Les Stanton Patient Testimonial

One morning in mid-October, Leslie “Les” Stanton arrived at Samaritan Medical Center for a total hip replacement, hoping to end years of pain and discomfort. Several hours later — that same afternoon — he walked out with a new lease on life.

“By 2 o’clock, I had already gotten up,” Les recalls. “I didn’t need any help getting into the car, I didn’t need any help getting into bed. The difference was night and day.”

Les, of Alexandria Bay, was the first patient to receive a same-day total hip replacement at Samaritan. His procedure was performed by Dr. Biren Chokshi, a surgeon at Samaritan Orthopedics, using the advanced Mako SmartRobotics™ system.

Before his hip replacement, Les says he was in “constant pain.” He struggled getting up and down stairs, getting into his vehicle, and even sleeping — only able to rest sitting upright in a chair. When his pain forced him to take a leave from his job, he knew it was time to act.

Initially, Les sought orthopedic care in Syracuse, where he had his first hip replacement surgery in 2021. However, after feeling he was treated like “just another number” rather than an individual, he sought a second opinion from Samaritan Orthopedics. And he’s glad he did.

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” Les said. “When I shook Dr. Chokshi’s hand, I knew he meant business. I didn’t have any time to waste — I needed it fixed because my quality of life was terrible at the time.”

Comparing his two hip surgeries, Les cannot believe the difference in recovery. After his first replacement in Syracuse, he spent a month or two getting around with a walker. This time, he left Samaritan on his own two feet, even stopping for lunch with his wife on the way home.

“There was so much more pain last time,” he said. “This is the first time in five or six years that I can take a set of steps more than one step at a time. It does wonders for your mental status.”

Les has already recommended Dr. Chokshi and Samaritan Orthopedics to his family members.

“Don’t let a small town persuade your decision on hip surgery, or any joint surgery,” he said. “I’ve had a great experience with Samaritan Orthopedics.”