Patient Testimonies

"I am very satisfied with Dr. Shifrin's handling of my surgery and his patience with me before, during, and after the procedure. My husband and I felt I was in the best hands possible. His staff could not have been more helpful. Dr. Shifrin is the best. Patricia G 6/18/2013"

-- Patricia G. (New Jersey)

"Hearing that I may have thyroid cancer was especially frightening since it was so unexpected and I was 4 months pregnant. My husband & I also had a 4 year old son at home at the time. Meeting Dr. Shifrin was the best thing that could have happened to me. Dr. Shifrin is so amazing that he performed my total thyroidectomy, for papillary thyroid cancer, while I was awake, talking & pregnant with my second child in December 2011. My mother had papillary thyroid cancer 5 years prior so my family doctor routinely sent me for ultrasounds of my neck. A thyroid nodule was present so I was referred to an endocrinologist, who because of my family history, sent me to Dr. Shifrin because "He is the best!". After meeting and consulting with Dr. Shifrin I decided to have a biopsy done. Because of my pregnancy, I only wanted the use of a cold numbing spray and no anesthesia for the biopsy. It was not painful and only uncomfortable for a few moments. After the biopsy came back positive for cancer and molecular markers came back stating it was the aggressive type, it was best not to wait to have the surgery. Dr. Shifrin took the time & consulted with & wrote letters to all my doctors, my family doctor, endocrinologist, obstetrician and perinatologist. He also explained information to me as many times as I needed to hear it. He was very compassionate & understanding of my concerns about my baby's wellbeing and how I did not want my baby to receive any unnecessary medication. He performed my surgery in the beginning of my second trimester using a local regional block, no other anesthesia. I was awake and able to talk during the whole operation. The greatest comfort to me through it all was the fact that I could feel Dr. Shifrin by my side the whole time, he never left me. He also made sure my baby was ok through ultrasounds before & after surgery. I left the hospital that same day. I didn't need to take any pain medication following the procedure. Swallowing was uncomfortable for a few days afterward but no pain. I returned to work two weeks later. I can not say enough wonderful things about Dr. Shifrin & his team. I will forever be grateful. I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl, Alanah Noelle Smith on June 25, 2012 and I am now cancer free!"

-- Stacey Dionisio Smith (Toms River, New Jersey)

"Dr. Shifrin, You performed a total thyroidectomy on May 2nd.2013. Within 2 days, aside from the glue, I wouldn't have known I had surgery. Minimal pain and a slight sore throat from the anesthesia. I want to complement you on your surgical staff. They were compassionate, professional and very attentive to my circumstance. The OR nurses and the techs. worked well together and knew exactly what they needed to do. They should be very proud of the work they do. Also, the pre-op and discharge nurses were wonderful to me. They really seemed to care about their jobs and performed them well. You have a truly professional and caring staff. They made a difficult situation for me very tolerable. Thanks, Paul"

-- Paul (Toms River, NJ)

"If surgery could be wonderful, believe me it was. A yearly chest X-ray due to pulmonary problems,showed I had an enlarged thyroid and trrachial compression. After seeing an endocrinologist, I underwent several tests. The results showed several cold nodules one being very large. My endocrinologist sent me to Dr. Shifrin. Dr. Shifrin was very kind and caring. He explained what needed to be done and answered all my questions. He even asked one more time if I had any questions. My thyroid ectomy was scheduled for April 18, 2013 but a week before Linda called to ask if I would like to go on the 12th due to rescheduling. I wanted to say, "Oh, that"s ok. I'll just wait for the 18th." After speaking to my husband, we decided I should just get it over with. Linda was very kind and helpful. The day of my surgery, I was treated very kindly by everyone at Jersey Shore Medical Center. Nurse Amy took great care of me. Everyone involved with the surgery came and introduced themselves and told me what they would be doing to assist. My recovery went very well. David in discharge took good care of me. My surgery was on a Friday[my birthday],and by Sunday I was doing great. I did not need any pain meds. My sore throat eased each day. I consider myself very lucky to have had Dr. Shrifrin do my surgery. I would recommend him to everyone. Thank you Dr. Shifrin."

-- Rosemary Lipinski (Toms River)

"I want to thank dr.shifrin for an amazing, well planned, and fully executed surgery. After finding out I had a thyroid problem in 2011. It wasn't until march of 2013 when diagnose with thyroid cancer, papillary. I was a little bit rattled about the cancer and surgery. The doctor and his team gave me all the confidence I needed. Early April I had the surgery removing my entire thyroid and lymph nodes on left side. The next day I was walking around. A couple weeks later back to my normal life feeling great and no complications afterward. Dr. Shifrin thanks for wonderful job. "Doc you're the Ben Carson of endocrine surgery.. Gifted Hands" "

-- Markim (Asbury Park)

"At first I was nervous when I noticed a lump in my neck. I was referred to Dr. Shifrin by my endocrinologist. From the time I walked in the office I have felt at home. His staff is amazing. Their knowledge and joy put me at ease during a scary time. I couldn't be more pleased of the results. Megan and Linda are always a pleasure to see. Thank you to the entire staff."

-- Heather C (Colts Neck, NJ)

"I want to thank Dr Shifrin and his staff. Two weeks after the removal of a parathyroid nodule that caused an increase in Calcium in my blood stream, I feel great! The scar site is very small and difficult to see( I'm told it will fade even more),and my energy levels are high. It was amazing to feel the purging of all that extra Calcium from my blood stream and kidneys, I knew that I felt lousy but I was amazed at how fast this turned around. Thanks again!"

-- Krista (Aberdeen, NJ)

"I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in March 2013. I was lucky enough for find Dr. Shifrin first by myself thru the internet and to then have him referred to me by my endocrinologist. I could not have made a better choice! Dr. Shifrin took the time to sit and discuss my surgery and to answer every question I had. I had surgery to remove my thyroid on March 29. The surgery went well. Dr. Shifrin's team was outstanding. Each member of his surgical staff introduced themselves to me prior to surgery. Each explained their position and what the procedure would entail. Dr. Shifrin came to me in recovery when I had a few questions for him. I am happy to say that my results were good with the cancer contained in the thyroid. I would highly recommend him to anyone who has to go thru thyroid surgery. His professionalism and bedside manner well exceeded my expectations!"

-- Barbara Kozlowski (Freehold, NJ)

"Dr. Shifrin performed a parathyroidectomy on me in March 2013. He is truly a specialist in his field. I am an extremely anxious patient. Dr. Shifrin was able to fully explain the procedure and to answer any questions I had with confidence and with a willingness to reassure me that I had nothing to worry about. I truly did feel that I was in the best of hands. Dr. Shifrin and his team treated me with TLC from the time of my first visit through the surgery and post-op visit. Dr. Shifrin is truly a professional who has patience with his patients. Following surgery, I experienced no pain and have only the smallest of a scar right in the crease line of my neck. Thank you Dr. Shifrin for your excellence as a surgeon and for your kind manner."

