Mr Mario Teo

Written by a NHS patient at Southmead Hospital

I was referred to Mr Teo in March 2020 with severe facial pain. Although knowing about the brain tumour for some years the time had come to seek support and advice. Mr Teo was so very kind with his diagnosis and support. He was honest about the way ahead but offered hope and support for the future. He answered all my questions and allowed my husband to attend the appointments as well as the information took a while to sink in. I was very scared at the thought of having the brain tumour removed. He reassured me and supported me all the way. The operation took place at the end of September 2020. All the staff in ICU and the subsequent ward were so caring. I have recently seen Mr Teo at my 4 month check up and we discussed my concerns for the future, again reasurance and support was offered. The whole procedure was amazing and I now have my life back. I cannot thank him and his team enough for their care.

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Written by a patient at Southmead Hospital

Me Mario Teo is amazing. I was sent here after having an eye test at Bristol Eye Hospital. This was through my optician who was not happy with my routine eye test. Mr Teo has patience and is clear on describing what is going to happen to you through the surgery. My parents came with me and he was so kind and considerate to them answering any questions clearly. I had a left wing meningioma removed. This was on the Friday morning and I was discharged On the Monday evening. On a check up my 14 year old son came with me and Mr Two explained everything to him. He showed him the scans of before and after the surgery, anwering any questions he had. Mr Teo is so kind and considerate that I genuinely had no apprehension on going into theatre. Mr Teo also has a great team. All of them are amazing. I can't thank you enough. Kind regards and best wishes for all of you. Charlotte Hawkins

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Written by a patient at Southmead Hospital

Mr Teo did my first bypass brain operation, it was a complete success. Not only is he very professional, he has a calm and cool presence about him. I liked and trusted him instantly. He has given me the best care and continues to do so with the progression of my brain disease. With his help I feel I can get on with life without many concerns on or if my health is deteriorating because of his care and reassurance.

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Written by a patient at Southmead Hospital

I am a 59 year old male with a background in the military and the police and as an instructor/trainer/assessor. I have been retired for the last 5 years. I’ve always kept reasonably fit, so when lockdown came in March 2020 I decided to use my garage as a gym and do a daily 25 minutes exercise routine, with a rest day on Saturday and a 25 minute stretch exercise on Sunday. I also cycle regularly. I became aware that my balance on one or other foot was not correct and I was losing the ability to complete my sentences and think of particular words to complete those sentences. On the 20th July I started a new exercise routine, however on the second day I had a headache, chest pains and generally felt unwell. I put this down to the new exercise routine and took ibuprofen and paracetamol on a daily basis. On 28th July I was conscious that my right heel was scuffing the ground as I walked my dog. Therefore I stopped doing the exercise routine and concentrated on cycling instead. I went on a cycle ride every other day. On 7th August I contacted my local GP’s surgery, Dr Imre Szalontai phoned back, and I explained my symptoms; • Dragging right leg. • Pains in the left side of my chest. • Difficultly with balance, especially on my right leg. • Difficulties with word formation and sentence completion. • Headaches. He asked me to visit the surgery for an appointment at 4.15pm. He carried out some tests, typed onto his computer, gave me an envelope, told me he suspected a tumour and to go to A&E immediately, which my wife and I did. We got to A&E and booked in. I had a CT scan, which later confirmed that I had a tumour of the meningioma (lining of the brain). It was the size of a satsuma, probably benign and very slow growing. It had probably been growing over the last 20 years. On the Sunday morning I was transferred to Southmead Hospital, Bristol. Southmead is the regional neurosciences institute. The following morning I had an MRI scan which confirmed the earlier diagnosis. After a consultation with a neurosurgeon, namely Mr Mario Teo, I elected to undergo a surgical procedure which involved removing the tumour. I was discharged later that day with a view to being contacted by the operating theatre team later. On Thursday 3rd September 2020 I received a phone call from Southmead Hospital, stating I was to report to the hospital on Sunday 6th September for tumour removal surgery on the 7th. I was also informed that I would need a coronavirus test prior to then at the local hospital, which I did and it was negative. On Sunday 6th September 2020 I was admitted to Southmead Hospital, and the next morning I entered the operating theatre in order to undergo surgery to remove the tumour. The neuro-surgery team led by Mr Mario Teo used a general anaesthetic and then operated for 17 hours (9.30am – 2.30am) to remove the tumour. I did not have my head shaved! First they clamped my head, I’m not sure what they used, but it was uncomfortable for weeks afterwards. They then made a horseshoe-shaped incision on the top of my scalp and rolled the skin back. A hole was then made in my skull. Removal of the tumour followed, this was the most difficult part of the operation as there were many blood vessels connecting my brain and the tumour. During the operation and whilst in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) I received three blood transfusions, as I had lost a lot of blood. After the operation I went into the ICU where I was attached to cannulas’, endotracheal tube (which was very uncomfortable) and monitored by nursing staff every hour (blood pressure, temperature, pupil reaction to light etc). My wife visited a few hours after the operation and on the Wednesday 9th, she later told me that I was thrashing around so much, and trying to remove the tube that was down my throat that I had a soft ‘boxing glove’ fitted to my left hand as a preventative measure to stop me removing the endotracheal tube. I was aware that on the Thursday 10th at midday I had the tube removed leaving a nasopharyngeal tube in my nose, I was still being sedated. Every time I closed my eyes I had hallucinations, seeing dragons, snakes and fluffy clouds, hopefully as a result of the anaesthetic! I started to eat solid food. I was very weak and couldn’t move my right foot for a couple of days, I tried to go to the toilet by myself, but in slow-motion my legs gave-way. Everybody said I was overdoing it! I was on a daily dose of the following medication; • Dexamethasone (a steroids to prevent swelling) • Omeprazole (stomach settling tablets) • Levetiracetam (anti-fit tablets) • Morphine (pain relief) • Paracetamol (as required for pain relief) • Numerous injections etc to draw blood samples, medication delivery, etc. The physiotherapists came to take me for walks (with a surgical mask on when outside of my cubicle) but the first time they took me out I struggled to make it around the ICU department. On Friday 11th September I had the NG airway and cannulas removed. The next day, with the permission of the nursing staff, my wife took me for a shower, I used a shower chair. The same day the staff tried and failed seven times to get blood from me!!! Sunday 13th I was transferred to a ward (gate 6b) a single room within the ward complex, and a member of staff finally managed (on the second attempt) to get some blood from me. I’ve always been told I’m difficult to get blood from (it’s where the old saying ‘you can’t get blood from a stone’ comes from!!!). Between Monday 14th and Wednesday 16th the Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists visited me, assessed me and gave me tasks to do the following; • PT’s gave me some physical exercises to do whilst stationary. • OT’s took me for walks along the corridor and stairs although I was a little unbalanced at first I improved as the days went along. • SaLT gave me speech, comprehension and written assessments. I struggled with these especially speech, expression and reasoning. My thanks go to Mr Mario Teo and the rest of the team. Without his competent and skillful surgery, his leadership of a great team and the back-up of a wonderful group of nurses I undoubtedly would have died an early death.

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Written by a patient at Southmead Hospital

I was referred to Mr Tao after an MRI scan revealed that a tumour was causing my severe facial pain. Mr Tao took time to carefully explain all the options and answered all my questions, thoroughly, however trivial, with kindness and patience. I opted for surgery as the optimum solution. My care at Southmead from arrival to discharge was more than excellent . At my follow up appointment, Mr Tao reassured me about my prognosis and I am now fully recovered. Thank you Mr Tao and his team for everything. I am so grateful to you all.

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