Testimonials
Success of the 3/27/2010 PCA3 Seminar
Peter K
I must congratulate you to the success of this Seminar. The benefits to me were to get acquainted with the diverse skill set of your staff that enables your group to provide the best care under specific circumstance. I was impressed with the update on technology treating prostate cancer both surgically or through state of the art radiology. I also was delighted to see that your group participates in trials and research. Your entire team can be proud of their accomplishment and I call myself lucky that I chose you when I needed cure.
Thank you
Peter K
...what a great doctor Rolando Rivera is
Sheila C.
I am writing for two reasons. First, to rave about what a great doctor Roland Rivera is, and secondly to urge women who ‘leak’ to undergo the ‘sling’ bladder surgery to correct their problem as soon as possible.
Dr. Rivera couldn’t have been any more knowledgeable and professional. He did four different tests to confirm that there weren’t any other problems like cancer. His tests verified that because of age, prior pregnancies/childbirths and hysterectomies, my bladder had fallen (my words, not his). He felt that I was a good candidate for the ‘sling’ surgery to put my bladder back where it belonged.
I agreed with his diagnosis, but left his office thinking that I didn’t need or want surgery…I would do kegel exercises and just wear a pad. Even though I couldn’t play golf because I couldn’t make it through nine holes without wetting though a pad and I couldn’t even go for a fast 30-40 minute walk without wetting myself. Even though I changed my incontinent pad frequently throughout the day and used baby wipes to cleanse myself, I still got really bad diaper rashes that required prescription medicine to clear up. I still resisted fixing the problem. I thought it was just an aging problem that I had to live with. Finally, one day at a large gathering of people, I sat next to a person about my age who just reeked of urine. I thought to myself, that will be me one day if I don’t get this leaking problem taken care of. I called the next day and scheduled the surgery.
The outpatient surgery was a breeze. I was able to go home about 2 hours after surgery and stay in bed for the rest of the day. The next morning I returned to the office where they removed the catheter and the vaginal packing. I again went home to rest. I may have been lucky, but I never had to take any pain medication. I followed the instructions about not lifting anything more than 5 pounds and had an easy recovery.
Again, I can only recommend that women who need this operation get it as soon as possible. The luxury of not having to wear an incontinence pad is absolutely fabulous.
Obviously, Dr. Rivera is the key to this operation being so successful. Without his training and experience, his knowledge and caring for his patients, my outcome wouldn’t have been the same.
Sheila C.
Bonita Springs, FL
Note To Express My Thanks
John G.
This is just a note to express my thanks to you, and appreciation of your program and staff. The three young professional women who attended me during my forty-three day therapy session were outstanding. They are KRISTI KESSINGER, (a natural leader) Radiation Specialist; BETHANY PETERSON, Radiation Therapist; and KARA NELSON, a C.T. Technologist.
I was depressed as to my situation after experiencing excellent health, even though I still maintained an exercise program in the gym three times a week.
The three above-mentioned young professional women with upbeat personalities, made the treatments less uncomfortable, and made it possible for me to maintain a positive frame of mind. They actually had me enjoying the sessions!
TARA FRENCH, the nurse, is excellent. Her discussions with me and my wife were informative, and she showed me great sensitivity to our feelings.
MARIE ATHANASIOU, the receptionist, was always a pleasant sight with her beautiful smile and friendly greeting.
DR. SMITH is an excellent doctor for cancer patients. He is special. After a conference with him, you just feel better.
DR. D'ANGELO is my urologist/cancer doctor. I appreciate his skill and good judgement, and I have great respect for him.
The program is excellent, and the present staff is superb. I remain a pleased ex-patient (Hopefully)
John G.
Naples, FL
Can you believe it has been 8 weeks?
Dick C
Kicked some serious butt in Tennis this past weekend.
I'll have the PSA test result sent down this week. Unlike all of you,
The urinary control is coming along well....I'll have to sell my stock in super maxipads.
