Need a Post Op Bariatric Physican

I am over 5 years out and I need help ASAP.  No goal weight was ever set for me and the lowest I got was 147 lbs - now up to about 174 lbs.  I would like to get down to be no more than 130 lbs but I am having a really rough time.

I would perfer a doctor in Macomb County and one that really gives a damn.  The doctor who did my surgery is in Wayne County and the support group is in a bad area that I don't want to be in.

I would like to see a doctor that really knows the needs of a bariatric patient - not one who just does the surgeries.  I want one that gives a damn and wants the best, but not one who is just money hungry by having the patient constantly come in and have unneccessary tests.

Hey Rhonda

It sucks that we have to scramble to find someone who knows enough or cares about us post op.  Many people end up teaching their docs what's what!   That said, I have a doc I love, the only problem is he's in Pontiac, but you'll only have to see him a few times a year.  His name is Tom Rifai MD, he used to work out of Unisource with Beaumont physicians, which is where I first met him and went through the whole process with him.  But last year he started at St.Joe's and runs the metabolic clinic there.  Here is his info.  http://www.stjoesoakland.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=12&action=detail&ref=11161

When I called to make my first appointment I had to convince the staff that I did not need to go through the weight loss seminars, they had to get approval from the doc to schedule straight through, but it was all worth it in the end.  But be warned your first appointment takes over 2 hours, it's extremely detailed, then he'll order your labs and you have to go back 2 weeks later for the lab results, but he is a great guy!

Good luck

Edie

I and many others have the same bariatric group as Rhonda, and I have to say that over the past year Rhonda is the only person I have heard make such claims about either the surgeons or their support group.

I found the Dr's.at HFH to be Intelligent compassionate and proactive when it comes to my care. Even to this day I can contact my surgeon via phone or even email and get a response. I am not sure how long Rhonda has waited to receive a return call, but I have never waited more then a day!

I believe that the Dr. you speak of will be taking over the Wyndotte bariatric center in the future.  
And I don't believe that they only do things with the focus of money as their intent.

You may want to check into the West Bloomfield Center I understand that they have a new bariatric center there, with different doctors.

Instead of bad mouthing the Dr. here on OH, maybe you should make an appointment with him and discuss your issues.

This is the only response I will post on this topic. Because I wont get in to an unnecessary debate over it!
Let's just say we have agreed to disagree!

Did I bad mouth my doctor?  FLAT OUT NO.  I believe that my doctor is so overwhelmed that they are delegating post-ops who are out one year to interns and PA's who are on rotation and do not understand the special needs of a bariatric patient.  If I had been given the choice of seeing another bariatric surgeon on staff I most likely would have seen them, as I had pre-op and during my hospital stay.

I guess my complaint is why should I pay to see a PA when I made the appointment with the surgeon.  They are not a specialist, so why should I pay them specialist fees?

Oh, and I have made the complaints before and I was flamed so bad I had to quit the boards/forums.  Perhaps you were not around when it happened and that's ok.

I hope that I have clarified myself.....

Dr Hendrick @ HFH Wyandotte is great. 

734-285-7420.

He may be able to help you.

 I really loved my surgeon for the first two yrs but I understand what you mean about follow up. I am a nurse and I know how some surgeons think. I thought it was great that he saw me for the first two yrs after even. I think my problem( and maybe yours too) was that we didn't look into long term and how many people do not know what to look for or how to treat complications that may arise. I must say that I have heard many great things from pts in the hospital about the surgeons out of Henry ford. They seem to be very caring and concerned about possible problems and thy will see there pts for yrs after surgery. Dr.Carl Pesta and his group is known for amazing follow up care. I have been dealing with some things myself and I just have to say that I understand what you are going through and I think that when most of us had surgery and did well we were not concerned about possible long term complications so we didn't look for doctors who dealt with this. This is the great thing about finding forums like this. We can ask questions and vent and someone may have the answers that we need to follow up. I appreciate everyone on here being honest and talking about there personal matters. 

Since my original post, I found out I will be losing my private fee for service (PFFS) and have to go to a prefered provided organization (PPO). Unfortunately since the Henry Ford Health System is not within the network of Humana PPO, I need to find another bariatric surgeon. I need to see a doctor that is in (or with) Troy/Poyal Oak Beaumont, Crittenton, St. John Oakland-Macomb Hospitals.

Rhonda

Don't  feel bad I got flamed by the on-line support group too. Seems they have an issue with people who participate in the OH on line groups. Or Maybe they just want to be in control, and as long as your a whiner and not productive your OK. but once you display any knowledge about WLS or offer alternative information. Those in control of the on line support group become offended or insecure and chastise or flame you then ban you from the group, if you try to make an attempt to stand up for your self. I have come to realize that group is just a click and if you don't fit in you are out casted! Then they make you feel that you can not attend the actual support groups at the center because they will be there learing at you. Or they have poisend everyone else against you and you views. (Their way and what they say is the only way)  SCREW THEM!

I hear that St Johns has a good program. But I just saw their doctor on fox 2 a few months ago. Don't know if they take new patients or not.

I also apologize for offending you in my last post. I didn't mean too. I guess it is just some of that net-a-tude where you can not see my expressions and I can not see yours, and our sincerity is compromised. 

Mary, no offense taken.  Things may be misunderstood unless you are there face to face.  I was basically complaing of making an appointment with my surgeon, seeing a PA instead and then having to pay to see a specailist when in fact I didn't!

But that is water under the bridge.  Now I have to find a new surgeon/bariatric physican who will be able to see me that will be a participant in my insurance.  I cannot afford to see someone out of network because of the costs involved.

So with that being said, I am looking!

Hi Rhonda,

Dr. Doyle at Unasource Weight Loss Center in Troy is part of the Troy Internal Medicine Medical Gruop.  He's affiliated with Beaumont, has a nutritionist on staff. He created and headed up the weight loss center at Beaumont before moving to UWL.  He's really wonderful and although busy, he spends plenty of time with you and asking/answering your questions.  His nutritionist is good too and they'll both help you set and reach your new goals.

The Troy Internal Medicine Group has been new to me for the past 11 months, my other PCP was doing nothing to help me and I spent the better part of last year in and out of the hospital with various problems.  My boss says sometimes you have to fire someone, so I did and canned my doctor of 13 years.  We finllay got things on track and it's been a while since I've called off sick to work, cancelled an outing with friends, etc. 

I don't know what kind of insurances they take, but he meets your hospital group needs.  You can reach their offices at 248.952.5083.  I would encourage you to at least meet with him once and feel him out, write down all your questions and take them with you.  If he can't help you I'll be that he'll hook you up with someone who can.

It's a hike from Shelby, but it's just as far for me to drive from the edge of Royal Oak/Ferndale.  I've found it has been quite the investment for me.

Keep me posted if you decide to go.

-Traci