A little dissapointed with first set of appointments...

Yesterday I had my first set of appointments at Meadowbrook... Mtg with the nurse, mtg with the bariatrician, the psych eval, etc.
I'm kind of dissapointed with the information that they provided to me. I got the one nurse who hadn't had the surgery (kind of a bummer, because I was hoping to talk to someone who had the personal experience). And, no one there was able to provide me with information about how to pick the best surgery for me. When I then asked- will the surgeon be able to help point me to the best surgery for me?, they said "not really, this is something that you need to determine for yourself". I find that dissappointing- I was hoping that there would be someone there I could talk to about my current health problems (ie, acid reflux) and point me to the surgery that might work best for someone who has those conditions.

Is it normal for them to not help guide you at all? I mean, I'm all for doing my own research, but since they are doing these surgeries all of the time, I would hope that someone could talk with me more about the pros and cons for someone like me? For those of you who had surgery at Methodist- was there anyone there who gave you guidance on what might be the best surgery for you? Was it your surgeon, and if so, who was your surgeon?

Thanks!

I am Sorry that you didnt get answers. The thing is Yes you need to do the Research also. Do all the Research that you can and when you meet with the Surgeon ask as many Questions that you want to. You will get answers. All the Surgeons At Methodist are Very Good. I had Svendsen and he answered all my Questions no Problem. When you went to your Seminar did you not ask Questions? Best to do your own and when you think of a Question write it down. Methodist is very good you will not be dissapointed in the end. Just remember Keep asking Questions till you are satisfied with the answers

I would recommend that if your already dissatisfied you change Doctors/clinics.....

Of course I love my Doctor and staff and would recommend him.....Dr. Jeff Baker at Unity hospital in Fridley.....

Kelly

I just had the RNY surgery Wednesday and if your dissappointed with them I would swith to a different clinic.  I went with Dr. Schwartz at Mpls Biaratric at Abbot.  My experience there has been great and there entire staff is very helpful.  I even got a follow-up call from Dr. Schwartz 3 days post-op to see how everything is going at home  I thaught that was very cool (down 16 more pounds since coming home).

I have not yet met with the surgeon, but I have a friend who is further along in the process who  has met with the surgeon and did get some good guidance on which surgery to choose, based on his personal situation. This was after my friend did a lot of research over the past several months and had narrowed down to two surgeries- like myself- the VSG or RNY. My friend went in armed with his questions from the research and Dr. Jones helped him decide which was best for him. Your first appointment was more of a screening for your eligibility for surgery by the clinic standards.  You will have opportunities to meet with others to help define your personal situation so you have all the information you need to help you decide. I also believe once you have all this information,  the surgeon will be able to help guide you- not  tell you -but help you decide what is best. 

I originally went to my first appointment thinking I was sure about RNY. But after completing the appointments and tests, learning I had other issues (sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes),  meeting with the dietitician, etc, it gave me a deeper perspective into what the stakes are. I did not expect to find out I had additional health issues- I thought I was just fat and asthmatic.  I have also done quite a bit of research over the past 6 months and now am not so sure about which surgery to choose. I am compiling a list of questions for Dr. Jones so when I meet with hime (presumably after I complete my last of 6 dietitician appts on 1/31) I will be well prepared on what to ask.

Booo! That is the pits. I had a prior surgeon picked out prior to my current one and had some uneasy experiences with them. You need to find a group that makes you comfortable and who takes the time to answer all your questions.,even if you ask the same one five different ways. I am scheduled for surgery Feb 2nd with Dr. Schwartz at Abbott and one reason I went with him ia that he himself had weightloss surgery and his wife is there too so she knows life on the supportive end too. I have been so incredibly happy with them. Also I got the book "weight loss surgery for dummies" and holy smoked has it been a great go to through this whole process.

Forgive me in advance if you take offense to my thoughts here.

I think EVERY person considering ANY form of WLS needs to research the options.  If you haven't done that yet, you really aren't prepared, or ready.  It seems like each person 'clicks' with one of the surgeries when they look into HOW it is done, HOW works, and WHAT it takes to maintain.  If you haven't bothered to do that first, are you just looking for a quick fix?  'Do this thing to my guts so I can lose weight and get on with my life'?  I'm not suggesting you are, but it may seem that way to the professionals.  They want to know what you already know about the whole deal.  That you're not walking into it clueless.  They can certainly guide you once you tell them what you believe you want, why it will work best for you - either confirm your thoughts, or give you other considerations with other surgeries.

Just because you didn't come away from your first appointments perfectly happy with what you were told doesn't mean you should jump ship and look for another doctor.  What if they react much the same to your lack of preparation?  Will you go looking for a third clinic?  Or a 4th? 

Don't be offended - by ME, or by the doctors.  They truly DO have your best interests in mind.

Here's the deal.  This is about YOU.  YOUR LIFE.  YOU need to do the research, YOU need to understand what kind of of effects the different surgeries will have on your guts, how it will impact YOUR relationship with food following the surgery.  Because the surgery and the initial weight loss is usually pretty easy.  But once you get a ways out, the old tapes, the old demons start trying to make their way back in, and YOU are the one that will have to deal with them, NOT your surgeon.

Be prepared.  It will only help you in the long run.

I agree w/ much of what Darla said.  I spent YEARS researching and trying to decide which surgery was right for me.  I went to a couple of orientations before I found the program and doctor that would be right for me.  When I finally met w/ Dr. Jones he told me I was a good candidate for both surgeries available to me at the time (Lap Band and RNY).  I explained why I felt RNY was right for me and he agreed.  It was great to hear he was in agreement w/ my decision and validated all of the time and effort I put into making a decision but in the end I was the one who had to make the final decision.

Best of luck in the many upcoming decision you will have to make over the next few weeks/months/years.  This is a HUGE life changing journey that is full of ups and downs.