-- Karen Mulligan (Hazlet, NJ)

"In the middle of January, 2013, my thyroid biopsy came back positive. On February 21 I had surgery and Dr. Shifrin removed the cancer and my thyroid. He also was able to remove and test 25 lymph nodes to evaluate whether the cancer had spread. I feel very fortunate and blessed that Dr. Shifrin and the entire team at Jersey Shore were available for my treatment. I am now getting ready to schedule my follow-up radioactive iodine treatment and fee like I am moving toward being 'cancer free'. Thanks "

-- Chris B (NJ)

"I would like to Thank Dr. Shifrin, his staff & the staff at Jersey Shore Medical Center for wonderful treatment given to me before & after my Thyroid Surgery .Dr. Shifrin was highly recommended to me by my family physician & by a family friend. From the 1st visit, Dr. Shifrin & his staff made me feel very comfortable, He took his time in explaining in detail the steps that were going to be taken leading up to & what was going to happen after my Thyroid was removed. I never imagined that I would go home the same day of the surgery feeling as good as I did, it has been almost 2 weeks since my surgery & everything is going as planned. Thank You again Dr.Shifrin.."

-- Charles (Manalapan NJ)

"Thank you Dr. Shifrin. One week after my total thyroid removal, I feel great. Better than I've felt in years. The staff in the OR was great. My incision is only 2 inches long and almost invisible. Since I was your last surgery of the day, I stayed overnight. My nurse was attentive, making sure that I drank and got up. I truly appreciate the caring attitude of everyone I came in contact with at Jersey Shore and especially you, Dr. Shifrin. "

-- Patricia Holovack (Bayville, NJ)

"I came to learn about Dr. Shifrin from a peer who was treated by him for her cancerous thyroid. I immediatley made an appointment to see him and was not disappointed. He met with my husband and I for approximately 45 minutes-which is unheard of-and right then and there I knew he was the Doctor for me. He fully explained my condition and what my options were. I felt so comfortable with him that I arranged my surgery date before leaving his office. The day of surgery he again fully explained what course of action he would take depending on what he found when he started the surgery. Everthing that he advised would happend did. He removed the left side of my thyroid-which was found to be pre-cancerous. He also personally called the day after surgery to see how I was. My post op visit was again very enlightening and informing. I think the thing that impressed me most, besides being a great surgeon, is that he took his time with me, answered all of my questions, and did not have his hand on the door knob as I was asking questions waiting to leave the room. I was considering going to New York or Pennsylvania for a third opinion-all I had to do was look in my own backyard-there was Dr. Shifrin! My family doctor told me how impressed she was with him after reading the report outlining his course of action for my treatment. In this day and age it is so wonderful when you find a Doctor like Dr. Shifrin."

-- Christine McManus (Point Pleasant, NJ)

"I recently had my entire thyroid removed by Dr. Shifrin in December. I knew eventually I would have to have some type of surgery on it, so I was really looking for a surgeon who specialized in the thyroid. After reading about him and speaking with medical personnel both in and out of the Meridian Health network, I was consistenty told Dr. Shifrin was an excellent surgeon. I had total confidence in him. His website with information about the surgery is also excellent. It helped you understand what to expect. The day of the surgery, the surgical team came to my room and introduced themselves. Each person explained what their responsibility was during the surgery. They were so friendly and caring. They really put you at ease. They probably don't even realize how positively that affects the patient. The anesthesiologist really took his time and explained what he was going to do and how I would feel after the surgery. It turned out to be true and I was so thankful for his thoughtful and caring demeanor. I couldn't praise Dr. Shifrin, the surgical team and the anesthesiologist enough. I think they would really inspire people to enter the medical profession. 01.07.2013"

-- Patricia C (New Jersey)

" I'd like to take this moment to thank Dr. Shifrin and his staff for an outstanding job. My wife's recent video assisted parathyroidectomy was easy, comfortable and the scar looks like a tiny cat scratch just two weeks later. Not only is Dr. Shifrin an exceptional professional he's also a pleasant and warm person. I strongly recommend him to anyone seeking parathyroid surgery. One can only wish there were more professionals of his caliber."

-- Alex Topaller (Ridgewood, NJ)

"Sonogram and uptake testing revealed that I had six thyroid nodules, one of which was “cold”. When I called Dr. Shifrin’s office I was happy to hear a real person pick up right away, and I scheduled a consultation. Dr. Shifrin recommended and performed a fine needle biopsy of all six nodules. Results showed two suspicious nodules, one on each side. I asked about my options and I think Dr. Shifrin sensed that I was thinking of bolting! He told me what was NOT an option was to do nothing. And so the decision was made to have a total thyroidectomy. It was the right decision. It turned out that one nodule was papillary cancer and the other was a nasty type of pre-cancer. My husband and I have complete confidence in Dr. Shifrin. He is professional, confident, and caring. He took the time to explain everything, answer questions, and he made us comfortable with our decisions. We even shared a few laughs. It’s been almost 3 weeks since surgery and my incision is healing nicely; better than I expected. Dr. Shifrin, Megan and his staff, and the staff at Jersey Shore made an unpleasant situation as pleasant as possible. "

-- Lisa Donnan (Metuchen, NJ)

"I just wanted to take this moment, to thank you for being so understanding of our emotional state and taking the time to explain my son's prognosis and treatment required for same. We were referred to you on short notice, and even though you had a full schedule, you were willing to accept my son, and immediately schedule him for tests and surgery, and have continued to work on his case. Thank you for everything, you are truly exceptional, not only as a doctor, but have a heart of gold. I wish you, your family and your staff, a safe and happy holiday:) 12/17/2012""

-- Darlene M. (New Jersey)

"I had my entire thyroid removed by Dr. Shifrin on November 6th 2012. Great surgeon, great staff and would recommend him to anyone who has a thryoid issue. Very impressed with his knowledge and greatful I found him."

-- Aldo Cavalli (Freehold, NJ)

"To Dr. Shifrin and Staff, I am so glad that I found you to do my Para-Thyroid operation. After being referred to a NYC surgeon I had the opportunity to meet with you in Neptune. Your professionalism, along with your staff's, was only surpassed by the 100% success of the procedure. Besides your expertise in this field, the ease of mind you gave to me and my wife was, in my thoughts, a vital part of the successful outcome and recovery. I will be giving your name and information to my primary doctor so that he can begin referring you instead of sending his patients to NYC. I am confident that he will have the same positive experience that I enjoyed. Thank you once again - and please extend my best thoughts to all of your staff - both in the office and the operating team. Howard S. Kramer 12/04/2012"

-- Howard S. Kramer (New Jersey)

"I am writing this because Dr. Shifrin performed a parathyroidectomy on me a few weeks ago. From my first visit I felt completely confident that I choose the right surgeon. Dr. Shifrin took the time to explain to me the whole procedure and I went in knowing what to expect.. Once the required tests confirmed that I needed to have one of my parathyroids removed the outpatient surgery was scheduled very quickly. There was no pain involved and my recovery was very quick. I can unequivocally recommend Dr. Shiftin."

