Feedback Please about hospitals?

Has anyone had surgery at Maine General Medical Center , I’m not even sure if that’s what it’s called…I know Dr. Aslam and Trieu?  Do they still do Bariatric surgery at Thayer Hospital I’m thinking about transferring from EMMC. Can someone please tell me about program and surgeons? And how long it took to get surgery? Thanks, Kim 

May I ask why your thinking of transferring from EMMC?  Your the first person I have heard to do this and can't think of why you would.  Hope all is ok.

Because, I’m hopping to get surgery by December, and EMCC is booked.  Also I keep being told one thing and then another thing. I mean EMMC is a great hospital, I just need one that’s going to better work with me.

Hi Kim,     I had my RNY surgery with Dr. Trieu at MGMC in Augusta in August.  That is the only hospital that I'm aware of that the MGMC Bariatric Program is using for Bariatric surgeries right now.  Dr. Aslam retired a few years ago.  A close friend of mine was his last surgery patient.     The MGMC - Augusta Bariatric program is great!  Lots of support from the doctors and the staff!  Dr. Trieu is a wonderful doctor and keeps in close contact with his patients.  He actually gave me his personal cell phone # in the event I had questions or any issues.  And I did call him on it at 3 am one morning!  LOL   He will even call on weekends to check to see how your doing if he needs to.  I talked to him last Sunday!   Anyway, I think he's great.       Like most other programs, there are requirements for a referral from your pcp, an initial consult with Dr. Trieu, a Psych Eval, 3 pre-op Nutrition appts., 2 pre-op Personal Trainer appts., and attendance at 3 support group meetings before your submitted to insurance.  Once approved, you will have a final consult with Dr. Trieu with a pre-op physical, pre-admission testing and  paperwork, and will have to do a 2 week liquid diet to shrink your liver before surgery.        The center is a doctor short at the moment and I know that from start to finish, they are telling new patients that the time-frame is about 9 months.  Since you have already been through most of the testing, etc., you would probably be able to bypass alot of that time.      As for staying in Maine General Medical Center in Augusta, I thought the staff was very friendly and helpful.   I also had the unfortunate luck of having to be admitted twice (5 days each), but the staff was wonderful both times.  Also, Bariatric Surgical patients have private rooms, which is nice.        If your serious about transferring, call and talk to the Augusta Center and see what they can do for you.   You may want to talk to Lori (the Bariatric Nurse / Clinical Coordinator).       I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have.  Good Luck with whichever center you decide to go with.   Blessings, Yvonne    

Sorry, I can't help with experience with Maine General. My surgery was at Maine Med.  I do know that Dr Aslam no longer practices surgeries. It is noted on his profile here that he had to get done due to Malpractice insurance tripling.  My day nurse at maine med, called him a butcher.  I went through this process in 2003 and was trying to have surgery by him. I am so glad that Aetna denied me!! Things truly do happen for a reason!!

Thanks for all of your advice. But I think I had a mini-stress meltdown. I’m going to stay at EMMC. After all they are a center of excellence. Plus I did get in contact with the coordinator and she was great, she answered all my questions and gave me a big peace of mind. I’m learning that patience/understanding is the key to success in anything that you do.