1st surgeon Appt.(long)

 

Okay... went to my first surgeon appointment today.  I don't know what I think of him going on my first impression.  First off, he wants me to do ALOT of pre-op crap.  Such as WL program, to see a NUT, dietitian and all that happy stuff.  He wants my BMI down 5 or 10 numbers before he will even do the surgery.  I told him, that is why I am here is because I have a hard time keeping it off.. and he said... that is why you are going to go through all this pre-op maintenance classes and what not.

**Big Sigh**.. I guess I just had it in my head that I was an ideal candidate (which he said I was) and was going to have the surgery with in a reasonable time.  I told him that I loose weight fast.. the problem is, keeping it off.. He said that was a good thing and will get me to 'his' goal faster.  He is going to be sending me to Exercise classes, WL management classes, and all that good stuff.  He says this is essential to the surgery to have a lower BMI, not only for me but for him too to perform the surgery more safely.  I'm just so upset.  I am miserable and DO NOT want to go though all of this before hand crap.  He mentioned that a lot of surgeons do not have their patients go through this and they have trouble learning to deal with their "new tool".  He says he sends all his patients through this no matter their size.. it is a good way to learn how to eat and exercise.  Some patients he deals with do not even need the lap band after this program, they find out what is making them over eat, and not exercise correctly and daily.

Is all this preop medical classes normal?  I heard of a 6 month diet, I just figured that was being on a diet and reporting into your Dr.  I don't know.. I just need some advice and some answers.  Please help me with this...I could use all the advise there is out there.

Another thing that shocked me.. He has only performed EIGHT, yes I said 8 lapband procedure.  NOW THAT IS SCARY!!!  That is one more thing that turned me off a little bit.  Would you go to him knowing he only did 8 surgeries??  He said some people never came back to him, hearing he only has performed 8 surgeries.  But the 8 he has performed were all successful and no bad reports.  That made me feel a little better I guess...

I am open to your suggestions.  Please do not hesitate to respond.   Thanks~

When I first met my surgeon he reminded me that this is his game and I need to follow his rules. I think he might be wanting you to commit to all of these things because he wants to see how serious you are about your surgery. I believe that sometimes these things are necessary. If you are truly serious about this surgery then you will do whatever he wants you to do. As far as the lap band. My surgeon has not performed alot of these procedures either. I wanted the lap when I first met with him and he said do you really truly want a piece of plastic in your body for many years to come? He chooses his patients very seriously when he does the lap band, has he only done 8 surgeries total or has he done more RNYs? Do your research on his credentials here on OH or ask on the board about him and if anyone has every used him. I had to meet with a NUT prior to surgery and I still consult with mine almost on a weekly basis if I need to. He might be having you do some of this stuff to because your insurance might require some of it. Just my two cents.

Thanks for the responce.  I am committed as far as I can be pre banded.  As for the RNY's he does not do them,  and does not like to do them... He stated he does not get paid to sit and talk to his patents he only gets paid to do the surgeies.  I KNOW THIS DUDE!!!  He is in to the "health" of the lap band procedure.. not just a way too loose the weight.  Uggh.. I am just undecided what to do.  I am going to think on it for a few weeks.. I have another appointment with his office to see his NP in 2 weeks to get the "preop" started.  *sigh*  I guess  I will see how that goes.. and take if from there...

My personal thought is if I had a surgeon who was about to change everything about my insides around say to me that he is does not get paid to sit and talk to me I would have walked out. My Dr is very compassionate and will sit with me and answer any questions that I have. I cannot believe this Dr actually said that to you. Drs that work on obese patients have to be a little bit more better at their bedside manner and all the Drs that I have met that deal with bariatric patients do but as far as I am concerned this Dr you met with is an A&$. It is strange also that he does the band and not the RNYs I thought almost all surgeons did both. Oh well. Do whatever lies in your heart but if it was me I would find another Dr to consult with.

This is what I am leaning towards.. Getting a second opinion.  Just because I get another opinion, I guess does not mean I have to go with it.  I just want to see other Dr's thoughts.  WHen he said that he does not get paid to sit and talk to you..... I about fell out of my chair.  But I think I know where he is coming from.  He said that around the time that I asked him how many lapband procedures he has performed.  He was trying to tell me just because he only did eight surgeries does not mean he is not a good Dr, and willing to sit and talk to his patients and answer all their questions.  He also said he has over 160 patients he is working with... no wonder he has not done very many surgeries.. he wants them to go through all the preop BS.  I dontknow.. I have an appointment with his NP in 2 weeks.. and I will see how that goes... If I still think this way.. I will definately get another opinion...

Hey Jodi,     We all pretty much feel the same way that you about wanting to get the process started. You really do need to be comfortable and have faith in your surgeon! But I would be wary of any doc promising big, fast; forever results! There are no garentees with any of these surgeries it is simply a tool. Where go from here is simply up to us.. It is all in how badly you want it; and are willing to make a serious comittment. As far as surgeons follow your instincts! I did a lot of reasearch before choosing mine. And yes I believe the numbers do count; after all experiance is the best of teachers. Best Wishes, Judy R

That surgeon needs to go bye bye.   All surgeons have different protocols that they have patients follow.  My surgeon did not have me diet before the surgery, but he did require me to attend support group meetings and follow all the other pre-op procedures (complete physical and psych eval) His attitude is not something you are going to want to deal with years down the road. 

Jodi, MMPC also makes you do the nutritionist, exercise guy, and psychologist.  This actually goes pretty quickly though.  As far as losing the weight, some doctors make you do it but at MMPC, you are on 2 weeks of high protein food that you purchase from them.  The purchase price is included in the part that you have to pay no matter what.  Most of the food is ok.  I really liked the ready to drink protein shakes and the protein bars were really yummy.  There is some really bad tasting stuff there but for $20 you can buy a bag that has a sample of each item so when it comes time to purchase the food, you know what it tastes like.  The reason they do this is to shrink your liver (you also lose weight but are not really hungry on this diet).  This makes it a lot easier to work on your insides.  The plus side is that you don't have to do enemas or drink that crap that makes you sit on the toilet all night.  Good luck in your decision.  I don't think I'd go to a general surgeon that has only done 8 surgeries but I know I sure wouldn't go to someone that says they don't get paid to sit and talk with their patients.  I'd run as fast away from this guy as possible because he's just in it for the money.  It's your life you're trusting him with and I don't think he gives one whit about the patients, just the money the insurance gives him.

How Far are you from Holland Michigan ? If Not to far Please take the time to read the reviews from the patient s of Dr, Jon Schram He did my daughter surgery and we loved him maybe it might work out for you.