"Dr. Versman was a true blessing to me. His office is filled with furniture specifically for larger people.I have never been in any other Dr.s office where I was comfortable before.
When I first went there I was in a lot of pain from my hip and my knee and scared to death.The office staff made me feel comfortable right from the start and it helped a lot. They are professional and know exactly what they are doing.
I went to the seminar a year before I made my final decision to have the surgery. I found the seminar well worth my time and noticed from talking to the people that were at my table it helped them decide on wether they wanted the surgery or not. He discussed some issues that I didn't think were a big deal but were deal breakers for a couple of people at my table so with that in mind I can see why he incorporates them. Two of them were no smoking ever, no drinking carbonated beverages of any kind. he did a demonstration with a balloon and a pop to show you what the carbonation will do to your stomach. I found it interesting. I am one of those people that thirst for every piece of information I can get.He also showed pictures of plates of food with the food portions you would be eating when you had solid foods after surgery. He made it very clear that the surgery is a tool not a miracle, you have to work the tool properly for success to happen. He made sure to have people that had gone through the various surgeries there to answer any questions from their perspective.
I completely discussed the surgery with my regular Dr. before I made my decision. He told me what the insurance would expect 9 times out of 10 in his experience, they want you to lose weight and keep it off for 3 months. I had already lost 70 pounds and kept it off for 2 years so that was not an issue for me. I called my insurance company and had them send me a letter of what their requirements were and what they would and would not pay for. My regular Dr. discussed my emotional state as far as food goes. I am always totally honest with my DR.s. He suggested a therapist for me to go see. which I did do. Yes with Dr Verseman you do have to see a psychologist to make sure you are mentally ready to have this surgery. That is not a bad thing it is for your benefit.
I went into the seminar thinking I wanted lap band but upon investigation I discovered some things that I felt may not be right for me individually. Dr. Verseman told me it was up to me but answered all my questions and told me because of my past food issues it was his experience that the rny would be a better fit for me and I had to agree.
Terri the nurse, the first face I see when I go in is a gem. She has had the surgery herself so she understands what people are going through. I have always been greeted with a smile and encouragement. She even showed me a picture of what she used to look like and told me not to worry I could do it too.
Every consultation was full of information and some of it was repeated because it is that important that you understand what is going on. Dr. Verseman is a kind compassionate person. He was able to lower his exam table so that I could sit on it without a problem as I have a really bad hip and bad knees. The exam tables in the rooms I have been in are larger sized for the large patient.
Karen Orr is the most wonderful person to follow up with ever. She is a good listener and gives me encouragement and good advice every step of the way.
Because I had all my ducks in a row before I had my first consultation with Dr. Verseman everything went smoothly for me. He has so many surgeries to do that I was going to have to wait a little longer than I would have liked but it was all worth it. I did get it done before or close to 3 months but I was impatient as many are. For me once I made the decision I just wanted to hurry and get it done. They explained to me exactly what steps had to be taken so I just waited my turn so to speak, it is a very busy office and I didn't expect to be treated differently than anyone else.
Be aware though, they expect you to understand exactly what is going on with your surgery. They want you to be totally educated on what is to happen before you have the surgery as well as after.
There were no surprises before or after surgery I knew exactly what was going on step by step, I was never kept in the dark about anything. Including the bad and the ugly of what happens when you don't listen. He is upfront on mistakes patients have made in the past such as chewing gum swallowing it and having to do another surgery to go in an fix the problem. These are real problems that happen a lot or he wouldn't bring them up. I felt I was given all the information I possibly could have received and feel that has contributed to my success to this date.
Dr. Verseman and his staff care a lot about what they do. They have a passion to help people better themselves. Dr. Verseman hosts a reunion of his bariatric patients once a year and I went. He had people that had lost 100 pounds stand up and each give their name and how much they had lost. some were way over a 100 and there was a lot of us standing there.Many from years past. You could see it in his face how happy he was that he was able to help so many, and the fact that he tries to give people every thing he can for success is wonderful, especially in the long term.
At the reunion I thanked him and told him how he changed my life. He smiled at me and said I just gave you the tools you changed your life. You don't find surgeons with that grace and humility and support and it is greatly appreciated. A surgeon who fixed your leg or arm is going to walk away after it is healed. He is not going to be interested in seeing you five years down the road with a smile on his face for your success. Dr Verseman is special indeed."
