Mercy Capitol People??

Who had or is having their surgery by Dr. Smolik? What did you think of him? I was scheduled to have my surgery on Monday (6/26) with Dr Beck. They called me yesterday and had to cancel because Dr. Beck and Dr. Cahalan are going to a conference in California. I was devastated. My entire caseload at work had already been reassigned, I had done all of my paperwork to get my time off approved, my parents had rearranged their work schedules. It was a total mess. They offered me a new surgery date of 7/24/06 which I had to turn down because I am booked on a cruise 9/6/06 and didn't think I would have enough time to recuperate. I really thought I was going to end up waiting until the end of September to get my surgery. Anyway, Patty called me today and Dr. Smolik (who is not going to the conference) has agreed to do my surgery!! Yeah!! I really wanted Dr. Beck to do it, but at this late stage of the game, it's more important to me to get it over with than to get the doctor I wanted. So, I'm back on track and looking for some opinions of Dr. Smolik.

I had my surgery with Dr. Smolik 18 months ago. He is great. Wonderfully attentive to me when i was deathly sick with an infection post op. He got right on the stick with orderinbg the appropriate tests and stuff to rule out a leak, etc. I was very satisfied with his care both pre op and post op. He was patient when the infection didn't clear up easily and while his choice was to operate again in order to clear up the infection quicker, he was respectful of my desire to give the antibiotics a little more time (which worked thank goodness). He was empathetic, without being fake. he was skillful, without being a snob. He fully appreciates what this surgery does to change people's lives. And he is very supportive of my desire to now persue plastic surgery to get rid of the spare tire. you will not be sorry you went with him. jean

I have not had my surgery yet, I am still waiting on insurance approval, but I have chosen Dr. Smolik to do my surgury. His bedside manner is more my speed. I think just as the other person said, he is very attentive, skillful and knowledgable. I do know someone that has used him and she speaks very highly of his care. I don't think you will be disappointed.

I have only heard of good thing about all of the surgeons at Mercy Capitol. I personally had Beck but my sister even works with Smolik's ex wife and she swears that he is a perfectionist when it comes to his patients so I would not worry about it at all. She had tried to persuade me to go with him but I just loved Beck! I've personally never met him so I can't say anything about his bedside manner. I would do it! Start living the real life and come over to the losing side!

I had Dr. Smolik do my surgery and he was great. I didn't have any problems after surgery at all. He was very nice and even when I took my daughter with me to one of the apponinments he was great with her. It was the apponinment to get my G-tube out. My daughter wanted to help him take it out so he let her cover up the hole after he took it out. He was so nice to her. He is also very cute. Not that it matters but just thought I'd throw that in also. Good luck with your surgery and you will be in good hands with Dr. Smolik!!

Cindy, I am having Dr. Smolik do my surgery. I meet with him next Wednesday and am looking forward to it. I have only met him at the orientation and he was very nice then. I've heard alot of good things about him so I think you will be in great hands! Do you still have your surgery on Monday?? Janine

Thanks for all of your responses. It sounds like I will not having any problems with Dr. Smolik. Yes, my surgery is still going to happen on Monday. I just got off the phone with the hospital and I will be at noon. I can't wait to get this over with. I'm scrambling trying to get everything done at work. They want me to come in tomorrow to meet Dr. Smolik, so I think I might just start my sick leave one day early.