DR. DAVID VON RUEDEN ROCKS!!!
(deactivated member)
on 11/10/08 8:37 pm - Millersville, MD
on 11/10/08 8:37 pm - Millersville, MD
this thread just made my day. it's funny.. when people come on here and want doctor recommendations, it's always prudent to send them first to their insurance carriers to find out their choices first. then, of course, i want to send them straight to DVR. i never, ever want to come across as "my doctor is better than your doctor" because we all have our reasons for choosing who we chose and that's no way to act.
that said, i read these boards for over two years before i ever set foot in a bariatric surgeon's office or seminar. i can tell you that i ended up choosing DVR for a multitude fo reasons that many people wouldn't realize unless they did as much research as i did.
so for those still shopping for docs, consider these factors, which were strong factors in choosing DVR:
... he runs a center of excellence so his stats are reported nationally. i won't go into his stats, but trust me when i say that they're extremely good considering the number of surgeries he has conducted.
... he is not a private-practice physician. therefore, his costs are kept lower and your surgery is billed by the hospital (st. agnes). if you're on a 10% plan as i am, this can mean a significant difference in cost.
... his nurse, nutritionist (and soon a counselor) are all on staff, so you do not have to visit these folks separately. that means access when you need them, again lower costs, and no communication breakdowns between doctor and nutritionist.
... back to being being on staff with the hospital, he will refer you to hospital physicians, labs and centers for your pre-surgical testing. by doing so, again your costs are lower and results are reported immediately through the hospital's computer system. this cuts down on the wait time for getting approved.
... he runs an awesome support group. he solicits feedback from his patients and implements whatever it is we feel would be supportive to us... an exercise program before meetings, vitamin and protein samples, presentations from other doctors, etc. he is working now to get the hospital to provide a full-time exercise program for patients because he's appalled by the cost of gyms and personal trainers.
... his after-hours emergency number is his cell phone number! this completely shocked me the first (and only, thank goodness) time i had to call him during non-office hours.
... he's just a very nice man that has devoted his life to this cause. he's in this for all the right reasons and his advice to you is solely based on what he feels are your medical needs... not what will fill his coffers. although shy at first in a way that some find dis-engaging, once you've made a commitment, so has he and you will love him forever after.
that said, i read these boards for over two years before i ever set foot in a bariatric surgeon's office or seminar. i can tell you that i ended up choosing DVR for a multitude fo reasons that many people wouldn't realize unless they did as much research as i did.
so for those still shopping for docs, consider these factors, which were strong factors in choosing DVR:
... he runs a center of excellence so his stats are reported nationally. i won't go into his stats, but trust me when i say that they're extremely good considering the number of surgeries he has conducted.
... he is not a private-practice physician. therefore, his costs are kept lower and your surgery is billed by the hospital (st. agnes). if you're on a 10% plan as i am, this can mean a significant difference in cost.
... his nurse, nutritionist (and soon a counselor) are all on staff, so you do not have to visit these folks separately. that means access when you need them, again lower costs, and no communication breakdowns between doctor and nutritionist.
... back to being being on staff with the hospital, he will refer you to hospital physicians, labs and centers for your pre-surgical testing. by doing so, again your costs are lower and results are reported immediately through the hospital's computer system. this cuts down on the wait time for getting approved.
... he runs an awesome support group. he solicits feedback from his patients and implements whatever it is we feel would be supportive to us... an exercise program before meetings, vitamin and protein samples, presentations from other doctors, etc. he is working now to get the hospital to provide a full-time exercise program for patients because he's appalled by the cost of gyms and personal trainers.
... his after-hours emergency number is his cell phone number! this completely shocked me the first (and only, thank goodness) time i had to call him during non-office hours.
... he's just a very nice man that has devoted his life to this cause. he's in this for all the right reasons and his advice to you is solely based on what he feels are your medical needs... not what will fill his coffers. although shy at first in a way that some find dis-engaging, once you've made a commitment, so has he and you will love him forever after.
You did an excellent job describing DVR and his practice. He is amazing and you right he is there for good for his patients. He does f/u calls to his patients anytime even in the weekends when you are not doing well. I love that man with all my heart.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
I am who I am and accept my feelings wholeheartedly.
Those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind.
Cira 249/144.0 current/goal 154/ 5'3" 10 lbs below my Dr's goal
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