Hyperparathyroidism

[casey9]

I have just been diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism - ultrasound was positive plus high calcium levels. Surgery is definitely indicated. My question is I am very hesitant to have a general surgeon address this problem. I have been in touch with Dr Norman in Tampa, but that is a long way to go for surgery since I live in Los Angeles. Does anyone know of a surgeon in the LA area who specializes in minimally invasive parathyroid surgery?

[Abdrx]

I had parathyroid surgery in Sept this year at the Norman Parathyroid Center in Tampa.  It was the best thing I could have done for myself.  Dr. Politz and Dr. Lopez performed my surgery and removed a benign tumor the size of an almond, probably there 5-6 years.  The entire process from submission of my own narrative and their online form, to correspondence with everyone you come into contact with via the process, and the doctor's call, could not have run more smoothly.  I stayed at the Courtyard Marriott, took a taxi to hospital, and the process began.  My nurse and all staff were remarkable.  We spent the night of surgery at the hotel and drove the 12 hour drive home the next day.  Probably would have been good for me to spend one more day but wanted to get into my own bed.  Slept great and was quite tired (slept and rested a lot) for about 10 days after surgery.  Had about 3 days of low calcium symptoms 8 days after surgery, which they didn't expect as I'd not had high calcium levels. Took either a call or email to RN Kelly as to how to proceed and all went well.  Around day 14 I was really a new person, though any leg/foot pain was gone within 1 or 2 days.  I was emotional for about 3-4 weeks as my hormones rebalanced.  My post-op blood done yesterday and was great.  I cannot say enough nice things about the entire process and Dr. Politz and Dr. Lopez had good bedside manners, as well as skilled surgical hands. My scar is so minimal that most don't even notice it.   It's only an airline flight away for you.  I wanted someone who's done a lot of these surgeries and have no complaints.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

I don't know of a parathyroid surgeon in that area.
You may want to check with local university medical centers (UCLA and USC) as well as thyroidologists (Dr. Guttler in Santa Monica for example).
Dr. Norman's group does more parathyroid surgery than anyone in the world and would be well worth the trip for minimally invasive surgery.