"I am 10 years out from beginning the surgery process and 9 years from the surgery.
My experience with Ikramuddin is complicated. I like his manner when directly interacting with him, but have found his office staff, the young student doctors and the University staff to widely vary in their skill and patient rapport.
I feel like as I got further out my care has lost importance to both Dr. I and his staff. Many times, I have had to have blood work done or CT scans or MRIs only to never have a followup from his staff on the results. One staff member once told me they only call if there is a problem; so, not to worry if I don't get a call. Well, I found out at this year's follow-up that a test they did showed I had hyperinsulinemia. They never told me that or did follow-up care about it. I have been suffering ever since and only found out at my 9 year annual that I have it. I'm very worried about it. He told me to keep track of what I eat and that was the only suggestion he had for follo-up. I've called 3 times to try to talk to his nurse and there has been no response. Let me reiteratre I am very frustrated.
I had lab work drawn on Monday Feb 6. The results were faxed to Dr. I's office on Friday. They have never called to follo-up yet or responded to my calls to them to get the results. I took the results to my primary doc and he diagnosed several significant, gastric bypass related problems (thalassemia, Vitamin D deficiency, seconday hyperparathyroid, etc.). I texted a number Dr. I gave me years ago and got a response simoly saying "you need to take Vitamin D". I texted again and asked how much because I already take 2000 iu a day. I got no response to that text.
Also, I would place his front desk care in the lowest of any doctors' office I've ever seen. Instead of interacting with the patients as they register for the appointment, they talk to each other, carrying on distracting conversations, louding talking to each other about their vacations, lunch plans, other people, etc. They really need to buff up their customer service skills.
So, while I feel in the initial surgery process Dr. Ikramuddin is marvo and I would go to him in a minute for that, I feel both Dr. Ikramuddin and Fairview University not only drop the ball in follow-up care, but actually carelessly toss it over the shoulder. Clearly the almighty dollar of the expensive surgery over-powers the lower financial gain of the long-term post op care.
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"Joyce has been an encouraging resource for me. I have had difficulty with the post-gb diet because of my preference for ethnic foods (prefer South Indian Vegetarian diet--or Ayurvedic diet). She looked up resources for me re: this issue. She has also been there for me just to talk me through some difficulty. She didn't necessarily have the answers, but she never discounted my experiences. I appreciate that in my health care providers."
"Very kind and efficient people for the most part. Could use some better accomodations for the super-sized folks--like specially adapted chairs and such. "
