Aftercare for Dr. Sonnanstine patients

 DR. Curry,  I think the 100 off discount if they tour the facilities is a great idea. We have to pay 300 and don't get half of your great services!! That's awesome.
  Brenda, this isn't the first time you have come across kinda catty. I always thought it was just me.. Guess not.
Dawn

No..it was rude and completely uncalled for.

Well, since Dr. Curry and I know each other pretty well,,  I am sure he knows exactly how to take my comment

Dr. Curry,

While it is very nice of you to offer your services, it is seems very self-serving to advertise - with a discount- your newly opened fitness center in Northern Kentucky if we sign up with you. 

I am a patient of Dr. Sonnanstine and while I feel sincere sadness that he is leaving the N. Ky area, I do not at all feel I'm caught in the middle, as you suggest.  St. Luke has already provided for me, as the patient, with other surgeons in the center should I choose to stay there.  I do not need to scramble to find a new surgeon immediately if I do not wish to go to Georgetown (though that is what I will do).  For those that do not wish to stay with St. Luke, trust me, we know who is out there and who is worth going to.  That's why we chose Dr. Sonnanstine in the first place.    

The way I can best put it into words is that I feel like you are a shark circling a life boat.....

I don't really need to advertise for aftercare patients, normally we don't even take them.  I'm not trying to steal Dr. S's patients, believe me. 

When I left Deaconess, there were many of my patients who simply stopped coming to get band adjustments and follow up.  I saw many of them a year or so later and 25 or 30 pounds heavier.  Band patients especially, need a lot of care during the first couple of years, this is critical time that cannot be lost.  Hospitals do not care about this one iota, trust me as I've seen it first hand.   I saw it at Deaconess with my own patients, and I saw it in Middletown when they just shut the program down and left patients without anyone to care for them.  We took those patients too.  It takes a lot of staff time and really isn't worth the money, but I felt an obligation as a band surgeon to see that band patients get the proper care they need.

Dr. C. your band fills are free???  that's a great thing to know.  I will tell the small support group we have together to come to you as well....that's a really good thing to offer.

whooooaaaaaa. I dont see where Dr.C said band fills are free. Noone does them for free hun..
 He's right, he doesn't have to advertise for patients.. He takes time out of his days to answer BAND QUESTIONS for free because he does care about patients. 
  dawn

Dr Curry, thank you very much for your offer and your assistance.  I, as a patient in NKY, greatly appreciate the time you give to us as patients and people and I will certainly keep in mind your offer of assistance.  The Thomas More location would be very convenient.  You are so right about the first several years being the most important time for band patients and if aftercare becomes inconvenient, many will just let it drop.  I personally did not do go through this to set myself up for failure.
Thank you, Sonja

There have been alot of inquiries as to who is available to take over patients care once Dr S is gone, so yes there is a need for information regarding opportunities available for some patients. Like I have stated before, we have people inquire at the meetings about switching surgeons, what all is involved or necessary, etc...so this is informative to say the least. I commend you Dr C for posting this information! Apparently alot of Dr S patients are still unaware of his changes etc...otherwise they would not be posting all their questions on here as to what is true and what is not. People come on here for information and to ask questions. I commend Dr C since he seems to be one of the only Dr that are regularly checking this board and answering questions we pose to him. None of these Dr's need the business nor the money. They do however need care and if Dr C is offering to help out then KUDOS to him! Most physicians won't touch anyone Else's patients! Having been in the same situation himself I find it admirable that he is putting himself out there like he has. What other Dr's are willing to make these accommodations?

As for Brenda...you seem to know all these Doctors "pretty well".  Sounds to me like you are more of a self proclaimed advocate!  

Dr. Curry.. I definitely appreciate all that you do answering our questions and concerns. I do not see any other Dr's on here doing that.. It's greatly appreciated!!!
I think you offering an alternative for Dr. S 's patient is a kind thing to do.. WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!