Doctor recommendations please for Chicago area

[IllinoisBG]

Hello everyone.

Can anyone recommend doctors from Chicago area for AN surgery?
Really appreciate the help. I have got few names but recommendations from this community will be very helpful.

Thank you!

[Jet747]

IllinoisBG,

Not having any information on the conditions of your case makes it difficult to recommend someone but Dr George Bovis operating out of Lutheran General, Park Ridge, Center of Brain & Spine Surgery is an excellent neurosurgeon.

PM me if you would like more information, he is quite excellent.

Best of luck, I live just outside Chicago and had my operation with him.

Best,
jet

[IllinoisBG]

Thanks. I have AN size 2.8x2.9 on left side.
I m looking to find surgeon who can work with me to preserve facial n hearing.
One doctor i consulted suggested Tranlabyrnth approach and compromise hearing. I do have a near good hearing which i want to see can be preserved.

[sharonov]

I live in Chicago and saw a few doctors over the years while I was "watch and wait."  I immediately discounted any doctor who said that saving the little bit of hearing I had in my affected ear was a wasted effort.  I ended up going to Dr. Schwartz at the House Clinic in L.A. (Dr. Friedman at Keck was a close second choice) because each said that they'd debulk my tumor if it was impinging on the facial or hearing nerve and do what they could to save the hearing.  And even though I hardly have any speech discrimination left, I can still hear a little and that is very important to me. 

It was not that expensive, either.  Air far from O'Hare to LAX can be under $200.  The place where family stays at House is $85 a night and at Keck it's $125.  My husband and I stayed two weeks, but you don't have to stay that long.  The main point is that both these guys do a very high volume, which is considered the most important consideration in choosing a surgeon for your AN.  People come from all over the US and even the world for the expertise at House.  You can send them your MRI and have a phone consultation.

[ANSydney]

If you have serviceable hearing (PTA <50 dB and speech discrimination >50%), I would say the translabyrinth craniotomy approach is not a good idea. (Retrosigmoid craniotomy or radiosurgery have the potential of saving hearing.)

[LindaG]

I had translab surgery 9/22/16 at Rush.  Surgeons Dr. R. Mark Wiet and Dr. Byrne were great. Had also consulted at Univ. of Michigan and felt very good about that option also.  7 hr surgery - 5 days in hospital -- 3 months physical therapy.  LSD now. Getting used to my new normal but so grateful to have it all behind me. 

[IllinoisBG]

Thanks Linda for the information.
Can you please post your case related size and facial nerve results, if you donot mind. Really will help.
I have surgery scheduled with Dr. Weit and Dr. Munoz. Have you interacted with them at Rush in past?

Thank you again for response everyone!!

[Greece Lover]

It would be about a 4 hour drive, but you might consider consulting with the University of Iowa.  They are a high volume AN center, with some of the best hearing preservation results in the country.  Worked for me! I'd check for Dr. Marlan Hansen.

[Tobeycat1134]

Greece Lover,
What about facial issues, balance, headaches?

[Greece Lover]

I have NO headaches.  My face is fine.  My balance is not yet totally normal, but slowly improving.  It doesn't keep me from doing anything.  I ride my bike 30 miles.  I just led my family on a 3 week trip to Greece, diving in the mountains, etc, and I was great.