Last but not least...thanks to all of you...for the great care and carding.
Thanks
Dick C
Very Positive Life Experience
Deak P
My motivation for writing this testimonial is the sincere obligation to share a very positive life experience.
June 2007 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer by my longtime urologist in my home state of PA. After testing an all too lengthy period of time I made an uninformed decision to undergo hormone treatment followed by seed implantation the following May (08).
Fortunately a good friend and neighbor of mine in Naples Florida who was diagnosed with prostate cancer encouraged me to get a second opinion from his physician, Dr. William Figlesthaler. "Thank God"!
After meeting with Dr. Figlesthaler on January 9, 2008 I was convinced that I should have the da Vinci prostatectomy.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Figlesthaler and Dr. D'Angelo on January 21, 2008. The next morning I was discharged from Naples Community Hospital with a foley catheter and absolutely had no pain or discomfort. The catheter was removed one week later with no incontinence! One week later I was riding my bicycle 15 miles a day seven days a week.
Today I am a very healthy 65 year old who is cancer free. Specialists in Urology and the entire staff make me feel like we are a family.
In conclusion please let me express my sincere thanks to Bill Figlesthaler, Michael D'Angelo, and last but not least Susan Scholz COO & da Vinci coordinator!
Deak P
Greetings from Ottawa
Ron G
Greetings from Ottawa! We saw your debut in to global marketing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno this past Monday night. If you were not world famous on the weekend, well you are now! You, and the famous da Vinci robot were so affectionately admonished by Leno. There is no bad advertising!
Thanks for the great job 28 months ago! I am almost perfect save some minor ED. I'm very appreciative of your skills and would highly recommend the procedure for others. PSA is undetectable and there are no other issues.
Best Regards,
Ron G.
He Gave Me the Confidence...
Frank P
I, like so many other men my age (69 years old) had been experiencing problems with BPH for many years. As my problems increased, my family doctor and I agreed I should do something that would relieve the BPH. Before I could get any further treatment for the BPH I would have to be assured I had no signs of cancer within the prostate. A biopsy was recommended. Adenocarcinoma of the prostate was diagnosed in February of 2006.
My family doctor and I explored treatment. We ruled out radiation (of any kind) because this treatment promoted urine retention and I was already having infection because of my urine retention. My problems with my prostate, through the years, indicated, for my well being (peace of mind), I should have my prostate removed. Both my family doctor and I agreed I would never be satisfied until I was sure the cancer had been removed from my body.
We explored retropubic, perineal, laparoscopic and robotic laparoscopic methods of prostate removal. We spoke to men who had experienced these procedures. I spent much time on my computer. I found Dr. Figlesthaler & Dr. D'Angelo who had just performed the first robotic prostatectomy in Southwest Florida the year before (2005). I did have problems getting my secondary insurance company to approve my policy coverage at Naples Community Hospital. They finally advised me that they were a "Participating" hospital.
After meething with Dr. Figlesthaler I know this was the person and the method I would use to cure myself of prostate cancer. He gave me the confidence and the information I required to be assured I was making the right decision.
I completed my pre-op on April 20th and my surgery began at 1:00 PM and was completed at 3:15 PM, April 24th. I was released from the hospital the following day, April 25th at 11:00 AM. This turned out to be my only complication. I was back in the emergency room of NCH at 7:00 AM on April 27th. The diagnosis was Acute Paralytic Ileus. My bowels were still shut down from the surgery. I was finally released at 1:00 PM on April 29th. This was my only severe pain.
The body gets pretty bad bruising during surgery. I had four small incisions around my belly and one larger incision (1") just above my belly button. I found Tylenol was all I needed to control my discomfort. Unfortunately I didn't have my catheter removed until eight days after surgery which gave me big relief (no pain). The clamps on my wounds were removed at the same time. I was still wearing double diapers because I didn't have full control of my bladder. My urine began to clear up about eleven days out (less blood). Gradually, I gained control over my bladder (always doing my Kegel exercises as instructed).
