Dr.caruana

I was just wondering for those of you who had Dr. Caurana in BUffalo,ny could you tell me- what i should expect? Did he make you loose weight first? Did he put you on a diet before surgery? did you have to have health problems? Did you have insurance ? if so what kind and did your insruance pay?
Also what was yoru overall eperiences with him and his staff? Did you have any complications?? I realize this is based on the individual- that is why i am asking for all and any ones imput- thanks for your time in advance.

It might depend on what you weight when you start....but he didn't make me loose any weight first....and i wasn't on a diet before surgery.  I had high blood pressure.....and ya i have independent health for insurance.  they did approve me for surgery but it ook about 5 weeks between when i saw him and when i got the approval...     Dr. C was awsome....he and mark (his assistant) were wonderful...and the after surgery stuff has been great with them too.   I only had one complication...but it wasn't really a complication that they dealt with.  I had kidney stones a couple weeks after surgery because i wasn't drinking enough......

 

 

The Dr gave me a program to try to cut down on my portions and how to learn to chew foods well, etc, so I did lose a little weight before surgery.  The office staff helped me with all the things that you have to submit to the insurance company, so my approval was almost immediate.  My overall experience was great.  The only complication of the surgery was a nasty reaction to the tape they used on my incision.  I did tell the hospital that I was allergic but somehow it got overlooked. I am thrilled with my results...had my surgery 5/10/07...I am down 97 pounds...40 to go.  As long as you follow the rules after surgery I am sure you will be successful.  Keep us updated...and GOOD LUCK! Rosemary

same expereice as the other women. I will never have any regrets. Dr. Is is wonderful and caring. He seeems passionate with wah the is doing as does his staff. We all seem to like Mark. he is called Cutie pue tuttie (if could only spell)  I was sick with the flu about two well after surgery. Dr, C called me form his home offered suggestions and support and encouraged to a call agin if I needed anything else. The supports groups are wonderful. There seems to be a support fromothers that are on the same path that other person could understand. They are Tusdays 6:30 2nd Tuesday of the month.  had BCBS I had allmy paprerwork done and it went smoothly. I only paid my cocpays.  Good luck marie

Great experience here too with Dr. Caruana and his staff.  My surgery was Nov. 5th, no complications and everything is going great so far.  I wasn't put on any special diet before surgery, although they do give some guidelines about portions and suggest practicing chewing and not drinking with meals.  I didn't lose any weight before surgery, I actually ended up gaining 6 lbs..  But no one said anything about it...  *lol*    My insurance was Independent Health and it went very smoothly, was approved within a few weeks of seeing the Dr. for the first time. I would definitely recommend Dr. Caruana and his staff, they were all great! Good Luck! Flo

I cannot speak personally however I have heard the name here many times with positive feedback. Good luck to you.

My daughter and I also had surgery with Dr. C.   We couldn't have asked for better care.   Neither one of us were required to loose weight first (but my daughter lost 10 lbs before hers).   We both had RMSCO Insurance and had no problems getting approved.    My daughters only co-mobidity was her sleep apnea.  I had type 2 diabetes and took a diuretic and something for acid reflux.  Neither one of us had a single complication at all.   Dr. C's staff is wonderful also.   I found the doctor himself to be very compassionate.   My sister just had him do her surgery almost 3 weeks ago and I think she has IH for insurance.   Good luck to you. Sally

I did not have Dr. Carauna but there are many of his patients in the Jamestown support group who rave about him and his staff.  I have attended many meetings with the Synergy group and all of them are extremely professional.   I wish you best of luck. Bonny

Dr. C performed my surgery on May 3rd of last year. No I didn't have to do any special diets, etc. I did have sleep apnea and I was pre-diabetic. I was 291 in January of 2007 and now 178. He is very business like, not one to chat. His staff is friendly enough. If I have one suggestion, you have to keep after them. He is very busy and once they start the ball rolling, you keep calling to see how things are progressing. I got a letter from Univera telling me I was approved before they called me. In fact, I called Deanna to check and that helped move my surgery along. As for the surgery, I went into sisters on Thursday, surgery was 45 minutes long and I was discharged on Sat. morning. I had no complications but I did have a small problem with eating at first. My own fault though, I should have called the office. Its common, just the swelling at the surgery site. When I went in for my post op Audrey gave me Prilosec and it worked great. I would highly recommend him. I live in Buffalo, if you'd like more info or have any questions I'd be glad to answer any questions I can. You can contact me @ Bfloabbott @cs.com and I'll give you my phone #. Good Luck & Best Wishes, Don

I just had my surgery a month ago, and I think Dr. C and his office staff are great!   The team is so outgoing.   My PCP had to write a letter of medical necessity to get the ball rolling with Dr. C's office.  I have hypertension, sleep apnea, fibromylagia, migraines and stress issues.   It took me a few months to get my consultation scheduled, I first had to go for a evaluation by a psychiatrist.  It is standard for WLS.  Once Deeann at Synergy receives the evaluation paperwork, she can schedule your consultation.  It may be 6 weeks later.  She will go over your diet history and your other paperwork that needs to be submitted to the insurance company, I got my approval a week after the consultation.  I then had to wait until the insurance company paid for the consultation appt, before Deeann contacted me for my surgery date.  In all it was 6 months since I started thinking about getting this surgery and when it finally happened.   I did not have to lose any weight prior to surgery, I had to go to support group meetings prior and also an exercise and nutrition class just prior to my surgery.   It is a long road but I am glad that I trudged on.   Anne