-- Michele Ward (Neptune, NJ)

"You’re reading this because you or someone you love needs an endocrine surgeon. I wrote this to tell you to look no further, Dr. Shifrin should absolutely be your choice. A knowledgeable and gifted surgeon Dr. Shifrin is truly an asset to his profession. He and his top-notch friendly staff made me feel at ease from my consolation through my post-op visit. On the day of my complete thyroidectomy his entire surgical team introduced themselves to me and explained their roles making me feel at ease. My recovery was quick and other than feeling like I had a sore throat I had no pain. My scar is small and fading and my future is bright thanks to Dr. Shifrin."

-- Laura (New Jersey)

"I would recommend Dr.Shifrin to anyone who needs thyroid surgery. I recently had my thyroid removed by Dr. Shifrin at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center. He made me feel confident and relaxed. Both surgery and recovery were 100% problem free. I thank Dr. Shifrin and the hospital staff for a job well done."

-- Linda B. (NJ)

"I am a 37 year old mother with 3 sons. I was not feeling well. My body was very achy, and I had difficulty doing every day things with my children. My primary doctor referred me to Dr. Shifrin. Dr. Shifrin diagnosed me with parathyroid disease and the start of osteoporosis. Surgery was scheduled to remove the bad parathyroid, and I was hoping for relief. It has been 2 weeks, and I feel FABULOUS!!!!! The surgery was a success. My body feels great, and I am able to do everything with my children again. I am so thankful to Dr. Shifrin for giving me my life back!!!"

-- Kim Lucas (Jackson )

"God Bless Dr. Shifrin. It was brought to my attention during a test for something else that my thyroid looked bad. Tests were run and a needle biopsy was done and I was told not to be too concerned because many people have thyroid issues it's very common. After doing some research and making numerous inquiries I made an appointment with Dr.Alexander Shifrin, an endocrine surgeon, to give me his opinion. For my first meeting with him I brought my prior biopsy and lab reports. Dr. Shifrin had a gut feeling as said he was going to perform his own fine needle biopsy. The new test results changed my options. My thyroid needed to come out. I was scheduled for same day outpatient surgery. On the day of my surgery, Dr. Shifrin and his OR team came to greet me and I immediately felt safe and at ease in their presence. I knew I was in good hands. Dr. Shifrin preformed a total thyroidectony and monitored my vocal cords during the surgery. My recovery time was fast. I was out shopping after a few days and back to work after a week. Initially I tried to convince my husband to buy me a diamond necklace to conceal my incision but cosmetically it is hardly noticeable. At my post operative meeting I was told I had Hashimoto's disease and the results of my pathology report were positive for a small cancerous growth. Dr. Shifrin smiled as he read the report. I believe his knowledge and skill saved my live. Thank you Dr. Shifrin you are a gifted endocrine surgeon. "

-- Barbara Meehan Evans (Point Pleasant, NJ)

"This past August was one of the scariest times of my life. During a routine doctor's appointment a large growth was discovered in my throat. Ultrasound confirmed that I had two large thyroid nodules on the left side of my thyroid. After the biopsy at my endocrinologist's office came back inconclusive, it was recommended that I have surgery to remove it. That is when I was referred to Dr. Shifrin. Even though he has an extremely busy schedule, he accomodated me right away! He was direct, extremely thorough, but most of all, made me feel very comfortable. I remember after my very first appointment wtih him I felt at ease with my diagnosis and knew I was in excellent hands. I underwent surgery August 23, 2012 and everything went beautifully! Not only did I know exactly what the procedure entailed before I went in, he also made sure to monitor and preserve my vocal cords which was a HUGE concern of mine because I'm a teacher. I cannot thank Dr. Shifrin and his wonderful staff enough for getting me through this terrifying experience! From my very first appointment to my recovery after surgery, he and his staff were exemplary in every way! I have recommended him to everyone I know and I will continue to do so! A HUGE heartfelt thank you to Dr. Shifrin and his staff!"

-- Lisa Scott (Brick, NJ)

"I would want everyone to know I had my doughts about surgery but feeling comfortable with Dr. Shifrin I was glad I did it and my experience in the hospital was the best care i'xe had after many surgerys . from the first meeting in the morning to leaving with many faces to do there job they were very professional and very personable to myself and wife . there were conserns that they answered and kept her up with my care after surgery. from pre-op to leaving they were the best ever. thanks to all the staff in the OR and in recovery."

-- john campbell (manasquan)

"I met Dr. Shifrin today and I will sleep tonight for the first time in months. I am the parent of a 39 year old daughter with 3 young children who had thyroid cancer. I have a hard time even saying this. She had a large lump on her neck and was seen by other doctors who said leave it alone for 6 months and we will watch it. My daughter knew her body and by the miracle of God she went to Dr.Shifrin. It was so large she had problems swallowing. He told her that half her thyroid must come out. Two weeks after that surgery, he told her it was cancer and needed another surgery to remove the other half. It has been only 2 weeks after her second surgery and she feels fine. The incision is almost healed and her voice is strong and so are her spirits. Our family will be eternally grateful to this fine doctor who put our family at ease. She still has to be under the care of an endocronologist, but the surgery was a complete success. Thank you Dr. Shifrin."

-- Susan Skokos (Tinton Falls N.J.)

"Being in the Health Care Profession for 30 years as a nurse iam writing this comment because I am still in awe and so thank full that divine intervention lead me to this wonderful caring and top of the line surgeon ....i have been seen for the past 6years ...yes 6years for thyroid nodules and high calcium ..which my DRs that i put my Faith in said lets do the watch and wait thing.....meanwhile feeling more tired and sicker and tired and sicker but no one was able to pinpoint the problem ...so the best answer ...what we menopausal women hear is ...oh its the change ...your depressed u have anxiety ...go here do this ...see a shrink take this not that i knew i had high calcium and nodules and i heard about Dr Schifrin from a friend who also was a nurse ..i made an appointment and the minute i walked in to the office and met him ...I knew i was in the best hands and he would take care of me ...he finally found out what was wrong with me ...I have thyroid cancer Hyperparathyroid disease and a genetic braf gene ...my surgery went so well do too Dr Schifrin he took out the thyroid parathyroid and nodes in one shot with a minimal scar post 3 weeks that is almost non visable ..I had minimal pain and was home that night and moving around the next day no trouble swallowing either....I owe my Life to Dr Schifrin and the good lord above God sends us angels in white ....Mine was Dr Schifrin....."

-- Jacqi Lahm (Waretown NJ)

"I agree completely with the comments of the others at this site. Dr. Shifrin takes the time to speak with you and answer any and all of your questions. He is very professional and thorough. I had my thyroid removed and had a very fast recovery with no surprises. The thing I like and appreciate the most about this doctor is that he is a straight shooter and tells you exactly where you stand in regards to your particular health situation. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anybody in need of professional health care."

