Sussman Luigi

I had a Watson fundoplication procedure carried out by Luigi Sussman in 2007 after another specialist refused to do this surgery for me as I didn’t meet their rigid criteria. Mr Sussman listened to my story and my reasons for wanting the surgery, and (unlike the other guy) offered me two different types of fundoplication surgery, the Nissen full wrap procedure or the Watson partial wrap. He went through the pros and cons of each method and set very realistic expectations for each procedure in terms of the likely benefits, side effects and so on. He was also very open about exactly how many times he had done the procedure and what the results had been (I can’t remember the numbers but I remember he gave me very specific numbers at the time). He had done the procedure a lot less times than the supposed expert but the results I got were better than I imagined or hoped for.

I had been trying to get surgery for around 15 years and despite having pre approved health insurance to cover the surgery, I was struggling to get a surgeon to do the procedure, as I did not have Barrett oesophagus or any other typical visible pathology related to GORD. I only had many years of symptoms and a history of relief of symptoms from anti reflux medications. Luigi said that my history of relief from anti reflux medications was enough evidence for him because I would not have relief from anti reflux medicine if there was no reflux.

Within 24 hours of the surgery I went from having constant debilitating acid reflux and burning to having no symptoms at all. This was far better than than the expectations that had been set, which were that, at best I would have a good reduction in symptoms and with it a reduction in a dependence on the huge amounts of omeprazole I had relied on prior to surgery to have any relief from the constant burning and stomach pain.

I went from taking 40mg omeprazole every 2-4 hours and still having constant burning, to taking 0mg omeprazole most days and no burning at all.

It is now 15 years after that surgery, and from what I read the lifespan of a wrap is around 10 years if you are lucky.

I now very, very, rarely have any acid reflux and when I do it is a very tiny fraction of the severity it was back before surgery. I take a couple of omeprazole each day as I find that too much acid is more likely to affect me in other ways like gastric motility rather than feeling any burning (I am assuming this is because after 15 years, the wrap is still doing it’s job).

I find it hard now to imagine going back to what like was like before the surgery and am so very glad Mr Sussman listened to me and decided to give me the surgery which has gave me a return a normal life, free from the hell that severe constant reflux made my life.

The surgery he gave me, when others would not, was literally life changing for me and I will always be grateful that he stopped and listened to me.

While I can only assume his technical skills are excellent (as I am not a surgeon therefore have no qualifications to comment except my own excellent result which far exceeded the expectations that were set prior to the surgery) his humanity and ability to listen to his patients, and to give a damn are what set him apart in my opinion

For anyone out there considering choosing Mr Sussman as your surgeon, I can only say DO. If like me GORD has made your life a misery, then based on my own experience I would wholeheartedly recommend you choose him as your surgeon.

Anyone who is considering that surgery with Mr Sussman, I am assuming my name is showing on this review, and you are welcome to search me out by that name on Facebook and message me to discuss my own experience of this surgery if it will help you with your own decision

I was so lucky to have Dr. Sussman as my surgeon, not only because he holds the highest professional standards but also because he is very thorough, knowledgeable and caring. My surgery, recovery and post-op appointments all went really well. Dr. Sussman also took extra care of my condition that he discovered outside his field, by referring me to the best specialist in that area. I have the highest respect for his skills and work ethics.
Sincerely thank you.
Mei

Very experienced and knowledgeable. Luigis staff are very down to earth and caring. Thanks