Dr. Robert Adams Gaertner, MD

Great doctor

A previous urologist had ignored my elevated PSA scores. Dr. Gaetner said: "I don't think you have cancer either but let's make sure." An MRI and biopsies revealed serious cancer that I am now in treatment for. He cares; he communicates carefully and thoroughly. He's modest yet enthusiastic and takes all the time that is needed to explain what I'm going through. The written report he prepared to describe my cancer ("Prostate Cancer Worksheet") has been very helpful. So far, so good. I hope I survive, and if I do it will likely be because Dr. Gaertner took seriously what a previous urologist did not.

It's been about 10 years since I have had to see a urologist. So I Googled and Dr. Gaertner's name was one of many that came up. Dr. Gaertner was the last urologist I saw. I had a long history of kidney stones but had been stone free for about 10 years. my urologist retired and Dr. Gaertner inherited my file. I needed to see him for another reason at which time he decided to change my medication, Allopurinol that had kept me stone free for 10 years to Lisinopril and ACE Inhibitor that opens the blood vessels so the heart can function more efficiently (I was already on a medication to lower my blood pressure). within 6 months I started making kidney stones frequently. I lost count of the surgical procedures (cystoscopy - picture RotoRuter up to my kidneys) I had. One month I had 5 with 2 in one day at St. John's Hospital. I still have the letter I sent Dr. Gaertner why he changed my medication and should I go back to Allopurinol. Never an answer to my question. I finally went to the Mayo Clinic for a persistent cough that had gotten intolerable. I made the rounds to specialists with the last stop at nephrology. the nephrologist asked why I was taking Lisinopril. I said my urologist prescribed it for my kidney stones. He laid his head in his hands shaking it back and forth. He said, "plumbers, they are just plumbers (meaning urologists). Lisinopril doesn't have a f***ing thing to do with your stones and the Lisinopril is likely causing your cough. I did a 24 hour urine analysis and the Mayo Dr. put me back on Allopurinol and guess what... I have been stone free for about 10 years. I believe Dr. Gaertner made more than $50K on my surgical procedures and I also believe that is the reason he did it.... to make money. I have thought countless times over the years I should have reported him to the state medical board. But now that I see his name again I feel obligated to make others aware. I have the written records from Mayo to substantiate what I have said. My records still exist at Metro Urologic Specialists. They speak for themselves.

My partner just went through surgery with Dr Gaertner. An outstanding doctor who truly cares about his patients and clearly loves his work. He's modest but his reputation follows him. Ask around with people in the business, you'll get the same answer-"he's the best".

Was very comfortable with this doctor. Made me feel that what I had to say or ask of him was important.