-- Keith J. Nevrincean (West Allenhurst, NJ)

"Super Doctor. Kind, gentle, explains everything in detail, no baloney, just to the point. Great recovery from parathyroid disease and excellent follow-up. My wife was so happy she hugged him as I was being discharged.. "

-- Dennis Crump Sr (08722)

"Hi, I was diagnosed with hypethyroidism. Frightening at first to hear it, So I did a lot of research. First on the disease, then on many,many doctors, for I was told I needed surgery. Let me tell you, nothing passed by me that I didn't read up on until it got to the point I hated getting on the computer. Well my research paid off...I found Doctor Alexander L. Shifrin, MD.I set up my appointment, met with the doctor. Three weeks later I had my surgery. From the moment I met him I felt safe, if you could relate to being frightened of the unknown, you will know what I am talking about.He is kind , he explained every single process that I was going to go through.The hospital staff was very nice and comforting and kept me very calm. I spoke to the surgery staff and felt very confident and safe,before I want in for my surgery This doctor comes with a bonefide thank you from me, He aces in my book..."

-- Tecla Alfone (New Jersey)

"I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and Graves Disease in September 2011. My endocronologist referred me to Dr. Shifrin because I also had 2 nodules that had their own blood supply. Dr. Shifrin and I discussed my options and he performed the biopsy of the two nodules. We also scheduled a surgery date of Dec 8th, 2011. The biopsy was clear, and I had the surgery on Dec 8th. After surgery, the pain that I felt in the left side of my body ( neck. shoulder, side, back, knees and leg) was completely gone. I haven't had any pain since the surgery. The sweating has almost stopped...about 90%. And the tremors and the heart palpitations are getting fewer and fewer. Surgery was a great option for me because I didn't like the idea of nodules in my thyroid that were growing and had their own blood supply and I didn't like the characteristics of the side effects of the other medications. At the follow up appointment with Dr. Shifrin two weeks after the surgery, he gave me the pathology report. Dr. Shifrin told me there were two nodules, one a 0.1cm and the other a 0.2 cm, that were found to be cancerous. These were two other nodules other than the ones that were biopsied. So now I'm very happy that I followed through with the surgery, because we didn't know what was in the thyroid gland and because it was removed. Dr. Shifrin got everything out! I was very relieved and happy and shocked (because I never thought I would hear the cancer report!) all at the same time. I can't begin to describe how happy I've been with Dr. Shrifrin and my experience at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Everything was wonderful. And as I said to Dr. Shifrin...not only did he change my life, he saved it! Thanks again!"

-- Suzanne Clark (Toms River, NJ)

"On September 8, 2011, I had one of my parathyroid glands removed because it was robbing calcium from my bones and my chance of breaking a bone was increased. On my first visit to Dr. Shifrin's office, I found the staff to be friendly and caring. When I met Dr. Shifrin I was immediately impressed with his professionalism and his way of explaining what the parathyroid removal process would be so that I could understand exactly what was going to happen. On the day of my surgery, I was not nervous at all because I knew I was in good hands. Dr. Shifrin talked to my wife and I about how long the surgery would last and what to expect post-surgery. Since the procedure, I have had no pain whatsoever and feel really good. If you need surgery of this kind, you cannot do better than Dr. Shifrin. I would also like to mention that Jersey Shore University Hospital has to be the friendliest hospital I have ever experienced. The day of the surgery, the receptionist at the front desk gave us directions to the surgical waiting area. We were going in that direction when a nice young lady stopped and asked us if we knew where we were going. Although we said we did, she stopped what she was doing and stayed with us until we got the right place. I have never experienced such a kind and caring experience in a hospital before. In closing, I would just like to say that Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Dr. Shifrin are just the best and you can be confident that you will be well taken care of."

-- David Kerr (Whiting, New Jersey)

"On January 21, 2011, Dr. Alexander Shifrin, performed surgery on me to remove a parathyroid gland that was causing my body to produce excess calcium. The pre-admission screening was smooth and supportive. The surgical procedure was painless and Dr. Shifrin's incision (according to my wife) left little or no scar. The same day surgery staff was comforting. Dr. Shifrin explained my problem to me in consultation and in detail explained the role of the thyroid gland, the parathyroid gland and the hidden dangers of excess calcium. On the day of surgery he visited me in the preparation area and spoke to my wife after surgery and explained the successful results. I found the surgery experience to actually be pleasant, not uncomfortable in the least and thanks to Dr. Shifrin's skills theraputic. With my calcium under control, I feel much better with improved energy and disposition. Thank You Dr. Shifrin. My endocrinologist, described Dr. Shifrin's surgical procedure as "magic" compared to surgical procedures in years past for parathyroid removal. How very fortunate Jersey Shore University Medical Center is to have such a talented surgeon as Dr. Shifrin. Joe Iosca"

-- Joseph Iosca (Wall Twp. NJ)

"Hi, my name is Diane Kehn and I had been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism with a toxic nodule nine years ago. I kept putting off treatment with the hope of healing myself through holistic means. But no matter how many cruciferous vegetables I was eating to try to suppress my T4/T3 levels, nothing was working. My endocrinologist suggested that I have the RAI treatment but I was resistant. I tried methimazole but had to stop because it became my liver became toxic. I prayed about it and left it in God’s hands. That’s when I made an appointment with Dr. Shifrin. I was not only impressed with Dr. Shifrin’s outstanding background and professionalism (his whole demeanor exuded confidence and competency), but he was very patient and caring and addressed all my questions as valid concerns. He also has a witty sense of humor which put me at ease right away. I went on his website to read the reviews of other patients and called the ones that invited the reader to do so. Everyone gave positive feedback. I knew I chose the right surgeon. The day of surgery was amazing. Although I was extremely nervous (my heart rate was 119!), I felt I was with the most confident, competent, caring, and professional team! They The male anesthesiologist’s sense of humor relaxed me and the female anesthesiologist I met was very reassuring as she said it was her job to make me feel comfortable and feel no pain. I felt very encouraged and comforted by her words. Then Dr. Shifrin came in with his assistant, Dr. Young and I was wheeled into the operating room. I was told to breathe in and that was the last thing I remember until I woke up in recovery. I was then wheeled into Prep and Discharge where my husband and I were in a private area and we were offered lunch. The most unbelievable part for me was that I actually ate half of a cheese/lettuce/tomato sandwich, 2 cookies, and apple juice with no pain and no discomfort! I also could not believe I had an appetite! At 3 0’clock, Dr. Young came in to take out the stitches which was a quick removal of what felt like a band-aid across my neck. I got dressed and then we left. Thank you God for leading me to Dr. Shifrin, Dr. Young, and those two anesthesiologists, they were all great. I felt I was, literally, in perfect hands! I give anyone permission to call me directly pertaining to information about my experience. "

-- Diane Kehn (Tinton Falls NJ)

"To any patients who are anticipating surgery with Dr. Shifrin, I can assure you that you are in compasssionate and talented hands. At the begining of the month I had my thyroid removed at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The entire experience, from my first meeting with Doctor and his willing and helpful office staff, Susan and Mandy were pleasant and very understanding. I was very impressed with the way my day of surgery went.I arrived at the beautiful state of the art surgical floor where the pleasant admitting Nurse checked me in and got me ready for surgery. I was very surprised and delighted with the next thing that happened, the entire staff that would be assisting Dr. Shifrin , came out and idividually introduced themselves to me. Each person explained what they would be doing to assist Dr. Shifrin, after that they asked if I had any questions. This was the first time that I have had that experiance and I have had many surgeries. The result of this greeting left me relaxed and trusting that the surgery would go well. I was comfortable and came out of surgery with a sore throat but no pain , I went home that night and returned to work a week later. Thank you to all for the wonderful care. I have a small disappearing scar which nobody has noticed. Dr Shifrin, you are truly a magician, thank you."

