First visit with Dr.Greenbaum

May 11, 2009

After my first visit with Dr. Greenbaum, I rushed home to tell all my OH friends about the visit and my stink-in internet was down. UGH!! So now it is 5 days later and I finally have internet. Yea!!  So here is all the details of the visit.

It took me 45 minutes to get there.  Very convenient.  The office staff was very pleasant and prompt.  I waited about 5 minutes.  They took me directly to the scale. 238 pounds. This is my highest ever.  Then they took my picture. 2 views.
As I was waiting for the Dr. My husband came in.  He made it. I was really happy. Wasn't sure if his meeting was going to be some in time.

Dr.Greenbaumcomes in, introduces himself, we introduce ourselves.  He asked me how I learned about him and I just said. " You are very hot on OH" he laughed.  Asked some questions, looked at my tummy and to the big conference room we go.

He blurted out many things that was in my medical record.  Impressed, he read my records before he came into the room to see me. I had told him I was interested in the switch and he commented that I was very knowledgeable of the types of surgeries available. He began talking about the three surgeries.  He said the lap band was not for me. Due tot he reflux. Explained the difference between the RNY and DS.  I listened and asked questions.  He was kind, knowledgeable, did not rush us. Explained everything.  I told him I had to ask the obvious, " How many of these have you done?" He sits back down. It is about 1200 RNY and about 150 DS. He does revisions too RNY to DS.  One person died. was a male. With a lot of problems.  It was not WLS related. 

The surgery would be OPEN.  He feels this is the safest for the DS because of 3 reasons.  The surgery is longer then RNY and he does not like to keep patients under anesthesia longer then necessary. Doing it via Lap would make it much longer.
Second, He staples and then hand sews the stomach to prevent any leaks.  I read about this  and this is a very good thing.
Third, There is less risk of problems post op because of something about the space in the abdomen and pockets that can be avoided easier or sewn up to keep the bowel from shifting after the weight loss. 

Hospitalization about 4 days.  He highly recommends the support groups and after care.  He follows you 1,2,3, 6,9,12,15,18,24 month and then yearly for as long as he is in practice.  He provides your PCP with literature and information on what to expect from labs and how to supplement properly.  He dictated a nice letter to my PCP after the talk.

We talked about when I should have this done. He said I could be fast tracked since I only need nutrition eval and Psyc. eval.  As he puts it, Just to make sure I am not crazy and understand the procedure. Maybe I am crazy.HaHa.  He also made the comment that I was not that BIG.  Was that a compliment?? But I am however Morbidly Obese.  I told him yes, I am considered a lightweight.  Anyhow, I am going on an Alaskan cruise Sept 6. I am concerned about being fairly new post op traveling so far.  He was cute and said " unless you take your surgeon with you"  I told him he could come, but had to get his own room.  So we decided on October. 

I left the office extremely excited. As I left the conference room, I saw another patient sitting an exam table. I was just so happy, I just waved at this person and gave her a great big smile.  She waved back.   I got into the car.  I talked to Paula.  She is my sister in law, whom I lost February 10th after a short battle with brain caner.  Any how, when she was sick and could barely talk, I told her about me wanting WLS and the by pass so that some day I will run a race in her honor for brain cancer.  All she could say was" Not Good, Auntie".  I think she brought Dr. Greenback to me, because this DS surgery seems to fit my situation and life style so much better then the RNY. I thanked her and home I went. 

My husband was very impressed and felt so much more at ease with my decision after meeting Dr. Greenback and hearing more about the procedure and after care.

That night when I went to bed, I cried myself to sleep.  Why you ask?  Because for the first time in a very very long time did I feel that there was a light at the end of the tunnel in my battle for good health and weight loss. 

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