What Patients Say: Inguinal Hernias
Jack Zugay
Treasurer, Arnold Palmer Enterprises
One Erie View Plaza, Cleveland, Ohio

Dear Dr. Grischkan:

Thank you for a job well done on my recent hernia repair. It is not often someone does what they say they will do. You did.

I had no real pain or discomfort after the operation and I had no need to take any of the prescribed medication. I was in Hillcrest at 9 a.m. and back home at 2:30 p.m. I experienced no twitching, no black and blue bruising and only mild swelling at the incision. I felt well enough to return to work the next day; had it not been Saturday, I would have. Before the procedure I had related pain in my hips and side. Those pains went away immediately after surgery. I was able to return to normal activities the second day after surgery just like you said I would. I am even more amazed at my recovery considering what you described as a “very large” repair.

I was also extremely impressed with your staff and the staff at Hillcrest Hospital. Everyone was courteous, caring (everything was explained to me in advance) and very professional. Being my first surgery of any kind, I was anxious and concerned. Looking back it was the best surgical experience I could have imagined.

Your modified Shouldice method of repair is matchless. Why every surgeon isn’t using these techniques is a mystery to me. I can’t fathom how anyone in need of a hernia repair would even consider what is referred to as “traditional hernia surgery.”

Sincerely yours,
Jack Zugay

Inguinal Hernia Repair Surgery: Jack Zugay, Cleveland, Ohio
What Patients Say: Inguinal Hernias
Bill Shuman – CEO
Worldwide Telecom Solutions, Inc.
Ohio

I have a lot of experience with doctors and hospitals and physicians – having developed two PPOs in our great state; never have I felt so obligated, from a personal standpoint, to thank a physician and his staff.

My hernia surgery was such a snap, I feel compelled to share that with you and, please, share this with anyone contemplating the procedure.

I am far from a stoic when it involves pain. I filled the prescription and did not use even ONE pill. The mild discomfort was comfortably tolerable with Advil. I missed only a half day at the office – the afternoon of the
procedure.

Please tell those in waiting how well I came through the experience (and, I heard so many horror stories about the operation, in general).

Whatever you did, you did in a remarkable way. For me thank all; and, I would refer anyone with a hernia to use your staff and you to correct it.

It was a “snap.”

Bill Shuman – CEO

Hernias:
Looking for hernia surgeons, hernia doctors or information about hernias? The Hernia Center of Ohio, located in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, specializes in the repair of all types of hernias, including incisional hernias, hiatal hernia treatments and inguinal hernia repairs.

Patients travel from around the world. In Northeast Ohio, we can serve patients from such communities as Beachwood, Lakewood, Mentor, Pepper Pike, Parma, Chagrin Falls, Mayfield Heights, Brecksville, Cleveland, Akron, Canton and more.

Inguinal Hernia Surgery: Bill Shuman, Ohio
What Patients Say: Inguinal Hernias
Stephen C. Schindler, Sr., M.D.
Commonwealth Gastroenterology Associates, PLLC
Kentucky

Just a brief note to once again thank you for everything that you have done for me.

My second inguinal herniorrhaphy once again went amazingly well. As you will recall, my surgery was on Friday morning, the 15th of February 2008, and I returned to Lexington, Kentucky by car immediately following the procedure. I was able to return to work on Monday morning, putting in my usual 14 hour day, and had no discomfort or other problems. Both of my operations went amazingly well and I will be forever grateful. I jokingly refer to you as “the great Grischkan”!

Over and above the surgery, I want to tell you what a smooth operation you have. Your office staff is wonderful and I was very impressed with the Surgery Center which I understand several of you have recently purchased. The nursing staff there was very professional and took quite good care of me. Thanks for everything.

Stephen C. Schindler, Sr., M.D.