-- Suzanne Wynne (Red Bank, N.J.)

"I was diagnosed with a hyperactive thyroid in early 2000. My endocrinologist recommended having it removed but I was reluctant to have any kind of surgery. He treated is with medication until last year at which time he said that it had grown and would have to be removed ASAP. Early this year I started an internet search for a qualified surgeon. I found Dr. Shifrin's website and was impressed by his experience and credentials. I decided to email my situation to his office half hoping that I would not get a response. I sent an email on late Sunday and received a phone call from Megan first thing Monday morning. She answered all of my questions and set up an appointment for a consult. After two visits with the doctor I decided that I should go ahead with the surgery and that Dr. Shifrin was the one that should do it. He answered all of my questions and eased my concerns about surgery in general and my specific case. He advised me that he had been successfully performing this type of operation for a number of years and has worked with the same surgical team for over five years. He outline the pros and cons of my situation and we scheduled the operation. My thyroid had grown so large that they had to called in another surgeon to open my chest to allow for the removal of my growth. This was something that Dr. Shifrin had anticipated and had the surgeon on standby. The operation and recovery was longer than expected but went off without a hitch. Dr. Shifrin visited everyday during the recovery period and was even accompanied by Megan on occasion. Several weeks later I had a post op appointment to confirm that everything was going the way it should. I casually mentioned that the appointment was on my birthday. After the exam the doctor gave me some paper work that included a birthday card and when I left I found a singing mylar balloon waiting for me outside the office. I have called the office a few times since and either Megan, Susie or Mandy were eager to help even when my questions were probably not something they would normally handle. It my opinion it's very unlikely that you could find a more concerned, professional, and just plain nice group of people. My sincere thanks to Dr. Shifrin, Megan, Susie and Mandy for making an unpleasant experience bearable."

-- Frank Braun (Barnegat, NJ)

"To Dr. Shifrin, and his surgical team, I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude. I am 64 years old and had been enduring an enlarged thyroid goiter for many years. My family doctor had recommended that I contact Dr. Shifrin but other considerations caused this to be delayed. Last August, I suddenly experienced great difficulty breathing and rushed to the Emergency Room at Jersey Shore Medical Center. Test revealed that the goiter was restricting my trachea to a mere slit and that surgery was required. Dr. Shifrin carefully explained the test results and the impending surgical procedure and immediately assembled his team for the operation. During the 4 hour procedure, a gigantic goiter weighing nearly a pound was removed. I spent the night in Intensive Care with a breathing tube but immediately after it's removal I was able to breathe normally again and was discharged several days later. There was no problem with my vocal cords because the surgical team has special equipment to monitor them during the surgery. Thanks to Dr. Shifrin and his team, I am doing well now. It is a wonderful feeling not being restricted by this huge growth. I am very grateful to Dr. Shifrin for his surgical skills and recommend him highly to anyone requiring this type of operation. Renate Rossner, Freehold "

-- Renate Rossner (Freehold, NJ)

"IT BEEN ONE MONTH SINCE MY SURGEY. DR. SHIFRIN IS AN AMAZING DR. HE MADE SURE MY VOICE NEVER CHANGED, I HAD THE TUBE PUT UP MY NOSE AND DOWN MY THROAT AND I NEVER FELT A THING BECAUSE I WAS NUMB AFTER SURGEY THE NURSE WERE GREAT THE ALL TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY. THERE WAS HARDLY ANY PAIN JUST DICOMFORT I NEVER TOOK THEPAIN MEDS, I ONLY TOOK ADVILL. I WENT HOME THAT NIGHT AND WENT RIGHT TO SLEEP. IT WAS A LITTLE HARD TO SWALLOW THE MEDS THAT ONLY LASTED FOR 4 DAYS. I WAS BACK ON MY FEET IN ONE WEEK AND BACK TO WORK. I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER NOW THAN I DID BEFORE SURGEY, I FEEL LIKE I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE SURGEY. MY INCISION IS 2 INCHES LONG AND LOOKS GREAT IT KEEPS GETTING BETTER EVER DAY.I AM SO GLAD I WENT TO DR SHIFRIN HE TAKES VERY GOOD CARE OF YOU AND HE TREATS YOU LIKE YOUR HIS FAMILY. THANK YOU DR SHIFRIN"

-- NICOLE MOSCHITTA (OLD BRIDGE, NJ )

"I would highly recommend Dr. Shifrin for thyroid surgery. He operated on me just three weeks ago and I feel as if I never had surgery at all! I don't remember one single thing from the time I entered the pre-op room until I woke up in the Recovery Room. This was fine for me, as I told him I was very nervous and didn't want to see the operating room at all! Dr. Shifrin assured me that I would be sedated and MIGHT remember some of the operating room and the procedure of putting the camera up my nose and down the throat and even though it would be sprayed with a numbing spray, I would probably not feel uncomfortable. But I do not remember one single thing once the anesthesiologist gave me the sedation in the pre-op room. After going to my regular room, they brought me some kind of sherbet, jello and other food. I was famished! I had no problem swallowing and my neck didn't feel numb even though I opted for the local anesthesia and IV sedation. This was an unexpected thrill for me. I left the hospital around 10:00 pm since my surgery was in the afternoon and had my prescriptions for thyroid medication in my hand. I stayed in a local motel because of the late hour and the distance. The next morning, my daughter and I stopped for breakfast at IHop! So, you see, the operation was a success......the incision was only 2 inches and I didn't look like Frankenstein when I left! The only thing that was uncomfortable later on is the surgical glue that covers the incision. It can itch for a few minutes but it comes and goes. After about 10 days or so, the glue just peels off. Please don't get nervous about having this operation. It's a breeze and you're in the best hands with Dr. Shifrin. "

-- Helen Ross (Winslow, NJ)

