Testimonials

Dear Mr Sheen,

Just a short note to say thank you for relieving me of the large stone in my gall bladder. I am very glad to be out of pain and returning back to normal, I would have had a long wait here in Wales before having the operation done. I had every confidence in your ability when I saw you before the operation, my husband and I think you have one of the best reputations in the country and well worth travelling up from Wales. Thank you again and so glad to have had the top surgeon to do the op.  Yours sincerely,

Mrs M Hughes Wales.  Feb2013.

A much better operation than the open repair I used in my surgical days.

Douglas J Buchanan FRCS

Dear Mr. Sheen,

When my GP diagnosed a hernia, he warned me, because I had a 3inch scar tissue, from a previous colon operation, that standard surgery would no doubt be used.

As I am a Fencing Coach (and 81) I dreaded the recovery period would extensive.  However, I gather that although it did prove an intricate operation, you managed to get around the obstacles and perform keyhole surgery.

May I say thank you for a most successful operation.

Yours sincerely,

J.E. Goodall

Dear Mr. Sheen,

It has now been about 9 months since my inguinal hernia repair.

From my first apprehensive 'phone call to his friendly secretary and my first meeting with Mr. Sheen, I realised that with his pleasant positive approach and professionalism I had made the right choice of Consultant. 

After my initial consultation and a non-invasive ultrasound scan to confirm his diagnosis he then fully explained how his laparoscopic procedure developed by himself using tissue glue instead of the traditional stitches or staples should be relatively pain free.

A few weeks later I arrived at the Alexandra Hospital and there Mr. Sheen and the very friendly hospital staff made me feel totally at ease, relaxed and ready for the operation.  A few hours later having woken I was surprised to find how pain free I was.  It had been all over in a day, returning home that evening with little discomfort and without any need for painkillers.

Over the next few days I remained pain free, one later the 3 tiny cuts had healed and I was cautiously able to do most of my normal activities.  After three weeks it was almost forgotten about and I was gently cycling my favourite trail again.

I can only say thank you for developing this procedure and for being a remarkable Surgeon.

Kind regards,

Charles Stephen Mitchell.

Mr. Sheen performed a right-side laparoscopic hernia repair for me in November 2010. His secretary went to some considerable trouble to fit me in at very short notice. I can't thank him enough for sorting this out as I was experiencing very severe and prolonged pain.

Mr. Sheen was extremely friendly and helpful. He managed to perform the laparoscopic ( key-hole) repair although my condition on the day made it more difficult initially. He made me feel completely relaxed and comfortable. Both he and the anaesthetists plus all the other staff were really great; reassuring, friendly and very professional.

After arriving back on the ward I had no pain and I never experienced any pain at all after returning home. This was very surprising as I had another hernia repair done a few years earlier in Yorkshire which was performed by open surgery, not key-hole, and the recovery period was extremely lengthy and extremely painful. The difference was unbelievable. The whole experience in Manchester was a thousand times better. Although I had to make the trip from the N. Yorks. Moors 3 times, it was certainly worth it and I would definitely do it again. I can't thank Mr. Sheen and the other staff enough.

MORRIS WILLIAMS -  6th December 2010.
Website www.wedding-entertainments.com

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I experienced excruciating pains which resulted in my calling in my GP to the house.  He had no hesitation in contacting Mr Aali Sheen's secretary who organised an emergency appointment with Mr Sheen that same evening.

Mr Aali Sheen immediately made me feel at ease with his authoritative, knowledgeable yet compassionate manner. He gave me a thorough examination and within five minutes he had diagnosed my problem (acute cholecystitis) and advised me that I needed immediate surgery to remove my Gall Bladder.

He was most empathetic and explained completely the proposed surgery and the outline treatment plan he had in mind. He put it to me in simple language which I could easily understand. He made me feel most at ease throughout the admission, which he organised immediately.

Mr Sheen arranged an immediate ultrasound scan which confirmed his diagnosis and he operated on me the following morning. The operation was carried out laparascopically and my initial recovery was uneventful. His follow up was diligent and his manner was at all times comforting and positive.

Due to a pre-existing serious Kidney disease I encountered some major difficulties the night following Surgery, which were completely beyond his control. He was called out to the hospital at 3.30 am and his demeanour and approach brought an immediate feeling of calm and comforting authority to the situation. He then proceeded to manage a recovery plan for the next hour or so which of course was very successful.

Mr Aali Sheen is a compassionate, empathetic, down to earth, highly competent practitioner, whose priority is to make the Patient feel at ease by clear explanations and accurate diagnosis.

TREVOR LERMAN - June 2009

I was referred as an emergency patient to the Alexandra Hospital following a visit to my GP to discuss stomach pains. A subsequent blood test showed very low haemoglobin levels.

