Dr Suh VSG
I'll let you know tomorrow, LOL. I'm getting sleeved today at 3:30.
He did my BFF and my primary doctor's RNY. He's EXTREMELY gifted (my primary dr. calls him a genious, LOL) and for VSG he's never had a leak. He hasn't done that many (around 100?) but has done THOUSANDS of RNY (which is more complicated).
In terms of personality/bedside manner, appointments will be as quick or long as you need them to be. He doesn't dawdle, and is very professional, and will answer every question you have. He does tend to be conservative, so VSG'ers have all the same "rules" as RNY, etc. He kind of puts a spin on VSG that it's "lesser than" RNY... but don't let that sway your decision.
He split from crown surgery, and now has his own bariatric center (Suh Bariatric, or whatever it is). Staff say he did this because patients weren't getting enough personalized care/attention post-op. His office staff is great.
I feel absolutely 100% confident in his abilities... I love that he's skilled enough as a surgeon that he could handle any complication that could come up.
I'll post an update after my surgery (tonight or tomorrow when I'm up for it)... but definitely check out the support group and seminar (he requires them both, and they give great information).
Michelle.
He did my BFF and my primary doctor's RNY. He's EXTREMELY gifted (my primary dr. calls him a genious, LOL) and for VSG he's never had a leak. He hasn't done that many (around 100?) but has done THOUSANDS of RNY (which is more complicated).
In terms of personality/bedside manner, appointments will be as quick or long as you need them to be. He doesn't dawdle, and is very professional, and will answer every question you have. He does tend to be conservative, so VSG'ers have all the same "rules" as RNY, etc. He kind of puts a spin on VSG that it's "lesser than" RNY... but don't let that sway your decision.
He split from crown surgery, and now has his own bariatric center (Suh Bariatric, or whatever it is). Staff say he did this because patients weren't getting enough personalized care/attention post-op. His office staff is great.
I feel absolutely 100% confident in his abilities... I love that he's skilled enough as a surgeon that he could handle any complication that could come up.
I'll post an update after my surgery (tonight or tomorrow when I'm up for it)... but definitely check out the support group and seminar (he requires them both, and they give great information).
Michelle.
last night I went to his seminar. it was great. the only thing is they are trying to get Anthums Blue Cross accepted. but he told me to make an appointment for the end of July. maybe it will take affect by then. can u tell me how long did it take from the time u meet him until yesterday to get your surgery.
How r u feeling today?
I saw him 2X. The first time was just a consult, and we had to insurance approval. Mine took abt 10 days. Then, we had to schedule all the pre-op/registration stuff at the hospital (which they do before they give you a date). That took another 10 days or so.
Once I got approved and was ready to schedule, I was on the books about 5 weeks later.
My recovery has not been a piece of cake... I needed gallbladder out at the same time, and had a rough time with pain/nausea. It's a bit better every day. I'm walking a lot, and sipping.
I'm sure I'll be pretty good in a few days.
Once I got approved and was ready to schedule, I was on the books about 5 weeks later.
My recovery has not been a piece of cake... I needed gallbladder out at the same time, and had a rough time with pain/nausea. It's a bit better every day. I'm walking a lot, and sipping.
I'm sure I'll be pretty good in a few days.
I have had mysterious stomach problems for years. I was always told it was gastritis or food poisoning... I always thought it was my gallbladder. I asked him to check during surery (even though I had a normal ultrasound) and he said it was all scarred. So he took it out.
I had surgery monday afternoon at 430..., I was discharged wednesday evening (around 530). I could have stayed longer (I wasn't taking fluids too well)... but I was exhausted and felt I would do better at home. So I asked, and he let me.
I had surgery at inland valley hospital, their bariatric surgery center is a "center of excellence". Private rooms, great staff, etc.
Hope this all helps! My recovery has been a little rough, but mostly due to my body's response to anethesia, surgery, etc. Each day really does get a little bit better.
Michelle.
