PATIENT LETTERS

THE FOLLOWING ARE
ACTUAL TESTAMONIAL LETTERS
SENT TO US FROM OUR PATIENTS FOLLOWING THEIR SURGERY. YOU MAY ALSO CONTACT THEM BY EMAIL !!
THEY ARE FROM

• CALIFORNIA
• BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
• PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
• CLIFTON, VIRGINIA
  

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To Whom It May Concern

I am writing this letter in support of James Goodyear, MD and his hernia repair surgical practice. I do so completely of my own will and without any request or incentive from James Goodyear, MD or anyone affiliated with the North Penn Hernia Institute or the Abington Health Lansdale Hospital.

Yesterday marked completion of my forth week of recovery from a MULTIPLY RECURRENT INGUINAL HERNIA repair. I traveled solo from my home near San Francisco, California to the Philadelphia area one day prior to the operation, and returned home 'without assistance' on the morning following the procedure.

My endorsement of James Goodyear, MD and the North Penn staff is perhaps more noteworthy than a typical layman's comment. I have worked in the medical profession for 17 years and spent extensive time in Operating Rooms across the country both as a pacemaker implant specialist and a cardiovascular medical devise representative. I have witnessed the administration of both excellent and poor healthcare. Furthermore, I had had two previous repair procedures performed by two other surgeons at hospitals other than Abington Health Lansdale Hospital. As a result, I am well qualified both as a patient and medical professional to comment on the care provided by Dr. Goodyear, and his staff.

All three of my hernia repairs were performed on the same right side inguinal hernia tear. My first occurred approximately 20 years ago, followed by a recurrence 10 years later. This third repair (second reoccurrence) also occurred approximately 10 years after my second repair. The first and second repairs were performed using the traditional "tension" type hernia repair technique. I was 20 years old at the time of the first procedure and fully recovered form the procedure only after a full 4 to 5 months. At age 30 I had my second repair performed and fully recovered in approximately 8 months. In both cases I experienced a moderate degree of pain requiring some pain medication for several weeks following surgery. The tension technique utilized in these two procedures caused me to have tightness and limited flexibility in the surgical area indefinitely.

My second recurrent hernia repair (third total) was performed by Dr Goodyear utilizing the TENSION FREE mesh method. While mesh may be widely used in hernia repairs, one should not assume that all mesh procedures are TENSION FREE or of equal value. Dr. Goodyear's 15+ years of hernia surgery experience and weekly average of 8-10 advanced hernia repair procedures per week made all the difference in the world to me. My prior medical experience had clearly convinced me to insist on finding the BEST-trained surgeon with the most active hernia practice to perform what I was determined to be my last hernia repair. As in the case with any highly specialized trade, only a handful of people possess such extensive experience and credentials to truly become experts in any given surgical technique. It is well worth the research and travel when necessary to find an expert to address your medical needs.

Dr Goodyear was clear and confident from the onset in our dialogue about my possible hernia repair. After an extensive investigation of my options, it was clear to me that I would travel to Philadelphia to have Dr. Goodyear perform my hernia repair. Unlike past hernia surgeries, I experienced only mild pain following the procedure requiring no pain management medication. I was up and walking within 1-2 hours after the procedure with only mild discomfort. I flew home cross-country the very next day and continue to be amazed with how very little pain and discomfort I experienced over the first few days while at home. I walked normally, drove my car, and resumed a fairly normal daily routine within 3 days of surgery. I was able to ride a stationary bike and exercise at about 50% of my normal level within one week of the operation. As I write this letter, I am four weeks post-op and have been exercising at FULL CAPACITY for the past week. I experience no pain and none of the compromised flexibility that I lived with for the past 20 years.

I can wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Goodyear and his staff to anyone seeking the best available care for a hernia repair.

Sincerely,

WKB
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Dr. Goodyear

Hello, I am now 10 days post-op. Everything seems to be FINE. I was able to return to work [ 3 days ] after surgery and have been very comfortable since. As to the surgery itself, I would like to thank you and your staff for the excellent treatment I received. Everyone involved, from the clinic nurse, to the anesthesiologist to your office staff were friendly, caring helpful and efficient. The professionalism and kindness exhibited by all was greatly appreciated and it helped turn what was for me a stressful experience into a comfortable one. I felt that I was in very capable hands for the whole process, and I especially appreciated your willingness to explain each step to me. If there is someone in need of similar service, I will highly recommend your Institute to them.

I would be happy to speak to anyone considering using your facility
via my E-Mail


Once Again, thank you Very Much!!
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Hi Dr. Goodyear,

