ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: mcrue on August 05, 2015, 10:23:21 am
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Hi,
I am relatively newly diagnosed as of June 26, and naturally I am considering all my treatment options regarding traditional microsurgery, radiosurgery with Cyber Knife or Gamma Knife, or proton beam therapy.
Currently, I am on "Watch & Wait" until my next 6-month MRI in January 2016.
I have spoken to over a dozen world-famous specialists in the field, watched countless YouTube videos, researched hundreds of websites regarding AN and spent many nights trolling this fabulous forum.
Out of all the neurosurgeons I've contacted, Dr. Schwartz from House Clinic spent over an hour with me on the phone discussing my specific acoustic neuroma, MRI and medical records. Prior to contacting Dr. Schwartz, I researched his YouTube videos where he performs Acoustic Neuroma surgery, the House Clinic Facebook page, and also the articles authored by Dr. Schwartz on acoustic neuroma.
I would certainly keep Dr. Schwartz at the very top of your list if you're considering treatment. The man is simply a genius. He is very thorough and answers all of your questions before you even ask them. I wish I could be more eloquent in describing my evaluation with him.
Most importantly, I got the feeling that Dr. Schwartz is unbiased and is a man of integrity. Simply put, he tells the truth.
He told me I should continue on Watch and Wait. Sometimes the best advice a neurosurgeon can give a patient is NOT to have treatment. He advised me that regardless of the treatment options I select, I will most likely lose all my hearing (including by just watching & waiting.)
Many physicians will tell you to be proactive and sell you the procedure they are most comfortable performing. I can't believe Dr. Schwartz spent over a full hour of his time for FREE talking to me about my acoustic neuroma. He even gave me his direct line and personal cell phone number.
If I decide in the future to have microsurgery, or any treatment for that mater, I will certainly keep Dr. Schwartz top-of-mind.
I have noticed many forum members have already completed successful treatment with Dr. Schwartz over the last decade. He even told me to send my 6-month follow-up MRI for another free evaluation in January.
I just wanted to pass along my outstanding experience dealing with Dr. Schwartz. He is a man with real integrity if you ask me. I wish I could send him a bottle of wine or something to show my thanks.
https://www.houseclinic.com/schwartz
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Hi mcrue .....
I echo your assessment of Dr. Schwartz. He is an amazing neurosurgeon.
I am so glad he spent so much time talking with you and giving you his honest evaluation. Do remember that the neuro-otolaryngologist (who works with him) is equally important to a successful outcome.
Thoughts and prayers while you wait .....
Clarice
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Dr. Schwartz did my AN surgery as well back in late April. I can't even start to describe how well the whole procedure went with not only him, but the entire staff and Dr's at House Ear. Dr. Schwartz spent plenty of time on the phone with me as well in my initial consult and the follow ups have been great. I am a pilot and was worried about getting my medical back after surgery. I haven't had any balance issues and Dr. Schwartz wrote out my post op report for me to send to the FAA. When it didn't arrive in a week or two I called him back and had to leave a message. He called me back personally within 3 hours and said it was already finished and I should have received it by now. Within an hour, I had an email from someone at HEI with my report attached as well as another hard copy mailed again. Can't say enough about Dr. Schwartz and everyone on the team at House, great experience!!!!
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Dr. Schwartz did my surgery with Dr. Friedman (the dream team as I call them) 2.5 years ago at House. They preserved my hearing, and I had zero balance or facial issues. Dr. Schwartz told us that the surgery was a "home run" and made it sound easy. But then when I read my surgery report it said he had to use a bunch of different tools, from a bunch of different angles to remove my "sticky" tumor. I swear, he is a genius!
The House Clinic is such a well-oiled machine too! They perform 2 AN surgeries a day, a couple days a week so they know what to expect. Like Circusnole, I cannot say enough amazing things about Dr. Schwartz and everyone at House!!
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Yep, Dr. Schwartz has had his hands in many of our heads here on the discussion forum. He teamed up with Dr. Brackmann for my middle fossa almost 6 years ago and I am pleased with the results thus far. Getting a consultation with the doctors at House is easy as visiting their website and follow the acoustic neuroma links and request a consultation. They'll do it for free and over the phone after they receive your MRI on CD. Check it out!
