what can you tell us about your surgeon?

Just wi**** would fall off quicker. I need a majic genie or something.

I feel I surely have the best surgeon in the state (don't we all). I had surgery nearly three years ago at St. Joseph East with Dr. Steiner. My best friend had referred me to him. I feel he went above and beyond the call of duty with me. I had the old JIB in 1981 and tons of medical problems but still refused to have it reversed. It finally had to be reversed the year before I had gastric bypass due to a life threatening bowel obstruction. I nearly died. I spent most of feb, March and part of April that year in and out of the hospital. As i was recovering, I started gaining weight and gained about eight five pounds within a few months. Dr. Sidney Hopkins, the surgeon that did my bowel resection, mentioned bypass surgery to me. I started looking into it and then my best friend had it. I had become a recluse in my home. I was so fat and ugly an would not go out in public at all except where I knew the people did not know me. From the minute I met Dr. Steiner ( he came in and we chatted while I was visiting my friend in the hospital) I found him to be the kindest, most caring man I had ever met. We spoke several times before I actually made an appointment with him. I have never been treated with more compassion and dignity. he is very soft spoken and a little on the shy side. he never flaunts his training and ability. He is one of the higest trained Bariatric surgeons doing surgery today. His profile on here tells it all. All thru all my testing and everything he consulted almost daily with Dr. Hopkins about me because I had nearly died and my insdies were such a mess. The very fact that he cared enough to do this made me even more confident with him. Everytime he saw me in one of the waiting rooms waiting for a test, he would come in and pat my hand and talk with me. He saved my life. I have had many problems and a few other surgeries and he was always right their telling me he was going to make me well and take care of me and he has. What more can I say. Oh and one more thing, the practice has really grown since I had surgery but he never fails to make me feel that I am the only patient he has.

That is such an amazing story Delores..I am so glad you are well today. I have a similar horror story with a kidney problem a year before my WLS I nearly died and lost the functon of my right kidney because of it. Longgg story. I did meet Dr. Steiner a few weeks ago and you are right he is a bit quiet and shy, I was in a meeting with Dr. Nighbert, Greenlee and Steiner..Dr. Nighbert didn't let anyone get a word in..giggle. Unfortunately I did not get to sit and talk with Dr. Steiner, maybe next time. I looked at his profile and you are correct, just like Dr. Sonnanstine ..who spent a year in fellowship..That is so very important and for those who do not know what it means..they took that year out of their life and did nothing but bariatric surgery at very prestigious hospitals..they could have gone into private practice and learned this procedure from a colleage or in a weekend course..I love finding these well trained surgeons! Thanks for posting Brenda

I suppose I should post some additional information since my original post is sort of embedded. I had lapband surgery with Drs. Weiss and Oldham on August 11, 2004. I started out at 261.5 lbs and am now down 88 lbs. My goal is to weigh between 160 and 164 although I have people tell me all the time that I do not need to lose anymore. I have had a wonderful experience with the bariatric program at Georgetown. I feel I was very well prepared for life after surgery because of all of the pre-op hoops they make you jump through. At the time I thought they were a bit annoying, but not that I am over a year out I realize that ever hoop was necessary for my success as a post-op. Since my surgery I have referred countless friends to the program and they have all been very pleased with the program as well.

Robin, thanks for the info about the Georgetown docs..they are awesome and alot of fun.. Of course everyone knows Dr. Sonnanstine is my #1 favorite..shhhh don't tell Dr. Oldham and Weiss I said that..he he. I am very fond of them as well! I feel very privileged that I have been able to meet and spend time with them.. There are so many awesome docs out there..I hope people do research and ask questions..go to seminars or make appts with those who dont' have seminars.. I feel post op care is something you must question..I know the docs mentioned here have great follow up. This is something you have to do for you! Brenda

