Patients Experiences

Mr C writes:

Before my operation I had reached the state where it was difficult to eat and difficult to retain what I had eaten. When I ate I could feel a "lock up" inside and either (a) I would vomit up the food or (b) I had to stop eating and wait until the lock released. Both happenings were extremely embarrassing and I was losing weight.

The options open to me were (a) botox, (b) using a balloon to burst the muscle, (c) laparoscopic Hellers cardiomyotomy. I chose the laparoscopic method because the surgeon can see pretty well what he was doing whilst keeping the level of invasion to the minimum.

After the operation I can now eat normally but not as fast as historically possible. (I went to a boarding school where we soon learnt to eat quickly to increase chance of a second helping!) I manage the slowing down by "pacing myself" through a meal and this has not proved to be difficult.

Overall, I am glad the operation was done and I am grateful to Mr Dehn and the team for making me better. The worst part was some of the investigations which were quite uncomfortable.

Mrs R writes;

"I simply wished to express my most sincere thanks for putting an end to the misery of my achalasia.

Living with the condition was a completely bleak existence and the operation which you successfully performed on the 21st January has transformed my life - physically and mentally."

Mrs M writes;-

Re; Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

" 3 weeks ago, I was admitted to the Berkshire Independent Hospital in order to have my gall bladder removed. I now feel I must write to tell you how grateful I am for such a successful operation, and to give my thanks to you and your medical team. Since I left the recovery room I have had not one moment of pain, have taken no pain killers, neither in hospital nor at home and have felt and looked so well. I have been singing the praises of "keyhole surgery" a wonderful surgeon and a caring medical team to all who would listen!"