Fortunate Opportunity with Dr. Bell

Good News Friends! I managed to get through and talk to Jane in Dr. Bell's office at Yale/NH and was extremely fortunate to get an appointment this coming Monday with Dr. Bell to get his opinion on which procedure is best for me. At first she said that he was booked solid, but saw that there was a late cancellation for Monday and asked me if I'd mind coming by on such short notice. DO I MIND?! I was stunned and said YESSSS!!! She gave me some information and said that after the doctor reviews my records and if he determines that I meet his requirements that it is possible I could have an appointment for surgery as soon as late June!!! They asked if I could get my records from NBGH before the appointment so I called and they said they will send them but they might not be able to get it done in time for my appointment on Monday. While I'm there Monday morning to sign the release form, I am going to make an impassioned plea to get them to make it a priority and get them over there in time or have me bring them with me. Does it work if a guy cries for sympathy? I am extremely happy to have this opportunity so quickly. I feel it is likely a blessing in disguise that this turn of events has occurred. I feel infinately more confident that, should Dr. Bell recommend the VSG, I will be in good hands with a doctor experienced with that procedure. Thanks again to everyone for keeping me on the ball during this week. I cant tell you folks enough how important this community is to me.  God Bless, Jim PS, I'd love for any of Dr. Bell's patients to give me a quick summary of their experiences with him and Yale/NH.

Hi Jim, Wow, lucky you!!!!  I can't wait to see how your meeting goes with Dr. Bell.  I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Dr. Bell and think you will too.  I would be shocked if you don't like him immediately.  I just got the good vibes from him right away.  He's very compassionate and easy to talk with about anything and when I met him I almost felt like I had known him forever.  He's just a really nice man.  He's salaried by Yale so he's not in it for the money which is why he doesn't run those "informational sessions" to recruit patients like some other surgeons do. He's very experienced with the Lap RNY and also does the surgery on larger patients.  I believe his largest was somewhere in the area of 550 pounds.  While he says it's harder and takes longer, it can be done for most patients.  You will definately have more options with him.  All his surgeries are started as LAPs and only converted if there is some complication or there is too much scar tissue from previous abdominal surgeries.  He rarely converts to open...only a few a year, you may want to ask him about the stats on that.  He's very open and you can ask him ANY questions and he will take the time to answer you honestly.  He does have students who will observe and possibly hold the camera but that is all they do and the students also check in on you in the hospital.  My students were all great, I didn't mind having them around at all. My treatment at Yale was great.  Dr. Bell only uses one floor for his patients that he feels is the best floor.  I had only one bee-ach of a nurse on one morning but the rest were wonderful.   I did alot of research over a number of years before I chose a surgeon and I totally feel that I couldnt' have made a better choice.  If you decide to go with him, you will be in the best of hands. Here's some links for you: http://www.ynhh.org/bariatric/index.html http://www.yalesurgery.org/surgical_spec/faculty/cv/bell.pdf Good luck Jim, please keep us posted

Just an add-on..... You are definately making the right choice to go with an experienced surgeon with any of the procedures.  I just went back and read your profile and saw that they were only giving you the option of open RNY or being the ginea pig for VSG.    I would run, not walk from that!!!!! You definately have more and better choices, it's just a matter of finding the right man for the job!!! Dr. Bell's cancellation and opening is a sign.....you definately have an angel on your shoulder watching out for you ~Sue

Jim  when you go to sign for them to release your records go early in the AM and tell them that your appt is that afternoon and wait for themor tell them that you'll be back to pick them up.  If you give them a couple of hours they should do it.   Good luck

When I went to two different hospitals to get records ,they were already waiting for me, I just needed to sign for them.

As far as Yale goes, I can't say enough good things about them. While my experience was not for WLS, the hospital was absolutely phenomenal. My daughter was born there, and my wife had several issues going into it.

congratulations on getting in to Dr. Bell's office so quickly!  He is definately the most compassionate surgeon I have ever talked to.  He takes time to make you feel like you are his only patient.  I was a very large woman going into this surgery with a lot of issues, if he was nervous at all about operating on me, I could never tell!  He preformed an RNY on me 9 months and 152 pounds ago....I can't tell you how incredible this doctor is...and he takes the time to attend his monthly support groups...I am sure you will immediately feel at ease...I look forward to hearing how Monday goes... Yale was ok...I was in a step down unit for a few days because I had trouble breathing immediately following surgery..and that was  WONDERFUL...but once on the regular floor it was like every other normal day in the office....wait for some one to come...and hope you have TP in the rest room... but Dr. Bell's care while you are in the hospital is also fantastic! you will be in good hands! Jennifer

Hey folks!     I had my appointment with Dr. Bell this afternoon. He spent almost 2 hours talking with me!! All I can say is I feel like this was meant to be. He was very attentive and heard me out as I explained my situation. He said he will work with me and review the records from Dr. Giles office so I don't have to go through the hoops I already went through. If everything is in order, I should be given a surgery date within a couple weeks, most likely around the end of June. He explained his criteria for which procedure he recommends for certain patients and thought it would be a good choice to have the VSG for someone my size with my particular cir****tances. It would be a little more cost effective for me as well being self pay.     Anyway, I am very very happy with everything and I look forward to getting things moving along with Dr. Bell. I'm not much for "signs" but as I pulled in to park at my house after the appointment, the license plate on the car in front of me said BELL ## on it. Hmmmmmm?!     Hopefully I will be able to announce a date very soon!! God Bless, Jim

Woo hoo Jim....  I'm very excited for you.  Two whole hours, you must really rate Most surgeons aren't really people friendly but Dr. Bell can chat it up big time.  Make sure your follow ups are in the morning cuz he tends to run late on appointments sometimes but only because he will never rush a patient out of the office.   I think you will probably make out better at Yale also being self pay.  I'm pretty sure they cut deals on price when you self pay.   Can't wait for you to get a date!!! Good Luck Jim, Sue

Jim, great news!  I was absolutely 100% satisfied with Dr. Bell and his staff.  You can go to my page for surgeon/hospital testamonial.  His pre- and post-op support group meetings are the 1st Tuesday of every month, at 6 pm (tomorrow) and Dr. Bell always attends.  Tomorrow we meet in the conference center of his temple st office, not as usual, at yale hospital.  Hope to see you there! 

wooo hooo Jim....I am one that believes in signs....and this is a great one!  I have always felt like I was Dr. Bell's only patient when he meets with me---he spent almost an hour at my 6 month post op...with me--the support groups are great as well!  looking forward to seeing you post your date!