On arrival at the Alexandra I had a series of examinations and scans which showed that I had advanced cancer of the bowel with two secondary cancer growths on the liver. This came as a unwelcome surprise the more so as I had absolutely no knowledge of these conditions and needed to discuss the situation with a specialist. Happily both Specialists were able to see me the same day and spend as long I wanted to discuss my condition. I was pleased to have the opportunity of having Mr Sheen and Mr Curran , the two Specialists  who had worked together on similar cases , to perform just one operation for the two conditions. They have previous experience of working as a team together with Dr P N Foster as anaesthetist.

Mr Aali Sheen explained in terms I could understand, complete with diagrams, how the affected part of the liver would be removed and that it would grow again to its original size   after the operation. He gave me the assurance and confidence I needed to face the operation

Mr Finlay Curran was also able to spend as long as wanted with him to answer my questions. He assured me that he had performed many operations for the removal of part of the large and small bowel and that I had nothing to fear. With a sketch he explained the whole procedure after which time I was left feeling a great deal more confident.

During my convalescence I was visited regularly by Mr Sheen and Mr Curran and all my questions were always answered fully, minor set backs explained and dealt with as they occurred.

I have now been discharged from the Alexandra Hospital but will attend both Specialists' clinics to monitor my condition on a regular basis. I consider myself fortunate that I was able to call on the services of these two experienced Specialists at such a difficult time and be given the care and confidence I so badly needed. There will now be a six month period of chemotherapy.

Frank Griffiths - 25th June 2009

In February 2008 I was suddenly and unexpectedly taken ill with violent pains in my left side.  Following referral, by my GP, to a Consultant General Surgeon at the Alexandra Hospital, a number of procedures/tests were undertaken and I was initially diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. When it became apparent that the inflammation was increasing I was referred to Mr. Sheen, towards the end of April, who specialises in diseases of the gallbladder and pancreas.

Following a significant increase in pain at the beginning of May, Mr Sheen arranged for my immediate admission to The Alexandra Hospital for pain management and further tests.  The outcome of these indicated that my condition was deteriorating quickly and major surgery would be necessary. 

Preparations for my surgery were extensive, including an endoscopic ultra sound (EUS) to ensure that Mr Sheen had as clear a picture as possible of the progress of the disease and that the inflammation of the pancreas was reduced sufficiently to enable successful surgery. 

On completion of tests Mr. Sheen spent a long time with me explaining the procedure, all possible outcomes, best and worst case scenarios.  He was clear, positive and was able to convey highly technical medical terminology in a manner which was understandable to me as a non-medical person without patronising or overfacing me with information. The final diagnosis was a mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas. Although I was anxious, frightened and had no choice but to proceed with such major and delicate surgery, Mr. Sheen's obvious professionalism and confidence gave me the courage to embark with a positive attitude.

My operation (distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy) in June 2008 lasted between 5-6 hours.

As in life, surgery is not always straight forward and, as a result of complications unrelated to Mr Sheen's work, I suffered a collapsed lung.  The important thing to me is the care taken by Mr. Sheen to ensure that I quickly received the best treatment possible to recover from this.

11 months on my recovery is ongoing and my life is slowly returning to normal.  My condition has required a range of further tests and procedures and is still being monitored by Mr. Sheen.  Care is always taken to ensure that I receive the most effective and least invasive treatment. This included a further EUS to remove fluid from my abdomen without the use of a conventional external drain. This procedure massively reduced the possibility of infection, which was particularly important for me as my immune system is lowered following the splenectomy.

From my first meeting with him, through the anxious times before and after surgery and during my recovery, I have been able to speak/email Mr. Sheen directly at any time.  It has not mattered how seemingly small or major my concerns, he has responded quickly and in person.

Whilst Mr. Sheen's technical skill and ability as a surgeon is, without doubt, of the absolute highest order, it is his accessible, open, patient-friendly approach which has made him, in my experience, such an excellent consultant.

Marian Kelly - 25 May 2009

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Having been diagnosed in need of a Bilateral Inguinal Hernia Repair, I was referred to Mr Aali Sheen.  He performed the operation laparoscopically 'keyhole technique' at the Bridgewater Hospital and I only needed to be a day-patient, going into the hospital at 1pm and leaving at 8-30pm.  Within a day I was able to walk around easily and resumed light work after three days.  Before the operation I was in discomfort if I stood or walked for more than 90 minutes, but after a month I am completely back to normal, and have just walked all around New York for hours on end during a holiday.  I have also resumed swimming and cycling.  

My 80 year old husband recently had keyhole laparascopic surgery for a double hernia and walked away from the hospital the following day without pain, which is due to the outstanding skill and care of Mr. Aali Sheen. 
Shirley Clegg

Regarding double inguinal hernia operation at The Alex Hospital 8/02/13.
 
The surgery was a complete success and the operation after care advice was spot on.

I definitely needed the full two weeks rest and recouperation before returning to work.

I drove after 10 days and felt comfortable enough to be driving at that stage although i did not take on a long journey.

I returned to light exercise at the gym after 6 weeks and i am very gradually increasing the intensity.

My operation and recovery have gone completely as planned and i am delighted to be pain free at last.
 
Regards
Mr L.Peacock