Patient Testimonials
Patient Letters
Dear Dr. Wagner,
I would like to express the gratitude that my wife and I feel for the surgery you performed. We did a good deal of research leading up to our referral to you from Dr. Pavlovich at Johns Hopkins, and it certainly was worth it.
Your explanation and understanding of my condition and description of what to expect at each stage of the process was straightforward and clear. You are the leader of a team that combined for what seems like the very best possible outcome. The recovery, to my mind, has been nothing short of remarkable. I've had no significant pain since I arrived home the day after surgery and, each day since, I have felt noticeably better and better. When I think of the operation I went through, I have a hard time believing I can feel so good so quickly.
You have a competent manner and an understated confidence in your skills as a surgeon. Both these characteristics are clearly embodied in my successful healing. You are an expert at what you do, and I am the beneificiary. Please know that I was naturally very apprehensive going into the operation and am profoundly grateful to you for your surgical expertise.
Heartfelt thanks from both of us.
Sincerely,
Patient, March 2012
Dear Dr. Wagner,
I am well on my way to recovery, and my wife and I wanted to take a moment to thank you, and the entire Beth Israel Deaconess surgical team, for the high level of patient care I received.
All through the process, Shirley Monroy has been, and continues to be, a cheerful and efficient facilitator, and I can tell how you value her work.
Dr. Brendan Garry, the anesthesiologist who met with us on our pre-op visit, couldn't have been nicer, more knowledgeable, or more encouraging. He was a pleasure to talk to, and very reassuring!
Jodi Mechaber was most helpful both on the day of the operation and, of course, a week after, when she guided me through catheter removal, and what to expect next. She is extremely professional and compassionate.
On the day of my surgery, our reception was designed to put us at ease at every step. The gentleman who greeted us warmy (looks a lot like former senator Hyde) explained what would be happening, and escorted me up to the pre-op area. The pre-op room was a high-energy, upbeat place, and the nurses were very reassuring (several of whom mentioned their genuine admiration for your surgical skills). I don't remember much after that until the recovery room, where a nurse was most efficient and comforting. During my overnight stay, the nurses on duty cared for me in a gentle and supportive manner, and were cheerful and positive. Dr. hartman was extremely competent when removing the drain and assessing my condition.
I hope I haven't forgotten to mention anyone. I'm sure you get letters like this all the time, but I would like to reiterate that the whole surgical process was managed thoughtfully and sensitively, and I deeply appreciate the fine care at every stage. I hope, too, that you, your support team, and the medical center itself, take great satisfaction in knowing just how good you all are at what you do.
Thanks again to each and every one of you!
Sincerely,
Patient, March 2012
Dear Dr. Tabb,
While doing a scan on my small intestines this past summer, it was discovered that I had a mass in my left kidney that needed to be looked at further. Upon doing another scan, focusing on my kidney, it was determined that I had a 2 cm tumor. A local doctor suggested that we should wait and do another scan in January to see if it had grown. My daughter, who is a nurse at Children's Hospital, went online to find a place to go for a second opinion. She discovered that right across the street at BIDMC is a program focusing on kidney tumors. I scheduled a meeting with Dr. Wagner and group for late October.
At that meeting I was presented with options for my treatment. Even though waiting was an option, Dr. Wagner felt that the quickest and easiest solution was to remove the tumor as soon as possible. I agreed with him and we scheduled the surgery for early January 2012. My pre-op visit was scheduled for 2 weeks before the surgery date. An MRI was done and the tumor had grown 0.4 cm, so it was good that we were planning to remove it. The surgery went as scheduled and everything went extremely well, including the results that the tumor was benign.
I must say that my experience with Dr. Wagner and the entire group was outstanding. Everyone made me feel comfortable and gave me the feeling that they really cared about me. I had excellent and friendly care during my hospital stay. I really appreciate the follow-up calls from everyone, including two from Dr. Wagner. The second one of these was him telling me the tumor was benign.
You should be very proud of the group that handles this program. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to others.
