Dr Tang

Hi,

My name is Sarah.  I haven't been on the board for a very long time.  I need to know some other   peoples impressions of Dr Tang.  Before I saw him I was seen by Dr Meneghetti.  I had all my testing done including a gastric scope.  Dr Tang asked for a chest x-ray and an oximetry test which I had done before my appointment. 

Since I saw Dr M  I had not done basically anything.  I had given up.  I wasn't going on a diet plan because I didn't want end up gaining more weight.  I got a part-time job that involved alot of walking and went down one size in the last year. Because of all the walking I have wrecked my metatarsil arch and am going to need surgery.

Dr Tang was not impressed with my responses and told me that he didn't think I was going to be successful because because I wasn't changing my eating or exercising.  He said that his list was a year long and he would have the office call me around my appointment date.

He wants me to see a lung specialist and have a sleep apnea test  which I already had done.  I had it with me.  I guess I had gotten mixed up and not brought the 2nd page. He shoved it back at me "that's of no use to me get your Dr to fax it to me".  I asked about the oximetry and got the he said "it doesn't tell me anything".  Why was it necessary?  My other tests he wasn't interested in.

I felt ridiculed and like I had wasted his time.  He told me to stay off the sites because they are so full of misinformation.  He thinks people are acting like they are Dr.  I disagree.  If it weren't for the sites I would not have even gotten this far.  I would have been hopeless and stayed that way.

I need some feedback on others appointments.

Sarah

WOW Sarah, I'm so sorry your appointment was that bad!!!!
Perhaps he was having a bad day, as we all tend to do? I still think that was no way
to react the way he did though.

What about seeing Dr Rusnak? I just got a appointment with him for November 26, and word has it, his surgery list in much shorter!!!

Dump the jerk and call Dr. Rusnak, don't think about it just call his office or get referral from gp Dr Rusnak no# 250 592 4313

Hello Sarah. 

Good to see you again.  I have seen Dr. Tang 4 times and in all those visits he has never even been abrupt. Always kind and respectful.   How unfortunate that your visit turned out badly.  I just want to say  PLS CALL DR RUSNAK. or better yet come post and tell me you have already called him.  :)    Stay on Dr. Tang's list. ....a year goes by quickly. 

I did have some test results too but had to redo them ...specifically the endocronologist and the respirologist.     The oximetry test is probably unusable to him because he doesn' t know what it means.  I recall that he was very focused on getting letters from both the endo and the respirologist that stated clearly that I was okay to have the surgery.  

I am very happy to see you posting because I think it means you are ready to have another go at getting this surgery.  Keep trying...don't take no for an answer and be kind and compassionate with yourself.   Email me or come here if you need to talk,vent, ask questions etc.

Hugs
Janice B

Hi Sarah,

It is so nice to hear from you again. Please email or drop me a line if you wish to talk and look at options. We are here for you as you were here for us a few years ago that summer when we all looked at Dr. M. You were the first one to come along and help us!!!



Take care and I hope to hear from you soon

Sim

RNY June 26, 2007 Seattle,
WA- Dr. Hunter-Virginia Mason Hospital
HW 323 lbs; SW 313 lbs;
CW 151 lbs, GW around 135-140 lbs

I had the same experience from Dr. Tang!

He also decided that I was not commited enough to diet or exercise to have the surgery, so maybe my attitude would change in 6 months.  It's alot of travelling and money just to be told I am not commited when I am!

I have never met Dr. Tang. I was originally referred to Amson, but decided I didn't want the RNY.

My concern is for a doctor who turns you away from a support group... a global support group.  Yes, there are many opinions and sketchy information out there... but research, research, research.... and you will find good support and good information.  I would be skeptical about a doctor who suggested you turn away from support rather than embrace and learn from the support.

Good Luck!

Hi evryone,

I am not making an excuse for a doctor who says to stay off the message boards ....but it could be that he heard what happened with Dr. Amson's website on victoriabariatricsurgery.com.

As you all know that board has now been dismantled. 

Hey Sarah- Pease let us know if there is anything I can do to help.

Take care, Sim

RNY June 26, 2007 Seattle, WA- Dr. Hunter-Virginia Mason Hospital
HW 323 lbs;
SW 313 lbs;
CW 150 lbs,
GW around 130-140 lbs

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your support.  I'm glad and sorry at the same time to heart someone else has had the same experience as I had.

I got a call from my MD yesterday saying they needed me to come in and see them, of course i panicked.  Dr Tang had called and wanted him to send me to see the Respirologist.  After my panic ended I told him that the test results were in his file from 2 years ago. 

He looked at the results and said that he didn't feel any further tests were warranted.  It would be a waste of money.

I have also decided that Dr Tang did have valid points, as much as his method hurt my feelings.  I do need to get more physically active and watch what I eat or I won't be able to after.  I going to Over Eaters Anonymous as a start and watching my foods.  Trying to cut out sugars then move on to carbs and so on.  I can't cut everything out all at once.  I need to get a handle on this. 

Also when Dr Tang talked to me about the success or failure he spoke of not hearing about the people who don't get or maintain  the results needed.  I saw Carnie Wilson on CMT and realized after my shock, she is not a success and you don't hear about her anymore. 

This has been a huge eye opener for me.  Dr Tang doesn't have decide my success or failure, I do.  He is a tool to use " ha ha" just like the surgery, diet and exercise.  I decide.

I had a referral to Dr Rusnack and cancelled it because Dr Tangs was first.  I was going to go see him again and decided not to.  It's not the Dr it's me and what I choose to do.  I will be having surgery next year.

Sarah