"8/9/02: Just had my first visit with Dr. LeSage. Their office is in the process of updating their scales, seating, etc. to accommodate their new bariatric clients. Although they are both surgeons, they just started performing this procedure in May 2002. His nurse Pam was so welcoming and warm. Dr. LeSage was very thorough in explaining the whole process as far as this initial appointment, consults, scheduling, etc. His office is located right at St. Mary's/All Saint's Healthcare in Racine, WI. The atrium building he is in is new and very beautiful as well as accommodating. The whole facility is in the process of upgrading and expanding. He explained that after all the pre-op appointments, we would meet again and discuss a date as well as outline the whole process and aftercare process in great detail. He emphasized that the procedure was only the first step and that aftercare was critical for the success of my health/success. His nurse Pam informed me that they do have a support group that meets monthly and features guest speakers. He went over the risks of surgery and has a really warm and pleasant demeanor. The only thing I didn't like so far, was that he seemed like he was in a hurry. I found out on the way out of the office that he was on call at the hospital and they were having a problem with another Doctor's patient who was in ICU. So far so good though, so I will continue on my endeavor and update as I go.
9/12/02: Just had my last pre-op appointment with Dr. LeSage & Pam. The appointment was an hour and he went through every detail, complication and expected success with me. He was so warm and empathetic, I am really impressed.
9/19/02: Surgery is done and I am still just as impressed with Dr. LeSage. He was very patient and thorough in speaking with my husband and parents and was been really great with me. I really would recommend Dr. LeSage to anyone who is in the Racine, WI area. He truly seems that he cares about what he does."
"Dr. Derse is my PCP. He did my pre-op physical and although he is new to the Aurora Sheboygan Clinic, he has had many patients who have had WLS and is very supportive of it. I told him I would like to see some local support groups at least, maybe even more, he said he would work with me if I needed help as far as who to contact, etc. He made sure I had some type of support group and wanted to also make sure I knew of the stress that WLS could put on a relationship, so that I was completely prepared for things. He said he would work with the hospital and the surgeon as far as what meds can/should be discontinued and wanted to make sure he was a part of my follow up. I also found out in a side conversation that he is also a man of faith, so that it made it all the better for me to feel secure with him. He & his nurse as well as the Physician's Assistant, Mike Ray have been supportive in every way."
"Bridget was absolutely wonderful! She was patient, calm, empathetic and caring. She was very thorough in going over everything pre & post op that I needed to know. She gave me alot of materials to take with me as well as let me know that even though she was at All Saints/St. Lukes in Racine, her associate at All Saints/St. Mary's where I would be having the procedure are all part of the same group. There is very regular contact at post-op stage and extended post op as well. She said we could work out some alternate arrangements due to my distance from the hospital with some of the meetings and submitting food journals via email. She also said if there was someone in Sheboygan that was interested and qualified, she would work with them to help me. I was so impressed with her, she was really great. Our appointment went over an hour and she was in no rush to get us out. She wanted to make sure we had all the information we needed before we left."
"As we all know, everyone who has never had a weight problem, thinks the answer is easy: "eat less, do more". He told me he was not a raving fan of WLS and wanted to know why nothing else worked and why I thought this was the right thing for me. I have been researching this for 1 1/2 years now and that this is not something I would go into light heartedly. I understand that I am morbidly obese, I understand that I will have to change my lifestyle. What I did not appreciate was being talked to like I am unable to do anything to help myself. He did have some very interesting insights on the eating habits of Americans overall though. He was okay."
"So far, the staff has been very helpful getting me registered, setting up my appointment and Dr. LeSage's nurse Pam who does his scheduling has been really wonderful with answering all my questions. Consult on 8/9/02. Had upper GI at hospital. The staff was very accommodating, but they did not have large gowns. Radiologist was in and out in a flash, he seemed somewhat impersonal, but staff in imaging were great and attentive. All is said and done now and I am still very impressed with the staff and facilities. The only problem was that surgery did not have any big gowns as of yet. Now that the pre-op and surgery is done, I have to say I am still impressed with everything and everyone at the hospital."
