Phillip G Alston Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.
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MY FIRST IMPRESSION WAS A GOOD ONE. HE IS VERY PERSONABLE AND ACTUALLY HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR--HARD TO FIND IN A PHYSICIAN. OFFICE STAFF WAS VERY HELPFUL IN RESCHEDULING APPT. DR. ALSTON IS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT MY INSURANCE COMPANY APPROVING MY SURGERY, BUT ONLY TIME WILL TELL. APPARENTLY PITTMAN AND ASSOC. HAS RECENTLY FIRED THEIR SURGERY REVIEW BOARD AND CONTRACTED WITH VALUEPLUS(I THINK THAT IS THE NAME) TO REVIEW ELECTIVE SURGERIES AND THEY HAVE BEEN KEEPING PATIENTS IN LIMBO--NEITHER APPROVING OR DENYING THE SURGERY. HE EXPLAINED THOROUGHLY THE RISKS AND AFTERCARE OF SURGERY. EVEN THOUGH I KNOW I WAS THERE OVER 2 HOURS, HE ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS. DR. ALSTON GETS TWO THUMBS UP FROM ME.
Dr. Alston to me is the best doctor. He and his office were very helpfull with any questions myself or my husband had. They let me know of EVERY risk there is of the surgery and I had to go through different tests before surgery. If the scale was from 1 to 10 Dr. Alston would definitely be a 10. He is very competant and has a great bedside manner.
Dr. Alston has been doing this type of surgery for many years, as his father did before him. Dr. Alston seems genuinely interested in helping those morbidly obese live a healthier life, as opposed to building his reputation, which is the main reason I chose him. What I have heard most about Dr. Alston in our community is that his pre-screening and aftercare is excellent. He was very candid about the surgery and risks, as well as me having to do my part--you've got to look at the surgery as a tool, not a quick fix. I had a great consultation with Dr. Alston, and his staff is top-notch--I look forward to working with all of them!
Update--11/01: Now that Dr. Alston has done my surgery, I have more faith in him than ever! He really took good care of me!
I was scared to death my first appointment, but Dr. Alston put me totally at ease. I learned that he was a very caring person, & truely was there to help me. His staff was just as caring and very helpful, always trying to do their best to answer all questions & make me feel like I was making the right decision. Remember when you first go in, and Dr. Alston tells you that you first must go home and LOSE weight to show your genuine interest. Well I followed a diet plan that was given to me, but I GAINED weight instead of losing. I was scared to death that he would refuse to do my surgery because of that. I followed the diet to the letter, I was prepared for his refusal & had even thought about suicide. I told him about my fears, and he put them all to rest. He said he knew I was sincere in wanting to lose weight. He expects you to read the phamplets, and to follow the diet and aftercare program. He will tell you about all the failed surgeries, and the risk of death during surgery, everything that will probably make you wonder if you are doing the right thing or not. I cant say enough good about Dr. Alston, when I see him for checkups....I call him my "white knight" he rescued me on that Oct. day in 1994. Let me add, that my spouse was NOT supportive of me having the surgery, I almost did not make my appointment for surgery that early morning. When I got to the hospital, I told Dr. Alston about my trip to hospital that morning, I told him, the only reason I am here is cause I'd rather die on surgery table than to stay in bad marriage, I felt only way out was to lose weight, so that I could get a job (no one would hire a 450lb person)......so HE took my hand, and we said a prayer before surgery.....I love him for that, today I am divorced living alone, but very happy.THANKS DR. ALSTON!
After talking with friends, I met with the two doctors in town doing WLS. I felt that both were very talented, knowledgable, and experienced, but I had heard terrible things about Dr. Cowan's office staff. So I decided to go with Dr. Alston. I made it clear on my first visit that I was still "shopping" for a doctor and Dr. Alston was very understanding and helpful (even suggesting another doctor that I might want to see), but the idea that I might not be ready to sign on the dotted line absolutely blew his staff's mind. Things have continued to go down hill since then.
I first met with Dr. Alston in mid-May. June first I called the office to say that I had decided to go with Dr. Alston. I was told a letter would go to my insurance company by mid-June and I should start checking on it by the end of June. Long story short - - for 6 weeks my insurance company insisted that they had never received the letter even though Dr. Alston's staff told me five times that they would fax the letter. When I asked for a copy of the letter, they finally admitted that it had never been written. Once my insurance got the letter, the surgery was approved in less than two weeks.
But my problems did not stop there. I then started trying to get my surgery date. Every time I called the office I was told Marsha would try to get to me soon. I did not get a surgery date until mid-October (and of course, she gave me the latest possible date of Feb. 4th).
If I was not convinced that Dr. Alston was the surgeon for me, I would have blow my top long before now. As it is, I am waiting until I see Dr. Alston again to show him the documentation on how I was treated by his staff.
I realize that people make mistakes and I have heard numerous good things about Dr. Alston's staff. I pray that I was just caught by some unfortunate events and that all other patients will be dealt with honestly and with the upmost of concern.
Dr.Alston is nice and the staff is wonderful..the best staff I've ever worked with in a Dr. office. The only thing that concerned me was when I got the flu and started reading my book and didn't any idea what I could take..so me..I take something with aspirin in it and I felt like I was dying. I don't remember seeing anything in the book about what you take if you have other sickness.
What was your first impression of him/her?
Well, i was nervous to start off with so he came off a little scary
How did your impression change over time?
i realized he was there for ne reason and that was to helpso he wasnt scary anymore
How would you describe his/her office staff?
so sweet
What did you like least about him/her?
told me the truth
What should future patients know about him/her?
he likes to answer questions...so ask
How much does he/she emphasize aftercare?
too much
Does he/she have a structured aftercare program?
yes
How did he/she address the risks of surgery?
he scared me poopless
How would you rate him/her overall? 9 out of 10
Which is better, surgical competence, bedside
manner, or both great?
surgical competence by the slimmest of margins
I have not met with Dr. Alston yet. I have spoken to his staff several times and they have been wonderful. I will be taking a list of prepared questions just incase he doesn't cover everything that I have to know. I have also talked with other patients that have seen him and I am excited about my first appointment. I will update after my appointment on October 24,2001.
10/24/01--I met with Dr. Alston today. I thought that he was very amusing. He has a great bedside manner. His office staff was very accomodating and polite. I felt a little rushed at the end of my appointment, but he was very detailed and answered all of my questions. He allows you to make the decision for surgery. He is not there to sell his services. He feels that aftercare is very important to his patients. This surgery is a tool for obese people not a solution. He was very blunt about the risks of surgery and is very informative on risk issues. I would rate him a 10 overall.
11/13/01--I spoke with the office personel again today. They were supposed to have called Care Coordinations instead of sending a letter of Predetermination. It will be three weeks tomorrow and they only called yesterday. Marsha was extremely nice and said that she would get right on it. As soon as I have approval, they can schedule my surgery date. Insurance said that they would approve withing 48 hours of the call. Waiting.........