Patient,February 2012
Dear Dr. Wagner,
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, the words feel like a knife cutting through you. No one is ever prepared to hear those words and a million thoughts - none good - go through your brain and won't stop. Confusion, nervousness and fear just seem to overtake you and your day to day normal activities just aren't the same. However, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center helps ease all of those scary thoughts and helps prepare a patient for the best medical care offered.
I can't say enough about the wonderful treatment I received from Dr. Andrew Wagner. He and his dedicated staff were there with me from the very beginning and continued to follow up with me after my treatments ended. If I had any questions at any time, Dr. Wagner was always available to answer them. He and his staff eased my fears and made me feel like I was in the best hands possible - and I was.
Thank you to Dr. Wagner and all of the wonderful caregivers at Beth Israel for making my cancer treatment the best anyone could have ever wanted!
Patient, February 2011
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Dear Chief of Urology,
I am a prostate cancer patient of Dr. Andrew Wagner and recently underwent minimally invasive prostate surgery at Beth Israel. I feel I'd be remiss if I did not reach out and make you aware of the amazing care your urology team provided. I would like to share my special experience and express my sincere appreciation for the attentive, compassionate and skilled care I received pre-surgery through post op.
Dr. Wagner and his multi-disciplinary partners Dr. Irving Kaplan and Dr. Rupal Bhatt conducted a thorough evaluation of my condition and offered a second opinion for appropriate treatmetn of my disease. They answered my questions honestly and provided me a formidable basis to make an informed decision how to treat my disease. As a team they suggested I follow the surgical treatment route.
I am confident that you are already aware that Dr. Wagner is a remarkable, personable, gifted surgeon as well as a great team leader. However, he also possesses a standout quality I admire most about him. He has the ability to transcend his confidence in his surgical skill set to his patient, thereby gaining his patient's trust that eases any anxiety his patient may have going into and coming out of surgery. These things add up to what I consider makes Dr. Wagner a great doctor. Further this quality resonates on through to his team members, enabling an experience that exceeds a patients expectations.
Additionally, I would like to recognize Dr. Rebecca Lavelle and Nurse Practitioner Jodi Mechaber for their exemplary post op care.
So here I am in great health merely 12 days after my operation and walking around Boston with minimal restrictions (walking the dog and 10# weight lift limit) for a few more weeks. Great job!
Warm regards and Happy Holidays,
Very satisfied patient, December 2010
Hi Doc,
First of all, thank you so much for your kindness, attention and most of all, skill. Everything you suggested would take place has, and I continue to progress and feel better every day. My wife and I have already had a successful sexual experience; no problems there.
I want you to know that at every point of this journey, I have been treated with dignity and decency. Please let all of your staff know how much this patient appreciated everyone, from assistants to Jodi to you.
Robotic Prostatectomy Patient, October 2010
Dear Mr. Levy:
I am writing because I want you to know how totally impressed I have been, not only with Dr. Wagner, Jodi Mechaber and the rest of the team, but with the outstanding attitude with all those with whom I have interfaced these past few weeks -- from receptionists to radiology staff to pre-admission nurses and techs.
When my urologist for the last 11 years found a new, small but aggressive cancer just several weeks ago, I was seen as a good candidate for robotic surgery. I immediately started searching for the best, most experienced surgeon I could find. Andew Wagner was strongly recommended by a friend who'd recently been operated upon by him, and by the head of Tufts Medical School.
With my first contact, Dr. Wagner's office was able to schedule an interview the very next day. At it, Jodi Mechaber spent most of an hour briefing me and answering a host of questions I had, only to be followed by another 45 minutes with both Dr. Wagner and Jodi answering, in all the detail I sought, all my very specific questions relating to various aspects of how the surgery itself was performed, outcomes, and so forth. It was not simply the quality of the detail, but the total candor with which it was related, that truly impressed me. It is ultimately about trusting the individual, I couldn't think of anyone I'd trust more. I was, and remain, sure I made the right decision.
My one night stay at Beth Israel Deaconess was also singularly great. At BIDMC, I was blown away by the apparent nighttime protocols: hallway lighting of no more than 2 foot candles, everybody just whispering, being awakened for vitals by a gentle touch on the arm and a whisper, the tonal call system that sounded just loudly enough to be heard and heeded. This place is unbelievable, I thought. The patient truly comes first. Only after did I realize that the peace was likely broken for the others by my ostensibly loud snoring!
