Help all Dr Macenas patients!!!

Ok I have recently(today) decided that I am going to try and get an appt with Dr Macenas. It will be at least 3 more months before I could get in with Dr tvetenstrand. So I want to hear feedback from all Dr M's pt's PLEASE!!!! What surgery did you have, what needed to be done pre-op, and what ever else you think is important. Thanks in advance Collette

I just called his office today and they are sending out a packet for me to fill out and send back in. Then you meet with the PN or NP and then Dr M. ;-) I am going to a seminar on the surgery for the lapband and hope to get this all done and taken care of asap.

I am 6 days away from having surgery and have met him2x's the first time ( honestly) he was quiet and to the point the next time he opened up more, everyone I know who has had him LOVES him. HE has a great reputation and I found out his rep is so good he has patients coming from NJ to have there surgery done you have to meet with a dietician (his, Meg she's great) and a psych you need to be approved for surgery by all three ~ their is then a 4 week waiting period after approval. then things go pretty quickly~ of course the insurance stuff takes a while esp if you have never doen the 6 month PCP supervised diet. but his bed side manner and the care for his patients is great( so I have been told) I will let you know for sure in 7 days check this forum out http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/forums/?ID=1061567695 and have you checked the comments section for Dr M? oh and the staff in his office are great~ we also have to attend 2 monthly group meeting before surgery. oh yeah I am having Roux en y do you know what you want to have? he also has a great presentation put together by him that he will show you ate apt # 2 usually Beth

Hey Beth - glad to hear from you. So you worked out your insurance problems? I want to have the RNY but I want it lap. Are you going to be open or lap? I already have all the work up done for the other Dr. So I hope that things will run really smooth all that my insurance requires is a bmi over 40 and previous dieting. I have met these so whats next. I am dying to meet you at the meetings we should catch a ride together. I have to drive through candor to get to ithaca. I have checked out his comment section(He looks to young) but it doesn't give me the personal stuff. Like diets before surgery what was done etc. Good luck on your surgery you will have to let me know how it is going. Did you have to meet with his psyc too or just anyone? Thanks so much. Collette

to funny~I was actually checking your info out the other day since you were from Owego! Dr. M is young I would guess mid 30's but he's great~ He only does surgery Lap so no worries there. Yes he has his own psych he is a little on the cold side so I've heard~ He was great with me but.. others have had issues with him if he doesn't ok you on your first apt with him then he will tell you to come back later. but if you were approved already by one psych I would say your prob good with him, just don't act scared, i thought he was pretty easy to get along with! you will have to do a 2 week liquid diet which really isn't that bad. Meg the dietician is great and really knows her stuff, she will give you a huge packet to follow it's called the WLS bible! he has recommened patients to loose weight prior to surgery, I did not have to though, but many do. the support groups are great the are every other Monday at the hospital in the conference room. 7pm is preop and 6 pm is post op many post ops stay for the preop also GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE

Hello Collette, I started the process waaaay back in April, and had surgery on Halloween. Yes, he sure is young - he is also FANTASTIC. Right after I came home I had to go back in for complications. At the same time he had a new post-op plus another patient in there with complications. The man didn't leave the hospital and go home for TWO days because he was making certain we were all okay. Meg put me on the easiest, most filling diet I have ever tried. REASON: surgery is safer with a lower BMI and less weight. I won't mention any names but "Dr. Strange" can be a bit intimidating for the Psych eval. Some people were pleased, others not so happy after seeing him. Don't take my word for this. I was reminded of my Ex from the minute I met him, so my point of view may be off. I had the Lap Roux en Y. I am down 85 lbs since April. 32 lbs since surgery. Clothes are baggy, knees feel great, off 10 meds, full of energy. His office staff are super too. I called with a question, they found out the answer and set my mind at ease. they were helpful with all the insurance paperwork too. Don't expect any of the intake and surgery date to go fast - it seldom happens. Dr. M wants us to be healthy and well educated prior to surgery. *** the times and dates of the support group meetings will be changing in January** If you have more questions feel free to contact me. I am more than willing to share.

Collette, I can't really give you mcuh more info about requirements (seems they were all covered!) I was and am pleased with Dr M. He has a very quiet bedside manner and is very reassuring. I saw both PA's and like them just fine too. I had my surgery Sept 19th - went back to work 10 school days later and haven't missed a day since. I have lost 60 pounds since September 5th. I started the process in March of 2006 and was approved for surgery the 1st week of Aug BCBS- just had to wait to get on the schedule. He is a good doctor. Joyce

Well Said Annette!!!

Hello, I had surgery with dr Mecenas on 10-24-06. I ended up with complicatons and was back in the hospital for 2 weeks and had an NG tube and 2 more surgeries. This is not to scare you-just give you the truth. I am down about 42 pounds since 10-24-06 and I do not regret having the surgery!! I love Dr Mecenas, he is a bit hard to read at first but he warms up very quickly and he really cares about his patients. Best of luck to you. Did you know that Dr Mecenas patients also have their own forum to post? It is just his patients. Jenn