"It has been 6 months since my surgery. I am thankful that I chose Dr. Shifrin to do the procedure. I truly believe he is an AMAZING surgeon! If you are on the fence about having this surgery or about using Dr. Shifrin as your surgeon, I have given the office permission to give out my contact information- please feel free to contact me. My story: I was being treated by my Endo for Graves disease for about 1 year prior to having a biopsy of my thyroid nodules. When the biopsy results came back that I had abnormal cells, my Endo suggested that I have a thyroidectomy & advised me to get the opinion of a surgeon. I met with Dr. Shifrin. He made me feel comfortable from the first visit. He was informative and spoke with confidence. He told me that abnormal cells does not always mean "cancer"...however, his medical opinion agreed with my Endo- that I should have the surgery. Although the ultrasound only showed nodules on one side of my thyroid, he recommended a total thyroidectomy (to avoid having to go back in should something show up in the pathology report). Susie made the Pre-Op lab appointment while I sat in the waiting area and scheduled my appointment for surgery. She's extremely efficient! The day of surgery I was nervous. The anesthesiologist came in to talk to me about his participation with the procedure and what I should expect. He told me that a tiny camera would be put down my nose during surgery so that Dr. Shifrin could watch my vocal cords...taking every precaution for a safe and successful procedure. I was rolled in to the operating room and had the surgery. The nursing staff at Jersey Shore is second to none. They are kind, friendly and do all that they can to make you feel comfortable. After recovery, I was taken to a hospital room where I continued to rest for several hours. I did not need a drain after surgery and was permitted to go home that evening. Prior to being released, a Dr removed the stitches at the incision site and placed a large piece of medical tape on the incision area. I was handed written instructions on how to take care of it along with emergency phone numbers incase I needed to ask anything during the night. I was also given prescriptions for Pain medication, Calcium, and Synthroid that were written by Dr. Shifrin. I did not have to fill the prescription for the pain medicine. Tylenol worked fine. For 2 days after surgery, my neck was a little sore and swallowing was a little awkward. When eating, I found it was much easier to swallow- if I tilted my head downward, bringing my chin toward my chest. I had no food restrictions and was able to eat whatever I wanted. I was able to move about easily. Iron clothes, cook, etc...By the end of the week- I felt great. It was a personal choice to wait a full week before driving. The Pathology results came back 7 days after surgery. Good thing I went ahead and had the surgery! Not only did I have papillary carcinoma on the side where the nodules were, but I had it on the other side of my thyroid glad as well. Because I had cancer, I was scheduled six weeks later, for a Radioactive Iodine treatment. I was told it was important to drink plenty of water and to suck on hard candy after the Iodine treatment to flush the body & to aid the salivary glands. A week later, I went for a series of body scans. The months following the surgery & the Radioactive Iodine treatment, included following up with my Endo for adjustments to adjust the Synthroid dosage. Until that is correct- you may feel tired & sometimes forgetful. I also experienced a change in my menstrual cycle. I meet with my Endo every three months to check on my TSH level . Other than that- life is back to normal. I hope this has been helpful. Please feel free to ask Susie for my contact information if you'd like me to elaborate further. "

-- Susan Marter (Manalapan, NJ)

"When my endocrinologist recommended to have my parathyroid removed I had the job of selecting a surgeon. The endo considered the thyroid/parathyroid surgical staff at Columbia University to be the gold standard. Before going to the endo I had researched surgeons and the endo's recommendation had also been my desire. I wanted a Columbia surgeon. There were two concerns, one was getting a surgeon that accepted Medicare and my NJDirect supplement, and the other was traveling over the George Washington Bridge and into the City, which I was not looking forward to. There was a third concern ,that the surgery might be done by one of the doctors in training and not by the regular surgical staff. I also wanted to stay local if possible. I live in northwestern New Jersey. Online I had also searched for an endocrine surgeon in NJ that had experience in parathyroidectomies. I had previously researched the disease and how it's handled: sites by UCLA, Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, NIH, etc., sites that rate doctors, several forums, and some articles in professional journals available online, so I had a little knowledge about the disease when I came across Dr. Shifrin's site. I was very impressed. Here was a surgeon that connected immediately with me. I thought it was not only very sensible, but a kind and decent thing to do, to give so much information to the prospective patient. It showed a good deal of concern and respect for the patient. There was even a contact email address which I used. I felt very much in control of my situation. I knew exactly what kinds of tests were required for consultation, what would happen during the operation, and what to expect afterwards. What really clinched it for me was the information that Dr. Shifrin supplied about himself. He had recently been a Columbia instructor in general surgery and had his fellowship there in endocrine surgery! Not only was he trained there, but he obviously had kept in close contact with the endocrine surgical staff at Columbia. His site shows all the articles that he has written with other surgeons, and I recognized the names of Dr. Inabnet and Dr. Allendorf. I knew from my research that both were of Columbia. Dr. Inabnet was named Chief of Endocrine Surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in 2004. Although Dr. Shifrin is not located at Columbia I consider him to be a Columbia surgeon by virtue of training, experience and his research contacts. It was also very important to me that Dr. Shifrin was a researcher and published. To do so he has to keep up with the most current research in his fields. This gave me a feeling of security that I was in good hands. To the consultation I brought all the reports he listed on his site. He was very friendly and polite, spent all the time I needed with me and answered all my questions. The surgery was scheduled for Dec. 2, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. It was conscious sedation. Although I remember nothing of the operation, I remember being aware in the operating room after the operation. In the outpatient discharge room I ate a large sandwich. At home in the evening I ate a large meal and stayed up until midnight since I did not feel tired. I was up at 7:00 a.m. the next morning and resumed my normal schedule. I had no pain after the operation and so took no medication. I had a little discomfort in swallowing the first couple of days but that soon went away. I was given a prescription for calcium in declining amounts but felt no tingling in my fingertips. Apparently my calcium bounced back to normal quickly. Two weeks after the operation I returned to Dr. Shifrin's office for the follow-up. The incision had healed nicely. He showed me the parathyroid amounts recorded just before the operation , when pressing on the parathyroid , after removal, and 10 minutes after that. The changes were remarkable, from almost twice the upper normal range down into the lower normal range in a matter of minutes. The other parathyroids were apparently kicking in immediately. He reduced the amount of calcium and tomorrow, at three weeks, is my last pill. He gave me a prescription for a blood test for serum parathyroid hormone and calcium, which I had done in the hospital that day, and one in six months. I feel I have a good deal more energy than before the operation. I am very happy that everything went so smoothly and that after the surgery life went on the following day without a hitch. My thanks to Dr. Shifrin! "

-- Fred Westcott (Budd Lake, NJ)

"I chose Dr.Shifrin to remove my thyroid gland because a human being answered the telephone the first time I called. I have spoken to both Sue and Megan and from the start I felt that I would be in good hands because they were caring and friendly people. When I met Dr. Shifrin he exuded confidence in his ability to do thyroid surgery but still seemed to be a real person. I was impressed that he had trained with Dr. Ignabnet who I had consulted with some years ago at Columbia in N Y. The only hich in my surgical experience was a long delay waiting for surgery due to operating room availability. I had to stay over nite but that turned out to be a blessing becasue the nursing care on Booker 2 was great! My recovery was short and relatively painless. I needed only one pain pill at home. I did have a sore throat for 2 days but not enough to require medication. I drank a lot of fluids and by the third day was able to eat more comfortably. My main problem was swallowing the calcium pills ( I crushed them for 2 days) and the side effect of constipation from the calcium. I called the office and the pleasant office staff listened to my problem, spoke to the doctor and called me back most promptly. I heartily recommend Dr. Shifrin to anyone requiring Thyroid surgery! I also felt the anesthesiologist was most kind as well as a young medical student from Robert Woods med. school who kept me compnay in the holding area. All in all a most positive experience. Best of all no more thyroid biopsies!! "

