How many times did you meet your surgeon?

So I was just thinking that I met my surgeon once, during the 5 minute one on one after the group information session. From what I can tell the next time I will see her will be on the operating table.  Something about that seems very weird to me.  I have a few questions that I would like to talk to her about, etc. Should I / Could I call and schedule a office visit with her?  Is this the usual?  Just seems so odd to me. I have had knee, shoulder and ankle surgery before ( I am a klutz ) but all with an ortho dr that I knew rather well after a few office visits.  This is the most major surgery I have ever had andI barely know her.  She seems nice enough and well qualified and she came highly recomended from my OB so its not like I am worried about that or anything, just seems ver weird is the best way I can put it! Thanks! Kim

Kim, I saw Dr. C once.....the consultation. Also, you will have your class, which will give you most  if not all the information you need.  You will have pre-op testing at St. V's.  I thought she was a great surgeon.  She is very patient with you on all your post op visits and always answers all your questions.I have had no trouble (knock on wood lol). If you have any concerns, I would call her office and schedule an appointment for another consultation. Good Luck Robin

Dr. Gupta is in with Dr Cucucci (sp?) and I only saw her the day of my consult for about 5 min.  I thought it was odd to, but I guess that is how they do it.

It's usually just the one consult you have with the surgeon, then you get to talk with them again just before surgery ... but in the pre-op area, not on the OR table!  (Not like there's a big difference by that time.)  However, I'm sure she'd be happy to meet with you again if you have any questions or concerns you need to address with her before surgery. The difference is, with orthopedic surgery, the specialist usually has to examine you first to diagnose the problem, order x-rays, maybe do an injection, refer you to physical therapy, and only uses surgery as a final resort if you're not getting better.  With bariatric surgery, the diagnosis of obesity is already made, you've already failed attempts at non-surgical weight loss, and you've already decided to do the "final resort" with surgery.  So really all that's left is to pick a surgeon and set a date.  Besides, most surgeons prefer to spend their days in the OR, not seeing patients in the office ... if they had multiple pre-op visits with everyone, their surgery schedules would have much longer waiting times.  But this doesn't mean you can't talk to her more if you want to, that's totally your choice!

I saw my doctor 3 times before surgery. I had to see him first because of the health problems. The nurses were not sure if they would do surgery so I had to see him and he told me of the all the clearances that I had to get then I saw him again to see how things were going. The last time I saw him I got my surgery date and then I of course saw him in pre op. I think I would feel better seeing my doctor more than one time.

At least I know I am not weird.  Thank you Jessica for the analogy, that really helps. I might give her a ring and see if I can get in.  I am just not I feel comfortable addresses my one on one isues in a class. 

I only saw Dr. Evanson the day of consult, then the day of surgery.

I saw Dr. Inman at the consultation for about 10 minutes and asked MANY questions at that time.  I still had questions but called in with them and got answers back within the week.  Then I saw her the day of right before the surgery.  However, they called me several times before surgery with info from her because I had to see a hematologist because of a blood condition.