Mr Babak Arvin 2017-08-18 Person 5 5 0

Four years on from a bilateral discectomy, I decided to look up Mr Arvin. He has remained in my thoughts since my operation as he went over and above the call of duty to look after me from the point of injury through to a complete recovery. The consultations preceding my operation were informative, unhurried and person centred, exploring and analysing the pros and cons of all options available. Ultimately it became apparent that an operation was the best option and Mr Arvin ensured that this was arranged for me in a timely manner. Whilst Mr Arvin explained the risks of the operation, I had total faith in his commitment and ability as a surgeon, which was not misplaced. Furthermore, I later discovered, that on the day of the operation (which was a four hour job) Mr Arvin had to fight my case as a ‘bed crisis’ had materialised and my operation was in jeopardy of being cancelled. Thanks Mr Arvin … you’re one in a million! So, pre-op my life had unwound to the point where I was in terrible pain and could not walk any further than from the bedroom to the bathroom, this with the aid of a stick. Post-op I not only returned to work but progressed my career and obtained useful qualifications. I am now fitter than many people I meet of my own age (being the wrong side of 50) and go to the gym, dig the garden, maintain my home and have a canoe which I take on the sea as well as lug it around. The scar itself has reduced to the point that it is hardly visible and I have to say … it’s like I’d never been seriously injured at all. I would add that an acquaintance of mine, from a different part of the country, is similarly injured; far from getting any person centred help she continues to deteriorate, she remains in pain, disabled and dependent and is now having her house adapted. Not everyone is lucky that when they are injured they cross paths with a surgeon such as Mr Arvin, it is one of the great stories of my life that I did.