Portenier, Dana D at duke?

has anyone out there had their surgery with DR. Portenier at Duke? if so what did you think of him? please let me know good or bad..thanks ~Mary~

Hi Mary, I had RNY Surgery with Dr. Portenier last Thursday, January 10.  I was told by various people both at the Duke WLS and at Durham Regional Hospital that he is by far the best surgeon at the Duke WLS Center.  Click on his name under my Avatar and you can read patient reviews. With that being said the only complaint I have is that he did not come to see me right after surgery and instead sent the surgeon who assisted him during my surgery.  I complained to the nurses however and he came by about 10 minutes after I did so.  I have also been home over a week now and Dr. Portenier nor anyone at the Duke WLS has called to check up on me.  This is disappointing since I have had other types of surgery before with other surgeons, and they have always called me at home to check up on me - something that always made me feel better.                                       Hope this helps! Take Care, Marie

yes that does help ,i got a call today saying i was to see him on wed. they asked if there was another doctor i wanted but i really dont know any of them really and thought any of them would probably be alright.....you had your surgery on my birthday! ....i know what you mean about them not calling you... you would think they would? How are you doing so far?..~Mary~

How long did you have to wait?

Mary -

I have heard good things about him. You might want to check with "Cella" ... she had him.

I have to say that communication is not one of the strong suits of the program at Duke ... in my personal experience. Apparently, it is par for the course, that the primary surgeon may not come by to see you. I think knowing that now, I would specifically ask to have the primary surgeon take the time to come see me post surgery ... My husband will probably have RNY, hopefully at Duke and I imagine that we will specifically ask to have the surgeon come communicate with us post surgery.

I do not recall having DukeWLS contact me at home post surgery. Again, if this is important to you ... ask them about it.

Barb

Thank-you Barbara.... BTW your pictures are amazing....hope I do as good!   ~Mary~ 

Mary -

You are too kind. Thank you for your lovelyl compliments ... I imagine you willl!

Barb

Hi there, Dr. Portenier did my surgery 3/29/07, and I would absolutely recommend him.  He did come by my room the evening of my surgery day, and then again the next day as well.  He's a wonderful Dr, and made me feel like he was a "regular person" too.  He talked "to" me - not "at" me.....if that makes sense. Like Barbara, I do not recall anyone from Duke calling me at home post-surgery.  I knew though, that if I had any complications or questions, I could call in and get info if needed.   I wish you all the best on your surgery and your weight loss journey. Julie

Thank-you so much Julie, I really dont care if they dont call me just as long as they know what they are doing...lol...and will be there if i have any trouble, which i feel they will....sounds like Dr. Portenier is a nice guy....I will know wed . for myself ! ...my time is getting close......~Mary~

Dr. Portenier did my surgery on 12/20 and he did my DH's on 4/26/07.  We both really liked him.  Since Dh went first, he was just assigned a surgeon since we didn't know one from another, but I liked Dr. P so much that I requested him to do mine. He came to see me the evening after surgery, and every day that I was in the hospital following ( 3 days) plus, I was visted by other "baby" surgeons (lol)  several times during my stay.  I didn't get a call at home, but I did have a couple of concerns and was able to call the surgeon on call, who called me right back both times. My experience was great all around, I'd say, and I'd definately recommend Dr. Portenier