Drs Klingman and Averbach question

Im still on my search to find a dr and see about a revision. Next week I am attending the seminar at UMMC and meeting Dr. Klingman and I also have a consulation with Dr Averbach on Friday.

While I was watching some of the videos with Dr Klingman...It seems ALL of his patients do a 6 month diet? Is that true?

I also received paperwork from Dr Averbach's office with info about the 2 week pre op liquid diet.

I guess my question is to both of these drs require a pre op diet? My insurance does not require it (BC/BS Federal PPO)

Not really worried about the liquid pre op diet. Anyone have any other info about these guys?

Im just an info junkie and like to be prepared...especially since I can ask you all!

Thanks :)

I had Dr Kligman and he is AMAZING but he is STERN! You lose a lot of weight because his program works. You do have to do the 6 month diet UNLESS you have BCBS Federal then you do NOT which was my case. But it is WORTH it if you can do it. He is DA BOMB!!!! Good luck beautiful!!!

I actually went with Dr Singh, who used to be Dr Averbach's partner. I loved Singh. I saw both, but Singh was so much more compassionate, and caring. But both doctors following pretty much the same guidelines. It is a two week liquid diet to reduce the size of your liver, and other organs. Although the nutrionist will tell you that you can also have one small salad with a protein everyday too.

Dr Averbach gets a bad rap about his bedside manner, but he's really caring when you really get to know him. Initially his personality was a bit dry, but I have referred about 3 people who went to him and had GB surgery and absolutely LOVES HIM!!! I was originally referred to him by somone who had Lapband by him. You can find someone who's caring, charasmatic and funny, but doesn't have the amount of years of experience under their belt.

Ask them how many of these surgeries have they done? How many of those were complications? Dr. Averbach has a Center of  Excellence and I hear that's not easy to earn. Again I rather have dry personality because at the end of the day......you don't want the funny inexperinced guy cutting you open. Be careful with choosing based on personality. Try to get some balance.

I'm just really partial to Dr. Averbach. He's awesome!!! My scaring is not bad if at all visible, I healed quickly, post surgery he personally came to check on me everyday. He jokes now in my follow-up appointments. He's great......Dr. Singh is too I hear.


Edit*** Oh yeah, Dr Averbach didn't require 6 month diet for me, as Tricare didn't require it. If your insurance won't require it, Dr. Averbach won't either. Now with the pre-op liquid diet he didn't require it from me, so until you meet with him he'll determine whether he'll place you on it. I didn't have to do it, but it's to shrink your liver so they can operate more smoothly and manuever around it better. Again Dr A didn't require I do it.
~~Gina

I had to do the six month diet but that was because my insurance required....had to do no preop diet for dr. averbach...and once you get to know averbach, you will realize he has a dry sense of humor and is very caring and compassionate and very available via email and phone and office.

Averbach does NOT require the liquid diet. Only Singh does that now.

I went to the info session at UMMC with Dr Klingman last night. The presentation was pretty good. I liked him, but he made me nervous when I started asking questions. You can tell hes not fond of the band cause I feel he spent more time discussing the risks of the band than the rny...but he DID say he performs more rny than bands. I left a message to set up my consult...

The UMMC...WOW Ive never seen such a nice hospital before! I felt like a country bumpkin who just went to the big city for the first time! LOL

I still have my consult with Dr Averbach on Friday then I guess I'll decide which surgeon to go with.

I have decided I will go with the rny.

Judgeing from what I have seen here,, BOTH are GREAT doctors and have successful programs. Look at our beautiful Jilly for Dr Ks work,, and I am an example of Dr A's work. I am 100% happy with Dr A, his does seem a little "dry", but when you get to know him you realize different. When I had a problem,, and we first thought it could be an inflamed colon,, Dr A was all over it. No BSing around, in the hospital, cat scans, tests, and it was discovered to be a kidney stone. (good or bad newsnot really sure) If I had to ever need his services again,, for whatever,, there would be NO hesitation at all.

Tom

Thanks Tom :)

I decided to check out two doctors this time, thats something Ive never done before and didnt when I chose my band...but I was impressed with their program. Just seems Im not getting the support I need right now from them.

I dont know how I'll decide between the two.

You will get a "gut" feeling, no pun inteaded, on one,, go with that one. I checked out a couple of different docs and programs before I decided on Dr A.

Tom