Jay
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Hi Marcus:
I just had my AN surgery with Dr. Schwartz September 1st, 2015. Let me tell you, he is a one of a kind amazing Surgeon. my AN was size 25.61 mm and had to be dealt with. I contacted almost every best place I could to pick between micro and Radio surgery in California. Some even convinced me that considering age, my health issues and numerous side effects with micro surgery I should go Radio. Until a day prior to my final decision I was 100% ready for a Radio surgery when I visited with Dr. Schwartz for my second consultation.
He, very honestly and with personal care explained every thing to me again and I was on his operating table the next day. Operation took 7.5 hours and when I opened my eyes in the ICU I asked whether we were done yet? Thats how easy it went. I spent one day in ICU, 3 days total in hospital and came home yesterday with no side effects. I am taking things easy and relaxing but able to do any thing I want.
DR. SCHWARTZ along with Dr. HOUSE with the HOUSE clinic did my surgery and every thing went just great. I can not express my gratitude and recommend them to every one with AN.
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Masoudy49 . . . congratulations on your surgery! We're of the same age and I'm still struggling with a decision. Posts like yours help those of us still on the fence. All the best in your continued recovery. Keep us posted!!!
Gary
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Yep ... Schwartz and Slattery did mine 5 years ago. I have nothing but positive things to say about the experience with them and the House Ear Clinic. (On the other hand... my experience with the staff at St. Vincent's hospital could have been better. To be clear, I don't blame the nurses... I blame the system under which they must work)
I was actually scheduled for surgery at Hopkins... but something about it didn't feel right. I could go into detail (and may have done so in some of my old posts) but let's just say that in the end, I'm very glad I cancelled Hopkins and went out to House instead.
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TR4guy - I did the same - I scheduled a surgery at Hopkins and then cancelled to go to House. Best decision I have ever made!!
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Yeah... I was impressed with their (Hopkins) experience. However it seemed like the Neurosurgeon was going to do what was best for him and not necessarily what was best for me.
I asked how aggressive he would be if the tumor was sticky... aggressive trying to remove it. He told me that ALL of it MUST be removed. That's the only way to ensure no tumor regrowth. (which was clearly the metric he was rating his success by)
I even asked the other surgeon (not the neurosurgeon.. but the teammate... the one who actually does the skull surgery to get access to the brain) and he certainly took a backseat to the Neurosurgeon. When I said that I was worried about being overly aggressive and causing damage to adjacent nerves... he kinda said "yeah... if I know the Neurosurgeon though... he really wants to get all that tumor out of there."
Great for him and his success metrics. Meanwhile I'm suffering from bad facial paralysis and terrible headaches... but in his book the surgery was "a total success."
Not good.
The last straw was when I asked about going translab as opposed to from the back of the head.
The Hopkins Neurosurgeons answer was "Yours is too big to go translab. We must go through the back of the head."
Up to that point the surgeons at Georgetown (who I liked a LOT) were hesitant to criticize a colleague at another hospital. But when I told them about the "too big" claim.. they got pissed.
They told me that was patently wrong and that they had removed a 5cm AN two months ago using translab approach.
Just felt like the Hopkins guys were too big for their britches. They felt like they knew their stuff and weren't interested in any other opinions.
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Excellent advice TR4guy!
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Masoudy49, awesome that your surgery went so well and thanks for sharing, very helpful. I'm trying to decide btw House and Dr. Friedman at USC. Who was the otolaryngologist Dr. Schwartz worked with on your surgery?
Thank you!
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newbie77,
I believe masoudy49 mentioned Dr. Schwartz worked with Dr. House for his surgery.
I too often wonder if the Neuro Otolaryngologist that Dr. Schwartz is paired with really makes any difference in the outcome?
I found this interesting webinar from the ANA featuring Dr. Schwartz: https://vimeo.com/90039040
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I'm trying to decide btw House and Dr. Friedman at USC.
Hi newbie77,
Are there any updates?