"Spoke with her prior to the surgery and had a folder of what was coming from the liquids to pureed/blenderized to soft diet - including sample meals with soft diet. Given a notebook and also to contact her by phone for any other questions-has been extremely helpful and calls back within 24 hrs or less. Lot of questions as returning to eating food everyone has eaten prior to surgery; just want to avoid that "dumping syndrome". "
"I was searching internet for a surgeon to accept my insurance as to the way - the letter of medical necessity was documented; with no guarantee of payment until after the surgery. Needed a surgeon who would not require any type of payment up front; as 1st doctor-consulted wanted $3,000 up front. Dr. Hocking the day after Thanksgiving-the next day after e-mailing to his web address responded-Personally. A doctor who has time to respond to you-a surgeon no less. I'm a nurse-that was unbelievable. Willing to accept & told me to contact his office staff to become a patient of his. Office staff-great-explained the situation-didn't know how much the surgeon himself actually knew about the insurance issues & read them the letter as well as telling them, did not want to waste their time as well as my emotional situation; did not want to get there & they say sorry we need money up front also. This was not so-told me no problem; we will make an appointment for you. Told them as already determined to be medically necesssary-have all the evaluations, letters etc taken care of & brought all with me. Structured after care with dietitician-plus all that was included in pack that was sent. Due to the fact that he is at Shands/they have something at their hospital that the other doctors don't have that was developed at Shands-they do not separate the stomach; but rather divide it by 4 rows of staples with same effect-it's still Roux-en-Y with the bypass-have four choices - depending on your circumstances. For me I have a choice between distal or proximal gastric bypass. Laporoscopic is not an option for me.
I already knew the risks of surgery from a previous info session by Dr. Marema's practice; so I shared them with him-that I was aware of all of them-he drew a picture of what the two options were & the follow treatment needed-vitamins, calcium B12 injections-better than an oral supplement; etc. Very thorough. I love the e-mailing part. Your doctor is always available for you-this is such an unusual aspect to care-especially long distance; when you can e-mail & your doctor-not his staff responds; How Unique & Wonderful. At this point-I'm thrilled that I was disappointed by one doctor to end up with this one-talk about Divine Intervention. What a wonderful human being & physician. I've read others who have said the same thing about this physician & again at this point & time; have not had the surgery yet and of course this is all my Own Personal Experience - and every person is different-not every one likes a doctor for the same reason; personality issues; an uncomfortable feeling for whatever reason. Everyone has to make their own determination when deciding to have surgery with a surgeon as with anything in life. We all make our own informed decisions and go with it; despite what other people may think. These are just my feelings at this point in the process."
