Martin Kurzer

Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

Having had an inguinal hernia repair a number of years ago, suffering from quite a bit of pain there recently and fearing it may have recurredI researched new techniques, practices and specialists which I thought would be the best to make sure it didn't recur again. This is how I came across and requested Mr Kurzer through the London hernia centre at St John and St Elizabeth. He was polite, passionate about helping hernia patients and very thorough. He couldn't find a recurrence but still referred me for an ultrasound to make sure. This came back clear on the hernia recurrence, but showed up a couple of other minor things which may explain the pain, so was very beneficial. Therefore, I didn't need any surgery thankfully ; if i ever need any surgery for my hernia I would return to Mr Kurzer again. He was excellent.

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Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

I had a left inguinal hernia repaired by the open, tension-the free mesh technique on the 10th of July this year under local anaesthesia and sedation. I returned to driving (having established that I could stamp on the brake pedal for an emergency stop if necessary, and without pain), and mowing the lawn within 48 hours. I am a 79 year old retired neurosurgeon and am very choosy about whom I let near me with a knife. I researched the whole issue thoroughly and asked to be referred to Martin Kurzer on the basis of his unrivalled long experience in hernia surgery and high standing both within the profession and amongst his patients. We established an immediate rapport at the initial consultation, which was conducted in a thorough and unhurried manner, and the treatment options (which included doing nothing) explained, as were the pros and cons of each. On the day of surgery the admission procedure was handled efficiently. Each of the staff I came into contact with, administrators, the anaesthetist, nurses and support staff on the ward and in theatre, demonstrated, in addition to their expected professionalism, a reassuring, courteous and friendly approach. I stayed overnight in hospital and returned home the following morning. I had very little pain. I took ibuprofen 400 mg each morning for the first four days only. The wound had healed well by day six when the dressing was removed. There was minimal bruising and swelling. Sharp pain in the left groin when fully flexing the hip, as in bending forward to put on a sock was a problem until I found that it could be minimised by careful positioning of the thigh and leg. This took some time to settle completely, but had gone at three weeks. Now, at four weeks plus, I am fully recovered. Roger South FRCS August 2017

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Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

22.07.2017 It has now been just under two weeks since my right side inguinal hernia operation performed by Mr. Martin Kurzer and it is amazing that I remember that I have actually had the operation only when somebody asks: “How are you feeling?”; that is how quick the healing process has been. I had relatively small hernia for about 6 months when I finally had the time to do something about it. Having read through hundreds of pieces of information about inguinal hernia including some very negative experiences I wound myself up enough to be close to sheer panic. My very first meeting with Mr. Kurzer was the most reassuring and calming. His very kind and most professional approach assured me I was in safe hands. I had my operation one week after the meeting with Mr. Kurzer and I could not be more grateful to him for understanding my personal circumstances and arranging the operation for me so soon; I had to start a new job in two weeks’ time, hence the worry about the recovery time. On the day of the operation, from the moment when I arrived in St John and St Elizabeth hospital accompanied by my husband, I was astonished by the level of attention and care that I received from the hospital’s staff. Everyone was amazingly friendly and not once I felt that the process was rushed and overwhelming. This environment definitely helped to relax and put my mind at ease before the operation. The technique used by Mr. Kurzer was open mesh repair performed under sedation with local anaesthetic. Post-operation care and attention was superb. My husband and I left the hospital the same day around 18pm; about an hour of journey home went without any issues. I had slight concerns about the amount of pain I would have after the operation once the anaesthetic would start wearing off, I never had to use any painkillers! The night after the operation, I had wonderful rest, and from the next day onwards I felt absolutely fine. I did have a bit of swelling around the wound area, which gradually decreased to a minimum. The first 3 or 4 days after the ops you do need to be prepared to take things a bit easier just out of common sense, the way you get up and move around, but from the very next day I was able to do some of my routine activities and even go for a little walk. I am back to my normal routine now (12th day after the ops) and I am so happy that I have fully recovered and ready to face new job challenges next week! So much worry and unnecessary stress – all gone thanks to care and highest level of professionalism of Mr. Martin Kurzer! Thank you so much!

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Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

I had surgery on my inguinal hernia carried out 2 weeks ago and have felt almost no pain or discomfort since. With a hectic work schedule approaching, including a trip to The Far East, I was concerned about facing several weeks off work. After meeting Martin Kurzer I was quickly reassured that my recovery would be quick and I was back on a 13 hour flight just seven days after surgery. The procedure itself was under a local anaesthetic with sedation and was able to check out of the hospital just three hours afterwards. The team at St John and Elizabeth were helpful and made the process very smooth. Following some minor discomfort on the second day, I started to walk for 20-30 minutes per day from day 3 onwards and was able to stop taking pain killers after five days. Two weeks after surgery I began some light gym work and I have not felt in any way restricted. Mr Kurzer is both helpful and reassuring and he has regularly followed up by phone and email since the procedure to check on how the recovery has been going. With so many conflicting articles online, his advice is practical and has made what initially seemed quite daunting to be very straightforward. I would highly recommend anyone needing hernia surgery to do everything they can to get an appointment with Mr Kurzer.

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Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

A week after my inguinal hernia operation I feel great. I felt good about Martin Kurzer operating on me because his calm assured manner and thorough explanation of the procedure made me feel that I was in safe hands. That proved to be very much the case. I was seen for a consultation on a Thursday and had the operation the following Wednesday. I felt slightly apprehensive but the smoothness of everything at the Hospital of St. John and St Elizabeth made me feel confident that all would go to plan. Mr Kurzer came to see me to explain some details There was a brief wait in my room then a nurse told me to get changed and explained the process. She was followed by the anaesthetist who explained some more. Then I went to the theatre area and felt like a part of the action. The needle in the back of my hand did not hurt a bit and although I was told that I would feel woozy everything was just as normal - I felt completely me. Then they wheeled me back to the room and I rested for a while until a pre-ordered lunch arrived. I had the operation but I knew nothing about it at all. No recollection whatsoever. I took a taxi home a few hours later and felt calm and had no pain. There was no need for painkillers nor has there been throughout. Mr Kurzer called me the following morning to ask how I felt. I felt good. I rose later than usual but felt completely ok. The following day I went for a walk and all was normal. A week later I feel very little discomfort. I have to be careful with some movements but otherwise all is good. This is improving each day and its good to see the progress back to full normality. Mr Kurzer and his team are so professional and so good that I have nothing but admiration for for their work. I paid for the operation myself (having no insurance) and it was excellent value because it has brought me from a state of being in some distress to being back to how I want to be. The whole experience was positive. The outcome is positive. I feel positive. I would recommend Mr Kurzer to anyone who wants the best. My only previous operation was having my tonsils removed in 1962 and I have had some dentistry so I am not an expert. But I know a good thing when I am lucky enough for it to come my way. And this was a totally good thing. Nick Lerner July 2017

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