Trying to Choose a Surgeon

Hi everyone!

I've been a member for a while but never really made my decision on whether or not WLS was right for me.  Anyway, I'm now about 99% sure that it's time to make a life change and I'm trying to choose a surgeon and office.... lol.... let me explain.

I've spoken to the staff at Dr. Umbach's office and I've also spoken to the staff at Dr. Soong's office as a selfpay patient I can choose whoever I like.  Bottom line without me sitting here typing for an hour is I wasn't overly impressed with either office staff.  Soong's staff stopped calling me back or seemed ticked that I had alot of questions, perhaps I had the wrong staff member, who knows. But I made an appt to speak with Dr. Soong and I was thinking I'd be actually seeing the Dr but I saw the assistant. So, hey the Dr. doesn't have time to talk to me, I don't have to spend $16K with him either.

The first time I even considered this my Cardio sent me to Umbach's office and his staff was non responsive so I had to keep calling to find out about insurance and all the happy stuff.

How did you folks choose????

Your advice is truly appreciated!

Have a great day!

My doc was Dr. Umbach.  I loved him he was great as well has his staff.  I have read with Dr. Soong you will see his assit. more then him.  and Dr. Umbach has never rushed me and answered all on my questions. Best of luck. What surgery are you having?

Thanks for your reply Shana :)

I'm considering the bypass, I don' t know that the band is right for me and I don't feel as if the sleeve has enough history for me to feel comfortable with it.

Which surgery did you choose? I see you have 74lbs lost, that's TERRIFIC! :)

I had the Sleeve done 4-27-11.  I love it.  No dumbing no food getting stuck nothing.  I eat what I want just a lot smaller size and for me I cannot over do the carbs it is easy to gain the weight back. Loss about 5lbs a week. No side affects.  If you have any questions just ask.

Jersey67... I sent you a message.

Hi Jersey 67,

I went with Dr. Francis Teng. I had surgery July 14th. I really like him a lot. We do have to understand these doctors are extremly busy and sometimes cannot see each person until after they have gone to a seminar which I highly recommend, because there you get to ask all the questions you want. and the doctor has to answer them.   I went with the Dr. Teng because Dr. Atkinson/Dr.Soong would not do my surgery (revision) and Dr. Teng took his time with me and ran all the necessary tests needed before he even decided to do the surgery. You want someone who will do the tests first.

After you attend the seminars then you make an appt with the doctor, and go from there. Please attend all the seminars for each doctor and make your decision from there. They can help you decide which surgery may be best for you too. Every body is different and every weight lose is different. If you need any advise this is the place to get it.

All doctors have websites so you can find out when they have the seminars. Good luck and keep us informed.

Terri

Hi Terri;

I had gone to the seminar for Atkinson/Soong and was still unsure if WLS was right for me. I thought I was making an appt with the actual Dr and when I got to the office I saw the PA. So while I can understand Dr's are busy spending a few minutes with a patient is good practice in my opinion.

I am still doing my research and have not yet chosen a Doc I will keep posting and thank you for your input :)

Lynn

Good luck in your search. have you tried Dr.Francis Teng?

Have you thought about going to Tijuana Mexico? You would pay half the price for comparable care! You being in lower Nevada, you could easily drive to San Diego and get to tj if you needed followup care. Check it out on this forum under the international forum and click Mexico, I'm going in June. Just think about all the money you can save, and put towards vacations or plastics!

Before you make any decision please give a call to LV Bariatrics and Dr Bernie Hanna. The staff is wonderful and really seem to care. Dr Hanna leads the seminar and has a great personable presence. He has been chosen as a Top Doc in the area and is very good at what he does. I have been a patient since November 2011 and had the gastric bypass on 2/22. The staff even called to check on how I was when i was still in the hospital.

They have even started a walk for health group that meets once a month at various parks for patients, family, office staff and yes DR Hanna as well....The office that cares!!!

Good luck