New MD

Hi everyone-reading everyones stories is very encouraging. I was very discouraged after my last visit with Dr A's dietican-paying $60 for 12 minutes of time and refusing to answer any questions, and helping me with a meal plan that fits in with fixing my families meals was very discouraging. I have emailed his office twice with one response-I have asked the MD to respond about the almost 50 lb weight loss and no one responds to me. The one response was that Kim Daniels had questions about my ability to follow a diet, when actually the week before Kim had cleared me for surgery. I have concerns when I can't get my MD to call me or email me with answers to my questions. I have checked out the new MD in Hartford at HH-the office staff is wonderful and went out of their way to try and get me in around my kids bus schedule. I have an appointment on Dec 9-I will keep you all posted. Jeanne

Hi Jeanne, Good luck! I hear good things about the new Dr at HH. I am a patient of Dr Aranow's, but I had no problems. I think when I was going through the pre-approval process he wasn't as big as he is now. I think you (and anyone else who is having problems with his staff) should write him a letter directly and explain the problems you are encountering. He is such a fantastic Dr, but I can understand why would would go elsewhere...I'm dealing with the same issue with the office staff of a potential plastic surgeon. It's too bad that his office is getting such bad press...he really needs to do something about it. Dec 9th will be here before you know it!! -Deb

Hi Jeanne! Let me know how you make out with the new doc at Hartford H. I'm a patient of Dr Giles who until Jan is at UConn but will be moving to New Britain General at that time. He's another one that you may want to consider. I do think that he is backed up on surgeries due to the move though. I'm curious about the new Dr though. Who is it and what are his credential like? Take good care and good luck! It'll be here soon! By the way, I was going to check into Dr A. but I kept hearing about the exact same problems that you were having. It's a shame that the office is haveing that kind of problem since it sounds like Dr A is very talented. Heather

Jeanne, Glad you found a Dr. who is more accomodating and makes you feel more confident about this process. It is great to see that there are so many good choices for bariatric surgeons here in CT. Good luck and keep us posted. terri

Hi Jeanne, I am very, VERY sorry to hear of the problems you are having with Dr. Aranow's office. I had small problems, but nothing I wouldn't have found in another office. I was a nag to them, because of his statistics, I knew I wanted to use him. I didn't let them get to me - I just nagged away. Now I'm a week post op today, I made the right choice. He was BRILLIANT on my surgery, and Middlesex Hospital staff were great at taking care of me. I'm glad I used him, but I can CERTAINLY see your point. It was tough to get an appt. around my schedule. And them answering emails was impossible. Good luck on your journey - you keep us posted!! Tammy

#1 if there is one thing I've learned in this process- don't ever email a Dr's office. You'll grow old waiting for a reply- this is especially true for Dr. A's. They're just not on top of email. I hope you can get the answers you need. It doesnt seem right for oyu to not be able to get clarification. Please DO consider writing Dr. A a letter...he probably doesn't know what's going on, and I know he would want to. personally, I couldn't imagine myself having gone with another surgeon. But, then again, I didn't have the problems you're having! Re: Dr Tischler out of Hartford- I firmly believe that everybody should consider more than one surgeon before they decide who to use. Dr. Tischler is well qualified. While he has not begun the program at Hartford yet, he is an experienced and skilled surgeon, specializing in LAP proceedures. He does not do open RNY, FYI. I liked him a lot when I met him a few months back. I also have a lot of respect for all the surgeons who work for CT. Surgical Group (where he is). They're top notch. Good luck to you in your process! I hope you can get things cleared up and be pleased with whatever decision you make. Best, Lisa C

Just to add. I am SURE Dr.A would want to know about problems anyone is having in his office. I asked him to recommend a middletown doctor for a friend and he told me of one..that the doctor is great..but he wouldnt recommend them because he (personally) has huge problems with their office staff. We spoke of how that is a big reflection on a doctor..because that is who their patient's initially deal with...so he knows how important that is! Just my two cents Joanie

That would be Dr. Tishler...he is my doc also..Professor of Surgery at Uconn, and one of the Chiefs of Surgery at HH...studied in Chicago at a bunch of prestigious places...credentialed up the ying yang....and you get through the process very quickly relatively speaking. He pulls no punches. The program is just starting, but it is starting with state of the art equipment in a great hospital and a marvelous back up surgery team for any eventuality. He has done about 125 lap RNY's ..he was thoroughly trained in lap technique and that is all he does, but he is clear that if he gets in and can't finish that way he is fully capable of converting to open.. has had.no mortalty...no complications...states he is commited to our follow up care for life.This program seems to have strict rules and guidelines regarding diet and smoking etc...you'll see. I was comforted by that and the man's directness...he does not try to talk anyone into anything. He picked up a bruery in my neck while examining me and sent me to ultasound right away...(turned out to not be significant..which is what he said he thought). He was recommended by my own PCP. He spent time talking with me during our consult and he gave me a very thorough physical. I had half the tests done before I left 85 Jefferson St...went in at 7:45AM for seminar..then went for a consult with him, he approved me as a candidate and then I raced around and got the work up started. I was done by noon...I now have all appointments in place and will be done and ready for insurance submittal before the end of Dec. I have had rapid responses to all questions and not a hint of any rudeness or snootiness . They sent me a very informative info packet with forms to fill out ...the staff are all polite and responsive and do not act like they are too big for their britches or doing me a favor...this includes the dietician I met who helped me out when I got lost between offices! I am impressed by NOT being strung along for a month or more just to get to a seminar and then NOT having to wait another 4 to 6 weeks to have a consult with the surgeon. I am happy to get in on the ground floor of this program and be part of the launch crew. I could not feel any safer. Good luck to you..and by the way..he is young, sharp and not bad in the looks department...lol Sher'

FYI...This program is the offshoot of Connecticut Surgical Group. P.C. While this program is not yet up on the CSG website, if you call the main number and ask for it ..you will be tranferred very quickly to Dr. Tishler's office. His RN coordinator is Nina Arnold...(860)524-2623.

Jeanne, I really do hope that you reconsider Dr. Aranow. I know I have posted here previously about the way my calls have been handled but I have to just sing his praises one more time. I went in for a fill the week before last. I was late (traffic was a nightmare!). I was running late from the traffic but had called from my cell and was told to come in anyway. Well, when I got to the office a half hour late I was told that they couldn't do my fill that day. I was devastated because I didn't have any restriction and didn't want to wait for another appointment. Plus my husband had to stay home from work to watch my daughter because she was sick and I didn't want to have a babysitter so the whole thing just got me really upset. Well, I made my feelings known. The staff asked if I could wait until Dr. Aranow was through with his current appointment so he could talk with me. I did and was so happy that I did. Dr. Aranow took about 20 minutes out of his time to talk to me about my concerns. He was very upset to learn of some of my previous expereinces and was very caring and concerned. The reason that he couldn't do my fill that day was because his ultrasound tech had already left for the day. I was crying (definately had PMS at the time) and he left his office and said let me see what I can do. He came back a minute later and asked if I could wait 20 minutes and he would do the fill. Dr. A did the ultrasound himself and did an excellent job with the fill. He and Lois did this during their lunch time. I was so grateful. He truly is a talented man and I think if enough of us complain directly to him then we will see results. Eileen