Here is a question I hope someone can help with.
I'm trying to make a decision on weather to change my surgeon. I hear good things about both surgeons ( Jawad or Reneke) I have started all my paper work with Reneke. Just trying to make the decision if it's worth the travel. My husband works in Orlando and would have to take time off to stay in Tampa or travel daily. With Jawad he's only 20 minutes away. I guess my question is Dr. Reneke worth all the travel? I would like info on both, the only feedback on Dr, Jawad is pretty old, would like recent feedback on both. Thanks all for your help. I know this is a dumb question. Just don't have a person in the area to talk to. Thanks again....
It's not a dumb question. I just had surgery with Rehnke last month and I really liked him once I got to know him. He has a wealth of knowledge and always tries to make sure you understand everything about the procedure. I had to travel to him as well and he was worth it in my opinion. But I've also heard a lot of good things about Jawad. A friend of mine speaks highly of him. She had lap with him last year. I hope you decide. Take care.
I don't know the two surgeons you are referring to, but I can help in another area. . . . I travelled three hours away from home to have my surgery, becasue the surgeon came highly recommended and when I met him, he inspired my trust. My husband and my sons ALL had to take off from work/school to be with me for a few days, then my husband returned the boys home to relatives and came back to help me again after I got discharged from the hospital and went to the hotel to recuperate. I was in the hospital for three days, and then in the hotel for six days. The boys only had to come with us because I left for my surgery in the middle of clearing up post-Hurricane Charlie and without electricity/power, etc, we didn't want to burden anyone with the repsonsibilty of our children in addition to their own. The programs in my own town were in a mess . . . one was cut becasue of risk factors by the hospital, and another was really just getting started up, and the office manager at that one referred me to her OWN surgeon.
If you feel you are getting better care by traveling, then DO IT!! Make sure you have a good supprt system at home, though. That's the only thing *I* miss. But, then again, that's why we have *THIS* site! LOL! Good luck with whatever you decide.
For me distance was a bit of a concern, but not enough to change doctors because I was going to have family with me at the hospital most of my stay and again when I got home. You definitely need to have family and support when you get home in case there are any complications and to help motivate/help you to move, you should already have good care in the hospital from their knowledgeable staff.
I have heard great things about Rehnke and Jawad on these boards and thru conversations at support group meetings or acquaintances. I have known people from work who had surgery done by both and both surgeons are highly regarded. I have also heard from a friend who is a nurse in St. Pete that Rehnke has an incredible reputation as a plastic surgeon and if she ever had some "work" done, she would seriously consider him, but she doesn't care for the hospital that he practices out of (just her opinion). Several co-workers had their surgeries done with Jawad and they loved him and his staff too. Someone from his office is now even traveling to my work to hold support group meetings on occasion which impressed me since we work 1.5hr away from their office.
I know it is a very hard decision to make, way all your options and then follow your gut. BTW, are both doctors covered through your insurance?
Good luck and let us know what you and your family decide.
Amy
-200lb
6/02/04
Dr. Jawad was my surgeon and I was so thrilled he could do my surgery. He is VERY highly respected by his peers in Ocala and was named TOP surgeon in 2001 by his colleagues. His complication rate is FAR, FAR below the national average. The average death rate is 1:200, but his is 1:2,000!!
I've never heard of a more thorough after-care program! You remain his patient for life and he's got a great support group and message board. He really puts a lot into his entire bariatric program, but doesn't charge any more for it. He's working on being named a Center of Excellence and he's well on his way!!
Jan
240/122 ~ Size 22/4!!
I am having surgery with Dr Rehnke on Dec 13th. I went to 3 of his seminars and 3 support groups before I made my decision. I am traveling 100 miles to have his care. I am pleased with him and his staff. It is a long tedious process but now that I am near surgery I feel all of the investigating I did and all of the testing I had done was worth it.
Best of luck to you!
I just had my surgery on Tuesday with Dr. Jawad. I can tell you that I was impressed by his reputation as well as his complication/problems rates. The nurse at the hospital when I was doing pre-op used to work for him, and said she had him do two lap surgeries (not WLS) on her. Said that he is the best around. The radiology tech said that he is definitely the best in the area, and that his patients have far, far less complications than other surgeons.
The staff at Ocala Regional were all very nice and attentive. The Demerol lady was very nice, and came whenever I asked for her. I was there for one night only, and discharged at 4pm the day after surgery. That night was painful (funny, no one ever talks about that) with the WORST gas I have ever, ever experienced. I then drove the 2 hours back home (well, my Mom drove).
I've met Dr. Jawad exactly twice. Once at pre-op and once at discharge. I didn't see him the morning of my surgery (I was the first one), or anytime that day. Well, I might have seen him, but I was too out of it to remember. The nutritionist came to see me on my discharge day to talk a little, as did the physical therapist.
His practice also has an online support forum, which his staff will sometimes post to on the weekend. It's a great way to find out that he's okay with Mylanta for gas (!!!!) and to get some ideas for protein. I found out about Jan's love of the EAS Advantage shakes, and now I'm addicted too! (They taste like a YooHoo).
Now, I have a local program at my local hospital, only 30 minutes away. But the surgeon has only done about 200 procedures, and they are out of network for my insurance. I could have switched insurance and waited a year and done it there. I've read a ton of studies, including ones that came out recently, that said to go for quantity in a surgeon, not just the hospital, and that the learning curve for WLS is about 150 patients. I also checked the Clerk of Court's websites in the county of a couple of surgeons, just to see how many times they've been sued, particularly by "the Estate of...". I was impressed by everything I've found out about Dr. Jawad's abilities, and his staff, so far.
My first post-op appointment is tomorrow...
Chris
Jan
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