John Stoner, 69, Tiffin, OH Date of Surgery April 2008
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In October, 2007, I was referred to an urologist because my PSA level had doubled from 2.x to 4.x.
After an initial CAT scan of my lower abdomen and pelvis, and a subsequent prostate biopsy, it was
determined that I had cancer cells in at least two areas of my prostate. A follow-up bone scan
proved negative.
At this point I was searching for treatment options and surgeons — if surgery turned out to be the
option I wanted. Within a week I had decided that I wanted a robotic prostatectomy and I wanted it
performed by Dr. Vipul Patel. I thought, at the time, that Dr. Patel was still affiliated with the James
Center at Ohio State University. I discovered soon after, that Dr. Patel and his entire staff had
moved to Florida Hospital Celebration Health in Celebration Florida at the end of 2007.
I have nothing but the highest praise for Dr. Patel and his entire staff for their professionalism and
efficiency. All my concerns and questions were quickly answered by telephone or in person.
I don’t remember a great deal about the day of surgery. I know that my wife and I were met in the
lobby of the hospital that morning by the Concierge. She escorted the two of us to the surgery
floor. Once turned over to the hospital staff, I felt that I was in equally capable hands: from the
surgical staging area to my arrival at my room after recovery. I have no memory of entering the
surgical suite and very little memory of the recovery room, which is probably as it should be. I had
the finest of nursing care during my overnight stay in the hospital. The same can be said about the
discharge staff that provided my wife and me with post surgical care instructions.
The day after surgery was uneventful for me. It did mean that I was being discharged and it was a
pleasure to sleep in my hotel bed. I did not sleep well the night before in the hospital. The most
difficult thing for me was having the catheter in for the 5 days following surgery. That was most
uncomfortable. Once the catheter was removed the following Tuesday I felt great. In two more days
we were headed home to Ohio.
Hopefully, this experience has been life changing. It is too early to measure all the ramifications
but this experience has addressed the most pressing issues, which were the discovery of
prostate cancer, selecting a treatment option and a surgeon, and eliminating the cancer. It has
only been five weeks since my surgery, but over the next months and years I will be in a better
position to judge the full scope of how it has changed my life. To anyone, within whom prostate
cancer has been detected and who has made the decision to undergo a prostatectomy, I would
strongly recommend the robotic surgery and even more strongly recommend Dr. Vipul Patel, his
associates and staff. When your health is at issue, you owe it to yourself to obtain the best
available healthcare. In my opinion, Global Robotics Institute, headed by Dr. Patel, is the best. My
willingness to travel from Ohio to Florida to have Dr. Patel perform my surgery is testament to the
faith I have in Dr. Patel and his staff.
After an initial CAT scan of my lower abdomen and pelvis, and a subsequent prostate biopsy, it was
determined that I had cancer cells in at least two areas of my prostate. A follow-up bone scan
proved negative.
At this point I was searching for treatment options and surgeons — if surgery turned out to be the
option I wanted. Within a week I had decided that I wanted a robotic prostatectomy and I wanted it
performed by Dr. Vipul Patel. I thought, at the time, that Dr. Patel was still affiliated with the James
Center at Ohio State University. I discovered soon after, that Dr. Patel and his entire staff had
moved to Florida Hospital Celebration Health in Celebration Florida at the end of 2007.
I have nothing but the highest praise for Dr. Patel and his entire staff for their professionalism and
efficiency. All my concerns and questions were quickly answered by telephone or in person.
I don’t remember a great deal about the day of surgery. I know that my wife and I were met in the
lobby of the hospital that morning by the Concierge. She escorted the two of us to the surgery
floor. Once turned over to the hospital staff, I felt that I was in equally capable hands: from the
surgical staging area to my arrival at my room after recovery. I have no memory of entering the
surgical suite and very little memory of the recovery room, which is probably as it should be. I had
the finest of nursing care during my overnight stay in the hospital. The same can be said about the
discharge staff that provided my wife and me with post surgical care instructions.
The day after surgery was uneventful for me. It did mean that I was being discharged and it was a
pleasure to sleep in my hotel bed. I did not sleep well the night before in the hospital. The most
difficult thing for me was having the catheter in for the 5 days following surgery. That was most
uncomfortable. Once the catheter was removed the following Tuesday I felt great. In two more days
we were headed home to Ohio.
Hopefully, this experience has been life changing. It is too early to measure all the ramifications
but this experience has addressed the most pressing issues, which were the discovery of
prostate cancer, selecting a treatment option and a surgeon, and eliminating the cancer. It has
only been five weeks since my surgery, but over the next months and years I will be in a better
position to judge the full scope of how it has changed my life. To anyone, within whom prostate
cancer has been detected and who has made the decision to undergo a prostatectomy, I would
strongly recommend the robotic surgery and even more strongly recommend Dr. Vipul Patel, his
associates and staff. When your health is at issue, you owe it to yourself to obtain the best
available healthcare. In my opinion, Global Robotics Institute, headed by Dr. Patel, is the best. My
willingness to travel from Ohio to Florida to have Dr. Patel perform my surgery is testament to the
faith I have in Dr. Patel and his staff.
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