Inguinal Hernia Surgery: Stephen C. Schindler, Sr., M.D., Kentucky
What Patients Say: Inguinal Hernias
Louis G. Pecek, Ph.D.
Assistant Academic Vice President
John Carroll University in Ohio

I wish to put on record some of my experience as a hernia patient. I have undergone five right-side inguinal hernia repairs the first of these surgeries also included the left side. My condition is probably congenital; as a university professor and administrator I do not do the heavy work usually associated with those who suffer from hernias. I venture to say, though, that all hernias hurt about the same.

The first four operations were conventional procedures; that I had a general anesthesia (spinal), was in the hospital five to seven days, then home for about four weeks before returning to work. Each recurrence consisted of a tear lower down the right side; mesh was inserted during the fourth repair.

When I found that I needed a second repair, I read up on and inquired about the so-called Canadian method. Frankly, I was dissuaded from it by those I now realize knew little about the method. Furthermore, I knew of no easy access to a surgeon who used the method here in Cleveland.

When the time came for my fifth repair, my internist referred me to you and you explained your methods, very similar to those I had read about more than 10 years earlier.

Moreover, you described my need for a reconstruction of the abdominal wall, a procedure more complex than the ordinary hernia repair. You told me the procedure would take some three hours.

My experience the fifth time was a world apart from my earlier operations. Surgery on a Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. was followed by an hour in the recovery room. I was then taken to a regular bed and told I could dress after I was able to go to the bathroom. I was offered assistance. I found, though, that by the time I had the urge for the bathroom, I felt quite fit enough to walk there slowly. Then I dressed, and called my wife and son to come for me.

I was home by 5:30 p.m., and would have been home sooner had my son been able to leave his office earlier. I walked to and from the car, and up the few steps into my house. By the middle of the next day I no longer needed the medication prescribed for pain. On Friday, I was able to drive. On the next Monday, I spent a few hours at work. By Wednesday, I managed the full day’s work.

It was soon difficult to remember I had surgery. There was no lingering pain or twitching; and most importantly for me (since I had very severe headaches after each spinal anesthesia) I felt no after effects from the anesthesia.

I am happy to offer you these recollections of my experiences, in the hope that others needing hernia repairs will appreciate that there is a difference in procedures.

Sincerely Yours,

Louis G. Pecek, Ph.D.
Assistant Academic Vice President
John Carroll University

Inguinal Hernia Repair: Louis G. Pecek, Ohio
What Patients Say: Inguinal Hernias
Bob Mazurak
Sr. Staff Auditor, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

At age 54, and having gone through other kinds of surgery, I’ve got to say that I am very favorably impressed with the rapid recovery I’ve had since my hernia operation.

On day three after the operation, I was outside cleaning house screens, scrubbing down the siding, and followed those chores with a round of 9-holes golf (walking) with my wife. Closely following your express directions to walk after surgery, along with the Shouldice method which you so expertly practice, must be the key ingredients to healing.

While in your office on day 5 after surgery, I heard from a new patient who came in from Kansas City to be repaired after having gone through three earlier hernia repairs. He, as I did, found out about you on your Website. I listened to his horrible history of arduous and painful recovery from multiple traditional hernia surgeries…a not uncommon story that I have also heard from many others, including relatives.

I not only want to thank you for the excellent repair and painless recovery I had (I only took ibuprofen for a day, and never used the prescribed pain pills) but reiterate the same for my daughter Beth, who you healed in ’99 just before she was headed for college.

I’m giving strong endorsements for you to whomever I come into contact, when the subject of hernia repair comes up (which is pretty frequent right now as everyone is asking me how I’m doing, and they are equally amazed at my progress)! I’m a strong believer in you and wish you godspeed in your endeavors.

Bob Mazurak

Inguinal Hernia Rapid Recovery: Bob Mazurak, Ohio
What Patients Say: Inguinal Hernias
Mike Lobsinger
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

I can’t believe the quality of the surgery. Everything from the quickness of the surgery, the lack of pain, the quick recovery to how good I fell now is amazing. I had two previous hernia operations. On my right side 20 years ago and I still remember the trauma and the pain and the long recovery time.

