Frequently asked questions
How do I book an appointment with Dr. Muteb Alzaidi?
The clinic is at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital – Main Branch in Jeddah, Monday and Thursday from 5 to 8 PM. Call 920012777, book online through the hospital's platform, or message on WhatsApp at +966 56 930 5333.
What ages does the doctor see?
Patients aged 14 and above.
Will I need surgery if I see the doctor?
No. Before the operating room we set precise criteria for every case to make sure surgery is really needed; many patients find a first-line treatment that suits them better. Surgery is proposed only when it is the best option.
Can I get a second opinion?
Absolutely. You have every right to a second and third opinion before any operation — but don't let endless clinic-hopping delay your treatment decision, especially with tumours where time matters.
What is the difference between robotic, keyhole and open surgery?
Open surgery needs a large incision. Keyhole surgery uses small ports and straight instruments. Robotic surgery also uses small ports but with freely rotating arms and a 3D camera, giving higher precision in tight spaces like the chest. In every case the surgeon performs the operation.
Is taking acid medication for years safe?
Long-term acid suppression can lead to unexpected complications such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies. If you have needed it for years without real resolution, that alone is reason to evaluate the valve and esophagus endoscopically.
Is vaping less harmful to the lungs than cigarettes?
Vaping is not a harmless habit. The damage starts with irritation, cough and breathlessness, and over time can affect the lungs and heart more seriously than expected — the problem is it progresses quietly without you noticing.
When is a cough a warning sign?
A cough lasting more than three weeks, a change in a chronic cough, blood-stained sputum, or a cough with weight loss and breathlessness — all warrant assessment and chest imaging.
Does the doctor speak English?
Yes. Dr. Alzaidi speaks Arabic, English and French.
Is ignoring chronic reflux dangerous?
Yes. Constant acid exposure irritates the esophageal lining and, over time, its cells can change and become cancerous. Treating reflux early protects you from that risk.
Are nicotine pouches a safe alternative to smoking for reflux patients?
Nicotine itself relaxes the lower esophageal valve and worsens reflux regardless of how it is taken, so swapping cigarettes for pouches does not solve the problem.
Can a hiatal hernia cause bad breath?
It can. Retained food and constant reflux cause an odour that oral care does not remove; an upper endoscopy is the key diagnostic step.
Can achalasia be cured with medication?
No. Medication may ease symptoms temporarily but cannot restore the valve's ability to relax. Effective treatment is myotomy, endoscopic or surgical.
Does removing part of the lung mean the end of a normal life?
No. The remaining lung adapts and compensates, and most patients return to daily life and work within weeks, especially after robotic or single-port surgery.
Fluid around the lung — does it mean a tumour?
Not necessarily. Most cases have benign causes such as infection, heart or kidney problems, and treatment is staged according to the cause and the stage of the effusion.
How does robotic esophagectomy differ from open surgery?
The surgical goal is the same — removing the tumour and lymph nodes — but the robot does it through small ports instead of two large incisions, meaning less pain, fewer lung complications and a shorter hospital stay.
Can a pneumothorax recur after surgery?
The recurrence rate after bleb resection and pleurodesis is very low compared with drain treatment alone, which is why surgery is recommended after a repeat episode.
Is the result of hyperhidrosis surgery permanent?
For palmar sweating the result is immediate and lasting in the great majority of cases. The main side effect we discuss beforehand is the chance of increased sweating elsewhere, such as the back.
Does thymectomy cure myasthenia gravis?
It markedly improves symptoms in many patients and reduces their need for medication; some reach complete remission, but improvement is gradual and can take months.
Does a chest binder help rib fractures heal?
No — it makes things worse: the pressure displaces the broken bones so they overlap, and it limits lung expansion, raising the risk of pneumonia.
Is H. pylori contagious?
Yes. It spreads between people through contaminated food or water or poor hygiene, and awareness of how it spreads greatly reduces infection.