Martin Kurzer

Written by a private patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

I”m now day 4 post-op so I think its good to give a progress update so soon afterwards. I”m a pretty fit 67 year old who managed to overexert himself in our newly created lockdown home gym resulting in a rather large inguinal hernia. Not wanting to burden the covid stretched NHS with my self inflicted woes, I researched the various options and quickly discovered that Martin was the one expert I could trust to surgically repair this. His web site is very comprehensive about hernia ins and outs and reading the testimonials is also reassuring that you are not alone with many others having gone through this and happy to share the whole experience. I think we are all right to be apprehensive about any surgical procedure, and even more so during this time. I”m no different. However from the moment I met Martin at the hospital he quickly put me at ease. There was no pressure, but with the hernia giving me daily trouble and having to wear a truss to keep in in, I knew from my research that surgery was the only way to fix this. So I was happy to go ahead. We agreed a date, and I was admitted to the day surgery unit at lunchtime for the procedure which would be carried out during that afternoon. Martin came to see me to go through things and I also met the anaesthetist as we agreed it would be a local anaesthetic. Shortly after I walked to the operating room. Strange as it may seem, even though I was awake I don’t remember too much about the operation which apparently was down to the sedation. (Well the hernia is in a sensitive area!). It didn’t seem to last too long although it was probably 30 mins or so which is what Martin mentions on this web site. I spent a short time in the recovery area before moving back to my room. I had no problems walking. Because the operation was in the afternoon I ended up staying the night. There were no issues with mobility but I was certainly happy to be under the good care of both the day and night staff. They were amazing and couldn’t do enough for you. Catering was also great even for a fussy vegan like me! I was discharged the following morning and given advice on medication and what to expect over the coming days and weeks. At the moment I’ve only needed paracetamol to help with the expected pain but the various aches haven’t prevented me from being active in the first couple of days. I can also drive without any problem on day 4. Martin has already been in touch to check on my recovery and provided his mobile number. The overall care has gone beyond what I was expecting and I’m just so grateful I managed to find him and the hospital. If you have a hernia that needs fixing, then you are in the right place. I have no hesitation in recommending Martin and the whole team at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.

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Written by a private patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

I very much appreciate everything you have done for me! You list, you speak with such a gentle voice, you act with skill and wisdom. You put me at ease and I am very blessed to have you as my Consultant. You are truly gifted and compassionate Consultant. Thank you very much for everything.

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at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

Mr Kurzer thoroughly review my hernia and expressed the view that since it was not too serious I could consider doing nothing. I am, however, still an active outdoor person and I decided to go ahead and get it fixed. The operation, to insert a small amount of mesh to support the area that was causing the problem, was successfully completed and after an overnight stay and a further review by Mr Kurzer I was collected by my wife and returned home. I was given two painkiller combinations by the hospital bu in the event I have suffered no pain, merely some understandable tenderness in the area of the incision. I would strongly recommend this gentleman.

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Written by a private patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

Mr Kurzer examined me carefully and explained the options , both to me and to my daughter-in-law ( a doctor). He did not in any way pressurise me to take the hernia operation. Nevertheless, I decided to go ahead , and it was the best decision: now, only 4 weeks after the operation, I feel so much better , and there is scarcely any trace of the scar. Mr Kurzer manages the tricky business of being approachable and friendly, and yet not over-friendly ( which I hate). He is the ultimate professional. Whilst writing, I would also like to give a warm vote of thanks to the whole team , who made me so welcome and comfortable—plus, the food was good !

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Listening

Written by a private patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

Right from the first meeting with Mr Kurzer he put me at ease, taking me through the procedure in a sincere but not too serious friendly manner - reducing any concerns and stress I might have had before meeting him. On the day of the operation Martin popped in to see me, explaining procedures and reassuring me - and opening up to any questions I might have had. The procedure went well that evening. Next morning I woke up, had breakfast and was allowed to walk around the ward a couple of times. Martin checked up on me a bit later. Not long afterwards I was driven back to Eastbourne. Recovery has been good, helped by Martin's various Emails and comments plus his two page Post-Op Instructions which were very reassuring at various stages on wound healing. Mr Kurzer is clearly a gifted surgeon with aftercare to match. Andy Goff

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