Sub Surg Care Specialists-PO'd

I am so pissed off at Suburban Surgical Care Specialists Patients. I think they are half incompetent and the other half liars. They changed my surgeon and everyone knew but me! Ever since they misplaced my paper work after my consult, I have been keeping a log of every conversation with them, they are real winners, NOT!! I had consult with Dr. Kane Sr. in Feb. Got approved, got a date June 29. On May 28th they told me they want me to see Dr. Kane Jr. They told me it was just because he was one of the surgeons that would be working on me as well. Yesterday, the hospital called to set up pre-surgery tests. They told me my surgeon was Dr. Kane Jr. I said no, it was Sr. and they said their schedule says Jr. I called this morning and asked who my surgeon was. SSCS told me Kane Jr. I left a message for PJ who is the "Director." My experience with her is that she is not too good at returning calls.

Ive heard other folks say they had Sr, but they switched to Jr or someone else, I think its because he may be trying to lighten his load, he is kinda up there in age, maybe hes trying to pass off the practice to his son. The office staff does seem very much in a hurry and snippy except Olga, shes seems to be normal so far, Ive only seen PJ at the seminar/support meeting, Ive never spoken to her. I hope your able to sort it out. Good luck with your surgery too!

Thanks Gabriella! Olga has been OK, but I had a little mis-information from her as well. But I had troubles with them from the start so I guess I am expecting the worst. When I originally called them, they asked my weight (400 #, don' tell anyone though) and right away said I have to see Dr. Kane Sr. because it would have to be an open and he is the Man (my word) when it comes to open rny. I have a phone call in to Kane Sr. and an appointment to see him as well, so I guess I will find out. My wife has a friend who had Dr. Rantis, and she loved him. Best of luck to you too!!

Henry, DO NOT let anyone tell you that because you're 400# you HAVE to be open. Thats simply not true. I believe the largest person my surgeon did lap on was 700+lbs at the time of surgery. Big difference in scarring and recovery time! Best of luck to ya..ps..if it were me, I'd RUN, not walk away from this group that sounds to be completely incompetent, in my never to be humble opinion!

Hi Kathy, thanks for your input. Who told you I was 400#, did Gabriella tell you? LOL!! Anyway, I guess I just sort of thought that maybe the 400# mark was sort of industry standard. Dr. Kane Sr. told me that it is too easy to break the lap instruments. I don't know if it has to do with me carrying alot of it in the stomach area. I have heard good things and not much bad about the doctors, but their staff certainly lacks a lot in the competency dept. You have given me a lot to think about, I appreciate it.

Henry, there really are not any industry standards for who can have lap surgery or not. It is really based on the confidence and competency of individual doctors. Dr. Frantzides is not only the master of lap surgery, he has invented several of the tools used during. I carried most of my weight in my stomach as well..and at 242 thought that I'd have to be open. He actually said that I made him laugh, and thats when he told me that the day before my consult he did a 700+lb person with no problems. I have a friend who had Dr. F in Feb and he was 350+ with the majority of it truncal...and he had no problems with lap either. Of course, Dr F is not the only surgeon who can do you lap....not by any means...and I'm partial to him because he's my surgeon. But if your ins will pay for lap, you might want to try it. You will hear from people who have had open that say 'my doc said that its too dangerous to do lap. he might nic something, or the tools might break' but thats what open surgeons tell their patients. Goes down a lot easier than 'i dont know how to do lap'. There is a lot of extra learning that goes into the mastery of lap surgery, and it takes a long time to get comfortable with it. Anyway, there are lots of other docs besides the Kanes..and I'm sure you could probably have lap if its what you want. As far as previous surgeries, scar tissue, etc..I know someone that had 3 c sections and an open choles. (gallbladder removal) that DrF did lap with no problems as well...so dont buy into that either Always feel free to email me if I can help you in any way Hugs! Kathy

Thats a little harsh to say the group sounds incompetent. They have a very good reputation and Sr. has been doing this for over 30years. Because one person isnt satisfied with the info they recieved, certainly doesnt mean the group is completely incompetent.

I've heard several other negative things about this group..so I'm not making a snap judgement here. Of course, you're entitled to your opinion..but if it were my insides about to be rearranged, I certainly wouldnt want this group doing it. Losing paperwork, changing surgeons mid game plan...etc...all signs of a sloppy business. The people in the office represent the doctors. If one is sloppy..what does that say about the other? Again, just my opinion. Also, to tell a patient that they CANT have lap because of their size is misleading, unfair and untrue. The dr should tell the patient that HE IS NOT EQUIPPED TO DO this patients surgery lap. THAT is a true statement.

Since Im going thru this group, is it possible to get the info you have found on them, Im really curious. I thought Ive done all my homework, I guess not.

There is a girl here near me that goes to my gym who had Sr. and had nothing but problems, and had trouble even getting them to return her calls when they found out she was unhappy. She's not a member here, but I'll ask her next time I see her if I can pass on her info to you. Also, check the comments under their practice on this site...