"Dr Huse sets up appointments with a large group of prospective patients all at once and goes over in detail the two types of surgery that he does and the risks involved. Then he meets with each person indivually for a short time. Rather like an assembly line procedure.
The first appointment takes most of the afternoon. There were 20 in our group.
For those who want to go through with the surgery he schedules a psyc. evaluation and extensive tests including gall-bladder, chest x-ray, upper GI, breath test, blood and urine, and EKG. He also had me meet with a heart dr.Don't know why at this point.
Dr Huse usually schedules everyone for a VBG unless there is a definate health problem. I did not find this out until I called to schedule a pre-op day at the bariatric center at St. Vincent's where I will find out what I need to do befor the surgery and afterwards. Since the instructions differ with each type of surgery I have to know which type of surgery I am going to have befor they can schedule my day.
Since I have acid reflux disease I plan on meeting with him to go over my tests results and ask him about having the RYN since I have read that this is very effective for this type of disease.No one told me which type of surgery I was to have until I called his office.
Also there is a problem with trying to find the right person to ask a question. Dr. Huse's office is at Methodist Hospital but the surgery will be at St. Vincent's in Carmel. However there is a bariatric center at St. Vincent's which takes his calls. I did not know until a week ago that his office was not at St. Vincent's. When I call with a question I usually am referred to two or three people or offices befor I get an answer.
There is a follow-up program at St. Vincent's where bariatric patients meet once a month for a year to get advice and exchange ideas. I don't know if Dr. Huse will be involved in this or not.
I am troubled that patients dont see Dr Huse again until the day of surgery unless they call him to set up an appointment to talk about the tests results.
He has 17 years of experience doing bariatric surgery .
I would suggest to anyone who goes for a first visit to write down any and all questions that you have for him as this may be the only time you see him including what the tests are for,and , in case of an emergency how avaiable will he be?
Don't be afraid to ask anything and take your time. You and he should be a team and this is your life. Be sure to ask him which surgery he is going to do on you and why?"
