Dr. John Russell Valvo, MD

Major problems after my "minor" surgery for SUI with him, which he would not even remotely acknowledge. I had problems right off the bat, and he never called me back or would see me until my follow up. When I limped in for that, he looked me in the eye, and told me my pain in groin could not possibly be from the surgery he preformed. Later I learned that where I told him my pain was stemming from in groin was EXACTLY where my obturator muscle is, and where he stuck a metal hook and pulled the mesh sling/tape through (also called a TOT or TransOBTURATOR sling). Yet, he insisted it could not be related and said that because I had no vaginal pain at the time. He told me to go to a chiropractor (?!) and practically ran out of the room without even examining me. After MANY doctor visits elsewhere, with a myriad of doctors, and pain so bad I could barely walk, I finally confirmed mesh sling was eroding through my obturator muscle and groin area, and I had to have it removed - which is next to impossible.

Avoid Dr. Valvo at all costs. He grossly misrepresents the possible complications and recovery time for procedures. After procedures, his average office visit time for rechecks is as short as he can possibly make the visit. I'm talking about one or two minutes. In my experience, he has little or no ability or apparent desire to communicate with his patients. I had low grade prostate cancer and was managing with biopsies every 6 months. At our first visit, Dr. Valvo gave me glowing reports about a relatively new procedure, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of the prostate. He told me it would be covered by insurance, but no insurance company covers that procedure and he must have known it. I am faced with over $3000.00 in bills. He told me recovery would be quick and uneventful. In preparation for the HIFU, first he performed a green laser Trans Urethral Resection of the Proatate (TURP). It was a miserable month long recovery filled with bleeding and painful urination, and with one trip to the ED for replacement of a Foley catheter which was initially removed in less than 48 hours. A month later, he performed the HIFU, which, according to Dr. Valvo would be, "much easier than the TURP". Much worse, with another trip to the ED to have the Foley replaced. I was discharged with no instructions and no information about what to expect. Follow up support was completely lacking. When I did contact him for help, I was give wrong information. Painful urination and passing blood lasted for over six weeks and as that stopped, scar tissue from the acute and long term inflammation caused by the procedure made it nearly impossible for me to urinate. I was over 90% blocked. Dr. Valvo said, "No problem, I will cut out the scar tissue and you will be good as new". Instead, he removed the tissue with a green laser which caused terrible inflammation in my urethra and again I was months with bleeding and painful urination, culminating in even more scar tissue and again, 90+% blockage. I had to have yet another surgery from a different Dr. ( I would never allow Dr. Valvo to operate on me again!) who used a surgical procedure without the laser and I have had immediate recovery and am doing wonderfully well. Excellent flow, no pain and no blood. The first time I can relax and feel "normal" in over 6 months. At our first meeting, I asked Dr. Valvo about possible nerve damage with the HIFU, leading to either incontinence or impotence or both. He ASSURED me neither would be a problem. While I have only experienced mild and intermittent incontinence, I have not been able to have an erection since the first procedure. Dr. Valvo's surgical procedures robbed me of six months of my life, with constant pain and worry about my ability to urinate and inability to enjoy a normal sex life. For six months I was up every hour of every night with strong urges to urinate. There is more, but hopefully this much of my story will dissuade other men from suffering like I have and find a different urologist than Dr. Valvo.

That says it all! Never going back to that office. Doesn’t care if you are in pain, doesn’t explain so one can understand and is VERY arrogant.

HAVE NOT HAD SURGERY YET SO CANNOT COMMENT ON BEDSIDE MANNER BUT SPENT TIME WITH ME ON FIRST VISIT WHILE WE SCHEDULED SURGERY

Dr. Valvo is a excellent and straightforward person. He performed complicated robotic surgery for me and all is well. Thank you Dr. Valvo!!

Apparently Dr. Valvo does not allow a patient to bring his wife during procedures. Had I known ahead of time, I would have found someone else. I would have liked to have the support. I also had to change my appointment last minute because he was going on vacation and the other days provided were inconvenient.

I just left Dr. Valvo's office after about 5 minutes of seeing him. I have had Blood in my urine for over 3 months now and at this visit Dr. Valvo rechecked my urine. He said there was no blood in it. REALLY!!! Then why was there blood & bloodclots on the toilet tissue?????? I am definitely getting a second opinion from a REAL UROLOGIST!!!!

Dr. Valvo is an excellent doctor. He saved my life. I needed my kidney taken out and he performed surgery on me. He followed up while was in the hospital and made sure I was taken care of. The nurses at the hospital were spectacular. I have never met a doctor more intelligent or caring as he is. I would recommend him to my family and friends. These reviews on here confuse me because the Dr. Valvo that took care of me was phenomenal.

Great doctor he knows what he's doing will defiantly recommend him to all my friends and family

This man is one of the most rude human beings i have ever met! was assigned to him after emergency in hospital, he couldn't even give us the time of day after the surgery! Was curt, rude, unkind... Not to mention I went into septic shock because he didn't want to come in on sunday to do surgery- after he told us on phone to get to OR quickly as we needed immediate surgery, then he tried to prolong it till monday. Just awful experience.

He was rude, insensitive and simply doesn't seem to care. I've had nothing but major problems since my minor surgery with him. At my follow up appointments with him he never examined me once, in spite of my pain and concerns. He did not want to hear anything I had to say and practically ran out of the room. I am now seeking treatment elsewhere.

Was diagnosed w/cancer and was set up with weekly treatments. Was very blunt when he informed me of my condition. I would have rated "Bedside manner" a 0 if it was available. Since the scoping was so painful, I requested pain meds when I have the weekly treatments and he was very ambivalent about the effect this idea of facing the pain has had on my mental state. Just kept brushing my anxiety aside. Not impressed with him at all. Just hope he knows what he is doing. I haven't slept well since my first visit with him...

As a nurse I understand that doctors are busier than ever. Some even seeing up to 60 patients a day in the office. Dr.Valvo is an exceptional doctor. I was satisfied with my appointment with him and his diagnosis was accurate. He did seem in a hurry but who isnt these days. He took care of my problem.

This was my first visit here with Dr. Valvo. Walked in asked me what was wrong told him and then told me to take some meds for a month and come back and see him. After he told me that he started walking toward the door and walked out as I was asking him questions. Makes a lot of money and may know his stuff but is a complete jerk. I hope that some day he is stuck in a situation with his health and people wont give him the time of day to answer his questions. Will not be going back, scheduled a follow up with another DR.

This doctor knows his area of expertise, but by no means does he take the time to listen to his patients' questions or concerns.

I have been Dr Valvo's patient for 4 yrs. I needed to address my prostate cancer and was looking for a solution. PSA 9.8 and Gleason score 3+4. He made no promises but said he thought he could help me while minimizing side effects. He performed robotic surgery to remove my prostate. Pathology result showed it was slightly worse than diagnosed. I suffered no incontenance and mild ED which responds well to meds. I had to have salvage radiation treatment 2 yrs later and now I am cancer free for 2 yrs.I highly recommend Dr Valvo as a very experienced and skilled surgeon.

Dr. Valvo is an exceptional doctor. He is very personable and respectable. His skills are great. I would recommend him to anybody who has a urology problem.

Dear Dr. Valvo,I just learned today that the tumor I had treated last Tuesday was, in fact cancerous. I thought you should know in the event you come across a similar case. If we hadnt sought a second and even third opinion, I would still have a cancerous mass growing in my kidney. I wouldnt want that to happen to someone else.As you now know, kidney masses can stop growing for several years and still be cancerous. I hope you have learned from this experience. We certainly have.