I had surgery monday afternoon at 430..., I was discharged wednesday evening (around 530). I could have stayed longer (I wasn't taking fluids too well)... but I was exhausted and felt I would do better at home. So I asked, and he let me.
I had surgery at inland valley hospital, their bariatric surgery center is a "center of excellence". Private rooms, great staff, etc.
Hope this all helps! My recovery has been a little rough, but mostly due to my body's response to anethesia, surgery, etc. Each day really does get a little bit better.
Michelle.
My insurance is blue shield HMO. I needed a referral from my PCP, 6 mos of nutrition stuff, etc. It was a LONG process (after I finished my 6 mos of classes it took another 5 1/2 before I was in surgery). I thought it would never come, but it went quickly. I can't believe I'm now a post-o (and down almost 12lbs in 5 days!!)
MY PCP is Jason Black (part of Temecula physicians medical group/hemet community medical group). I was approved with a BMI of just under 40, and no serious comorbidities... joint pain and heartburn, borderline blood pressure, LOL. He (my PCP) had RNY with Dr. Suh in the last year, so the staff is on it like you wouldn't believe! It was shockingly fast! (virtually all of the wait time came from trying to get the surgical clearance appointments from psych, cardiology, pulmonology, abdomenal ultrasound, and endocrinology.
If you suspect low thyroid (or other endocrine) OR sleep apnea, I would see your dr. about those NOW. (endocrine and pulmonology won't clear you for surgery until you've been treated for 2-6 months..,. so get tested NOW to avoid waiting later!)
I'm not sleeping great, but I accidentally drank 2 cups of caffinated tea last night, so I was up all night (literally, until 5am). *uggh*.
I'm a side sleeper, and have been sleeping on my side (uncomfortably, ha!) since day 1.
The pain has mostly subsided now, just soreness. I do sleep curled around a pillow to help.
Michelle.
MY PCP is Jason Black (part of Temecula physicians medical group/hemet community medical group). I was approved with a BMI of just under 40, and no serious comorbidities... joint pain and heartburn, borderline blood pressure, LOL. He (my PCP) had RNY with Dr. Suh in the last year, so the staff is on it like you wouldn't believe! It was shockingly fast! (virtually all of the wait time came from trying to get the surgical clearance appointments from psych, cardiology, pulmonology, abdomenal ultrasound, and endocrinology.
If you suspect low thyroid (or other endocrine) OR sleep apnea, I would see your dr. about those NOW. (endocrine and pulmonology won't clear you for surgery until you've been treated for 2-6 months..,. so get tested NOW to avoid waiting later!)
I'm not sleeping great, but I accidentally drank 2 cups of caffinated tea last night, so I was up all night (literally, until 5am). *uggh*.
I'm a side sleeper, and have been sleeping on my side (uncomfortably, ha!) since day 1.
The pain has mostly subsided now, just soreness. I do sleep curled around a pillow to help.
Michelle.
How funny when I told him I have Anthums BC PPO he said they where trying to get that accepted. but now looking that you have HMO. I don't see a problem. hmm... what did you pay out of pocket for the surgery? (hospital stay ect) so for your Psych, cardio, pulm, ultras and endo did you just pay the copay? I notice on Friday that our cards has HMO which was suppose to be PPO. I wonder which one is better?
no thyroid or sleep apnea here. just joint pain borderline BP, im at 40 BMI
let's see what happens next week when I see my PCP Dr. Briggs on Friday.
wow 12lb so far. that's great. I'm happy for you.
I love this post. because we are not alone.
I guess no tea for you at night.
no thyroid or sleep apnea here. just joint pain borderline BP, im at 40 BMI
let's see what happens next week when I see my PCP Dr. Briggs on Friday.
wow 12lb so far. that's great. I'm happy for you.
I love this post. because we are not alone.
I guess no tea for you at night.
I've seen dr. briggs before, she was nice.
As far as HMO vs PPO... PPO lets you choose who you go to, but you generally pay a % of your care. HMO you don't get to choose (you're assigned) but you have a flat co-pay (if at all).