Thanks to you and the entire staff for making this such a pleasant experience.
Sincerely,
A very grateful patient!
Dear Dr. Wagner,
I continue to have a PSA of 0.0 and all systems are fully functioning, (I do continue to use a small dose of Viagra). I am continuously amazed at the bladder control I have had since a few weeks after the operation. I can rival any teenager!
And finally, I just won the United Sates Power Lifting Masters Championship for the third consecutive year and have been awarded a seat on the World Team. I’ll be competing in the World Championships in the Czech Republic in the fall.
I have actually gained significant strength since my surgery. I am looking to break an all-time national record in the squat within the upcoming competitive season.
Once again, thanks for your precision work – amazing! And if I can be of assistance to anyone, just let me know.
Sincerely,
Grateful prostatectomy patient, 2010.
Dear Dr. Wagner and Jodi:
Words cannot adequately express the profound appreciation I feel towards you both. While I know there were many others closely involved in my care and treatment, the two of you lead me through this incredibly emotional and frightening experience. From Dr. Wagner's expert knowledge and exceptional surgical care, to Jodi's amazing pre and post-operative assistance leaves no doubt in my mind that I chose the absolute best team in the business!
With all the gratitued in my heart, thank you SO very much for all you have done.
Warm Regards,
Grateful patient, June 2010
Good Morning,
I have been wanting to write to say Thank You to all the people who took care of me during and after my partial nephrectomy performed on April 30th of this year.
The morning of the surgery was easy and smooth for me. By that I mean that the people prepping me for surgery put me at ease. During my recovery (next two nights), I had many people watching over me. I was actually a bit surprised at how nice and caring everyone was. Even the housekeeping woman asked me if I needed a nurse when I moaned while trying to move! I assured her I didn't and thanked her. One night there was a nurse who came to take my vital signs and she was so nice. If I had been on any pain medications stronger than I was on, I would have thought she was an angel! She was soft spoken, had a beautiful smile and spent a moment chatting with me. What a sweetie.
Everyone that came to check on me had a smile. Whenever I pressed the call button, I never had to wait for help. That's not the case in all hospitals. I am greatly impressed with the level of care I received during my stay and plan on continued follow-up at BIDMC. Apparently, not only do you have the best docotrs and surgical staff, but quality people doing the after care too!
Thank you very much, June 2010.
Dear Dr. Wagner,
I haven't thanked you properly, but let me get started here. I would have never imagined that the process and recovery from a prostatectomy could be as pain and side-effect-free as this has been. I feel remarkably fortunate to have found someone with superb attitude and skills to get me through this. You and your team have been consistently professional, thorough, and caring; for that I'm very grateful.
A grateful patient, April 2010
Dr. Wagner,
I learned of my kidney cancer from a CT scan for abdominal pain. It turned out I had recurrent apendicitis, but the scan also picked up a growth on my kidney. An MRI revealed a solid tumor on my left kidney, most likely malignant. I went to Dr. Wagner because he could remove the tumor with laparoscopic surgery which is far less invasive than traditional techniques and has a shorter recovery time.
The tumor was in a tricky place, up against the renal artery and vein, but Dr. Wagner was able to remove the tumor without having to remove the entire kidney. The appendix was removed laparoscopically on the same day. I was in the hospital for three nights to recover, then at home for ~4 weeks. I was up and walking around the block four days after surgery. The pain was easily manageable with over-the-counter medication, Tylenol.
That was August of 2009. In the spring of 2010 I started a vigorous exercise program. I am a road cyclist and regularly ride 30-40 miles once or twice a week. I go to the gym nearly every day to lift weights and use aerobic exercise machines. I consider the surgery a complete success and would recommend Dr. Wagner. He explained everything to me, is highly competent and has a great bedside manner.
Grateful patient, April 2010.
