"I had my consultation with Dr. Roll was on 7/19/01. I'm a wee bit on the sensitive side, so I picked up immediately by his tone that he'd given this talk a thousand times.
The basic impression he left me with is that he while he is a bit gruff (in a fatherly/grandfatherly sort of way), he is competent and skilled at what he does. He caught me off guard with the question "Why do you need this surgery? And don't tell me you're sick of being fat -- I know that! Tell me why you think you need this surgery?" I suppose he was looking for something beyond personal vanity in my answer. After I inwardly calmed myself (there goes that sensitivity again), I sited my family history and numerous diet attempts, and he seemed pleased with the answers.
In hindsight, I appreciate his "gruffness." This is major surgery I'm looking at, and I'd better be darned sure about everything that is involved. His demeanor brought that home to me in a way that no website ever could.
Dr. Roll went into great detail about the risks/possible complications of the Open RNY (the only surgery he performs), and had sufficient question/answer time for me and my husband. He explained that I needed to provide a high level of commitment to this journey. He helped me to understand that another diet likely wouldn't work as there is only a 2%-4% chance of a diet working for a morbidly obese person. That strangely comforted me. He anticipated many of my questions and answered them right up front.
After the scheduled portion of our meeting was done, he didn't mind laughing a bit and joking with my husband. I like this man!
I must admit to being a bit thrown by the austere decorating style of his office and reception area (I supposed I've been watching too much TV, expecting a surgeon's office to resemble that of a high-powered law firm or something). It seems petty, but the decor made an impression on me, which is what is asked for here, right? Then I realized that my surgeons decorating style has nothing to do with his surgical skills.
His staff was very warm and friendly. They submitted my paperwork right away and reassured me that they would do their best.
I felt a lot of warmth and caring from the office as a whole (I told you I was sensitive) and I left the office more certain than ever that this is indeed the right decision for me and for my health. "
