Surgeons - Rhinelander, WI

"Over a year ago I had surgery by Dr. VLR. Having had a previous surgery that failed I was extremely apprehensive because I only had 2 of 4 parathyroids left. I chose Dr. VLR because he seemed extremely professional, said he had done many of these surgeries and knew what he was doing. I liked him and I trusted him. I had extensive invasive testing done which I have now discovered is not necessary and a failed surgery. My husband asked him if the parathyroid tumor could not be located how would it find it since it's very small. He specifically said "would you just dig around in there". My husband was told by VLR that he was a surgeon and knew exactly what he was doing and he does not dig around. Well, my surgery was over 4 hours and when I woke up with no voice, missing my last healthy parathyroid and sicker than I had ever been in my life I felt there had been lots of digging to no avail. At that time VLR told my husband it was a failed surgery but not to tell me because he would do that. I received a phone call the next morning. He was going on a trip and he shared it had failed. I was in bed for 3 months, had 3 months of voice therapy, had breathing issues and woke up a very different person than I was prior to his surgery. It is confusing, disappointing and sad that a surgeon would handle any case as he handled mine. There was very little conversation after the surgery except that in six months he would probably look for it in my chest. That was NOT happening. I found a fabulous Dr. Norman at the Parathyroid Center in Tampa and am working with them now. They could not redo my surgery in April because of the scar tissue and mess in my throat. They were shocked at my story and all the unnecessary testing and even the fact that he would go in and operate when he had not discovered where it was. They do not do that to anyone. A nightmare beyond my wildest dreams and I am pretty tough. I sincerely hope no one will go to him for a parathyroid issue, especially a re-operative surgery. A year later sadly, my voice is still not my voice although his surgical report says I walked out with a voice. I still have many issues and only one parathyroid left and that is damaged and more than likely buried in his mess. I will go back in November again with hope because this time I know I am with the best and they will be honest and not do anything that could physically damage me as this doctor has done. RUN, go to Tampa! Do not allow him to touch you for this procedure. I am sure in other areas he is a brilliant surgeon but this is not his specialty and I will pay for probably the rest of my life."