My sexual function was never what I had hoped for. Fortunately, my wife and I have been married for 49 years and we both agreed after all of these years of me chasing her around the bedroom we were both ready to slow down. We both realized, at 70 years old it was never going to be like it used to be anyhow. Dr. Figlesthaler assured me that there was much to be done that would improve our quality of sex. We declined.
Three years later, now having my PSA checked every six months (my numbers being undetectable) and having my exams (my health is excellent) I know I wouldn't have done anything differently (maybe I should have known of the possibility of the bowels being shut down by surgery and being sure I moved them before I left the hospital). I highly recommend Specialists in Urology to anyone, when I have a chance.
Frank P
I Am Again Cancer Free
John D
It's YOUR LIFE and YOUR PRACTICE... BRAVO!
My life was extended by an excellent primary care Dr's diagnosis and a referral to you. With your skills the da Vinci Robotic surgery and your follow up care...I am cancer free.
Unfortunately I received the news from my dermatologist that a malignant Melanoma was on my back. Because of YOU and my experience with a successful outcome...I had the faith and encouragement to find an oncologist,
You're RIGHT "YOUR GIFT" - Be so giving and caring to as many with prostate cancer as you can....THANK YOU for giving my family my life back!
Respectfully,
John D.
Letter of Appreciation
Anthony A
Dear Dr. Figlestahler,
I’ve been meaning to write this letter of appreciation and commendation to you on behalf of all the staff at “Specialists in Urology,” particularly all the following wonderful people. I waited, however, to concurrently wish you a happy and healthy 45th birthday (today), and to congratulate you on the birth of your grandson!
Actually, of lesser importance, before the wounds were fully healed from my da Vinci Robotic Prostectomy (2/23/09), I underwent Open-Heart, Triple-Bypass Surgery (4/29/09). I kept reading your 8-page “what-to-expect protocol,” and there was absolutely nothing mentioned about (never-experienced-before) chest pain, and too much time had passed for me to keep attributing this pain to CO2 gas. The black eyes were latent as evidenced by a stress (not Resting) EKG (4/10/09). These black eyes actually became manifest due to the inverted da Vinci surgical procedure. Thank God for the painful forewarnings that encouraged me to see a cardiologist (4/10/09).
Getting back to the real reason I am writing you… You should be so very proud of all your diligent and cordial staff. I’m a Financial Advisor/Estate & Business Continuity Planner, whereby I have had, and hopefully will continue to have - dealings with many business owners and physician PCs. I have never come-across such a well-oiled, efficiently-coordinated and upbeat business practice such as you and your partners have! Here are the people I had the pleasure of meeting…
At my initial consultation (1/12/09), I was pleasantly and warmly greeting by MAGGIE at the reception desk. Then, there was nurse: DANIELLE who hospitably escorted me inside; her beautifully-soothing-smile calmed any apprehensions I had about walking from the waiting room through the door to the “unknown.” This amiable nurse was followed by one of the most adept listeners I have ever met in my life: LUIS A. CAMACHO, Physician’s Assistant. What an impressively capable, interested, sincere, and earnest man! Next up, the good and highly intelligent doctor: EARL J. GUREVITCH, MD. He made me feel exceedingly comfortable, yet alert, as he inundated my mind with invaluable, sometimes alarming, facts & statistics – all of which wisely encouraged me to act; to take the next constructive, healthful steps. Then, came the Urodynamics test (1/14/09) given by a very cordial nurse: STEPHANIE. She wonderfully balanced the grave importance of this bladder exam with an easy and positive conversation. The following day (1/15/09) at the 1st floor Surgical Center, nurse: SHERRY made me feel at ease prior to my cysto/trus/biopsy. It was not a medicated relaxation, either; it was purely her caring and pleasing mannerism. In the recovery room, I was met by nurse: JOANNE who was most gracious and attending!
