Best Prostatectomy Surgeons in Southern California?

[TFU589]

Any feedback on surgeons in SoCal would be appreciated. Especially Dr. Reiter (UCLA), Dr. David Lee (UCI) and Dr. Moses Kim (Hoag).

[Tall_Allen]

Although I ruled out surgery after learning more, Robert Reiter at UCLA,Timothy Wilson at St John's, and Aron Monish at USC would be my top choices in the LA area.

[TFU589 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you for your quick response. Do you mind if I ask your reasons for ruling out surgery? I might not have dug deep enough, but any type of salvage treatment after RT sounds more difficult than prostatectomy. Any information to clarify that would be great.

[Tall_Allen in reply to TFU589]

There are no details of your diagnosis in your profile. But understand that "just cut it out" is probably the most frequent early patient response to a cancer diagnosis. I have been lobbying some urologists (without success so far) to get AUA to issue a guideline recommending against treatment of any kind within 1-3 months of their diagnosis. All evidence is that it is safe and gives the patient time to make a more rational decision.

prostatecancer.news/2016/08...

I always advise patients to slow it down, and take the time to meet with a variety of specialists.

Since the oncological success of radiation and surgery is the same for favorable risk prostate cancer, the choice comes down to preferred side effects (there will always be some):

prostatecancer.news/2020/02...

For unfavorable risk PCa, intense radiation and androgen deprivation has a considerable advantage over surgery.

As for salvage, salvage surgery after radiation is a very bad idea. That's all that most urologists know. However, there are types of salvage radiation (particularly salvage focal brachytherapy) that can be done after primary radiation if it fails. The success rates are better than salvage surgery (or even better than salvage radiation after failed prostatectomy) and side effects are much lower.

prostatecancer.news/2017/09...

[Adf2529]

I also ruled out surgery after learning more, but among the surgeons I spoke with about my condition, I can recommend Dr. Inderbir Gil at USC.

[Schwah]

Most of what these surgeons tell you about the side affects are understated. Talk to people who have had Prostatectomies and you will learn that the sexual and other side affects are much worse than they expected. Get Dr mark Scholz book called “invasion of the Prostate snatchers”. Seeds are as good or better for curing you with much less side affects.

Schwah

[Murk]

This forum leans away from surgery and for some good reasons, but it still is tilted. I had RP and had minimal side effects. THat clearly is not the case for ALL RP patients. But the alternatives also have varying impacts on each given patient.

THe problem with RP is that you don't know if they got it all until after the surgery. If they don't then salvage is required thus why go the RP route. Some day they will have a very reliable test to predetermine if PCa has metastasized.

Do your own investigation, research and talk to people here in the forum, and you will decide what is best for you. THe good news is that PCa is not the killer that it once was and your chances of quality of life going forward is pretty good.

[j-o-h-n]

to TFU589,

Would you please be kind enough to tell us your bio. Age? Location? When Treatment(s)? Treatment center(s)? Scores Psa/Gleason? Medications? Doctor's name(s)?

ALL INFO IS VOLUNTARY, but it helps us help you and helps us too. When you respond, you might want to copy and paste it in your home page for your use and for other members’ reference.

Note: Answers are for your benefit, not mine.

THANK YOU AND KEEP POSTING!!!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 04/30/2022 1:41 PM DST

[TFU589 in reply to j-o-h-n]

John, as per your request and (Tall-Allen) I have updated my profile. I am still in the evaluation phase and waiting on biopsy to be scheduled. I am hoping for the best, but expecting the worst...see profile... and that is why I am seeking information at this point. I hope I am not wasting others valuable time in asking this information before I receive an official diagnosis. I have been through this with my family and medical research takes so much time...nuff said.

[j-o-h-n]

Thank you sir for your response. Take it easy..... as you know Pca is slow growing. We all have been through what you're going through....so PLEASE do not get yourself all twisted in a knot. If all is ok, then we'll see you in the movies..... if not post here for great info and comradery. Take care and don't forget to laugh........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 04/30/2022 7:11 PM DST

[leach234]

3 best surgeons in Southern California are:

Thomas Ahlering at UCI (which I used)

Timothy Wilson at St. Johns

Robert Reiter at UCLA

I was a Gleason 8 and 4 years later its like it never happened. Dr. Ahlering told me "any surgeon can take out your prostate but people come to me if they want to avoid incontinence and ED." I was patient number 1741. I'm sure he has done well over 2,000 robotic surgeries by now.

[TFU589 in reply to leach234]

Thank you for the information and the information on Dr. Ahlering. I had come across him as well, but I also found out that he does not take insurance anymore. Cash upfront. That is why I had mentioned Dr. David Lee. It appears he had started out with Ahlering years ago, worked in some other areas and is back now. at UCI. Supposed to have 4000 plus surgeries under his belt, and from what I can see from the internet (can't always rely on that) ranks high.

[leach234]

That is true. I think I paid $6,500 cash for his services but my insurance took care of anesthesiologist and overnight hospital stay. Well worth the money. He told me up front “Any Prostate surgeon can take out your prostate but people come to me if they want to avoid incontinence and ED”

Blue and black writing on white background

[leach234]

More statistics

Blue and black writing on white background

[TFU589 in reply to leach234]

Quote by W. Edwards Deming: “In God we trust; all others bring data.”

Always good to have some numbers to help in decision making. On the UCI website they advertise that they are tracking outcomes, but when I called them, they were unable to provide them. Good to know they exist.

Thank you for the information.