Martin Kurzer

Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

Having experienced symptoms of recurrence (and other discomfort) within four months of my first inguinal hernia repair, I wanted to see a specialist this time. Mr. Kurzer lives up to his reputation. Accommodating my consultation and surgery while we were visiting family in the UK, he patiently addressed my detailed questions and concerns and was clearly preoccupied with doing his job well and with my best interests. A couple of weeks after my operation, the outcome seems as good as I could have hoped for. During our initial consultation, Mr. Kurzer quickly spotted an omission in my previous operating notes that later proved relevant and took as long as needed to assess my condition and discuss options. His proposal to re-open the previous incision in my particular case is looking like a good decision that allowed the problem to be identified and resolved properly. Despite certain risks inherent in such repeat surgery, he was able to achieve this without accidental damage and even the cosmetics are looking better than my old scar. Post-operative pain and weakness were considerably less than after my first surgery, allowing me to go for a gentle 2-mile walk after just 4 days. Mr. Kurzer has since been in contact to check on me, but so far I have been healing well. St. John's & St. Elizabeth's, where Mr. Kurzer is based, is a pleasant, well-run hospital with helpful staff, spotless facilities, decent meals and reasonable, transparent charges, all while making enough income to support its charitable hospice. If you look at the regulator's Web page (cqc.org.uk), you can see that its assessment compares favourably with other hospitals that host specialist hernia services. I was rather impressed by their operation. Overall, I'm very happy to have found Mr. Kurzer and this hospital, giving me a second chance at a good outcome.

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Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

I feel very fortunate indeed to have found Martin Kurzer who repaired my epigastric hernia. My first impressions of Martin at my consultation were: this man is 'human' with refreshing candour', extremely knowledgeable and very professional. I find 'being human' a very important element for me when I have to deal with any professional in the 'medical world'. Martin has this in abundance. He explained clearly and comprehensively, what I had and what he could do for me, and took great pains to make sure I understood exactly what he was saying. He listened and answered all my questions. The treatment I received at the Hospital where this took place was revelatory. I was included in every step of the process and accorded the utmost of Nursing care and attention from start to finish from all quarters (Martin and his team, Nursing staff, HCA's. catering, porters etc). As a day patient, I was up and about two or so hours later (I was the 1st that day) and left the Hospital at lunchtime. I'm a foodie. If I have to complain at all, it would be about the food, "does a sandwich" have to be refridgeration 'cold'. I felt no adverse effects whatsoever from the local aneathestic. The 'sedation' beforehand knocked me out completely. I walked home from the tube station. I knew what to expect re: post operative symptoms, having been given information on this beforehand. Personally I experinced very little. Mainly discomfort and awareness of the 'area', rather than any direct pain. I have not had to take any heavy duty painkillers at all. I have a 'dainty' scar which you can hardly see and have been up and about everysince. Day 10 now. I am taking it relatively easy (as perscribed). I have been doing a lot of gentle, daily walking. I don't anticipate any difficulties further down the line. And expect to be up and cycling and everything else, very soon. I feel secure in the knowledge that, if there were any problems, I could contact Martin immediately. I would direct anyone with a hernia, without hesitation, to Martins door!

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Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

I recently had an open repair of an umbilical hernia, under general anaesthetic, by Martin Kurzer. I had absolutely amazing treatment from beginning to end. I am a 69 year old doctor, still working full-time in hospital. My local surgeons are all excellent but I prefer the anonymity of going to hospital where I'm not known if I require any surgical treatment. It was immediately apparent during my first consultation that Martin is that rare combination of a kind, compassionate, excellent communicator as well as a first-class surgeon. Everything was explained perfectly to me.The date of the operation was brought forward at my request by his highly efficient secretary, Margaret. All my dealings with her were also first class. All of the staff with whom I came into contact at the St John and Elizabeth Hospital were excellent and I felt I was in very capable hands. I stayed overnight as the operation was late afternoon under general anaesthetic. The anaesthetist, whose name I'm afraid I forget, was excellent. I had absolutely no untoward effects from the general anaesthetic. Martin came to see me the following morning and I was discharged with a full explanation of post-operative care. I would like to pay special tribute to the nursing staff, all of whom were extremely competent and a pleasure to be with. My room was spotlessly clean and very comfortable. I suppose if I was to be picky, the menu for the evening meal was perhaps a bit limited and there was no wine list! This is probably, though, because most of the patients are day cases there and, embarrassingly, it was only as I looked at the post-operative instructions the following evening in my favourite Italian restaurant (Enoteca Turi) on my third glass of wine that I remembered I was not supposed to have had any alcohol for 24-hours following the GA! Anyway, regardless, I suffered no ill effects! I didn't require any analgesia following the operation and two weeks down the line feel absolutely 100% fit. I cannot recommend Martin Kurzer highly enough. He is an outstanding surgeon and his team are equally as excellent.

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Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

Dr Kurzer was absolutely brilliant with me! After finding the NHS doctors for hard to deal with Dr Kurzer listened to me and got straight to the point of the matter. He was very caring and continued to check if I was okay after the surgery and I knew he was there if I ever had a problem! Could not have asked for better treatment!!

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Written by a patient at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital

First off, I would like to say that Mr Kurzer and his team were extremely professional, kind and attentive, and had just the right level of humour – but not flippant. Special thanks to Annette, the nurse that looked after me during the brief stay – she was fantastic and kept me smiling the whole time with her stories and conversation, but again, was totally professional and had my welfare as her top priority. The room was extremely comfortable and the lunch, great. Here is my experience of the operation: It is now ten days after the operation for an inguinal hernia, left side. The operation was open (incision) with the insertion of mesh. I elected for local anaesthetic, which worked very well and meant I could leave the same day. There was only minor discomfort during the operation. As it turned out I didn’t need to take any pain killers at all. Of course, there has been some soreness (external mostly) and, on occasion, when I lifted the left leg at an odd angle (up onto a bed or into a taxi), I had some shooting pains (quite painful at first - about an 8/10 level – and normal), but these are becoming rarer. I was able to walk around the ward within a couple of hours of the operation – amazing! And I left the hospital with my wife about four hours later. We stayed in London and the following few days we did quite a lot of walking, but only locally (to shops/restaurants etc) and very carefully. We managed to fly back to France just 4 days after the operation, but in retrospect I think it would have been better to wait the full week (as advised by Mr Kurzer). It was a little difficult given all the different legs of the journey (taxi, train trip to Gatwick etc.) Currently, I am feeling very good and doing some very mild exercises that do not involve my core. I anticipate introducing some stomach exercises within the next week or so – but again, starting very gently. I took the dressing off a couple of days ago – the scar is healing really well, though there is a pronounced ridge and a little swelling, which is entirely expected. I expect this will gradually go down with time… To sum up, I would definitely recommend Mr Kurzer, his expertise along with his professional team made the whole experience almost enjoyable! If ever I get another hernia (right side??) then I would not hesitate to return. Steve

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