Patient Testimonials

"I’m a 42yr old male that was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia at the beginning of this year, I may have incurred it through a hiking injury and subsequent weightlifting. My background is a PhD in Molecular Medicine and I am a very health-conscious individual. I spent 2 months reading the latest medical research publications from health centers around the world on their long term outcomes on the mesh technique, shouldice, and desarda techniques. Forester et al 2021 identified that being <45yrs of age and receiving the mesh repair was a risk factor for subsequent chronic pain. Moreover, new mesh types are constantly being made, but it seems to be a never ending cycle as these materials are unlikely to stand the test of time and cause problem multiple decades after insertion. The desarda now has the 15+ year long term durability data (Phillip et al 2023 ) with excellent safety and efficacy data. After numerous detailed questions I had for Nancy at the UFirst Health center, I was completely reassured and satisfied with the answers. I flew down to have my surgery done with Dr. T in June of this year. It is now 6 months post-surgery and the repair is solid, and I have almost completely forgotten that I have ever had an issue there."

"I’ve had two inguinal hernias repaired by Dr. Tomas at UFirstHealth: first in Sept. 2019, then in July 2021. My wife accompanied me to Ft. Myers for the first one, but knowing the ropes, I was solo for the second, but engaged the clinic’s excellent post-op nursing services. After the initial examination the first time, Dr. Tomas told me that there was a 25% chance for a second hernia on the other side of my groin — and this is precisely what happened. Both times, there were no complications. Dr. Tomas was professional, knowledgeable, experienced and aware. His staff was very helpful, friendly and talented, even, many performing multiple tasks, medical, administrative and other. The second time I recalled having seen several of the same staff the first time, so there is definite continuity of experienced personnel. If you’ve investigated procedure cost, you should be appropriately appalled at the insane cost of the deservedly maligned mesh surgery everywhere else. I stayed at the Springhill Suites Marriott, which has a business arrangement with the UFirstHealth. They supply transportation to and from the clinic AND airport, as well as providing a bargain rate for an entire suite. I am completely healed now, thanks to Dr. Tomas and his team."

"My experience with Dr. Tomas and his entire staff was exceptional!! When I realized I had a hernia I started looking for alternatives to hernia repairs that use mesh. I had heard and read enough horror stories about mesh repairs gone wrong and I thought that there must be an alternative to mesh. Well, it turns out that there is and Dr. Tomas is the only U.S. surgeon certified in this no mesh hernia repair surgery. I called their office and spoke with a patient coordinator, BJ, who took her time with me and answered all my questions. I was going to have to travel from AZ to Florida to have the surgery, so I wanted to be sure that I knew what to expect. The staff there were some of the most caring people I dealt with. They don’t treat hernias, they treat people with hernias and believe me that is a huge distinction. Esteban, who did all my pre-op prep was fantastic, Sabrina the anesthetist was fantastic, Donna who was one of the nurses was so sweet and caring, again fantastic."

"After over years (4) of ignoring my inguinal hernia and having literally given up on finding a suitable, non-mesh surgical center. I had accepted that it would probably be the death of me until sister found U First Heath/Desarda Hernia Center. I had decided I would not let just any surgeon operate on me and would rather die at home then to be at the mercy of mesh-merchants. Dr Tomas and his staff could not have been more professional, accommodating and courteous. Just great people. Within a blink of an eye, I was in recovery and today I’m so happy I placed my trust in Dr. Tomas and his able staff. Dr. Tomas literally saved my life and for that I will be eternally grateful."

"My name is Jerry B., now age 63 just had a Bilateral Inguinal Hernia “No Mesh” Surgery by Dr Robert Tomas, at Ufirst Surgery and Ali In Clinic in Ft Myers Florida.. Great Team, Experience, Energy and after 14 days Great Recovery. Because of Covid and surgery delays, my journey to find UFirst, Dr Tomas and no mesh surgery started over a year ago. I took the time delay being the CEO of a telemedicine company and access to doctors. We thoroughly researched UFirst, Dr Tomas and his “no Mesh” surgery. My team gave a thumbs up and I am glad they did. I highly recommend Team UFirst and the “no mesh” surgery, professional, confident, on point and no waste time wasted, you get all the necessary information, answer all questions and leave you alone to make your own decision. Thank you Team UFirst!!"

"For years I was able to live comfortably with a right-side inguinal hernia, until I could do so no longer. As years past, it got larger in size. I could no longer ignore it. Something had to be done. In July 2020, I was working a physically intense job and I was forced to quit. When a bulge formed, I was forced to “lay down and sleep” for a few hours. Pushing it in wasn’t doing the trick any more. I called a surgeon in Vegas and it was like pulling teeth dealing with them. But, what choice did I have? I needed it to be done. After weeks of “back-and-forth”, finally, I was scheduled for the operation. I was AT MY BANK, cash-in-hand, ready to draw up a cashiers check, and I needed to call for details on who to make the check out to. And, I accidentally called UFirstHealth, thinking, the entire time, I was talking to the Vegas office lol. I knew something was wrong because of how friendly BJ – the office assistant – was. I remember thinking, “Wow! This is like a totally different office!” And, it “was” lol. She answered all questions and I made the check out to UFirst that day. UFirst cost was literally HALF of the vegas doctor, a perfect track record, zero remissions, and the most friendly and professional staff. Turns out, I dodged a bullet going to Vegas and didn’t even know it. My caretaker, Pam, was a dream. The front office, back office and Dr. Tomas were great. The pre/post surgery was wonderful. They played Santana as they walked me half-naked into the operation room and cracked jokes. Next thing I know, I woke up in another room with a smile on my face. Traveling is my DREAM, and it started in Ft. Myers at UFirst. I can eat the foods I love but couldn’t before, such as steak, cheese and milk. I can dance and workout. I can go back to doing physical work and enjoy my life to the fullest without worrying."

"I had a WONDERFUL experience with Dr. Tomas and his team. They are consumate professionals. Esteban, McKensy, BJ, all of them, are wonderful. They take their time to explain everything. THEIR FACILITIES ARE IMMACULATE. (I am a professional medical language interpreter, and I have been to hundreds of clinics.) It is very important that you as a patient take the time to read the instructions given to you pre and post op. You really need to take the medications they give you correctly and on time. Please follow all their instructions regarding walking, and other care. I had two types of right-side hernias repaired, and even so, my pain level never rose above a 2 or 3. I HIGHLY recommend that you also hire nurse Pam or nurse Trish. They made my recuperation much better. Dr. Tomas’ office can provide you their numbers."

"Flew half way around the world to have the “Best Hernia Expert, Dr Tomas” remove a ruptured hernia mesh, and conduct non-mesh hernia surgery! 6 weeks later, I am “as good as new”! God bless Dr Tomas! Hernia Expert “second-to-none”! Great reputation in Asia. I flew to Florida from Mongolia and trusted Dr Tomas to remove pieces of hernia mesh which no other doctor was willing or able to do! Self-verified patient of Dr. Robert E Tomas."

"I flew from New Zealand to have Dr Tomas do three hernia repairs in the one operation (bilateral inguinal and an umbilical). It was huge call and a leap of faith on our part but everything went exactly as he predicted. Of course we were worried travelling so far from home to have surgery, 13,000 km and 36 hours travelling, but Dr Tomas and his team went out of their way to make us feel secure. I had my operation on Wednesday morning and was walking around the shops on Thursday morning. Dr Tomas and his team are exceptional and I can't recommend them highly enough. He has literally given me my life back."