I just wanted to drop you a line and report that I am "doing well." Please feel free to post it to your web site, and/or use me as a reference. I am more than happy for prospective patients to contact me -- I have nothing but good things to say. To be honest, I don't know why people have their hernias repaired anywhere else. The whole thing was fast, easy, and reasonably painless.
I traveled by plane from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia the night before surgery and flew back to Pittsburgh and returned to work as a college teacher the day after surgery. I walked into and out of work (about a mile) and used the stairs to and from my 8th floor office. Many of my colleagues and students, especially those who recently had a hernia repaired or knew those who did, thought I had rescheduled my surgery -- they could not believe that I was so mobile and comfortable the day after surgery.
The repair was done using MAC (ie Local) anesthesia. I don't remember the procedure itself. But I do remember becoming alert on the operating room table at its conclusion. I suddenly found myself awake, alert, and pain-free. I got off of the table and was moved to the short procedure unit (SPU), where I was perfectly comfortable, on my feet, and walking immediately after surgery.
I walked around in the SPU while watching TV and drinking Pepsi for less than an hour after surgery, before meeting with you and being discharged. I was never nauseous or in any significant pain.
The surgery was at 10:30AM and I was back at my hotel in time for lunch. Sitting down, standing up and coughing were a little bit uncomfortable -- but I've had far worse pain from any number of common, garden-variety injuries.
After eating lunch, I walked around the hotel room until about 4:00PM. I was expecting to be in pain after the local anesthetic wore off -- I was not. I took only Advil, and that was a precaution and not in response to actual pain. I did keep ice over the area until I went to sleep that night -- I basically pushed the bag into my pants and replaced the ice every couple of hours.
At 4:00 I was bored with my hotel room and went walking along the street. I returned to the hotel at about 6:00 and had dinner. After dinner I went to the hotel's gym and walked on the treadmill for about an hour. After that I returned home and went to bed -- due to my flight schedule and surgery time, I didn't get much sleep the night before.
After getting into bed, I wanted to get up -- this proved to be a slightly slow and somewhat uncomfortable process. But, when I awoke the next morning, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I was able to get into and out of bed with almost no pain -- it hurt less than moving into and out of a chair did during the prior day.
After you came to the hotel to check on me, I left for the airport. I was able to walk through the airport and handle my 20 lbs carry-on bag without any problem. Without thinking about it, I put it into the overhead compartment. It was completely painless for me to put it in and take it out.
Upon returning to Pittsburgh, I went to work, met with students and colleagues, and returned to "business as usual." I was never limited by pain. The only real inconvenience was swelling. In retrospect, I think I probably militated this by staying on my feet for a large portion of 15 hour days -- it was midterm project season for my students and I often stayed late helping them in the labs. But I can't complain too much, since I was able to comfortably wear my normal clothing.
By the next Monday, a week after surgery, the slight swelling was almost gone. It, almost magically, disappeared over the weekend -- perhaps because I wasn't working crazy hours. Toward the end of the week I was running late for work and found myself jogging instead of walking -- I was surprised to realize that it didn't hurt.
During the first two weeks, I would occasionally feel some soreness after I pushed myself -- such as running up and down the stairs or jogging to work. But it wasn't bad -- I stopped taking Advil one week post-op.
Now, one month after surgery, I feel almost "good as new." I can run, lift, carry, &c without any pain. Occasionally, I feel a slight aching near the repair -- but it is rare and mild.
I don't know what to say -- I experienced almost none of the problems that I had been told to expect by people who recently had repairs by other physicians.

- no severe pain
- no severe swelling (I fit into my clothing)
- no nausea
- no tiredness or grogginess after surgery
- no dizziness after surgery
- no sore throat (no endotraceal tube w/local anesthesia)

Basically, I walked into the hospital w/a right inguinal hernia and left a few hours later without one. I was back to most normal activities immediately, and eased back into the more physical activities over a month. The small amount of swelling was gone in about a week.
Thanks again for everything. Most especially for your unanticipated accessibility and patience in answering all of my e-mailed questions. I never imagined that a surgeon would answer e-mail on a daily basis -- even on weekends.

Take care,
EMAIL THIS PATIENT
-GMK
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Subject :Post Op Report, Day 12
Date : Fri, 11 Oct 2002 21:34:55
FROM: T.G.-Clifton, Virginia

Dear Dr. Goodyear,
I have been meaning to email you, but I have been too busy with other things. It's been less than two weeks since my surgery and I have all but put it behind me. It is only at odd times that I am reminded of it, when I shower or change clothes, or something similar. I remember your telling me that, in your opinion, people should live their lives and pay attention to things necessary therewith and therein and not have to spend time in hospitals or with medical procedures. Well, I have my life back to the point that, except for the "ridge" and the absence of an abdominal bulge, there is no vestige of the hernia.
My running has returned to full intensity. The last two sessions, 4.5 miles each, I posted times within 10% of the best that I have ever posted. I wasn't trying to do this. It just happened. I do notice less abdominal "shaking" than prior to the surgery.
In my opinion, the above two paragraphs constitute the fulfillment of your sentiment.
On 09 Oct. I removed the plastic shield, the bandage, and the tape. All came off without any problems. The area had started to itch and the plastic had peeled somewhat, so I was really glad to be rid of them and shower thoroughly.
Barring something unusual, I'd have to say that I am well on the way to being fully healed and that your prediction of a full recovery in fourteen days is well within reach, maybe even a bit conservative.
This experience has been truly remarkable. Everything about it has been perfect; your competence, your general demeanor; your obvious concern both for my feelings as well as for my well being; your respect for my intelligence and acknowledgement of my need to be actively involved; your dedication to, in your words, "doing the job right the first time"; the obvious competence and superior interpersonal dynamics of the surgical team; the conduct of the Short Procedure Unit; and, finally, the accommodations and support provided by the Abington Health Lansdale Hospital. I can honestly and truly say that this was the best medical experience that I have ever had.
The above is even more remarkable in light of the fact that I am healthy, strongly independent, and, generally intellectual in my understanding of life. Over the years I have come generally to hate doctors (especially the elitist kind), detest being a patient, loathe hospitals, and, in general disdain anything that is even remotely connected with the mainstream practice of medicine in this post modern age. Thanks to you and to this experience, I now have a different perspective: I see evidence that the "practice" of medicine can live up to the "vision" of medicine provided by the science that underpins it.
In addition; and in a much larger sense, I must conclude that you are much more than a doctor. You are that to be sure, but you should understand that your personal philosophy is daily and unavoidably instrumental in healing not only patients, but an industry as well, one that, in the minds of many, badly needs healing. So, while you are a doctor of medicine, you are also a philosopher of medical practice (and, I suspect, of many other topics as well). The industry is fortunate to have you, more so than they are probably aware.
Again, thank you for all that you have done.

Sincerely,
E Mail this Patient

T.G.-Clifton, VirginiaTOP

215-368-1122