Appointment with Surgeon at Duke

Hi!   I don't post often, but I do lurk all the time.   I appreciate all of you who do take time to post and offer suggestions.  I have finally received an appointment with the surgeon (Dr. Torquati) and was wondering if any of you have had surgery with him.
I know he is the newest doctor at Duke.   Thanks again for all of the wonder support!

Judy

Hey there, Judy!  I don't have experience with Duke or Dr. Torquati but I wanted to congratulate you on getting an appointment.    I know how excited you must be.  What date is your appointment scheduled for?  I'll look forward to hearing how it goes! 

Shauna,
My appointment with Dr. Torquati is January 15th.   I had my first visit with Duke on April 4th of this year and I am so excited the surgeon visit is almost here.   Thank you for your reply!   Take care and have a good day.

Judy

Hi Judy, I  was a lurker also.  Glad you decided to come forward and talk to us.  Dr. Portneir was my surgeron, but I have heard some very nice things about all of them.  Duke is the best place to be.  Don't forget that. If you have BCBLNC and you are going to be at Duke then there is nothing to worry about.  I had my surgery Tuesday,(2nd) and I came home Thursday.  The nurses  were always there and so were the doctors.  No complaining about the dr., nurses, but I am hear to tell you that you will be very sore,  So my advice is to walk, sip, rest.  I am moving around the house like a snail..   I have a 15 year old dog that is moving faster than me . Keep in touch....       Connie

Connie,

Thank you for taking time to reply to my email.   I'm glad to hear good news about the WLS team  at Duke.   I am looking forward to being on the losers bench.

Judy

Hi Judy,

I have not had or met Dr. Torquati, but have heard good things about him from others that have. He actually is not the newest Dr. at Duke. They have a new surgeon who joined them in October; Dr. Sudan. He is the new director of the program. From what I understand, Dr. Sudan is not yet taking any patients, but probably will sometime after the beginning of the year. 

I agree with Connie's assessment that all of the medical staff at Duke are top notch. That is not to say that there aren't great Dr's with other programs, but Duke has some of best stats around re: complications, etc... My husband will be having Dr. Dana Portenier performing his surgery next week and I had Dr. Eric DeMaria perform mine about 18 months ago.

I look forward to getting to know as you make your way... I often attend their monthly support group meetings, so maybe I'll see you there.

All the best,

Barbara,

It's nice to hear all of the good reports on the Duke medical staff.   I'll keep your husband in thoughts and prays as he begins his WL journey.   Thank you for your support.

Judy

HI Judy.  I'm in Cary, also!  I was just banded by Dr. Torquati on Monday.  I am completely happy with him.  I have had no complications from the surgery.  I checked out that night, so didn't need to even stay overnight.  He does have an Italian accent so if you don't understand something he says, just ask...he didn't mind that at all.

I've heard others say they really like him, too (I think he may have been in Tennessee before?)

Just let me know if you have any questions, and congratulations!   Vickie

Hi Vickie,

I'm so glad to hear from someone who has Dr. Torquati as their surgeon.   It sound like you were very pleased with him.   Thanks again for your reply.

Judy

ALso,, Dr. Torquati said he has never lost a patient, lap band or RNY....That sounded good to me!    Vickie