Arizona Surgeons

[Madrunner]

My first surgery was in Iowa and involved being stitched closed but the wound took a REALLY long time to heal. The bottom of the incision never fully healed and left a small opening about the size of a Q-tip. My fear is this swelling/pressure and steady leaking might be causing further bodily harm if wait until my march 11th appointment. So I called this morning and spoke with Dr. Shluender's assistant and she said the appointment I have for March 11th is the earliest I can be seen Because I wan't to get the surgery done by the "best" I am going to do the best I can to wait. The nurse told me if it becomes too uncomfortable to then go to the ER. I don't know...tough decisions.

 

[Dave M]

That's exactly how my first surgery ended. I waited 14 years for the second. I can't imagine how much money I spent on "pads" during that time. I always had those same concerns about damage I was causing by waiting. Turns out really nothing.

if you're in too much pain then you need to make a decision. If you can hang, keep waiting.

You'll feel a lot better after March 11th when you get all the info from the doc.

Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[Madrunner]

Thank you for the positive energy! It is scary because you have no idea what's happening on the inside of your body and why this type of cyst is isn't eliminated after a surgery.

I will keep this thread updated and thank you again for the positive words.

 

[MANDATE]

Hi ,

I had my surgery done in 2011. 4 Years I didn't have any problem but now my sinus is back .
Any suggestion guys ? I am looking for good doctors in Phoenix to do my surgery or to whom I can consult with .

Thanks

 

[Dave M]

Hi ,

I had my surgery done in 2011. 4 Years I didn't have any problem but now my sinus is back .
Any suggestion guys ? I am looking for good doctors in Phoenix to do my surgery or to whom I can consult with .

Thanks

I don't have any advice for Phoenix but Dr. Schluender in Tucson is great.

 

[Madrunner]

Update....

Today is the big surgery!! It will be with Dr. Schluender in Tucson. Nervous but hopefully this will be the last surgery and the last we see of this cyst! I want to thank this forum and the stories people shared. I'll keep this thread updated as I continue to heal.

 

[Taylor L]

Hello i live in mesa & been dealing with the pilonidal for 4 years had 6 surgeries and counting. I got reffered to dr bascom in oregon and spoke with him personally he also sent a list of pilonidal surgeons all over the country. His recommened one for arizona was dr shulender in tucson. Im currently with a plastic surgeon who couldnt help fix this reoccurunce. Take it im only 20. Yesterday i went to mayo clinic! If its a non stop problem id go there. It was my first appointment there and this friday i already have a appointment with a infectious disease doctor then next tuesday a gastro rectal surgeon appointment. It may take a month to get in for an appointment but they work so fast & so helpful. They said i need multiple more surgeries & that its going to be a long haul. I reccomend mayo!

 

[Dave M]

Taylor,
Dr. Schluender in Tucson treated my second pilonidal cyst (first surgery was a total failure) over a year ago, no recurrence. You may want to at least get her opinion before committing to "multiple surgeries". Obviously everyone's condition is different so that may very well be the case, but I would get her opinion.
Dave

Hello i live in mesa & been dealing with the pilonidal for 4 years had 6 surgeries and counting. I got reffered to dr bascom in oregon and spoke with him personally he also sent a list of pilonidal surgeons all over the country. His recommened one for arizona was dr shulender in tucson. Im currently with a plastic surgeon who couldnt help fix this reoccurunce. Take it im only 20. Yesterday i went to mayo clinic! If its a non stop problem id go there. It was my first appointment there and this friday i already have a appointment with a infectious disease doctor then next tuesday a gastro rectal surgeon appointment. It may take a month to get in for an appointment but they work so fast & so helpful. They said i need multiple more surgeries & that its going to be a long haul. I reccomend mayo!

 

[Dave M]

How did your surgery turn out? All healed up?

Update....

Today is the big surgery!! It will be with Dr. Schluender in Tucson. Nervous but hopefully this will be the last surgery and the last we see of this cyst! I want to thank this forum and the stories people shared. I'll keep this thread updated as I continue to heal.

 

[Taylor L]

Taylor,
Dr. Schluender in Tucson treated my second pilonidal cyst (first surgery was a total failure) over a year ago, no recurrence. You may want to at least get her opinion before committing to "multiple surgeries". Obviously everyone's condition is different so that may very well be the case, but I would get her opinion.
Dave

Hello dave,
I have called her office but with how long this has been going on i decided to go with national help. Just going to my firsf appointment at mayo i recieved so much more information then what my plastic surgeon could give.
Im happy i found this site its also helpful!

