First time posting. Looking for info on Dr.Bell?

In September I called Dr.Robert Bell's office at Yale for info on how to get started with the bypass surgery. They told me they would send me info in the mail to fill out, I waited a month for the paperwork, the reason it took so long was because they sent the packed envelope out with the wrong amount of postage, the post office was going to send it back to them but my mail carrier saw it and brought it to me and had me pay the difference, it was only about 80 cents short, but held up the time it took for me to receive it. So I did everything, filled out all the paperwork, had the nutritionist appt, psych eval and all that. I faxed them all the paperwork on Dec.21. I called them Dec.22 and they confirmed they received it all and it was acceptable and was in for review and that they would call me when ready not to call them. I haven't heard anything since, I'm wondering if maybe they sent something in the mail again with the wrong postage again so I didn't get it or if I'm just being way too impatient. Has anyone done their surgery through Dr.Bell and is this how things normally go? I have nothing to compare anything to so have no idea. The people who answered the phone for Dr.Bell have made me feel like anytime I've called the office that I am annoying to them so I don't want to bother them again by calling and asking how long it will be before someone calls me and tells me if I'm approved for the surgery and when I will get to see the doctor so I'm hoping someone here can tell me how this works so I won't have to call again, thank you so much.

Hi, I'm just starting also. Did you call Dr Bell's office on your own for the info,, or did your PCP call for you. I think it makes a difference. My Dr. sent a referral to Dr. Bell and within a week I received the packet. I called and now have the appt for the psych eval. which is Feb 7th and the appt for the nutritionist which is Jan 25th. I filled out all the paper work in the packet but didn't send it in yet. I thought I had to wait on these other two appts. From what I've read here in the different forums on OH,, (which has been a HUGE help),, once they receive your paperwork, and the faxes that you send, they have to wait to receive the fax from the psych eval Dr. and the nutrionist Dr., plus your medical records from your PCP,, then they sit down and go over everything, and decide if your a good candidate,, and then they will also decide what pre-testing you need to have done, and they'll contact you, probably by phone, and let you know the details. I work at Yale University, and was told that my insurance will cover every thing,, so I'm not too worried about that. Have you gone to the seminar at YNHH yet, as they are having one on Feb 6th and I will definitely attend. You should come. I hear that they are very helpful. If you care to keep in touch you can email me to my home computer.,, maybe we can go through this together,, help each other out. My email is [email protected]. Mary Anne

See I don't like this BS with not even meeting the surgeon til you are 90% the way thru all this. Dr Aranow is a reknowned bariatric doctor, the top in the state, yet he makes time to hold a monthly seminar AND meet with each person at the BEGINNING of the journey. not the end.

I agree - I think that is a much better process - it's too bad all the surgeons couldn't follow his lead and make that a standard practice!

It's too bad if they act like you're annoying them - it's not like you're calling to complain - you are calling with perfectly legitimate questions. Don't let someones bad day or attitude deter you from your journey. Best of luck to you - it seems like such a confusing mess going through the process but after you're through it won't seem so bad - time has a way of doing that for us!

Hi Melissa, For what it's worth when I started my "Journey" through WLS I called Dr. Bell's office and was told they would get back to me and after a month they never did. So I called St. Rays and they connected me to MY doctor and it was smooth sailing after that. The took my name down and had me go to the next information meeting. Needless to say I am a Tad biased as I have had excellent results from my Surgeon and St. Rays Hospital. Good Luck on Your "Journey".

I agree with the others about checking out someone else. I especially agree about seeing Dr. Aranow, who was my choice hands down. I worked at a hospital where Dr. Bell did rounds and with someone who had him for their bypass surgery. She liked him, but then again, she was a nurse who had worked there for some time and may have been given preferential treatment because of that. I really couldn't say for sure, but I would seriously think about this. The doctor/patient relationship is especially important when it comes to this type of surgery. It's not like you're only trusting a doctor to remove a wart or something...you're putting the rest of your life in their hands. Take care, Deb

OK Have to say something here. I had Dr.B for my surgery in Oct of 2004. I LOVED him, still do. The process takes awhile. He has it down to a science in his office. He wants to make sure you are serious, you have done everythng required of you, and that you QUALIFY physically, and mentally for the surgery before the first appt. Then from there, it really flies. BECAUSE most of the work is already done!. It is a very popular surgery, and he is incrediibly BUSY because he is so well known He is the DIRECTOR of Bariatric Surgery at YALE. Dr B spends time answering all your questions when you meet with him in a group setting first,and has a fantastic bedside manner. He is also TOP in his field of Laproscopic Bypass. He doesn't even do open. His office staff can be brisk, but they are busy. I called and kept on top of them as nicely as possible because I realized the pressure they are under. In a word, I would see Dr Bell again in a heartbeat, he has monthly meetings at Yale where he answers questions, and he makes the trip to the New London meetings twice a year for those of us in this neck of the woods. When you are approved trust me, they will let you know. Blessings~ Robin R