Alexander Shifrin, MD - Patient Comments

Patient Comments	Sign
I often receive great notes from visitors like you. Here are some of your comments:

"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)

Office Address:

Department of Surgery

Jersey Shore University Medical Center,

1945 State Route 33, Neptune, NJ 07754

Phone (732) 776-4770

Fax (732) 776- 3763

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