Post-OP Bariatric Patients Being Re-assigned........

Another gal told me that St. V's docs are telling all their patients that are more than 1 year post-op that they won't see them after that and are referring them upstairs to Dr. Adrienne Gomez, the medical Bariatrician.  I know she is getting a bunch of Dr. Evanston's patients on their schedule.

I would like input from any of you that have been told that this is true and also if you have seen Dr. Gomez and what your impression of her is. 

I would just like input from those of you that have seen her and what kind of treatment you are receiving from her and if you are satisfied with said treatment.  I was told that the purpose of this was that Dr. Gomez is better informed about weight loss "MAINTENANCE" issues than the regular bariatric doc are and can also help those that are struggling to keep their weight off..

Input please.....I know its a week-end so I may post this again early next week.

thanks

Kathy,
I have not seen her but I do know for sure that Dr. Inman and Dr. Evanston are sending their patients to her after you are one year out.  I did not listen real well when I went to my year follow up but I did email Colleen the office manager as this is the email she sent me.
  Her name is Dr Adrienne Gomez -- she is a medical bariatrician -- she specializes in helping people lose weight medically --   Dr Inman and Dr Evanson are surgeons -- there is only so much guidance we can give you after surgery -- This is Dr Gomez' specialty -- our patients who have already seen her have reported back to us and have been very happy. All St. Vincent bariatric surgeons will be referring their paitents to her in the near future, after the one year period. She is on the second floor -- right above St Vincent Bariatric Center -- her phone number is (317) 582-8030 --

Dr. Inman will still see you if you have a surgery problem, do not hesitate to call us.   Once you schedule your appointment with Dr Gomez, her office will notify us and we will copy your records from our office and give them to her so that she will already know your history when you go to see her.
Thanks!
  Colleen O'Brien
Office Manager
Meridian Surgical Group
11725 Illinois Street, Suite 240
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: (317) 814-4580
Fax: (317) 814-4589

Hijack.........
Well hello there Miss Andrea. How are you doing. How have you been long time no see.

 Seems like a lot of patients for one physician to take on.

Duane

I'm honestly not surprised....my dad's surgeon was Dr Kadarabek, and at his 3 yr post op in Sept, he was told that Dr K is only seeing his patients for 5 years.  I figure it's because by 5 years post op, any complications are going to have presented themselves, and maintenance shouldn't be an issue...and if it is, isn't that what the dietitians are for?

My 2 yr post op is already scheduled with Dr Evanson for early May next year, but really, if i get referred over to Dr Gomez, I'm fine with that.  I don't see any surgical questions coming up at that point; he fixed my hernia in August of this year, and any future surgeries I have will involve a plastic surgeon. 

Just my thoughts on it...I truly don't see a need to continue to see my bariatric surgeon beyond a year or two out.  I've had two c sections, one of which almost killed me, and other than my annual exams, I never saw them again (and since I've moved, I haven't seen them now in years). In fact, the dr who did my first c section never saw me again because I changed to another doctor in the practice. 

i hope noone thinks by saying this i think i am more important thean her other patients but i hope to hell this doesnt apply to dr inmans duodenal switch patients as  we have a lifetime concern for vitamin and mineral complications due to our extensive malabsorption. i just had my 1 year with her in august and no one said anything to me about a change and they did schedule me for my 2 year. to everyone that will have to change.... best of luck!

I have my two year scheduled with Dr Inman as well.. I haven't heard from Collen about this? Hummm?

Lucy

Thanks for your comments.  I still hope someone posts that has actually seen Dr. Gomez. 

Dr. Glass did my WLS 9 yrs. ago.  He doesn't do them anymore so I see Dr. Kadarabek.  I was surprised by Amy's post that he is telling patients after 5 yrs that he won't see them anymore because I just saw him in Sept and he never said anything to me.  I guess I'm on the fence on this subject. That's why I posted here about it.  I have been seeing Dr. Kad all these years, (or Dr. Glass too).  Was told  by St. V's (not Dr. K)  that its important to check in "every" year for a check up.  Our own WLS docs is the best source of our particular surgery, especially in my case.  None of the other docs at St. V's do the VBGB.  Its a little different than the RNY.

I go because I want to stay healthy and want the latest word on health concerns, issues, updates, & statistics on MY WLS from the horses mouth.

But the further out I get from surgery I do realize that all the bariatric docs are just that...they do WLS.  Their expertise is surgery.    They are not nutrition experts.  I have learned this from my actual experience as a veteran..And when we all get to be far out veterans, please realize that our nutritition & taking supplements is extremely important and should not be neglected.  I know far too many veterans that do not keep up with this.  Unfortunately, it will catch up with them at some time or another.

I know nothing about DS patients and your needs.  I have malabsorbtion issues like an RNY.  I had 100 CM bypassed and my stomach is transected.   My duodenum, jejunum, & part of my ileum is bypassed.  That is where several vitamins, minerals, & nutrients used to be processed before my WLS.  I won't elaborate on that here.   This will be important to me the rest of my life. 

Even if we are over 5 yrs out from WLS and having no physical issues and are maintaining, please do NOT assume that this journey is no longer difficult and that we do not need to work to maintain our weight.  It took many of us a life time of yo yo diets and food addictions to overcome, so 5 yrs (or 9) of  maintaining is really not all that long.  We need to work hard to not become complacent so that is why I am wanting an appt. with Dr. Gomez.  I am determined to maintain my weight loss and do whatever I need to do to maintain good results. 

Not trying to scare anyone, but I've seen veterans become complacent and/or have complications because they are not following their program.  I don't want to be one of them!!!  It can happen to anyone including me.  We are never too old (far out) to be educated about changing ourselves on the inside.  The outside work has already been done at this point.

I think we need more bariaticians that follow patients years after bariatric surgery.  Since I am farther out than any of you,  I can tell you first hand that "We need more doctors that are medically educated about the "specific needs" of bariatric patients long term care beyond 5 years post op!!!!    Shall I say, "the farther out I get, the wiser I get about knowing my own body."  There are too many docs out there that don't know what they don't know.   But they will tell you that they do know because they have the MD degree.  I don't claim to be a know it all but I've learned alot in 9 yrs, including making my own mistakes.  And I have been very disappointed, to say the least, at the medical professions lack of knowledge when it comes to bariatric patients.

I hope this doesn't offend anyone.  I hope its something you can learn from and it'll help you.