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Melissa S.
Commerce, CA, USA
Post Op - BMI: 56.3
Surgery Type: Other
Member ID: S991716621
Surgeon: Gary Anthone

Click here for Melissa's surgery support page
Click here for the 07/2001 Reunion Page
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Hiya everyone
I am a 37 year old woman who happens to work full time as a neonatal intensive care unit nurse here in Los Angeles. I have two gorgeous 6 year old adopted daughters who were once my patients :) I am postop with Dr Anthone and had my DS surgery in July 2001. I have lost 37 pounds in the last 3 weeks :) I love to cook, sew, quilt, do crafty stuff and love taking walks along the beach :)


Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Gary Anthone
I had read all about gastric bypass surgery especially the duodenal switch procedure for 6 months prior to my consult and meeting with Dr Gary Anthone at University USC hospital in Los Angeles California. Within the first 5 minutes of our introduction he made me feel completely relaxed and comfortable. He was extremely empathetic to my health problems and was a active listener. He was compassionate and he touched you on your shoulder or your hand to show you he genuinely cared about you and your condition. As time went on and I spoke to him more frequently my initial impression of him were solidified and I was even more convinced by what a caring and concerned surgeon he was. I beleive future patients should know that Dr Anthone is one of the most highly skilled surgeons performing the duodenal switch procedure , and he is one of the most down to earth physicians I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with in my 15 years of being a Registered Nurse in a large teaching facility in Los Angeles. Dr Anthone has a very close knit support group that meets once a month as well as an active online support group , ds_usc@yahoogroups.com His patients are well taken care of , we are given a emergency card with details and drawings of the surgery he has performed for us to keep at all times with us in our wallets. He can be reached by pager through his answering service 24 hours a day for emergencies. During your initial consultation he goes over all the risks of this surgery and takes his time explaining each one of them to you , one by one. He is open to questions and takes his time with you. I would give Dr Anthone a 10 overall because they just do not make skilled surgeons with a down to earth attitude that conveys his compassion for his patients any more. With Dr Anthone I would have say that both his competence and his warm bedside manner are both of equal wonderfulness.
Insurer Info:
Pacific Care, HMO
I had no problems with pacific care once the appeal reached their level. I had a lot of problems at the medical group level. I am a member of Centinela IPA . They were requiring another 6 month medically supervised weight loss program when I had already supplied them with proof of my attendence to weight watchers, herbalife, phen fen with a doctor, and Lindora. Once I submitted it to pacific care the appeals dept treated me extremely well and overturned the medical groups decision within 3 weeks.