Patient Reviews & Testimonials for Western States HIFU
Are you a patient of Dr. Robert Pugach?
Do you have a story to share? Submit a testimonial or share your experience with us. Watch a video testimonial from several of our patients.
I want to thank everyone on your staff for all you have done for me. Starting two days after the Superbowl this nightmare has constantly been on my mind. One of the most
fear instilling words is “cancer”, we all know friends or family who have battled the disease. When Evans told me I had cancer, that was the last thing I wanted to hear but I accepted it and listened to your treatment plan. When Evans first described the HIFU procedure it seemed impossible, how could my tumors be destroyed with ultrasound, it appeared too simple and easy. I am ecstatic the procedure and recovery went so well. By no means was this an easy ordeal but it was manageable and now I am optimistic about the future.
Four hours after my surgery I went walking outside and enjoyed a wonderful meal at home. The following day I walked a mile and since have gone further each day. My recovery has been so much better than I could have hoped for.
I was concerned about the catheter, when the nurse explained how it worked, I felt I couldn’t deal with it and thought about calling off the surgery. How could I live for two weeks with a tube in my stomach? Wearing a catheter was mentally straining and I was concerned something was going to go wrong. These fears were unfounded, nothing went wrong, the catheter was fairly simple to deal with and my healing went faster than expected. Friday, only 11 days after my HIFU procedure, I felt so elated when the catheter was removed. Leaving your office, I was on top of the world, Saturday I mowed the lawn and yesterday I replaced the broken garbage disposal. There was no way I could crawl under the sink with a catheter on and the job needed to be done. It is nice to get back my normal life so quickly and it feels fantastic.
Again, thank you all, dealing with cancer was truly an emotional nightmare but your team got me through every step of the way and for that I am grateful.
Ken K - April 27, 2020
"I had HIFU almost 3 years ago. I flew to Puerto Vallarta on a Sunday, had HIFU with Dr. Pugach on Monday, flew home on Tuesday and went back to work on Wednesday! I felt then, and I still feel now, like a young man again! My energy is great and I can't wait to go to work every day." TS
Five years cancer free!
Five years ago at the age of 62 I had a routine blood test that indicated my PSA was elevated to the point that further tests would be required. I had no symptoms and felt normal. One risk factor that was important was that my father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in his 60's. After discussing the situation with my wife we decided further investigation was warranted.
As a retired firefighter of 30 plus years I was well aware of the issue of prostate cancer as it had affected numerous friends that I had worked with. The majority had been less than satisfied with the treatment and results post-surgery. Incontinence and loss of sexual function seemed to be the norm. After numerous conversations with people I trusted I was really in a quandary as to how to proceed. Fortunately, I ran into a good buddy who is a retired police officer with the City of Long Beach. He had recently had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and had been referred to Dr. Pugach in Los Alamitos. Following his diagnosis and ultimate treatment he was ecstatic with the results. He was back to pretty much normal within a couple of months and most importantly cancer free.
I made the decision to put myself in the hands of Dr. Pugach and hope for the best. Five years later I am cancer free and have full sexual function, no incontinence and pretty much lead a normal life. HIFU was something I had never heard of but because of word of mouth from people I trusted I decided to give it a try. It worked and I have been very pleased with the results. Dr. Pugach and his staff have been exceptional. I highly recommend HIFU as a treatment option for prostate cancer. Dr. Pugach has an extensive history with HIFU and is considered one of the preeminent urologists in his field. He's also a good guy.
DT, Mission Viejo, CA
My brother was diagnosed 5 years ago with metastatic prostate cancer. He was the type of guy who didn’t visit the doctor and when he finally did, he found that he had stage 4 colon cancer and has his tumor removed. He now lives with a colostomy bag. He was lucky to survive that.
After dealing with the colon cancer, he learned he had prostate cancer which had travelled to his bones in the pelvic area and spine.
When Dr. Pugach heard about all of this 5 years ago, he said he was going to monitor me carefully because he thought it would be inevitable that I would also get prostate cancer. After 5 biopsies over 5 years and 3 MRI’s, Dr. Pugach found my prostate cancer.
Unlike my brother, I chose to have HIFU early and get rid of my cancer so that I could continue to live a long and healthy life. Five days before Christmas 2018, I had my HIFU treatment and enjoyed Christmas with my family. No one knew I was wearing a leg bag (catheter) and no one knew I even went through this procedure over the holidays except for my immediate family.
Today I had my catheter removed and I feel great! All I can say is, I hope your willget a doctor like Dr. Pugach who will be persistent in your situation and will take care of you the way he did for me. He had first hand experience with his brother and himself, so I knew I was in good hands.
Thank God for Dr. Pugach
RF, Long Beach (January 2019)