Baptist East Bariatric Center? Dink, Oldham, and Weiss?

Hi, everyone! I'm sorry I haven't been posting more but life has been a whirlwind lately. I am finally back on the road to getting approved for WLS. 

I was going to go with Dr. Shina but having to drive up to Indiana and back for a consult was just too much of an inconvience for me. He had to reschedule a few times and so did I. It just seemed like a big hassle.

So, I have decided to look a little closer to home. I am going to the bariatric surgery seminar at Baptist East this Saturday at 10 a.m.I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their experiences with Baptist East and doctors Dink, Oldham Jr. and Weiss.

I'd really appreciate any advice and info you could give me.

Thanks,
Vickie

Vickie on the positive side I can say that Oldham was my surgeon and I don't have any visible problems.  They say I would know.  However you will only see Oldham or Wiess  twice, once for the initial meet the surgeon and then for surgery.  Everything else is done by the nurse practitioner.  This you are told up front but KNOW that it will not change even if you change your mind.  I have had good care but realized that I would have liked to discuss my progress with the surgeon.  You will not see the doctor unless something actually goes wrong, they say, but not just because you want to make sure nothing is going wrong.  Also they charge a program fee.  Just telling you my experience.
Z

Thanks, Z.  I don't 'think' I'll mind not seeing the surgeon for my follow-ups but then again I won't know that until I'm post-surgery.

About the program fee, will they address that at the seminar? If it's not too personal a question...how much is it?

Again, thanks for the info. Also thanks for making your frank post about the challenges post-surgery. It's important that I never forget that having the surgery is only the beginning and I will have to work hard to make the most of it.

Vickie

Vickie the most important thing to remember is when you start looking good don't forget what it took to get you there and pick up those old habit.  Bad habits are like dope dealers they are just around the corner waiting for you.  The first couple of times are free (meaning you don't see the weight gain right away) then BAM, you're hooked and the battle is on again to try to stop what you once thought was conquered.  It is a lifetime struggle.  We just have a helper, our weightloss tool, whichever tool we choose.  Wishing you the best of success.  Z

I had a positive experience with Dr. Oldham, Jr.  I think he is a fantastic surgeon and couldn't have asked for anyone better.  He came to check on me two, if not three times a day while I was in the hopsital.  No, I haven't seen him since surgery, but I know he is available if I need him.  I would recommend them even though I haven't seen him again.  They are highly regarded in the weight loss surgeon's community and that says a lot.  He is very personable and knowledgeable.

As for the office staff... they could stand some work, but this last visit I had Stephen one of the PA's and HE WAS GREAT!  I will see him from now on.  If you want to talk move, pm me and I'll be happy to share more.  Good luck to you!

Deb

Thanks, Deb! I will definately PM you when I have some free time.

I recently had to switch over to Dr. Oldham because of a dispute between Norton Hospital and my insurance company. I am been pleasantly surpised so far (with the exception of the program fee, which I did not know about until recently). I will send you a note with more info.

What kind of surgery are you considering?

Thanks, arad. I can use all the info I can get.

Forgot to add, I'm hoping to have Laprascopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. My insurance doesn't cover lap-band.

Vickie I just had lap band surgery on 7/10/09 and Dr Weiss was my surgeon. Like it was said before you only see them 2 times, but I knew that before surgery. I saw Dr Weiss pre op and was very happy. I went into surgery very calm knowing I was in great hands. Everything went great. I met Dr Dink at the seminar that's all I saw of him. Which surgery are you planning on. Whichever I'm sure you will do fine.
Janice

Janice, thanks for sharing your experience with me. I'm hoping to have laproscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. My insurance will not cover Lap-band.