"I have just come home form my initial consultation with Drs. Hess and Oakley. After careful deliberation on what surgeon is right for me, I decided that the reputation of these Drs. and their proximity to my home town (1.5 hours by car) made them the best option for me. I couldn't have been happier with them. Both men were extremely personable, professional and accommodating.rnrnI met with Dr. Hess for an information session and he walked me through the entire procedure from stem to stern, stopping whenever I had a question or an observation. He answered all my questions thoroughly and never once was stuck for an answer. He addressed all the concerns pre-op, during and post-op and was very helpful in the choices I would have to make as far as insurance approval, etc. He was very frank about the risks as well as the necessity for aftercare, both from a medical standpoint and a social standpoint - He stressed the need for supplements and office visits as well as bi-weekly support meetings for at least 2 years post-op.rnrnDr. Oakley, although seeming a little rushed (he had just arrived in the office from a surgery when I was finishing with Dr. Hess) was VERY friendly. He had quite a few questions for me about health care in Canada and how our insurance system worked over here. He also mentionned that if I could get approval fom the government it might open the door for many more people from Canada to have the surgery done in a timely fashion down in the US.rnrnThe office staff was very courteous and friendly. The nurse (Tina was her name, I think) was exceptionally helpful. She took my medical history and gave me all the information I would need about insurance, payment, pre-operative preparations, etc. During the medical history, she asked me about my mother and I told her my mom had died of breast cancer when I was 10. As it turns out, Tina was a breast cancer survivor - I immediately felt a bond with her. We discussed it in some detail. It was nice to talk with a medical professional who is concerned about her patient on so many levels - not just the medical history.rnrnDrs. Hess and Oakley run their own aftercare program, each attending 1 out of the 2 meetings every month. They make their patients sign a form agreeing to at least 2 years of structured aftercare in the support group. As far as office visits go, the surgical fee also covers all your office visits for one year. Their focus on aftercare is admirable."
