Anybody using Suburban Surgical Care?

Just wondering how strict they were (specifically Dr. Kane Jr.) on the pre-op weight loss. I am having a difficult time losing. Thanks, Alan

Hi Alan, I had surgery in September with Dr. Rantis. I wasnt expected to loose weight before surgery, and if I was, I missed that part. Although I was considered a "lightweight" (BMI 40) maybe I wasnt required to. But I do know things change all the time as far as protocall, so it may very well be different now. Good luck in your journey!

Alan, I had Dr. Rantis do my RNY, almost 2 years ago and I was not required to lose any weight. But when I saw Dr. Hart, he told me how beneficial it would be if I lost a few pounds before surgery. I felt if I was going to make this commitment, I should start now. I just was very careful of what I ate and walked everyday. I was up to several miles and down 23 lbs. by the day of my surgery. I think it really made my recovery so much easier. Good Luck D

Hi Alan, I had surgery with Dr. Kane, Jr in November. When I got there that day, I hadn't lost any weight but I hadn't gained any either.. he said he had told me to but I don't recall having that discussion with him and he chastised me but still performed my surgery. I don't know how much you weigh or what your BMI is so I can't speak for him.. I am just telling you my experience. I think if you do your best and even if you just lose a couple of pounds, I don't think he'll be upset.. I think he must realize if we could do it easily by traditional means, we wouldn't be candidates for surgery.. Dr. Kane (and all the Drs at SSCS, really) is fantastic. I had such a trouble free surgery and recovery.. Congratulations and keep us posted! Stef Lap RNY 11/12/04 390 -> 313 -> 175

You know.. I re-read what I wrote and I realize it sounds like I'm saying that you dont' have to do what he says.. that's NOT what I'm saying.. If he told you to get onto a pre-op diet.. I would say do as he says.. follow the nutritional advice they give you and do your very best. I'm sure he doesn't expect you to lose 100# by July.. but losing weight pre-op will make things easier on you during your procedure and afterwards as you recover. And for the record.. I have found their pre- and post- op care to be exemplary.. I always feel like I am the #1 priority with the staff whenever I'm interacting with them.. If I had it all to do over again, the only thing I would change is I would have done it sooner. All physician contact I've had so far has been with Drs Kane, Jr, Guske and Verseman.. and in all cases I felt like I was a patient of THAT DOCTOR TREATING ME (whoever it was).. Feel free to take a gander through my profile -- all the frustration you read is a result of my own impatience.. rarely a case of the staff or doctors being anything less than thorough or cautious. I love them. Stef

I'm hoping to have surgery with Dr. Guske soon. I have started back at the gym to give myself a head start. Mike

I had surgery with Dr. Rantis as SSCS. Everything went perfectly, and I am very happy with the care I received. I was a lower BMI (41) and they did not say anything about losing weight. But what I have found from reading a lot of message boards is that many doctors require weight loss before surgery, and I suspect my doctor may have if I had been larger. The major reason is that, if you are having laparasocpic surgery, they need to be able to move your liver out of the way to properly visualize and perform surgery. If your liver is too large, they may have do do surgery open, larger livers are also more likely to be damaged in all the surgical manipulation. Some surgeons are saying that most of the early weight loss from a protein/liquid diet comes out of your liver, decreasing the size and making for a safer/easier surgery. I have heard of other surgical centers who will cancel surgery until a patient loses the required amount of weight. Good luck with your surgery.