I then had unsuccessful laparoscopic surgery on my left side one year prior to coming to Ohio. It was the latter surgery you had to repair and apparently it was quite a mess to fix, but fix it you did. My surgery was around 10 a.m. and by 4 p.m. my wife and I were back across the state line in Michigan having a hamburger and a shake at a local Big Boy.

I know people with hernias probably feel more comfortable going to their local doctor, but what a mistake they may be making. I have learned that although hernia surgery is common, getting the hernia fixed property is not so common.

Mike Lobsinger
Bloomfield Hills, MI

Inguinal Hernia Repair: Mike Lobsinger, Michigan
What Patients Say: Inguinal Hernias
Mike Lovenguth

Sunday was the 2 year anniversary (Feb. 10, 2006) of my hernia surgery where you painstakingly and expertly removed all of the mesh plug that had migrated around my colon from my previous surgery.

I am doing well and just wanted to THANK YOU AGAIN for what you did for me. I especially want to thank you for NOT taking the “easy way” out on my surgery and leaving me with a colostomy bag! As always, I am here if any of your patients need to talk to me concerning surgery. You wanted to see me one last time this spring so I will probably see you then. Until that time, may GOD richly bless you and your family.

Mike Lovenguth

Inguinal Hernia Surgery – Mike Lovenguth
What Patients Say: Inguinal Hernias
Nandor Horvath

I underwent routine hernia surgery in San Diego, California on July 2, 2002. I was readmitted back to the hospital with complications. Since then it has been eleven months of unrelenting, excruciating pain along with physical limitations.

I have consulted with sixteen doctors since the surgery and none of them have been able to help me. Two different anesthesiologists/pain management specialists informed me that I might have severe, permanent nerve damage in the groin. One urologist indicated that my chronic pain was related to the mesh that was implanted and recommended its removal. One surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers (Los Angeles) gave me only a 50% chance of success with surgery to correct the problems. Others told me that I was overstating my symptoms. All I knew was that I could hardly walk or do anything. I was undeniably miserable. One thing for certain, my sexual dysfunction was not an acceptable option.

I am proud to say that I was born in the United States of America and served my country in the United States Naval Service. I trained to be a Navy Seal and was honorably discharged in 1997. I was always someone who was physically able to do anything and everything.

The tragedy of this charade is that real people like myself, who lives have been devastated through no fault of their own, don’t want to live out their natural lives in this unhealthy and unproductive way. I wasn’t self-sufficient anymore – I was disabled. I was prescribed Morphine, Ultram, Darvocet, Percocet, Motrin, Vioxx, Pamelor, Neurontin, Trileptal, Topamax,
Zyprexa and Fentanyl.

On June 3, 2003, I flew to Cleveland, Ohio from California with high hopes. I met with you and was astonished by your knowledge, your candor and your  patience in listening to my history. I ultimately felt that I was in good hands.

The date of June 11, 2003, will forever be my second birthday. In performing my complex surgery you were able to master immense impediments caused by the first surgery. I awoke from surgery immediately in less pain! I walked out! I hadn’t been able to walk without pain since my previous surgery almost one year ago!

It has been all but six weeks since the surgery and I cannot begin to thank you. Thank you for having courage, heart and decency. Thank you for giving me back my old self. Everything is exactly as you predicted. You made it very easy to believe and I will never forget what you did for me. You are truly an incomparable surgeon and a remarkable human being.

Sincerely,

Nandor Horvath

Inguinal Hernia Repair Surgery – Patient
What Patients Say: Inguinal Hernia Repair
Dr. Thomas W. Gannon
Professor of Education, Mount Union College, Ohio

The thought of having hernia surgery was pretty scary to someone who, other than recent cataract surgery, had limited contact with the medical profession. I am believer in doing homework on the Internet before surgery or another treatment. I was looking for a state-of-the-art procedure that could be accomplished in a day surgery center and would not involve a lengthy period of restricted activity.

