Douglas Hetzler's Online Review Report Card

We initially had a really hard time trying to get ahold of Hetzler's staff to book an elective Surfer's Ear surgery for my husband. However, after finally getting my husband's profile in order, we were able to book, cancel, re-book, cancel and re-book our appointment with Dr. Hetzler's team several times with ease (COVID19). Donna, Dr. Hetzler's nurse was incredibly helpful and diligent with us throughout the process. We live in Orange County, CA so getting up to Santa Cruz took a little extra planning and coordination, all of which Donna was able to offer great support. We made it to Santa Cruz without issue however, we arrived the weekend the CZU Lightning Complex fires were decimating the area. We actually got evacuated from our hotel while we were having our initial meet & greet with Dr. Hetzler! Dr. Hetzler was so kind, thoughtful and even called to check in on us several times to make sure we were safe and had a new accommodation. My husband had his surgery on a Friday and we spent the weekend in Monterey. The drive is about 35-40 mins to the surgery center from Monterey, which is a straight forward, easy drive. The surgery lasted about 1hr, during which, I had to wait in the car due to COVID, but everything went smoothly. We had one follow up appointment with Hetzler the Monday following surgery. Hetzler confirmed that all looked well and was healing appropriately. He took out a few blood clots, which is typical, and we headed home. My husband had two more follow up appointments back down in Orange County, and the doctor here was extremely impressed with Hetzler's work and technique - he even asked my husband if he could review the paperwork more closely because he was so surprised at how well the healing process was going, with zero damage to my husband's ear structure. If you're having your follow up appointments outside of Santa Cruz, Hetzler's team provides detailed paperwork for you to give your local doctor. The documents explain the surgery, Hetzler's technique, what the healing should look like, etc. As for healing, my husband had to avoid water in his ears and switch out cotton swabs with Aquaphor for about a week which was totally manageable - that's it! Overall, my husband is so glad he chose to have the surgery done with Hetzler. It was easy, painless and extremely efficient - even when living outside the Santa Cruz area. 10/10 would recommend Hetzler and his technique if you or a loved one need Surfer's Ear Surgery!

Had my bilateral surfers ear surgery on Dec 4 2020. I flew in from out of town and they scheduled my pre-op the day before at 5PM. Hetzler spent an hour answering all of my questions and giving great tips for ear care. For  instance getting a small ear camera.Surgery took around 3 hrs, woke up and other than barely able to hear anything, felt great. Other than an advil, never needed anything after the first day. Pain was almost none existent. Be prepared to not hear much the first week, but after getting the blood clots pulled out, BOOM, a whole new world. Healing took about two weeks and I got back into the ocean after 4 weeks just to be sure.I wish every surgery was this effortless and Hetzler is the best. Highly recommended.

I hope that you read my review before you decide to have surgery with Dr. Hetzler. Please also read some of the reviews at the bottom of Yelp that Yelp deems 'not currently recommended'. Dr. Hetzler may be a pioneer in the surgery of surfers ear. He may be the best to do this surgery. But he is also completely dishonest and not the most knowledgeable Dr. overall. In my opinion he is a 'one trick pony' I will explain why.In my informed consent Dr. Hetzler noted the risks involved with the surgery. But, he claimed, in thousands of surgeries he's never had an issue. This is not true. Read the other reviews and my testimony.I had surgery in both ears for surfers ear. I was on the fence about getting the surgery, was my condition really that bad to take the risk? But based on Hetzlers supposed 100% track record I felt the benefit outweighed the risk.The surgery went fine, but after the surgery I lost about 50% of the hearing in one ear. Now note I had a hearing test right before the surgery and in the weeks after. Significant and measurable hearing loss. In several subsequent visits with Hetzler he put forward the theory that I had 'sudden onset hearing loss' which would have nothing to do with the surgery. But the hearing loss started immediately from the moment I woke from the surgery. We talked about all the other things it could be. No, it must be sudden onset hearing loss.I followed up with Dr. Jennifer Maw (she is excellent), an ear specialist in Santa Clara. She immediately diagnosed and confirmed with CT and MRI that I had Superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCD). This is when the skull bone separating the ear chambers from the brain cracks open. Symptoms can be quite severe, so in this case I feel lucky, but there is nothing to be done for it. She asked me several times if I had a 'blow to the head' as this is what generally triggers it. The only blow to the head I had was from Hetzlers chisel. I read that about 3% of the population is at risk for this condition, that is, the bone is thinner for them. How come Dr. Hetzler doesn't know about this? How come he doesn't mention this risk to his patients? How come he doesn't screen for this susceptibility before doing the surgery? Sure, if he had never had any issues in any surgeries that would make sense. But I know there are other people out there who have had the same thing happen to them. Just read his reviews on Yelp. Dr. Hetzler has never followed up with me since then and I am sure he won't mention my case to you when he claims 100% success rate.I thought to sue Dr. Hetzler. Not because I lost hearing, but because he lied to me and that made me so angry. But there is not much of a case. I had signed informed consent and most lawyers didn't see it as a big money maker for them.If surfers ear is keeping you out of the water, the surgery is definitely worth the risk. But please know what you are getting into with Dr. Hetzler. He lies, he doesn't follow up, and he is not the most knowledgeable about ear issues.

