"5/7/02: Like they say, everything in life happens for a reason. In January I changed ins carriers and changed surgeons. I am proud to say I am having my LAP RNY on June 11, 2002 by Dr Patricia Byers at Univ of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital.
I met her for the first time in March and I agree with the comments of others, she's one tough cookie! But I would not have had it any other way. I have several co-morbidities and she has been extremely cautious and has had every possible pre-op and clearance test done.
She has been great calming all my fears. She has a straight forward and no-nonsense approach that may seem cold and harsh to others. But as with everything this surgery is not to be considered lightly. She wants to see a sincere dedication to following all of her pre-op and post op guidelines, if not she will not give you clearance. Folks, she's not in this for the money. It is evident she does this because she is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people like myself that if not for this surgery have no other hope to "get healthy" outside of fad diets and unhealthy behavior.
Now, I am honest... it's not all a garden of roses. Her staff has been wonderful. But they are severly understaffed and the time frame from initial contact/visit to actual surgery date varies due to your health condition and how much pre-op testing is required.
It's been almost 6 months of phone calls, faxes, pre-op testing, etc... and thru it all Dr Byers and her staff have supported me and encouraged me to hang in there and for that I am eternally grateful!
Since she sees her patients through the Univ of Miami Clinics it's a tough process but worth every drop of blood sweat and tear!!!
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