During the next 13 days (1/15-1/28/09), while anxiously waiting for the all-important pathology report from your (non-affiliated) Lab, nurse: LINDA was very instrumental – making me feel at ease, and was so accommodating. My living out-of-state, she tentatively scheduled the “Green-Light-Laser” procedure in the hope that my biopsy would come back entirely negative. And, when the Lab results proved otherwise, she expressed real empathy. Like the reinforcing mother of “Specialists in Urology,” she made me feel very hopeful, reassuring what DR. GUREVITCH told me (1/20/09); that there were constructive, long term alternatives right down-the-hall. This is where da Vinci Coordinator: SUSAN SCHOLZ entered the picture (2/3/09). What a “take-charge” woman, who made me feel as though everything was under control; everything will turn-out good. And this is not to mention, after the da Vinci surgery, when I called her on an urgent matter, she interrupted her dinner to get you on the phone – calling me back within 15 minutes with instructions as to what to do. Impressive!
Finally, there’s YOU. You truly exude a quiet confidence that is very comforting, yet tacitly assertive and encouraging. You have a suave style that many have turned into the cliché: “walk softly, but carry a big stick;” in my particular case, it can also be: “cut-away part of a big stick.” All joking aside, from the 1st consultation (2/3/09) to minutes before the da Vinci Robotic Radical Prostatectomy (2/23/09), I felt very confident that I was in well meaning and exceedingly capable hands.
Thank you DR. FIGLESTAHLER and ALL at “Specialists in Urology” for the wonderful care and attention to detail which culminated in the extrication of a 167-gram problem that was quietly bothering me from 11/1/2004 when I received a PSA of 8.4, and was told (here in Connecticut): “not to worry;” “I’m sure it’s benign;” “watchful waiting is the order of the day, especially since school is not yet out on PSA exams.”
Sincerely yours,
Anthony A
Simsbury, CT
The Most Efficient, Effective, and Caring Prostate Surgeon in the Nation
Ed S
Ed S
Franklin, NC
It is with a great deal of pleasure that I write this testimonial for Dr. William Figlestahler whom I consider to be the most efficient, effective, and caring prostate surgeon in the nation. His use of current, cutting edge technology makes him a true leader in the life and death struggle against prostate cancer.
My story begins on January 3, 2006 when I was the one out of three men who, statistically speaking, will be diagnosed with prostate problems. Mine was prostate cancer. I am completely empathetic to those recently diagnosed. This event was definitely the low point in my life. Why is this happening to me? I’m too young for this. Am I going to die? What did I do wrong? My P.S.A was only 2.3. The biopsy must be wrong.
After the shock of the diagnosis wore off, I began an intensive search for more information. Personally, I like numbers, statistics, and percentages. My goal was to put all the information in numerical terms. My conclusions are:
1. There are several strategies for dealing with prostate cancer. Since I was 60 years old and in good physical health, surgery was the best choice for me.
2. Having a supportive wife and family were key factors in my recovery. The constant reassurance of those closest to you is extremely helpful.
3. Having a son who is a medical doctor gave me access to a wealth of resources and information not available to most patients.
4. Talking to other prostate cancer survivors, I realized that prostate cancer does not just go away, it does spread. Procrastination was not the solution to my medical issue. I needed to make a timely decision. There are no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. One gets a feeling that since I feel fine, I must not have a problem.
5. Prior to surgery, I could help myself and my doctor by getting into the best physical shape possible. I started to work out daily and to do Kegel exercises. I do not smoke and this was to my advantage. Doctors are highly efficient but they are not miracle workers.
6. The Gleason score was helpful in my decision making process. It gave a sense of the urgency to the situation. My score was 7.
7. Some research suggests that the number of surgeries performed should be the determining factor in choosing a surgeon. At the time of my surgery, there were very few surgeons trained in robotic surgery. I was the 34th procedure Dr. Figlesthaler and Dr. D’Angelo performed. Today, they have successfully performed over 1000 robotic procedures.
