??Dr. Barba's patient's..do you have info??

Greetings Dr. Barba's patients!! I am scheduled for the May 3 informational session and was told by Dr. Barba's office that I can make my appointments now....the office also told me that they cannot send me the packet that contains the info......so....does anybody still have the information from the session?? I would like to get all of the testing over with before my actual appointment with the Dr. you can email me if you'd like.....thank you so much in advance!!

Hi Lil, I had surgery w/Dr. B almost 2 years ago (4/05) It's been awhile but I think I can remember majority of what is needed for your testing. Majority I had done right at St. Francis. I was very blessed & didn't have too many "co-morbidities" so I didn't need some testing such as sleep apnea test (where you might?) You will need to see Dr B's nutritienist a few times during your journey towards surgery & right before. Heart stress test & echo-cardio gram Lung test Phycological (can't spell sorry!) I had to use a phyc. Dr in my insurance network. Ultra sound for kidneys & gall bladder (mine came out during my WLS) Blood work & more blood work. You'll feel like Dracula had a big bite out of you by the time it's all said & done. Again you might have a few tests here & there where mine were pretty basic. All with the exception of the phyc test was right at St. Francis so it was pretty convienient. All in all it took me about 5-6 months to complete the process. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns. Best wishes on your journey, Mickey

I'm not a patient of Dr. Barba, but I'm not sure that you'll be able to have a lot of your tests done beforehand. Most tests like bloodwork, ultrasound, etc. require a doctors Px in order to be done. Would certainly be nice if you could get it all done beforehand. But try not to get your hopes up in case it's not possible.

Hi - I am a patient of doctor Barba's as well, although you might not be able to get in to all the doctors you can certainly start making the appointments! The cardiologist alone was 4 visits - (initial, stress test, resting test, follow-up), the pulminary doctor was 4 (initial, sleep study, lung function, follow up) Make an appointment with a pulmonary doctor and the cardiologist first - those are the two that take up the most time - the psych. visit is only once, blood tests once, gall bladder ultrasound once - you'll be scheduled for the endoscopy about a week before the surgery so you can't do that in advance........If the office can't send you the package - will they allow you to go and get a copy from them? Best of luck to you!

Can I ask a dumb question just for my own edification about what's up with the different processes? Do you find that all of his PTs have the same tests? I always thought that the tests you needed were based on your own physical amd medical issues. Sure, I know that you need certain clearances... but for example, I never needed to see a cardiologist, my PCP did the thing with the EEG or whatever it's called and cleared me medically for any heart issues. I never once had a heart issue anyway, so a cardiologist visit would have been strange to me, never mind 4 visits! And, I never needed to see a pulmunologist for any reason...never had an endoscopy, but- I had a barium swallow, and based on those results, no endoscopy was necessary... Anyway, that's just a few examples. So, does everybody in his program go through all the same tests, no matter what- or it is based on his individual assesment of your medical history and issues? you may not even know- but thanks for putting up with this looong question anyway! Thanks for your time! Lisa C

Lisa, I can only tell you my experience and I went to two different doctors changing after I an issue with the first one then I switched to Dr Barba. With the first one I had to have cardiac clearance and stress test because of my age and family history, didn't need to see pulmonologist, saw psychologist and dietitian and had endoscopy. When I switched to Dr. Barba I needed to get additional requirements done. Pulmonologist evaluation, but not sleep study since I had one in the past and did not have sleep apnea. I also had to have additional visits with their hospital dietitian over a two month time period , during that time I was to try and lose a little weight or at least maintain weight prior to surgery. ( just something his program required). I don't know if every patient has to have all these tests but I feel it was in my best interest that these tests were done to look for any problems that could increase my risks during surgery or complicate my surgery and recovery. I went into surgery feeling confident that I was healthy enough to go through this major operation and I did not and have not had any problems. Sher

Thank you so much...did any of you have any problems after surgery??

Sher- I completely agree- WHATEVER the Dr. want's done is what's best... You've got to be confident going in that you're going to come out OK! I just didn't understand if there was a standardized list of tests that Barba's PT's have to go through. Not saying there would even be anything wrong with it if there WAS a standardized list- just CUROIUS about the different processes. Thanks for your reply.

Hi Lil, I, for one adore Dr. Barba. He is such a great doctor who cares about the outcome of his patients, therefore the test are done for our benefit. I would rather go through the testing and find everything working properly than to go into surgery and have something unexpected happen and have complications. I checked into several doctors before making my decision. I had one doctor that could do the surgery in a few weeks with no up front testing. I had one doctor that wanted $4000. up front, even with the insurance coverage, before he would talk to me!! Yea, I lost his number fast!!! Dr. Barba took the time to email me personnely and answer my questions. BUT, what I like or what someone else likes may not be what your looking for. I know I felt in very safe hands going into surgery with Dr. Barba. So do your research and make YOUR decision for you. I am sure we all love our own surgeon and would like you to go to them. But it is your body and your life. I wish you the best. Sarah