Dr Cole, Horseheads NY Criteria

Good Morning Nyers! A friend and I have chosen Dr. Cole in Horseheads NY to be our surgeon. We both have our consults scheduled for January of 05. I was wondering if anyone could tell us what Dr. Cole required pre-op, about how long the process was before you surgery was scheduled or occured and what was involved as far are pre-op testing. Since we have a bit of a wait for our appts, I would love to have some initial information, instead of driving myself nuts with questions. Any opinions of Dr. Cole and staff are welcome and Appreciated!! Thanks LeeAnn May God Bless every path you put your feet to

Hi LeeAnn: I am a patient of Dr. McKane who is Dr. Cole's partner. You can read about both doctor's by going to their patient forum on this site. Also, there is a group support meeting the first Monday (01/05/05) of the month at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center which is very informative. As for pre-op testing, I know extensive bloodwork is required, and a physical and I am not sure what else. I am just beginning the journey myself. (Consult was 12/6). After the consult is the intake where you meet with the staff (nutritionist, social worker, and nurse). Then you have to have a physical which is the point where I am. Pertaining to the staff, each and everyone of them are wonderful. I never felt uncomfortable with any of the staff. (Click on my name and read my profile.) You can also e-mail me if you want. Everyone on this messageboard are great in responding to questions also. Don't hesitate in asking anything. I hope I have helped a little bit with your question. Good luck in your journey. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Brenda

Brenda, Thank you so much for the information. I read through your profile and I pray all goes well with you on your journey to health and happiness as well!! I will keep watching your profile for updates and will be looking forward to that post that says "I'VE GOT A DATE!!!!!" LeeAnn May God Bless every path you put your feet to

Dr. Cole have to say you are in the best of hands and his office staff are very helpful. Dr. Cole is my doctor I had my WLS July 28, 2004 as of December 17, 2004 I have lost 75 pounds and feel great. I know if you're a smoker you better stop now because they check for that and if it shows that you have been smoking your surgery would be put off until they feel it's good to do the surgery. I remember getting my weight check also alot of blood work also they check your blood gases. I'm from Elmira, NY. which is right around Horseheads and I work at a hospital and, I did not have a problem with none of my paperwork. I had my surgery put off for a while because we were short handed at work. I was suppose to have my surgery later but. I had it move up to July 28, 2004 once we had a full staff at work also. I just want you to know that Dr. Cole does not do lap at all when you have the WLS it will be a open procedure. It really doesn't take that long you give them all the insurance information and they will handle it from there but with me working in a business office at a hospital. I was a few steps ahead of them I check with my insurance first to see if they approve the WLS and they did my paperwork was done real quick also it depends on what insurance you have. I had Excellus Blue Cross of Central NY I did not have any complications with the surgery it was the best thing that has ever happen to me also. I can honestly say with the epidurial I did not have no pain at all and when it was removed still no pain I didn't even have to take pain pills when. I came home I was up and walking the same day and when Dr. McKane saw me he said you don't need to be in the ICU at all. I have really done great I'm 6'0 my weight before surgery was 365 thats what. I was told and right now I'm at 290 but I got to get back into exercising 3 days a week and they do have a nice Weight Room at Arnot Ogden hospital if you have the surgery you can use the Weight Room it cost $25.00 a month and a trainer does show you how to work on the equipment and keeps a eye on you to make sure you're doing things right. I hope this helps you all I can say is that I was bless and I have sent alot of my friends and co-workers to him and they have had the surgery and doing great. I wish you both the best but you're in the best of hands with Dr. Cole and thats the truth. Angela Harris