Anyone been to see Dr Savoie yet?

Hi Everyone....
I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has already been to see Dr. S.  I know the appt is 30 mins long and if you have been there, can you share what happens, please????  What does he ask?  Does he explain everything completely? There's lots of info about Dr B but not too much on Dr. S for obvious reasons.  If he doesn't hold info sessions, I wonder how much he can share with you in that 30 min.  Appreciate whatever you can share.  7 more sleeps until I see him......

hello,

I saw Dr S on his first day I think. To be quite honest, he didn't explain every nook & cranny to me but that's what i wanted. I've read books, I've known four lap band patients, I've studied it for years, so maybe that's why he didn't go into serious detail because he could see I was well educated. Even my mother said, he wanted to explain but you kept asking him all the right questions and filling in his sentences.

He gave me surgery facts, explained I would meet a dietician (which I need!). He explained I would be on shakes, we talked mostly about my health and which surgery was right for me. He explained I would sleep there the night before, I had to follow a strict diet for two weeks, i would get fills when needed, etc.

to be honest, it was his first day and he didn't get his groove yet I think. He was very friendly and to the point which I like.

Dr. B's info sessions are great, and I'm sure I would have learned alot from them, but it won't stop me from getting this surgery if I don't get one. I spoke to my best friend (who is  banded since 2005) and she told me the info session was great for her because she didn't know anyone who had the band and she was alone in the process. I have two good friends who went through it, one was only banded in September.

I mean it's up to you what you what to do, make sure you write down your questions so you don't forget because I forgot some!

good luck!

I guess I'm once again answering my own question...I just remembered that Scartears has been to see him and gave a pretty detailed explanation of what happens.  I wonder if he would suggest a procedure for you that may differ from what you want.  Like I think I want the lapband but I wonder if I would benefit more from another procedure?  These may be questions I have to ask him.  Does he do any screening..ie maybe he might think you're not a good candidate. Everything seems to be happening so fast and I worry that I won't have my ducks in a row when I go and may miss something important that I should have asked.  Worry worry worry!!

He asked me the following:

Whats your weight story? How long have you been overweight? what's your eating habits?
then he looks through your medication to determine what co morbidities you have. he discussed your health, both phsycial and mental.

Then he basically ask you what kind of surgery you would like. Then he offers his opinion on which one he thinks would most benefit you. For my age, he said the lapband was an excellent choice.

Thanks Scartears..you answered before I could get my posting up there.  I don't know anyone who has had this and probably would benefit greatly from an information session.  I will go through this site extensively over the next week and do other internet research to educate myself.  If you don't know a lot about it, you don't really know what questions to ask.  Hubbie will be there with me and I'm sure he'll question the poor dr to exasperation!

Casey,

Don't know how much of a reader you are but, I recommend the book:

Adjustable gastric banding- everything you need to know before and after surgery for successful weight lost.

It's by a surgeon and it's really really good. It talks about every aspect, from diets to mental health. The upsides and the downsides. It also has patient testimonials.

It's only been out since 2008! It helped me lots!

I wrote down everything I wanted to ask, leaving space for "short hand" answers. I didn't have to kick myself after the appointment for forgetting a  question or the answer either!

My nerves must have gotten the best of me because I did the exact same. I wrote down all my questions, leaving space for answers. I had a pen and was ready to go- somehow I forgot it all in the car!

I only remembered my note book,  because we are surgically attached!

I have an appointment with Dr. Savoie on Nov. 27th. I'd never even heard of him prior to his admin calling me to schedule an appointment and my family doctor had sent in a referral without telling me -- not that I mind!