Thank you!

 

[Hukas]

I am new to this forum but any advice you can give will be appreciated. I am a 37 yr old woman who just got diagnosed with pilonidal abscess. I have never had any symptoms before. I was out of the country traveling when a boil formed right above my anus. It burst after 2 days and was draining like crazy, it was the most disgusting and traumatic experience I have had. Prior to the boil forming I had some tenderness around my tailbone for 3 weeks. As the boil grew I found it more and more difficult to sit, walk or even stand. After the boil burst I went to a GP who said I had pilonidal abscess that was draining. He pressed the abscess and expelled as much as he could. He then put me on 2 antibiotics and told me to take sitz baths for continued drainage. He told me to follow up with a specialist in the US when I am back. I had read about Dr. Shluender in Tucson but can only get in to see her NP this week. The assistant said that the NP can further drain and clean out the abscess if needed and then I can set up a follow up with Dr. Shluender or the NP. Just curious, is Dr. Shluender good? Since this disease is new to me I am just so terrified. Also, do you think the doctor will wait to see if this reoccurs before she talks to me about surgery?

 

[Hukas]

Just wanted to post an update here from my procedure on Apr 24th. The procedure seems to have worked 100%. No signs of recurrence. Dr. Schluender was awesome, highly recommended. Genuinely cared and understood what we have gone through with this disease.

The recovery was tough, mostly due to hip and back pain from not being able to sleep on my back for weeks. I took a week off after surgery. Fortunately I work from home. I might advise taking 2 weeks off to recover more fully before returning to a real job. Especially if you have the drain attached for a couple of weeks. You'll also need to avoid sitting at all for something like 6 weeks. I was told sitting down puts lots of pressure on the area (duh) and can prevent proper healing.

I setup my home office with a standing desk and used it exclusively for I think 2 months. It took a while to adjust to that, trust me. Mostly foot pain!

I wouldn't say I have any pain now. But, I'm definitely not going to be doing any sit-ups that would put a lot of pressure on the area. I think after ~10 years of just dealing with it, I have a really hard time trusting that part of my body...

If anybody has any specific questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Let me just say one more thing. If you have given up hope and have just been living with this awful condition, do yourself a favor and find the right doctor and get this procedure done. No more wearing feminine hygiene products every day. No more embarrassment. Heck, you get a cool scar! No more stress (am I leaking...?).

Thanks,
Dave

Hi Dave:

I am trying to see Dr. Schluender but so far can only get in to see her NP this Friday. I am having my first experience with pilonidal abscess and am scared to death. Is Dr. S good? I just want to make sure I am in good hands.

 

[Duhkatt]

Phoenix, AZ surgeon

My son had PC excised in May and was fully healed in July, with no problems!!! The surgeon is:

Andrew Kassir
480-947-3533

He has 3 offices in the Valley. Good luck!!!

How is your son doing? I am scheduled to see Dr. Kassir on June 7thg and Dr. Stefanie Schluender June 26th. I am wondering if anyone has recent reports of the procedures and or any re-occurrence of the pilonidal "issues". I live in Tempe.
My first occurrence was at 16 -lanced.
Then lanced again at 21.
Antibiotics at 25.
Antibiotics at 28.
Now antibiotics at 33 and looking for removal of the damn ugly business and the damn little holes in the mid-line.. I mean wtf body..., who thought an extra hole was a good idea...

I'll try to post detailed (but not gross) follow up details for anyone else who stumbles upon this post. Its definitely something to nip in the bud and not let linger after the 2nd instance.

also I found this website to be very informative: http://www.pilonidalsurgery.com/

 

[RoseT]

I just had a cleft lift / pilonidal sinus removal by Dr. Stefanie Schluender yesterday. This is my second attempt after a failed closed excision about 14 years ago by a general surgeon. Dr. Schluender was very knowledgeable about the procedure and uses it exclusively, I believe. I was sent home with a drain attached that collects fluids, so far just a bit of blood. I will update as my recovery continues. Not looking forward to first B.M. After surgery.

This is a long shot since it's been so long. Would you still recommend Dr. Schluender? I'm looking for someone in AZ. Dr. Kadakia in Gilbert is closer to me, but I'd travel to Tucson if Dr. Schluender is highly recommended.