Dear Dr. Wagner,
I was stunned to learn that I had a potentially-cancerous tumor on my kidney - it's news that you're never prepared to hear. Dr. Andrew Wagner delivered the intial diagnosis, and explained the risks and advantages of having surgery or waiting. More importantly, though, he brought an unbelievable sense of calm and reassurance to what was a surreal and difficult moment.
I was very impressed by his suggestion that I seek out additional opinions and make up my own mind regarding conventional vs. laparoscopic options, even though he spealizes in the latter. For me, the choice of a less-invasive laparoscopy became clear, and the benefits were immediate.
Dr. Wagner and his staff not only helped me make the right decision about my health, they helped me through the process in ways you don't always expect from a large, sophisticated institution like Beth Israel Deaconess: His call on the eve of my operation to reassure me and answer any last questions; the daily follow ups to help me through early recovery; the 24/7 phone access to him whenever I had a question or concern.
After having a plum-size malignant tumor removed along with a third of my kidney, I was out of the hospital in three days, off of daytime pain medication in four, and back to work in less than a month. This is all a direct benefit of the laparoscopic approach, without which I would have been laid up for 4-6 months.
A year later I am fully recovered and cancer-free. I hope I never have to go through that again, but if I do I know that I will be in very good hands.
A very grateful patient, April 2010
To all my Doctors, Nurses and Volunteers at BIDMC:
I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the concern, compassion, care and encouragement you gave me through my treatment of stage 3 cancer. I wish I could name everyone, but the list is too long. I do want you to know that each and every face is etched into my mind, and I will never forget you. I always referred to you all as "my posse".
What a wonderful, world-class group you all are. I never doubted for one minute that I was in the very best hands possible. Every family member or friend who met my posse said "If I'm ever diagnosed with cancer this is where I would come". That's how impressed they were with you.
Thanks again to you all. I was so very fortunate to have all of you on my side.
With gratitude and love,
Grateful patient, March 2009
Dear Dr. Wagner,
Just wanted to thank you very much for everything. You and your whole team were absolutely outstanding with me. Your personal guidance and experienced information helped me get to the right decision, and you made a very tough experience for me as good as anyone possibly could. I would not hesitate to refer you in a heartbeat to friends or family members who might benefit from your expertise in the future. I mean that very sincerely.
Sincerely,
Grateful patient, March 2009
Dr. Levy,
I was compelled to write to you about the remarkable experience I had 4 weeks ago when I had a radical nephrectomy (based on a Dx of a 9 cm renal cell carcinoma) at BI performed by Andrew Wagner. I've been in healthcare for over 30 years and before I met Dr. Wagner, my opinion of surgeons was probably stereotypical although reinforced with actual experience. That is, if I talked to a med student who said they were interested in becoming a surgeon I had one of two reactions. The first was, "Good, he/she should definitely have limited contact with conscious people." The second was, "What a waste...he/she would be great with people."
Dr. Wagner caused me to rethink those assumptions as he is as extraordinary in his people skills as he is technically. His technical skills were evidenced by my recovery. Upon leaving the hospital I didn't take as much as a single Advil. To me, that means that he moved my organs so minimally they didn't even know he was there!
It was his humanity though that left a profound impression on me and caused me to trust him absolutely. Some examples...
His first sentence to me was, "I am so sorry this happened to you." And he meant it! After a few minutes of conversation, he asked if anyone accompanied me to the appointment. I responded that my husband and closest friend did and he asked for their names. He then left the room and went to get them. He didn't ask a nurse or a secretary to do it...he brought them in himself. He gave me his email address and responded when I had questions. Finally, he called me the night before the surgery (a Sunday evening) to ask if I had any last minute questions or any anxiety that he could help with. I have never heard of a surgeon doing that and neither have my doctor friends.
Anyway, I thought you might want to hear about an extraordinary physician...what a role model for the rest of the clinical staff!
Sincerely,
Grateful patient, October 2008
Dear Dr. Wagner,
I want to thank you ever so much for taking great care of me and making sure all was well with my renal tumor. You never realize until you are in this position how much it means to feel secure and confident with someone who is taking such close care of you. Please thank all of your staff too.
Sincerely,
Grateful patient, December 2007
