

13 years 7 months ago #33282 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic Best Surgeon in Los Angeles
The ileal conduit is the simpliest of the surgeries and a much faster recovery time as large resectioning of the intestines does not take place. Done laparoscopic it should be a quick recovery. Deciding which appliance works best is the challange. Hollister and Coloplast will gladly give you free samples of devises to determine which works best on your husband.
If you'll notice on the Castleconnely site the first 5 urologist/surgeons are all from USC/Norris and with a ranked hospital for urology.
www.castleconnolly.com/doctors/results.cfm
He should do great.
pat

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

13 years 7 months ago #33281 by tomswife
Replied by tomswife on topic Best Surgeon in Los Angeles
Wow, congratulations on getting through it all and doing well today. We live about 3 hours north of LA and will return home with some nurses coming in the first week or so to help out. At least, that's what we were told. I think my husband thought he would not be able to do a thing for 3 months. But I know they get you up right away to keep the bowels moving. Tom will not have the neobladder, but the illial conduit (bag), which is fine. I know another individual who had the surgery, but his was not done via laperscopic. His was done at UCLA and he has the neobladder. He said that he had trouble with his neobladder, i.e., infection and some other complications. Today, it's been a year since his surgery and he's doing fine. (He's a trial attorney and is back at work.) I think it's great that there have been some marvelous medical advancements for these issues. Okay, take care. I'll check back here each week to continue with my research. Feel free to stay in touch.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

13 years 7 months ago #33280 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic Best Surgeon in Los Angeles
Dr. Park..there are 2.both are radiologists
Well anyway Gill is the Head Honcho there...he sometimes does his surgery with Sia Daneshmond also.
pat

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

13 years 7 months ago #33279 by tomswife
Replied by tomswife on topic Best Surgeon in Los Angeles
Thanks, so much, Pat. If I'm not mistaken, Desai and Gill may be the ones to do the surgery. Desai said he is with Gill at USC and I think that he and Dr. Park perform the surgery with Desai. I'll ask when I next speak with Desai. I'm glad that you're doing well.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: Cynthiaeddieksara.anne