Anyone had Gastric through Duke?

I went to the general meeting at Duke for the bypass surgery and couldn't tell if they were excited about helping me or excited about having another "sale".  If you have had surgery with them, I would greatly appreciate some feedback.  I know they are a Center of Excellence, which makes me feel good but I really need to feel a fit before sending in my application fee.  Thanks for any input...

I had my surgery through Duke June 5, 2007. You are welcome to read my profile for details. I did have a complication during surgery, which was managed well. I was not happy with the bedside manner of my surgeon, but honestly, I'm much more interested in his competence than his beside manner. I think that it is a large practice and that you can "get lost in the shuffle" if you do not advocate for yourself.

If your insurance doesn't require you to use a COE, and you are uncomfortable with the "style" of the practice at Duke you might consider Dr. Timothy Farrell an UNC Chapel Hill, they are a smaller practice. Others in the area include Dr. Enochs and Dr. Moran who are in Raleigh and Dr. Mitchell in Pinehurst. These are all smaller practices.

I wish you luck in your quest for a healthier you. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Barb

Thanks Barb.  I guess I'm just scared as I really haven't found anyone in my family or immediate friends who are very supportive.  They all are quick to point out how super obese (BMI 56.1) I am, but they think that I'm taking "the easy way out" by having surgery.  None of them realize that you just don't go in, have surgery and poof you are instantly skinny and healthy.  I just know that for the most part, I will be on my own for the surgery and want to feel like the surgeons are supportive and not just looking at what they are doing as a job.

I know it must be very hard to have family and friends who are not supportive. I listened to the fears and concerns that mine expressed. I did the best I could to provide them information, but in the end it had to be my decision and it was.

I looked at the statistics surrounding my condition and the likelyhood I would die or significantly shorten my life if I did nothing, vs the statistics associated with having the surgery. For me, having the surgery was the right thing to do.

You are so right. This is not a quick fix. However, it does give us the best chance to lose the weight and gain control over our health. It has a statistically better chance than anything else today, that's why I did it. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in the summer of 2006. Now, it's considered "resolved" ... I'm no longer "classified" as diabetic. I can't tell you how pleased I am about that. I'm also delighted to be feeling so much better. I have so much more energy and stamina than I did even 6 months ago. I can't wait to see what the next 6 months to a year bring.

I think that Dr. DeMaria is very busy since he is the head of the department. He also doesn't have a warm and fuzzy demeanor, but he is a leader in the field and is exceptionally competent. I have met Drs Portenier and Pryor. I found Dr. Portenier to be very approachable.

I think that you will find that the nursing staff and psychologists are very supportive and are glad to make themselves available. You will also find that they have monthly support groups where you will likely meet others who have had or are hoping to have the surgery. On top of that there is OH and we have monthly support group meetings in Raleigh. I must say that I find most of my "support" through OH, some through Duke.

I wish you all the best as you look for a program that suits your needs.

Again, if there is anything at all I can do for you, please feel free to contact me.

All the best,

Barbara

My experience with Duke was not a favorable one and one of my co-workers who had the RNY with them wishes she hadn't, I will try to catch her tomorrow and find out her doctor there.  But for me? I didn't appreciate being lied to. At the time I was 450+ and they told me they couldn't help me unless i was 390lb. They told me that North Carolina didn't allow certification for surgeons to handle patients of that size and that no hospital had any equipment certified to handle that much.  I went through this again with Dr. Enoch.  Then I met Dr Mitchell who told me that is what some places say when they don't want to rish their good statistics with high risk patients.  But I felt the same as you. My husband had gone with me to the Duke Info session and before we left, he said, "I hope your not consider this here. I'm not comfortable with them and I would be afraid for you."   My friend who had the surgery is not happy with the aftercare they provide. She feels like she has been cut loose. But there are several doctors there and I'm sure each one has their own system

I forgot to add - my experience with them was 3 years ago, as was my co-workers surgery. We had both been doing to Dr. Enochs till he moved his surgeries to another hospital, that when I did research on had a history of poor quality ICU - which scared me for the risk factors.

So we both went to Duke, I didn't follow through, she did. A lot can change in 3 years

Hello,

 I had my surgery with Duke WLS on Feb 10/2007 my surgeon is Dana Portiner. I feel that he is a great surgeon. At one point I started having complications, BUT when I did he was right there on top of things. I know that Duke is a big practice....but for me in the end I'm making sure that my sureon is on top of his game. .....and he is.  My doctor is also a duke doctor and she is great....when ever I have a appt with either of them....they make sure that they talk to each other to make sure that I'm getting the best treatment.  I did feel very comfortabe with Duke doing my surgery.....I wish you the best in your journey                                                                                                                                       Stephanie ;

My husband had surgery with Duke on 4/26/07.  His surgeon was Dr. Portenier.  His experience was very favorable.  I will be having surgery next month also with Dr. Portenier.