I was pleased to find that one of the world’s leading centers for hernia repair was right in Beachwood. I would have been willing to go anywhere to avoid traditional surgery. I remember what it was like when my father-in-law had his hernia repair by a general surgeon.

I was surprised how quickly I could get an appointment, and really impressed that surgery could be performed almost immediately after the diagnosis. Your manner, professionalism and sense of humor put me at ease. I also liked the fact that you did the necessary “preoperative” examination, so I did not need to go to another physician.

On the day of the surgery, all went very smoothly. The staff of the Independence Surgery Center was very professional and put me at ease. Surgery was accomplished very quickly and before I knew it, I was being cleared to leave. Later in the day, I was doing my required walking and followed up on this for the next two days. By the third day, I was driving, swimming on the fourth day, and playing golf on the seventh day. My co-workers were amazed to see me on Monday, able to walk up four flights of stairs to my office. The people in our golf group were even more impressed.

I would recommend this procedure to anyone needing hernia surgery. I would also urge people to, at the first sign of a hernia, come for an evaluation. My hernia had gotten large, because of not investigating treatment options sooner. I could not believe how much better I have felt after the surgery. The hernia had sapped some of my energy and made walking, standing for long periods of time and golfing uncomfortable.
Thank you. Dr. Grischkan and the staff of the Hernia Center of Ohio.

Dr. Thomas W. Gannon

Inguinal Hernia Surgery: Thomas Gannon
What Patients Say: Inguinal Hernias
Ken Carozza
Dallas, Texas

I thought it quite appropriate for me to write to you on the one year anniversary of my successful hernia repair. I have had absolutely no problems or signs of recurrence. Your thoroughness, via the Shouldice method in conjunction with your skilled application of the prosthetic mesh, has rendered me once again able to enjoy a fully active lifestyle.

I wish that many others with hernias would learn of your competence so they can again have the hope of a reliable, healthy abdomen. You see, for years I was told by several different physicians that hernia surgery was one of the easiest procedures to perform in the operating room. However, again and again after I had surgery, I would experience a recurrent hernia. I thought: “If this were such an easy procedure then why can’t someone do the job right?” It was explained to me that since my father had similar hernia occurrences and recurrences that I was likely to continue experiencing the same. This thought seemed rather revolting to me since a good repair was “supposed” to be a rudimentary exercise for a good surgeon.

It became evident after my disheartening recurrences, that successful hernia surgeries were not easy. Logic told me that if these supposedly easy procedures were not effective, then what I needed was a hernia specialist. This type of surgeon was difficult to find since most hernias are performed as a sideline surgery in the practice of a General Surgeon. I even went to the Cleveland Clinic twice for the repair with no success. Then I learned about you and your specialty and my hope was rekindled. Your procedure was revolutionary as I reflect upon it. I was comfortable in my twilight anesthetic state and was up walking within an hour after my surgery. Never have I experienced such a quick recovery.

Dr. Grischkan, as a Seminary student studying for the pastorate, I am reminded of a verse in the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament that applies to your surgical proficiency: “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” Prov. 22:29

May both the King and common man learn afresh about hope as they are treated under the skillful hands that God has given you.

With gratitude,

Ken Carozza
Hernias:
Looking for hernia surgeons, hernia doctors or information about hernias? The Hernia Center of Ohio, located in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, specializes in the repair of all types of hernias, including incisional hernias, hiatal hernia treatments and inguinal hernia repairs.
Patients travel from around the world. In Northeast Ohio, we can serve patients from such communities as Beachwood, Lakewood, Mentor, Pepper Pike, Parma, Chagrin Falls, Mayfield Heights, Brecksville, Cleveland, Akron, Canton and more.
Inguinal Hernias, Dallas, Texas Hernia Patient