Dr Hetzler performed surfers ear surgery on both of my ears, and I got through the surgery and healing with little pain (did not even take ibuprofen) and no ear complications. Only issue I had was nausea after the surgery because of the anesthesia. If you get nauseous easily, ask about nausea meds before surgery. I wish I would have inquired about a nausea patch before surgery. As far as Dr Hetzler, I have nothing but positive things to say about him. He was thorough, patient, and kind. I felt confident in him from the first time I met him and he did not let me down! My ears are now healed and ready for the water! I recommend him and his chisel technique. He really did seem to be the Kelly Slater of ear surgery!

I went to Dr. Hetzler for my surfer's ear procedure. The experience was a very good one and Doug is the best. Three weeks after the procedure, he gave me the go ahead to get out in the ocean again. I was a little  anxious before the procedure but I can honestly say there was no need to be. He is great at explaining things to you as well as answering any questions you may have. Everyone involved in the process from staff, nurses, etc. were also the best.Anyone that has surfer's ear should definitely go to Dr. Hetzler.

Dr. Hetzler is an amazing subspecialist, no better external auditory canal chisler in the world.There's a reason all the professional surfers flock to his office.He fixed my right here, including a large perforated Tympanic membrane, with ease, skill and compassion.Very accessible through email, quick turnaround time with communications.His outpatient surgery center was efficient and fair with their pricing.

My ears were 80% closed, Dr. Hetzler fixed them with his minimally evasive technique 10 years ago, and they've been flawless ever since. No horror stories here, but all my friends who went to any other Doctor, have nothing but horror stories. And recurring issues. Dr. Hetzler is amazing!

I'm deaf in my right ear from birth and both my ears are 90+% blocked w surfers ear. My ENT in Albany NY tells me just let's manage it, the lack of draining, the lack of hearing as he would not want to risk making me deaf. I found Dr. Hetzler online and soon realized he's an amazing pioneer with a newer method minimally invasively. I flew to Santa Cruz and met him. He is kind, thorough, detail oriented and he's training drs.around the world to do this chisel method going in from the front of the ear vs using a drill from behind the ear, cutting the ear away from your head. He told me "why would your hearing be jeopardized by this procedure?" Dr.Hetzler is a pro and never saw this as an obstacle. I knew then and there, he was my choice for this surgery. From pre-op to post-op, the professionalism, attention to detail and Dr. Hetzler's overall approach was reassuring. Today, my ears are wide open and I hear SO much more, so much louder! I am forever grateful to have found this Dr. And for the amazing work he does. His passion is his patients. The only choice for fixing surfers ear is from inside the ear w a chisel. Day 1 little pain, Day 2 no pain. I flew home to the Adirondacks of NY the morning after surgery. Do not be afraid. Go to Dr. Hetzler.

Dr Hetzler just did my ears (surfers ear surgery) I did a lot of research on this surgery and was very nervous about the whole thing from anesthesia to post op pain. Day three and so far haven't needed more than Motrin. He is amazing and very kind. Well worth the 5 hour drive to Santa Cruz.

I highly recommend Dr. Hetzler. I was surfer's ear, medically known as "exostosis of the external auditory canal. My ear canal was 95% shut on both ears. After my surgeries with Dr. Hetzler, my ears opened up to be 90% open. He is the leader for this type of surgery and is well known amongst all the surfing community. He spent a considerable amount of time educating me on my condition, the procedure and what to expect for recovery. He was very personable and professional.