Hello. I had BPB/DS on 8/3/04. When I was deciding to have WLS I researched way over a year before deciding that the DS (duodenal switch) was the best fit for me. Since there are no surgeons in KY doing the DS, I knew I would have to go out of state--I decided on John Maguire at the Dayton, OH, New Life Surgery Center. Dr. Maguire is an awesome surgeon. He has a dry, slightly serious bedside manner and his surgical skills are top-knotch--his complication/death stats are well below normal. He has the most thorough pre-op information session I've ever seen--it's almost a whole day of tests, followed by a mannequin display of exactly how the surgery is done and what you can expect post-op. I felt like I really knew what I was getting into--the good AND the bad. The only issue I have is that Dayton is over 3 hours away and the support group meetings are held on a weeknight which makes me unable to attend unless I want to be driving home at midnight. So, I feel I've missed out on a lot of "peer" support. Luckily there are good online groups, here at OH and on other messageboards, where I can get the support I need. Thank you for starting this thread. I've found that a whole lot of people have WLS without even knowing that DS is available. Or they've only heard about it when RNY surgeons only mention the DS in passing and then it's all about how "stinky" we are or that most of us have debilitating diarrhea or other silly claims. Most DSers actually eat similar to pre-op and have little or no diarrhea or gas problems. I'm very grateful that my research led me to the DS. -joanne s 277/161/150

Thanks Joanne.. I have never met your doc but I have heard his name mentioned..does he do surgery at Kettering? also thanks for the info on the DS..something I will admit I know nothing about..but am always willing and anxious to learn more more about what is available..and why people make the choice they did... Thanks Brenda

Brenda, yes, Dr. Maguire does surgery at Kettering--I was surprised that the hospital was as small as it is since it's a teaching hospital (I was thinking that it would be similar size to UK but it's much smaller). He does lap RNY but only offers the DS as open. -joanne s 277/160/150

Joanne- I did my paramedic program at Kettering..you are right it is a small place for a teaching hosp..but it's a really good program.

I had RNY surgery on 9/8/05 at Georgetown Bariatrics, Drs. Weiss and Oldham. My surgeon was Dr. Derek Weiss. My process began 3 yrs ago in Louisville. I had insurance issues....my employer had a exclusion in their policy (Humana). I had two consults with Dr. Mark Shina in Louisville and pursued appeals, legal consults and lobbying my employer to get the exclusions changed. NO LUCK. In July of 2005, my employer changed insurance carriers and went with CHA Health. Dr. Shina was not a provider with them and I began searching. I discovered Georgetown Bariatrics and I must say that I felt that I had found home. In Louisville, I liked and respected Dr. Shina but found the process to be a struggle. There was very little assistance from the bariatric program, even though I paid the fee, and poor access to anyone who could help. At Georgetown Bariatrics, I received instant assistance and support from my first contact with them. I ended up having to private pay this surgery and Georgetown had a special advance pay price that no one in Louisville could compete with. The pre op process was smooth and flowed well. Even though I had an insurance exclusion they attempted to get my insurance to cover as much as possible. The pre op education was excellent and they have a FULL, excellent staff that handled all aspects of the pre op process. I received several calls before my surgery to go over medications, blood work, insurance, etc.and felt very prepared going in. My surgery went well but ended up taking 4 hrs as I had adhesions from two previous surgeries. Dr. Weiss also took time to look around in my abdomen and identified some potential problems with my ovaries and thus called in a OB/GYN Dr. for a consult. During the extended time of my surgery, Dr. Weiss came out and personally advised my family of my status, which made them feel more comfortable. I was the last of his surgeries on that day and didn't end up getting to my room until 7:15p. Dr. Weiss was there checking in on me. At Georgetown, all the patients are in ICU for the first night and what a luxury. The nursing staff was very attentive and helpful. I ended up staying in ICU for the full two days because the hospital med/surg floor was full. My stay was comfortable and Dr. Weiss was there everyday, including Saturday. My recovery has been good and my follow ups with the surgeon's office have been supportive and thorough. The follow up with Georgetown Bariatrics is just as thorough as the pre op. There is an equally full staff that handles all the post op needs of the patient and includes a Nurse Practioner and Physician's assistant. On two occasions I have received phone calls at home after my appointment to discuss additional concerns Dr. Weiss had. In addition, they have a support network that is far superior than any program I researched. It includes an online bulletin board that is monitored by the nurses at the center, weekly support groups for both Lap band and RNY patients and monthly support groups that are attended by the Doctors. At each support group I've been to, there is always friendly bantering among the patient's as to who is the best doc, Dr. Weiss or Dr. Oldham! I feel blessed that I found Dr. Weiss and Georgetown Bariatrics. For most of the last three years I have felt that I was beating my head against the wall, which made me question whether this surgery was the answer. Since I found Georgetown Bariatrics things have been smooth sailing. That is when I knew I was in the right place. I have other friends that had the surgery in Louisville and my experience has been so much more patient oriented than theirs. I am thankful that I was directed to the folks at Georgetown Bariatrics!