"I believe I was the first wls patient to see Dr. Chang. He removed 16 pounds of skin and tissue and he was amazed at that amount. My friend had surgery after I did and he removed a similar amount of skin and tissue. Two other friends from my support group have since went to see Dr. Chang and they ran into some difficulty because apparently, the insurance company didn't pay Dr. Chang what he felt he deserved from my friend and my surgeries. His office didn't say anything to either of us about the difficulty, but since then, Dr. Chang has changed his policy and is wanting money, at least half, up front before he will proceed with the surgery. I don't think he will do anymore wls patients again without money up front, which is unfortunate."
"I met with Dr. Weber and his staff at his required orientation meeting on Aug 14,2000. I seeking a "new" surgeon because I ran into some rather "uncomfortable" complications with the local surgeons office here in Tacoma. I found out about Dr. Weber from a friend at the company I work for. I had decided to have this surgery back in April and had had all of the required tests done from the other doctors office, so I found that Dr. Weber was a prefered provider for my insurance company (which already approved my surgery), finding a new surgeon was all I needed.
I was so impressed with Dr. Weber. He was so layed back and relaxed but was very intelligent and straight forward. He answered the questions that I had in the meeting and when I explained to him after the meeting that I was already approved and had all of the other tests done, he put his head in his hands and looked up at me (he was sitting, I was standing) and said "It would be terrible for you to wait any longer than you have already waited. Call my office in the morning and see if you can't get your appointment moved up from 10-31 to a date sooner." Something in my heart at that very point told me that Dr. Weber was my doctor. He's going to take care of me and everything will be alright. I had a few run ins with Pam because she grilled me on the phone every time I called up there. I have since grown to really like Pam. She was under an extreme amount of pressure but with office staff changes, she is much more personable and kind. Dr. Weber is very honest. He tells you straight up what his expectations are of you and your aftercare. He emphasizes aftercare, going to local support groups or being involved online. Also he is a stickler about vitamins and supplements. I have to say that I still need to get an iron and B complex suppliment. But that's my problem, not Dr. Webers. Dr. Weber went over the risks of surgery in the orientation and also in the consultation meeting at his office. For any future patients, even if you have a co-pay from your insurance company, Dr. Weber's office policy for the initial consultation is $125. I didn't know this when I first went to my consultation and almost didn't get to see Dr. Weber. I didn't let that appointment go by, I had waited too long. I paid the money, and your insurance company will reimburse you, but just be prepared that everybody pays the price of $125. No exceptions. On a scale of 1-10 I rate Dr. Weber a 10. He is very caring and compassionate about his WLS patients and it's not put on or phoney. He truly cares. I find that surgical competence and bedside manner go hand in hand, both should be excellent. I also feel that patient participation is very very important too. When I had my surgery, I weighed 475 pounds. I was concerned about the hospital staff in moving me, so they wouldn't hurt themselves. I needed to be just as involved in my care as they were. I have to say, if you go into the hospital with expectations that they, the staff, are going to be at your beck and call, and you are going to wait for them to come tell you to get out of bed to take your required 6 to 7 walks a day, your in for a rude awakening. The more pro-active you are in your own care, the better you feel and the more the staff will want to do for you. I am so happy I made this decision to have this surgery with the surgeon I choose, because it has saved my life. When I had the other doctor in Tacoma preparing everything, I had dreams that I died on the operating table. When I found Dr. Weber, the dreams and anxitity stopped. I felt and feel nothing but peace.
This surgery is a tool to permanate weight loss but my roll in keeping it off is just as important as the surgery. The surgery itself has got to be a last ditch effort on your part because it is so drastic, but if you have lost and gained weight your entire life, like I have for the last 27 years of my life, the surgery was my only hope. Good luck to all of you who are pre-op and welcome to the other side to those who are post-op. The more positive your outlook, the easier things will be. Email me if you have any questions."