Why I chose Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery
When I looked at and charted all the information on the three types of surgeries available it was quite obvious that the robotic surgery was the best choice for me. Although the cure rate for all three procedures is about the same robotic is definitely less invasive. Four small incisions, about a quarter of an inch long, are used while the traditional, standard retropubic radical prostatectomy requires an 8-10 inch incision. I have no scars from the operation. I was in the hospital less than 18 hours. The average stay for the retropubic radical procedure is approximately 72 hours. With robotic surgery, there is little or no blood loss so no transfusions are necessary. My original doctor who wanted to do the retropubic procedure said that I would have to wait a month for the operation while they collected blood from me to be used in the surgery. Catherization lasted seven days as compared to 14 for the retropubic procedure. I had no complications from the robotic surgery. My wife and I were outside walking two days after my surgery.
The major factor in any prostatectomy, after the removal of the cancer, is the risk of impotency and incontinence. Sparing the nerves around the prostate that control urinary and sexual functioning is the key to living a normal life. I believe that robotic surgery gives the patient the best chance of total recovery in these two areas. Dr. Figlesthaler explained it to me by saying that in the traditional procedures, when viewing the nerves around the prostate they looked like pieces of thread that had to be carefully removed. In the robotic surgery, these nerves are magnified to look like cables!
Why I chose Dr. Figlestahler and the Specialists in Urology team
I had been the patient of a local urologist for approximately ten years and was being treated for an enlarged prostate when my P.S.A. went from 2.3 to 3.7. The doctor recommended a biopsy. I was reluctant to do the biopsy because the P.S.A. score was so low. To the doctor’s credit, he insisted on the biopsy. It showed cancer in two of the twelve samples. However, the doctor only performed the standard retropubic radical prostatectomy and did not recommend the new robotic procedure. He became quite annoyed when I asked about it and said if I chose the robotic procedure, I should make sure that all follow up treatment was scheduled through that surgeon as I would no longer be one of his patients. I also had the opportunity to travel out-of-state to be treated by a renowned laparoscopic surgeon, a pioneer in the area of laparoscopic surgery. While the doctor came highly recommended, I thought the distance was an obstacle for my long term care needs.
At this point, I was fairly well versed on the benefits of robotic surgery from magazine articles and the internet. I contacted the company that makes the robotic machine for a list of doctors trained to use it. Fortunately, Dr. Figlestahler and his group were on the list and located only twenty miles from my home. I immediately e-mailed Linda Alaimo at Specialists in Urology. It was the best decision I ever made! She returned my e-mail quickly, answered every question I had, arranged for my appointment with Dr. Figlestahler and put me in touch with the other key office personnel. They all went out of their way to make me feel welcome to the practice.
When my wife and I met Dr. Figlestahler for the first time, we were greatly impressed with his knowledge and caring attitude. He acted as if my problem was his problem and there was no time limit on our meeting. He answered every question thoroughly, using language I could understand. I had the feeling that I was his most important patient. The caring attitude of the office staff was a reflection of a doctor’s concern for the physical well being of his patients. There is a philosophy in the business community called “Quality Management.” It states that the customer (patient in this case) is the most important person to the business. Specialists in Urology is an example of a true quality operation. I had my robotic surgery on February 6, 2006, one month from my diagnosis. The surgery was performed by Dr. Figlestahler and Dr. D’Angelo and went extremely well. There was very little pain involved. I was out walking the second day after my surgery and within four months, I was playing softball twice a week. My surgeon and the office staff were outstanding.
After 3 ½ years, I still have a “non-detectible PSA,” the words every prostate cancer patient wants to hear. I credit Dr. Figlestahler and his staff with taking a very negative part of my life and making it a positive experience for me and my family. It is my hope that this testimonial will help comfort other men who are currently struggling with prostate cancer. It is a serious disease but not the end of the world…if you have the right doctor.
Best regards,
Ed S