-- Jane Haisser (Brick, NJ)

"My mother has been suffering with what was thought to be emphysema for many years. As a result, my mother was using albueterol and advair for several years. After one visit with Dr. Shifrin, who has a wonderful bedside manner and shares with you the cat scan x-rays results and carefully explains everthing in a way that you understand, we were convinced my mother should have this surgery to have an enlarged goiter removed. My mother is 78 yrs old and this was a frightful thought for us. After recommendations of bloodwork and medical and cardiac clearance we went ahead with the surgery. Dr. Shfrin is wonderful and very skilled in his field. My mother only had a small incision in her neck and her recovery was fantasic! Just one day after the surgery,no tubes and no more Advair or Albueterol! Immediately following surgery my mother could breath normally. Before this every breathe sounded as if it could be her last, and it could have as her trachea was pushed to the side and had become a mere "slit". We would recommend Dr. Shifrin to anyone considering this surgery. We have already recommended Dr. Shifrin to someone who needs this surgery, but up to now has been to scared to have it. Our family thanks you forever Dr. Shifrin. I would also like to thank Sue, who is Dr.'s secrectary as she was especially patient and helpful through all the tests and paperwork, etc. Thank you to all!! Inez G Nedrick (for Melody Gaddis) Red Bank, NJ"

-- Inez G Nedrick (RED BANK, NEW JERSEY)

"It was lucky for me to have found Dr. Shifrin on the internet after my endocrinologist said I needed surgery for an adrenal mass. He had referred me to a surgeon in Lakewood who was not really familiar with this type of surgery. This made me very apprehensive. I did research on my own and found Dr. Shifrin who was very knowledgeable and assuring. The surgery was a total success. The scarring was minimal. I look and feel great. I am no longer tired all the time and have tons of energy. Best of all, no more MRIs every 6 months. I would recommend Dr. Shifrin to anyone needing this type of surgery. He is an amazing surgeon! "

-- Marna DeFederico (Toms River, NJ)

"Dr. Shifrin was recommended to me by my endocrinologist because of an enlarged thyroid. Half of my thyroid was removed by another doctor in 2002. When I saw Dr. Shifrin, he explained to me exactly what would be done, how long it would take and that the surgery would be less complicated than it had been previously, and I would have same day surgery. Unfortunately, because of the delay at the hospital the day of surgery, it was recommended that I stay overnight. I would just like to say what a great job Dr. Shifrin did and how much easier my recovery was than when I had the previous surgery. I had no problem with my vocal chords because Dr. Shifrin had a special machine to monitor them during surgery. The medication he prescribed after surgery did not need to be altered after I had my blood test a month later. My levels were perfect! I would certainly recommend Dr. Shifrin to anyone who needed thyroid or parathyroid surgery. He is an excellent surgeon!"

-- Jean Taylor (Jackson, NJ)


Comments

My first meeting with Dr. Shifrin came in Feb. 2014 after tests confirmed a poorly functioning parathyroid gland. He patiently explained the surgery and made made me feel very comfortable. The day of the surgery I met his entire team and they are wonderful. I was very comfortable going into surgery.

The surgery was very successful and resulted in very minimal (if not invisible) scarring. My high calcium level dropped to "normal" immediately. WOW !!

I certainly would highly recommend Dr. Shifrin to anyone needing his area of expertise.

Jackie E.

When we first meet Dr. Shifrin my husband and I could not believe how comfortable we felt talking to him about my surgery. Dr. Shifrin has his own staff in the operating room and the comfort of his office staff made me feel I was in the right place for the surgery.

Jersey Shore Medical Center was excellent with the care they gave me. One of the nurses even took my husband to the other side of the hospital to help him find our car when leaving.

The Dr's web sight is excellent so easy to follow the procedure, care, healing, etc.

I was very happy with Dr. Shifrin and his staff.

Thank you.

I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in Nov 2013. Of course, i was in shock and scared. After meeting Dr. Shifrin, i knew i was in good hands. I knew he was the expert i needed to get me through this. He explained everything that would happen and how i would feel after the surgery, which i had on Jan. 9th. and progressed according to schedule and i am very grateful for his skills. Thank u Dr. Shifrin and staff.

I feel very fortunate to have been referred to Dr. Shifrin. His patience with his patients compliments his competency as a surgeon. At all times I felt that I was being treated by an expert in this field. The office staff was also extremely friendly and very accomodating in terms of scheduling. Thanks to all!

David Weisberger - Lakewood

I consider myself immensely fortunate that I learned of Dr Shifrin before I needed an endocrine surgeon. From the first moment of my first consultation with him I knew I could trust his judgement and skills. Being a health care provider myself he met the criteria I believe important for health care providers. He was friendly took time showed concern through careful listening. He asked in depth questions about all of my medical issues which in a year had become complicate and confusing. He explains all the procedures to get a definitive diagnosis. He explained all the procedures that would be taken including the surgery.
Everything went smoothly and every step of the way Dr Shifrin and each of his staff and team members made me feel safe and relaxes. Yes relaxed. The best I save for last. I have only a tiny incision quick to heal with a small almost invisible scar.
This is a great team with an usually talented leader. I recommend Dr Shifrin totally

After being diagnosed with having a pheochromocytoma and learning about how relatively rare it is, my first thought was were am I going to find an experienced surgeon? Luckily all the cards fell it to place. The Endrocrinologist team quickly praised the surgical expertise of Dr. Shifrin. Fortunately, his office was located directly across the street from Jersey Shore hospital were I was admitted. Soon after meeting Dr. Shifrin I felt so much more assured. His knowledge and professional demeanor was immediately apparent. He listened then answered all my questions. For certain the best possible surgeon for the job was right here. The surgery went just as he explained and the follow up went smoothly as well.
Thank you very much Dr. Shifrin. You and your staff are simply the best!

Bill C. (Middletown, New Jersey)

We loved dealing with Dr Shifrin. He removed an adrenal tumor from my wife. He was willing to take the time to thoroughly explain everything that was going on. So many doctors these days are all rush and leave no time for patient dialogue. He was very reassuring both before and after the operation. We have been very happy with the process and the outcome. Thank you Dr Shifrin!
Roy Childers, November 27, 2013

Dr. Shifrin performed a thyroidectomy on November 19, 2013. I was completely satisfied with the entire process, from pre-op through my recovery. Dr. Shifrin explained everything thoroughly and I went into the surgery with absolutely no anxiety. I had no problems of any kind post-op and experienced almost zero discomfort (took pain medication for only one day).

