My Surgeon is Retiring!

Hi all, I'm a little upset and confused at the moment. I'm 5 months out and received a phone call from my surgeon's office nurse. There is talk on his web site that he is retiring. His nurse confirmed it. My surgeon is retiring from clinical practice in January! She assured me a replacement surgeon will continue, but I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. My surgeon required an advance payment of $1000 for 3 years post op care. I took out a loan for the money and have a nagging feeling I'm not going to get what I paid for. My surgeon is in Havre de Grace Maryland. It takes me about 1 1/2 hours to drive there for my visits and support group meetings. I guess I'm just frustrated, annoyed, etc. and need to vent some steam. Thanks for listening. Jean 85 pounds gone

Jean, I would ask for my money back. You are not required to see the doctor that replaces your doctor. You paid the money in good faith that you would have follow-up visits with the surgeon that DID your surgery. Since he is retiring is he giving the money to the other doctor...I doubt it! Perhaps the doctors in Wilmington would be willing to take on your case. It is worth a try. We all love them. Good luck and keep us posted. Ellen

Hi Jean I agree with Ellen, I would see what my options were before locking into something. Good luck with everything. Christie

Jean, I am sorry to hear about your situation. I hope it all works out for you. I am not sure but I understand he may have a heart condition. I have heard a lot of good things about him as a person. I am sure he will do the right thing by his patients. If you need anyone to call there and find out more about what the plans are.... Hey, that's what I do all day. Ask questions and try to get results. You have my number if you want to just talk about this. I am hoping to see you at the support meeting on November 14th. Take care, Kevin

Jean, Just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I go to a support group in Rehobeth that started originally out of Dr. Miller and Dr. Smoots office in Seaford. Many of them are facing the same problem. Dr. Smoot left and then Dr. Miller stopped doing the surgery so they are left in the cold unless they pay. Many of them paid up front too. Hang in there and just maybe all will work out. See you lighter. Joanne

I had Dr. Smoot do my surgery on March 22, 2005 and was equally saddened by his decision to retire, however, being a business owner myself, I think it would only be fair and morally right to see the new surgeon and discuss anything on your heart. Jumping to conclusions is wrong and all of you who say to ask for your money back is quite premature. If a store goes out of business and leaves the customers out cold, I think there is a valid reason to ask for your money back or take action concerning that, but give the rest of the staff an opportuntiy. Please remember they are a team. Chris is absolutely a wonderful administrator and has a wonderful resume in the weight loss field and I was assured she WILL have input on the replacement for Dr. Smoot. Put yourself in the place of the Dr and if you were walking into the situation wouldn't you think you deserve the chance first to talk with your patient? At least give this some thought. It can go either way, you may not like the new surgeon or you may like him or her more than Dr. Smoot. Just a thought again, being a business owner myself and when I took over my company, I was sure glad my accounts did not feel they needed to leave or not give me the opportunity to earn their trust. Thank you Joe Hutter Dover, DE