Premier Medical Group welcomes Dr. Neil J. Kocher to our Urology Division. Dr. Kocher is a fellowship-trained urologist who has spent two years at the Cleveland Clinic gaining the latest surgical and non-surgical techniques for treatment of a broad spectrum of urological conditions in both women and men. Dr. Kocher has published extensively in numerous urological publications and lectured on urology topics. Dr. Kocher is very pleased to be working with Dr. Daniel Katz at the Women’s Health & Wellness Center at Premier where they will be offering many advanced therapies including reconstructive surgery for prolapse, treatment of urinary incontinence, pelvic floor disorders, and urogenital care for men and women.
Dr. Kocher graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Biology from Wilkes University, received his M.D. from Temple University School of Medicine and completed his Urologic Surgical Residency at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. This was followed by an accredited, two-year urology fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.
Women’s Pelvic Health and Continence Treatment is a Matter of Quality of Life
Dr. Kocher stated that he wants all patients to strive to put aside their reluctance to seek treatment for urinary and genital concerns because, “Once you recognize just how common these issues are, there’s no need to feel shame or embarrassment. We are specialists dedicated to this particular field, and as your physicians, we offer a safe haven to discuss a patient’s discomfort and can provide many different options to help them regain their quality of life.” He further explained, “One thing that often prevents people from seeing the doctor sooner for incontinence and other urologic issues is fear that surgery may be the only choice.” This is far from the case, he said, “Some conditions can be solved with pelvic floor physical therapy, or medication-based treatment. For example, we have newer approaches to treating stress and urge incontinence, we can provide less invasive in-office procedures with local anesthesia. Our patients can often drive themselves home and experience minimal to no limitations on their activities depending on the procedure. A misbehaving bladder can be controlled, and we will work together to make that happen.
Dr. Kocher advises, “If you are having issues with prolapse, you are not alone. As our population ages it is becoming an increasingly common condition, in fact approximately 1 in 3 women may face some issues with symptomatic prolapse during her lifetime. Yet many wait for a long period of time, even years, before seeking help. We want our patients to feel better and return to their normal way of life as soon as possible. The first step is making an appointment and discovering what options are best suited for you.”
Every Patient’s Visit Should be Meaningful
If you or someone you care about is experiencing symptoms such as “I’m constantly running to the bathroom,” or “I have to stop leaking when I exercise,” Premier Medical Group urologists like Dr. Kocher encourage them to tell the doctors what their trouble is. “These are situations that we as pelvic floor specialists deal with every day and communication between the patient and physician is key.”
For example, in those who are suffering from stress incontinence, a common form of leakage that can occur with increased physical activity, there are numerous treatment choices available and today’s urologists can adjust to each patient’s individual preferences. Solutions range from in-office urethral bulking with a soft hydrogel using minimal local anesthesia, the placement of a small strip of mesh as an outpatient procedure, or even utilize the patient’s own tissues if they are mesh-averse. For non-surgical treatments there are behavioral modifications, Kegel exercises, insertion devices or pessaries, and more as initial or additional forms of therapy.
Minimally Invasive, Same-Day Reconstructive Surgery for Prolapse
Dr. Kocher said that most prolapse surgeries can be done through the vagina using the patient’s own tissue with minimal pain. These patients can go home the same day and after a few weeks of light activity and over-the-counter, non-narcotic pain medication, they can resume their normal lives. An equally safe and satisfactory approach uses minimally invasive robotic abdominal entry to resolve prolapse issues, and both Dr. Kocher and Dr. Katz specialize in these surgical techniques.
Individualized, Highly Personalized Care to Restore Comfort and Health
Dr. Kocher wants both women and men with any concerns for pelvic floor dysfunction to feel reassured that at Premier Medical Group they have access to expert, innovative and compassionate care.
“While the subject may be a sensitive one, there’s no reason to delay making an appointment as solutions are readily available and with excellent long-term outcomes. We want our patients to resume their normal way of life before these issues arose and offer them the choices that best fit their needs. I look forward to helping my patients feel better in a meaningful way and to enjoy the improved quality of life these therapies can provide.”
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kocher, please call 845.437.5000