Dr. Shifrin is a wonderful guy with a nice bedside manner, and he even enjoyed my attempts at humor. His staff is excellent, professional and efficient. The experience could not have been better, and I highly recommend Dr. Shifrin to everyone with thyroid issues. David Van Buskirk (Wayside, NJ)

I recently had parathyroid surgery by Dr. Shifrin and couldn't be happier with my experience! Dr. Shifrin explained the procedure in detail and described how it is done minimally invasive and the recovery was projected to be quick. I believed everything he said, but there was a small part of me that doubted that it would go so smoothly…it sounded too good to be true! I have to say that he was absolutely correct! I did awake from surgery with some pain and I did get sick from the anesthesia (which was expected because of my previous reactions to it), but the hospital staff quickly addressed that! I could not believe how much better I felt every day after the surgery! The pain from the surgery diminished drastically and neck mobility was great within a couple of days after the surgery. I honestly didn't think I would be feeling that good, so fast! I had my surgery on a Thursday and was able to easily go to church and out to dinner that Saturday night. Although it was awkward/a little uncomfortable to drive initially, I was able to do that by Monday. Two weeks post-op and my scar is beautiful and already disappearing! Once that glue comes off, you will be amazed at how good it looks! You are in good hands with Dr. Shifrin…he is one of the only surgeons in the area that specializes in just this. His office staff is helpful and pleasant. I would highly recommend him to anyone I know who has parathyroid and thyroid issues!

I want to thank Dr. A. Shrifran, his office staff and surgical team at Jersey Shore Medical Center.
Considering my complete fear of cancer, I could not have been in more capable hands during the months leading up to and concluding with my surgery. I was gently and completely guided through my
experience with genuine care and compasion and I thank you all

When I first met Dr. Shifrin, I thought that the right nodule was the only thing that had to be removed. Actually, it had increased in size since 2009 and was almost as big as the lobe. To be on the safe side (since the left nodule was benign, but wasn't looking so good anyway, it could possibly turn out the same way) Dr. Shifrin thought that a thyroidectomy would be the right way to go. I certainly did not want to have 2 surgeries. So on Friday October 11, 2013 I had the surgery. It was only a day stay, in and out. I really didn't have any pain worse then a sore throat for a couple of days.. Dr. Shifrin must have taken a couple of classes on cosmetic surgery because you can't even see the scar! Also, the people who work in the office and the nurses who assist the doctor (I'm talking about Linda who took my picture at the scope appointment) couldn't have been nicer.
Even Lauren who checked me in at the hospital (a former student) made me feel as comfortable as can be.
Would I recommend Dr. Shifrin and his staff--IN A HEARTBEAT!

Thank you.

Gale M. Farwell

Not only did I find out recently that I would need parathyroid surgery, I also found out that my surgery wouldn’t be like everyone else since my parathyroid was under my collar bone, deep into my chest. At Dr. Shifrin’s recommendation I went to Manhattan to have a CT scan and ultrasound. As a result, Dr. Shifrin was able to pinpoint exactly where my parathyroid was and was able to complete the surgery a lot quicker than I expected. When Dr. Shifrin explained my surgery after the operation, he told me that even though the location and size of my parathyroid were out of the ordinary, with a little luck everything went great. My response was “The little luck was having him as my surgeon and his staff as my team in the operating room.” The thought of having surgery is never easy but Dr. Shifrin and his staff at Jersey Shore University Medical Center made that day a walk in the park every step of the way. Harry Jacques – 9/18/13

My husband and I would like to commend dr. Shifrin for an excellent job and thank him and his team for taking care of my husband. I am nurse at JSUMC and works at cardiac/telemetry floor. When my husband and I learned about his rt thyroid mass and diagnosed to had pre-cancerous state, we decided to have it removed. SInce I am working in a telemetry/cardiac unit, I am not so familiar with the surgeons in our hospital. I am so thankful that our endocrinologist referred us to Dr. Shifrin. Since I have not known him personally, I began asking my colleagues who have known him and began reading reviews about him. I was at peace when I read excellent comments about him. However, like everyone of us, I really want to make sure that my husband will be in good hands ( I fully trust our endocrinologist for referring us to dr. shifrin but I want to be assured by hearing from other people's experiences). It was a great relief and assurance to hear not only good comments, but excellent ones about him, not only from the reviews I read but from my colleagues who were his patients or had their relatives as dr. shifrin's patients. From the time we met him pre-operatively until the post surgical follow-up, we can truly testify that as members of health team, my husband and I had a very high respect and confidence to dr. shifrin. He was very caring, very approachable and he really takes time to discuss every detail of my husband's condition, what to expect before, during and after surgery. This really matters...." When your health provider takes time to make sure that all your concerns were properly addressed. When you leave his office with peace of mind because you truly understood what's going on and what's going to happen next." . My husband's surgery went well. We also went home same day and a day after the surgery, one of his team members gave us a call to make sure he is doing well. Regarding his colleagues in his office, they were also very friendly and accommodating. As a bonus, his operation site really looked excellent. When his friends/colleagues look at his operation site ( neck ), they cannot even determine where the incision line was because it was neatly done along the creases of his neck. Indeed I will never have any doubt of recommending dr. shifrin as a surgeon. In fact, we already did recommend him to a friend. Very professional, very thorough , very skillful and very caring. "To Dr. shifrin and your team, you are truly a blessing in the medical/health field. Our sincerest thanks. -Gilbert and Marie B.

Dr. Shifrin is a wonderful surgeon and doctor. When I went to him he explained everything in a very precise fashion. He gave me the choice as to how to proceed and did not push me into a decision; however, he so clearly stated the options that my choice was easy. My surgery could not have gone any better. Dr. Shifrin and his staff are likeable, caring, friendly and all have a great sense of humor. It was easy and not only was there extremely little pain, you can not even tell I had surgery. Awesome doctor. Thank you to Dr. Shifrin and his staff.

Dr. Shirfrin is one of the most competant and caring thyroid surgeons. My primary Physician referred me to him and I am soglad he did.
There was a very large 7.6 cm nodule sitting on my thyroid, which was deviating my trachea. Dr.Shifrin receommended that the whole thyroid be removed. At first I was apprehensive and scared, but he assured me that He will take care of me. I also told him that I sing and I would need use of my vocal chords. Dr.Shirfin was very understanding and stated that he would take the necessary precautions to preserve my vocal chord branches. So I made the decision to have a total thyroidectomy.
So, on 5/31/13 I had my surgery. His surgical staff was caring and compassionate and 3 hours later I was done. Im so glad that I had the whole thyroid removed because they found papillary carcinoma in the nodule! Thank the Lord for Dr.Shifrin and his clinical judegement and insight...It saved me from CANCER!....
Now, I still have my "thyroid less" days of symptoms, im on the right track..
Thank you Dr.Shifrin and his entire staff. May God continue to bless you, your practice, staff, and your family...

How do you thank a Doctor who just saved your life?
Words could never convey how thankful I am that Doctor shifrin is my surgeon.

What started out to be a surgery of one hyperparathyroid gland turned into a much more complicated surgery to remove a a rare form of Cancer which had spread to other Organs.
If it were not for Dr. Shifrin's exceptional knowledge and skill in recognizing and removing this Cancer, I don't know what the outcome would have been.

I will always be grateful to you Dr. Shifrin. Thank you and your team for all you did for me and my family.

- Ray R. ( N.J )

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