March 18, 2008

I have been battling endometriosis for more than half my life. I had my 1st laparotomy at 19 years old. The doctors then were baffled by the extent of endometriosis (Stage IV). I was in chronic pain, popping muscle relaxers like they were candy. I was on birth control pills for years to slow the progress of endometriosis by it always came back. I had 2 laparoscopies following the initial surgery. The last one my GYN gave me a diagnosis of Stage IV again. I was at this time that I was trying to get pregnant but had no luck. My then doctor wanted to give me another laparotomy and then suggested I do IVF. I knew the pain and long recovery of that type of surgery so I decided against it and decided to explore other options.

In between surgeries, pills, Lupron, etc... I managed to get pregnant at age 26 by miscarried soon afterward. I was never told I'd have any kind of problems that a quick laparoscopic procedure couldn't fix - if I knew then what I know now I'd have run far, far away from these doctors and sought out a specialist. I decided to try IVF thinking I'd have no problems since it bypasses any endometriosis, again, I was dead wrong. I luckily got pregnant with my daughter on my 3rd IVF try (after another miscarriage). After her birth I decided to try IVF as soon as I could and ended up pregnant on my 2nd attempt (5th IVF total) but later miscarried again. My body just wasn't responding anymore and 3 miscarriage later I knew I needed to switch gears.

After doing much research, I came across Dr. Kanayama's website and was immediately intrigued. After reading all the testimonials, I knew this was the man I needed to see. At my 1st visit, I was greeted with such care and compassion, not only by Dr. Kanayama but Sabrina and the rest of his staff, as well. I felt right at home. we scheduled my surgery and believe it or not I couldn't have been more excited to have surgery again because this time I knew this was the right man for the job!

In the morning of the surgery we arrived at Greenwich Hospital and were immediately impressed by its beauty! I felt like I was checking into a hotel, not preparing for surgery! The staff were so pleasant and punctual! My surgery was scheduled for 7:40 am and I was wheeled into the operating room at 7:38! I thought back to past surgeries where I sat there for hours with a slew of other women waiting to get picked for surgery! Here I was treated with kindness and respect.

Tthe surgery was 5 hours long, as the disease was so extensive that Dr. Kanayama literally had to rebuild and reposition my pelvic cavity again! But as is his usual fashion, the surgery was a success! I immediately felt better, even though through the pain of recovery. Within 3 days I was walking around like I never even had a 5-hour surgery at all! My husband was amazed at my recovery. Within a few days I felt like a new woman. I had lived so long with the bloat and bladder infections and irregular, painful periods that I actually became used to it and feeling normal felt weird!

On top of all this, I am trying to get pregnant again, so Dr. Kanayama is working closely with me to have this happen naturally instead of using invasive techniques - another reason I adore him! I now stand a 50% chance of conceiving naturally when I had 0% before the surgery so for that I'm grateful.

In addition, his office staff is just wonderful! Sabrina filed my insurance paperwork the very next day and helped me get reimbursed from the insurance company as well. (I can't tell you how many times she got on the phone with my healthcare provider on my behalf!) They are efficient and kind and make the whole experience that much better. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND everyone go to his office and experience how a patient should be treated by a knowledgeable and caring staff and top-notch surgeon.

Kindest regards,

Kim M.