Great loss for the state of Kansas

I know that it is public knowledge now, but I'm saddened that Dr. Steward is leaving the state of Kansas. He is moving to be locateed near his family. He will be missed by so many of us. I'm saddened by the fact that people will not have access to his surgeries here in Kansas. Anyone who has had any contact with Dr. Steward over the years should feel free to add to this.

We are fortunate that we still have the good people at Tallgrass to carry on this great work in Topeka.

John

What!!!! I am scheduled for a revision (VBG to DS)on the 29th of January! Dr. Stewart is my surgeon!I am part of the public and this is the first I heard of this. I cannot believe this. Where is he going? I am freaking out!!! I have been waiting for this for over 11 months. Oh man! now what?

Congratulations on the DS.

I must apologize; I should have mentioned that he will not be leaving until (I believe) May of 2009 and I suspect will be doing all of the surgeries that he has committed to do in the early part of 09. You are one of those who are fortunate enough to have Dr. Steward as your surgeon.

Again, I am so sorry for having caused you any concern.

John

John...good  morning. Thank you so much for the clarity. I checked here before frantically calling Tallgrass. I was so freaked out when I read your post. I have been trying to get this revision done since january of last year. I flew to another state ( I was living in OK and there were no Centers of Excellence there or DS surgeon) and got the "Ole bait n switch" from another surgeon. Her office assured me she did revisions from VBG to DS. When I actually got there she tried to talk me into a Long Limb RNY. I was so angry. I had done my research, I knew what i wanted.I spent money I did not have to spare for nothing. I was then going to see Dr. Deveney in Oregon but I could not see how I could make it work. They wanted me to stay at least 14 days in Oregon. Anyway, I was on here (OH) and posting on the DS forum about all my frustrations and one of Dr. Stewarts revision patients made me aware of him. I made the appoint ment and I have not regretted it. I just love Rachelle his nurse. She has been so patient and wonderful. I also feel that Dr. Stewart is the surgeon to do my revision. I really was impressed with him. I actually moved from Oklahoma to Kansas city MO to be closer.So, when I read your post I really freaked. Again thank you for clearing that up. i agree it is a great loss for the entire region. There are so few DS surgeons in this area and even fewer that do revision work.  I know this is a turning point for me. I do not ever remember weighing less than 200 lbs. It is my time.
Peace Mz JoJo

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
My heart is breaking!!
My 5yr follow up is in May so I guess I at least will get to see him before he leaves.
Where is he relocating?
Who is taking over his patient load.
I'm very sad now...like tears in my eyes sad. Wow. I love that man. He saved me!

It was a sad weekend for me too when I heard the news. I even asked if we could have some sort of gathering or party in his honor. I heard back and Rachelle, his bariatric nurse, shared his thoughts with me, so I'll share those so all of you who have gotten to know Dr. Steward over the years. You can see what his wishes are so we can properly respect them. Rachelle stated (I edited and left in the key parts) the following to me as an email response: "We have actually talked to Dr. Steward about this after he broke the news to us in the office.  It was decided that he appreciates the thought, but feels it would be very uncomfortable for him.  I understand that with this type of surgery Dr. Steward becomes a HUGE part of your life and not just your “surgeon," but he has requested that patients do not hold a party or going away of any kind.  Please understand it is not because he is not going to miss each and every one of his patients, but he wants to make this as easy on everyone as possible.  So we must respect Dr. Steward’s wishes and not have any type of organized party for him from the patients.  At your next appointment with him or before he leaves you are welcome to share your departing words with him... Dr. Steward will be greatly missed by many people both patients and people that have worked with him professionally and it is going to be hard to see him go, but we respect the fact that he is going to be closer to his family. "

Valena, I believe that in answer to your question, I heard that his family resides in Oklahoma.

John

I emailed Rachelle to find out when exactly...hopefully he will still be there for my appt!

Wow i am still in shock and have been shedding some tears not knowing what was going on. I did get ahold of the office and Rachael is out untill tomorrow for a half day. I made an appt. in the middle of January hoping i need a fill then if not i will schedule it a little later. I only go about once every 4 -6 months. I have know Dr. Steward for 8 years and he did hernia surgery on my daughter when she was 1 and my son about 3 1/2 years ago and then my band in Feb 06. I am still in shock and at a loss of words at this point. I think i will visit my T and discuss this with her. I know he has a great office staff but me being one of being scared of going to the doc. for anything he has always made me feel comfortable. He will be sorely missed.

Rachelle emailed me back. She said he will not gone until June or July. That makes me happy with my follow up being in May.

This makes me so sad...  Truly sad.  Why do the good doctors always seem to leave?  

When I was coming out of from the drugs of surgery, I swore I heard someone say that Dr. Steward was leaving.  It's been a little nag in the back of my head, but I thought I had just been hearing things.   I mean, I saw a cat on the ledge of the window and a window in the bathroom that weren't there, too, so why would I remember things correctly, either?

I really like Dr. Steward and am not sure I can grow the trust I have with anyone else.  sigh.  It

It's a great loss for Kansas, indeed.