Dr. Cole @ Horsheads NY
Hi all, first post here by me and I am currently going thru the intake process. Next appt. is 12/20. Any feedback on Dr. Cole located in Horseheads and how his office staff process paperwork would be helpful. They have been great so far, but i'd like to knoe YOUR experiance with them as well. Tks. Shawn
Shawn, Just warning here, buddy, this is going to be a long one! Dr Cole means a lot to me because he helped jump start my new life. I am who I am because he was honest and blunt with me. Here is what I wrote for my patient review: "My first impression of Dr. Cole was that he was a pretty straight forward guy. He seemed to be a cut-and-dry person; he didn't mince words. He was blunt. He gave me the facts straight and I really appreciate that. It's funny because the first time I ever met him he came over to the bench in the exam room and sat next to me. I was freaking inside. I was like, "Why is this guy sitting next to me??" And then he put his hand on my arm!! But soon I relaxed. He wasn't doing it to make me feel uncomfortable; he was trying to make me feel more at ease. It's a stressful time, to be going to the doctor to tell him that you're fat and are at the end of your rope; that you don't want "morbid obesity" to be on your chart anymore!!! Over time, I got used to Dr.Cole placing his arm on my arm, as a reassurance, that I was human and not just what everyone saw me as: A fat woman. I loved his office staff, and I still do to this day. It's funny, I'm post-op, and I feel like I'm bothering them sometimes. Not through anything that they say or convery through tones, but I just call them a lot. And you know? That's okay. They answer any questions you have with enthusiasm and encouragement! They're wonderful! As far as what I want future patients to know: Enjoy the process. It goes by very quick. Relish every minute of it. Your insurance WILL most likely cover this surgery, even if you have to take drastic measures to have them cover it! (I was approved after four days, so no drastic measures here!) Aftercare- Dr. Cole's office has a great aftercare program. They encourage going to the monthly support group meetings, you see Colleen up to the 5th week, and you have the opportunity to see Dr. Cole or Sarah whenever you need them. They are always available. That's what I appreciate about this program!!! Did Dr. Cole cover the risks of the surgery? Absolutely. He actually sounded like he was trying to talk me out of it! 
You know, though, for all the talking to he did to me about the risks and complications, nothing, and I mean NOTHING, could have prepared me for the emotions that I would feel post-op!! And the breaking of the bondage that I had with food...that was something I wasn't fully prepared for! People could tell me until they were blue in the face, but I just thought that I would do okay with that, and I did. I really did, but it was SO hard!!! I can't stress enough that you need to face your food demons and try to right some of the destructive patterns before surgery or you will have a VERY difficult time post-op. I MOURNED the loss of food and the fact that I couldn't eat a Tour of Italy from Olive Garden. How silly! But it was a real loss. I deal with food cravings and just substitute other healthy choices now. It is a constant learning process. Oh...but thank GOD that Dr. Cole's office is always available. The last questions is: "Which is better, surgical competence, bedside manner, or are both great?" I think, for me, surgical competence was the most important thing. Dr. Cole could've been this amazing, gentle guy with the best bedside manner of any doctor in the world...and have a lot of patients with horrible complications because he's a bad surgeon. Luckily, he's got both things nailed down: A great guy with the amazing talent and skill to operate on people and give them their lives back!! Look at his patients: They are healthy and happy because of his incredible skill. How would I rate Dr. Cole, overall? There is not a number or a scale on earth that could measure my appreciation and satisfaction with this man! I cannot express in words how grateful I am to him for taking such care with not just me, but with my family. He has touched our lives and has enhanced mine. I will forever be in debt to this angel of a doctor! Thank you, Dr. Cole."
That sums it up in a nutshell, Shawn. I still go every week or every other week to weigh myself. It keeps me in check. It's more of a check to see my numbers rather than a "Oh, let's see what I weigh now! I hope I've lost X number of pounds!" The weight will come off, there's no question about it; it's the nature of the surgery. My advice is to fix your eating habits and focus on that rather than weight loss. To date, in a little over nine months, I have lost 145 pounds. Am I happy? Would I do this over? Oh, yes. I can run, breathe, eat healthier, the list goes on and on. Good luck, Shawn. Enjoy the process!
Jen Halliday
You know, though, for all the talking to he did to me about the risks and complications, nothing, and I mean NOTHING, could have prepared me for the emotions that I would feel post-op!! And the breaking of the bondage that I had with food...that was something I wasn't fully prepared for! People could tell me until they were blue in the face, but I just thought that I would do okay with that, and I did. I really did, but it was SO hard!!! I can't stress enough that you need to face your food demons and try to right some of the destructive patterns before surgery or you will have a VERY difficult time post-op. I MOURNED the loss of food and the fact that I couldn't eat a Tour of Italy from Olive Garden. How silly! But it was a real loss. I deal with food cravings and just substitute other healthy choices now. It is a constant learning process. Oh...but thank GOD that Dr. Cole's office is always available. The last questions is: "Which is better, surgical competence, bedside manner, or are both great?" I think, for me, surgical competence was the most important thing. Dr. Cole could've been this amazing, gentle guy with the best bedside manner of any doctor in the world...and have a lot of patients with horrible complications because he's a bad surgeon. Luckily, he's got both things nailed down: A great guy with the amazing talent and skill to operate on people and give them their lives back!! Look at his patients: They are healthy and happy because of his incredible skill. How would I rate Dr. Cole, overall? There is not a number or a scale on earth that could measure my appreciation and satisfaction with this man! I cannot express in words how grateful I am to him for taking such care with not just me, but with my family. He has touched our lives and has enhanced mine. I will forever be in debt to this angel of a doctor! Thank you, Dr. Cole."
That sums it up in a nutshell, Shawn. I still go every week or every other week to weigh myself. It keeps me in check. It's more of a check to see my numbers rather than a "Oh, let's see what I weigh now! I hope I've lost X number of pounds!" The weight will come off, there's no question about it; it's the nature of the surgery. My advice is to fix your eating habits and focus on that rather than weight loss. To date, in a little over nine months, I have lost 145 pounds. Am I happy? Would I do this over? Oh, yes. I can run, breathe, eat healthier, the list goes on and on. Good luck, Shawn. Enjoy the process!
Jen Halliday Shawn, I just had my surgery on 11/22 with Dr Cole. He is a very thourough Dr. He tells it like it is. He is straight forward with warning you things could go wrong BUT they all have a terrific track record. The staff are very nice. They do all the paperwork for you after you get the documents you need. Dr. Moom and Dr McCane also may visit you post-op and they seem very nice too.
As per hospital stay==I think the worst thing was you really have to ASK for almost everything. Ask for them to help you sit up more in bed. you are truly hurting. Ask for fresh ice or fresh water. Ask them to please turn off the lights. I felt so helpless. And my headache was sooooo bad. The best nurses I had were Debbie and Cat. Dr Cole said to walk a lot, well the nurses do not have the time for you to walk a lot with their assistance! Once you are off the Foley and Iv, Make sure you have a support person there to help you with many needs. Good luck. Kathy
Hi Shawn,
Jen said it all!!!! Awesome post by the way Jen. He is all that, and so is the staff. He also saved me from myself. Dr. Cole is a gentle man who honestly cares about your health and well being, he is very skilled at what he does and does everything in his power to make sure there is as minimal chance for complications as possible, he takes every measure to ensure good health and results. I am 1 yr and a few days post op. I am down 103 pounds, feel great, eating healthier, breathing much better, have energy, and am in a size 8 pants. Never ever thought it would be this awesome. I wish you the best in your journey!!!
Shannon Arnold
257/154/130???
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