For all my pre-op testing and specialists I only paid my copay. Which is nothing for testing and $15 per visit. For my surgery, I don't think I will pay anything. (My husband is a state employee, and I don't think there's a hospital or surgical co-pay. My daughter had tonsils out in January, and we didn't have one).
As far as thyroid, when you go to Dr. Briggs, II would ask for your thyroid to be tested to rule it out as a cause of weight gain, whatever. Here' s why. If it's low, you will HAVE to be on meds to get it adjusted. It takes MONTHS to get it adjusted. Many primary Dr's (mine included) don't/can't refer you for surgery without knowing for sure. If you don't make sure now, and see endocrine later and it IS low (even if just randomly low) it can take 6 mos to regulate on meds. The endocrinologist will not clear you for surgery. My BFF went through this.. it was awful.
Similar story with sleep apnea. I would wait until you are almost done with the 6 month classes (because it has to be recent to surgery). Tell your primary dr. you suspect sleep apnea. You will get referred to the pulmonologist, who will order a sleep study. (Dr. Henniger in Murrieta does a take-home machine that you wear on your head like a headband called the "Aires" machine. You wear it at home 2 nights and drop it off at the office. It's a breeze).
I didn't do this (because I don't have it, and was SURE I didn't). Once I was referred for surgery, I needed pulmonology clearance. It took a month to get my 1st appointment. I told him I don't snore, no problems, not tired, etc. He said there are surgical complications w/sleep apnea, and I needed to be sure. I needed a test. It took a month of waiting for the test, a week to get the results, and another 2 weeks to finally get "cleared". I could have shortened the whole process by 2-3 months if I had seen him earlier (around the time of finishing my classes) and had the sleep study at that time.
Sadly, a lot of this process is just playing the insurance "game"... if that makes sense.
I hope some of this helps.
If Dr. Briggs doesn't give you the referral, consider switching to Dr. Black.
Good luck! Michelle.
As far as HMO vs PPO... PPO lets you choose who you go to, but you generally pay a % of your care. HMO you don't get to choose (you're assigned) but you have a flat co-pay (if at all).
For all my pre-op testing and specialists I only paid my copay. Which is nothing for testing and $15 per visit. For my surgery, I don't think I will pay anything. (My husband is a state employee, and I don't think there's a hospital or surgical co-pay. My daughter had tonsils out in January, and we didn't have one).
As far as thyroid, when you go to Dr. Briggs, II would ask for your thyroid to be tested to rule it out as a cause of weight gain, whatever. Here' s why. If it's low, you will HAVE to be on meds to get it adjusted. It takes MONTHS to get it adjusted. Many primary Dr's (mine included) don't/can't refer you for surgery without knowing for sure. If you don't make sure now, and see endocrine later and it IS low (even if just randomly low) it can take 6 mos to regulate on meds. The endocrinologist will not clear you for surgery. My BFF went through this.. it was awful.
Similar story with sleep apnea. I would wait until you are almost done with the 6 month classes (because it has to be recent to surgery). Tell your primary dr. you suspect sleep apnea. You will get referred to the pulmonologist, who will order a sleep study. (Dr. Henniger in Murrieta does a take-home machine that you wear on your head like a headband called the "Aires" machine. You wear it at home 2 nights and drop it off at the office. It's a breeze).
I didn't do this (because I don't have it, and was SURE I didn't). Once I was referred for surgery, I needed pulmonology clearance. It took a month to get my 1st appointment. I told him I don't snore, no problems, not tired, etc. He said there are surgical complications w/sleep apnea, and I needed to be sure. I needed a test. It took a month of waiting for the test, a week to get the results, and another 2 weeks to finally get "cleared". I could have shortened the whole process by 2-3 months if I had seen him earlier (around the time of finishing my classes) and had the sleep study at that time.
Sadly, a lot of this process is just playing the insurance "game"... if that makes sense.
I hope some of this helps.
If Dr. Briggs doesn't give you the referral, consider switching to Dr. Black.
Good luck! Michelle.
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