Portenier, Dana D at duke?

Thank-You Becky,      Sounds like I will be in good hands...It is so nice to hear such good reports about him!...~Mary~

Good morning,  I had DR Portenier at Duke as well.....and YES I feel that he is the BEST. He is very open ....and when I started having a few minor  problems he was wight there taking care of everything. I had my surgery on Feb 10th  of las year. I was 331 on the day of surgery and as of this morning my weight is 194.  He is a great DR. I think that you will like him.                                                                                                                      Stephanie  T.                                                                                                                        [email protected]

Hey Mary I hope to have surgery at Duke but it is taking so long. I had my first appt Dec 13th. I havent heard anything else. How long have you been going there?

Hi there!!  I have not been on here in a while.   But, I wanted to tell you that I think you will absolutely love Dr. P.   He is so warm and caring.   He has had a time with me and God Bless the man, he has been so patient.  My body has not done well after Gastric Bypass.  BUT, I do not believe that was because of Dr. P.   It has everything to do with how my body has reacted to the surgery.  He has called me personally when I have been in a lot of pain.  He talks to my Gastro whenever he calls him.   He is a surgeon, and usually surgeons main job is "SURGERY".   But, Dr. P has gone over and beyond in my opinion in my situation.  He is totally laid back and does not get worried about a whole lot.   That puts your mind at ease.  I know that has frustrated me a couple of times when I have been in so much pain, and he is so calm and cool.   But, thank God he is!!  Can you imagine the both of us freaking out? He has listened to all of my questions, spending more time than most people do.   He has been honest with me when he realizes that there is nothing else that he can do for me except for another surgery to look and see.    It is truly the other specialists that I see that makes my situation so frustrating.   They always differ me to my surgeon and I try to explain that Dr. P is not my Primary Care and he is sending me to that doctor for my kidneys, intestines, etc.    The other docs are afraid of me because of the surgery.  I think their simple thing is to "Call your surgeon". I am hoping that my 4 month check up next week that Dr. P can help me help my other doctors not bug him all the time.  Anyway, he is awesome...I have been in the hospital 4 times and he has come to see me each time.   Even when there was nothing that he could do about it.   He still tried and gave 100%.   You can't ask for anything better than that.   I would not want to be with any other surgeon.  Just my humble opinion.  In general...the Duke program is overwhelmed with a ton of patients.  So, sometimes the nurses and other people may be a little slower in getting to you.   But, that is not because they don't care.  I think it is because they have SOOOOO much volume and it is hard to see and talk to everyone.   Which, sometimes is hard on us as patients.    Beth and Brandy up front are the best!   GOD SEND!!   Barbara, Dr. P's nurse is awesome.    SO.....despite my set backs....I love Dr. P!!!! Caroline 10/11/07 Dr. Portneir