Tell me about your DR.

So I finally got the courage to call a DR. I called one that was realatively close to me. I wasn't overly impressed with this office already. I called and they won't even give me an appt until they mail out a packet, I fill it out, send it back, they process it. Then they will send me another packet that I have to fill out and when they get that back, then they will call me to make an appt.  mmmmm is that normal? I told her I hadn't even made a decision yet- just wanted to talk to the DR and ask some questions. She said they have to go through these steps, that is just how their office works.  I really want to feel that this is the right choice, and I don't want to sit on waiting for an appt. I am a teacher and my summer days are numbered, :)

Hi Dee, My surgeon is Dr. Andrew Averbach.  My surgery was done at St. Agnes Hospital.  I had pretty much already made up my mind by the time I called for a consultation with him.  WIth that in mind, they sent me a packet of papers outlining what I needed to do.  I had already had an annual physical with my PCP when I called his office.  I was in such a rush that I made an appt. with the Nutritionist and Psych Consult before I even saw the surgeon.  I'm not sure how they work it now, but thought I would provide the phone number/address of the Dr.  The office is located in Catonsville (just off of Rte 40 West and Rolling Road - just west of I-695).  Their telephone number is (410) 368-8725.  The address is 700 Geipe Road.  Dr. Averbach (and his partner Dr. Singh) are wonderful and their staff has always been kind and compassionate and helpful.   I made the initial call to his office in April 2005, saw Dr. Averbach on May 30th of that year and had my surgery on July 28th.  It would've been earlier (July 7th), but I had to pu**** back due to sleep studies/sleep apnea diagnosis and had to be fitted with a CPAP machine for at least 3 weeks before surgery.  These things can be "fast-tracked" if you push and follow-up.   HTH

Dee, I have not met the surgeon yet - but I have an appt for the end of August.  Before they would schedule my appt I had to attend an informational seminar.  After the seminar it took them about 2 weeks to call me to make the appt (that was mid-July.  I was disappointed by how long that I have to wait!  I'm ready to go!  Anyway I will be going to Bayview and seeing Dr. Steele. Best of luck! Kendra

WOW i am surprised I called the Bayview Center yesterday.  I already have an appointment for the 15th  to see the doctor.  I went online filled in the reqest an appointment and was called within 30 minutes.  I called back today becuase I was so excited I forgot what the lady told me.  I received another call like in an hour and I am scheduled for the Doc. MMMM

I traveled from the Annapolis area to Salisbury for my WLS.   I called on January 19, talked on the phone to the program coordinator, they sent out a packet, I made an appointment for February 12, they called and moved the appointment up to January 29, I saw the program coordinator, met with the surgeon, paid my program fee and scheduled my surgery for March 22, 2004 all at that first appointment.   I saw Dr Sofronski in his office two more times before I had my surgery. I think the process at Delmarva Bariatric has changed somewhat in the last 3 1/2 years but they do schedule consults fairly quickly. It is not unusual to have to attend an informational seminar prior to a consult and in many cases some patients never even meet the surgeon until the day of surgery. My aftercare with Dr S/Delmarva Bariatric included monthly follow up with the WLS doctor (Dr S) for the first year, quarterly follow up with him the 2nd year, then yearly after that.   I have only seen him for my follow up never a nurse practicioner or PA. I also attended support group meetings in Salisbury twice a month (on Saturdays) for the first year and as often as I could make them the 2nd year.  Unfortunately, they have discontinued the Saturday support meetings and it is difficult for me to get to Salisbury for the weekly Thursday evening meetings. Best wishes as your WLS journey continues. Hugs, Mo

I know I got in with Dr Roe really quickly and they had a seminar all about surgery and if you will need. I had all my info in a few short weeks all gathered up. But I had to do the 6 month supervised diet with my pcp to qualify. Then I was on my way in month for surgery. It has been 2 weeks since surgery and I feel great.

What is that about. I would go into detail but dont have time.I had my surgery at GWUH in dc

Paul Lin MD
check him out
go to: gwdocs.com

202 741 3200

You found this site, so you are obviously computer literate.  The next step is to find the web sites for the various doctors in the Baltimore area that do WLS.  Most of them have informational seminars, usually in the evening, once or twice a month.  The schedules are usually on the web sites.  Go to the seminars.  You can get most of your initial questions answered there.  Believe me, most of the people attending the seminar have the same questions you have. My WLS surgeon was Christina Li at Sinai Hospital (lifebridgehealth.com).  There are talso wo other surgeons in the practice.  Sinai has a seminar once a month where they discuss WLS in general, answer questions, and usually have "grad" patients to tell their stories and answer questions. Yes the packet is normal.  But fill it out after you attend the informational seminar.

My doctor (and several others I have heard about) gives monthly informational seminars as a prerequisite to even scheduling your first appointment . . . so call some surgeons, find out their dates for these "seminars" and attend one or two (be sure to sign in so you get credit for attendance if you follow through with the surgery). My surgeon gave a detailed slide show, and then opened up the room for questions/answers for about an hour. There was also an opportunity to speak to post-ops after the seminar. -BJ

I called my dr. who said to go online and copy the infor packet to bring with me to the appt.; his website is smallscar.com He works out of bayview Hospital which is a Center of Excellence. Good luck on your journey! ~~ Trish