Dr. Rodriguz at Norton in L'ville?

Hi Everyone!

I just moved to Ky from DC...had my surgery in DC in April...So all I'm looking for is a doctor for fills/followup, not  a surgery or program...because of this, finding a surgeon who will take me on has been difficult to say the least. Dr. Jorge Rodriguz agreed to, and he is in my insurance's network, so I just wanted to hear back from folks who have had him? I had kind of a strange experience with him today...

I saw him for the first time today and really liked him...he did a tiny fill but did it in a location that was different from where my original surgeon did his fill...by about 2 inches or so. (I didn't realize this until after he was done and put the bandaid on...it is hard to see where they are filling when you are laying flat LOL)..he never asked me where my port was so I assumed he knew/could feel it....but then the different location thing happened...so...uh....uh...uh...

I'd just like to hear back from anyone who has experience with him? I'm going to go back and see him again next month and talk to him about the two different locations then...I guess I just want to know if this is a common thing with his practice or out of the ordinary?

thanks!

I love him!!  He did my surgery back in 2004.  He is great.  I have never had a problem with him or any of his staff.  I haven't seen him since 2007 because he wouldn't see me while I was pregnant, which has happened every year it seems.  I had the rny done so I can't answer about the fill.  I know it is hard to see him and he is the leading trauma doctor at UL Hospital as well as other things he does.  Most people I know used him.  My mom used another doctor here and is not happy at all.  You could even call and ask the two different locations.  They do call you back with answers.  At least they did for me.

Thank you so much for responding! :)  I had no idea he did trauma work, too! dang!

I liked him and will keep seeing him :) I got a hold of my old surgeon's nurse and asked her about it...she said that where they stick the needle isnt nessecarily directly above the port, that you angle it from where it is inserted...and that there is about a 1/2inch diameter that can inject and be just fine. :) So I am majorly relieved! LOL! Leave it to me to overthink things, hu? :)

Pregnant for three years....you poor thing! :) I have just one--he is 6. He is plenty. :)

You are so welcome.  Did you know that he was a pro football player awhile back. lol  I think he played for the Bengles. That is what I have been told. I would send anyone I know who wants to have the surgery done to him.  Yea, I have a 15 year old who is a major help.  It was like I became so fertile since the surgery.  I was told I would not have kids. I had 1 i***** 1 one was born in 2007, another one in 2009, and my last one just two months ago.  Needless to say, our house is a zoo. lol

I have a friend who had her surgery done by him and she thinks highly of him.

As for me, I went to an educational seminar on WLS that he presented and I wasn't terribly impressed.  He was very gung ho on the lap band (which I was positive wasn't the right surgery for me) and I didn't like his rather one-sided perspective.  He even put me on the spot in front of the entire group at the seminar and asked why I wanted RNY instead of a band!  I didn't think that was necessary at all.  The success rate that he quoted for the band was considerably higher than what was in the printed materials they distributed at the seminar, too. 

He's probably fine for your follow up needs, especially since you are a band patient and he's so enthusiastic about them.

Good luck with everything!

I don't know the doctor that you are speaking about but my step mom has the surgury you are  leaning toward and there are so many things that she goes through because of it. yes she lost i thnk like 100 pounds maybe more, but because of it she can no long swallow pills she has to have liquid medication, she had a pill get stuck one time so know its liquid or power. also that surgury is not reversible, and the recovery time from it is much longer than the lap band. I have a close friend that just had the lap band surgury done and the recover time from it was just a week or two. its reversible, i would never have that surgury mostly because she said when she woke up she felt like they took a chainsaw to her insides. You have to make your own opion but thats just what I think.

Hi Kelley, I had the surgery 5 months ago...so it isn't an issue of considering it. I've been there, done that. :)

I'm sorry your mom had such a hard time; my recovery wasn't bad at all...it was what one would expect from an abdominal surgery:take it easy for about a week, feeling more human in about 2 weeks... The surgery is typically laproscopic so the recovery for either procedure would be about the same: in both surgeries the surgeon would place the band, secure it, and secure the port.  There's no extra chain-saw action going on that the Realize Band requires for placement. ;)

Both Lap Band and Realize are reversible. Ideally no one goes in to surgery planning to have it removed one day, but the option is there for both brands of gastric banding.

The bit about liquid meds is true--anything bigger than the tip of my pinky needs to be crushed, cut in half or liquid...and that isn't fun. :) But it is worth the effort to me. It is just medicine, afterall. I'm surprised that your mom got a pill stuck--the size of what I would/wouldn't be able to swallow after surgery was drilled in to my head pre-op, so when in doubt I always crush/chew more/get a liquid version of...

I have been seeing Dr. Rod since Dr.Tanner moved. He is excellant with my treatment and very concerned and understanding. I am an LPN and I really like his treatment. He knows his business!

Thanks for the vote of confidence! :) You know how it is when you're brand-new to a place and just aren't sure about anything...:) It has been about 2 weeks since the fill and it certainly feels tighter, though I haven't lost a pound...LOL...it is like my superpower, really, the ability to hold on to fat despite all attempts and logic...LOL

Just wanted to add my 2 cents.  I am a Dr. Rodriquez patient, your experience is not uncommon, some drs may enter a certain area and then wiggle the needle around to hit the port.   I have never had him have to wiggle the needle around and ha**** my port every time.   I think he awesome so give him a chance.