New Cincinnati Surgeon

Hello to everyone; My Name is Dr. Dirk Rodriguez. I am a new bariatric surgeon in Cincinnati and have joined the Deanoess SUrgical Weight Loss Center. I am proud and honored that Deaconess has asked me to come join their execellent program. I performe the Lap Band and Gastric bypass. I also do revisions of prior weight loss surgeries. I hope to bring new weight loss surgeires and technologies to the Cincinnati area. I hope I get a chance to meet many of you and help care for you in your search for help with obesity. Deaconess has an excellent program with a Nurse Practitioner, Registered Dietitian and a formal 5 year follow-up program. I am looking forward to growing with the Deaconess program.

Are you in with Dr Curry????

Hi Pam: Dr. Curry has established a private practice office across the street from Deaconess, his practice is Clifton Surgical. I currently am officed in the Surgical Weight Loss Center on the second floor in Deaconess Hospital. We are in two different offices. We are copperating and working together to expand the Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center program to make it the best in Cincinnati and Ohio. Dr. Rodriguez

Hello Dr. Rodriguez, A few years ago I went to go see Dr. Rudy Moreria about the surgery. I THOUGHT he was bariactric certify. I had the open RNY.Anyways, after I had the surgery, I was given a small packet about what to do or not to do. The only complication I had was the incision had partially reopened. He sewed it back up, kind of a sloppy job. There was no support group or nutientist to guide me. I followed up with him a couple of times and that was it. My heaviest was 266 and I got down to 155. After I have lost the weight, I got a tummmy tuck and breast reduction. I started gaining my weight back very quickly. I have high blood pressure, anxiety, high blood sugar (PCOS), and now getting migraines. I'm now on medication to control these issues. Now my weight is at 234. I don't mind going through the various tests that you need me to take, but I'm hoping that the insurance company can pay for it. I got an email from 1 of your patients that had a revision and she stated that her insurance covered the cost for hers. She and I have the same insurance carrier. So, hopefully you can help me on this because I tried Weigh****cher, The Fat Smashed Diet, South Beach Diet, etc. I even tried to excerise but I'm not losing any weight. I had received an email from Dr. Curry stating that I may need to pay for this on my own because the insurance companies do not pay for revisions. He also stated that I need to take a series of tests before he can consider on being a canidate for a band. Right now I'm looking around for a good weight loss program and I think I may try Deaconess program.

Hi there and thanks for the question. I am sorry that you are having problems and re-gaining weight after the gastric bypass. I would strongly recommend that you come to see me so that we can discsuss at length all of your concerns. Regarding insurance, we will not know until we submit a request for surgery. All insurance companies are different and just because you have the same insurance company as another person does not mean you have the same insurance product. I agree with Dr. Curry, before we can even think of doing a revision fo a gastric bypass, it is necessary to have a variety of tests to see what the road map of you internal organs are. This is not a decision or recommendation that can be made over the internet or on a discussion board. I strongly recommend you call my office 513-559-2545 so you can come see me and we can talk this over. It will be very helpful if you could bring a copy of your operative (surgery) report. You can ask your surgeons office for a copy. I hope I get an opportunity to meet you and help you. Cordially Dr. Rodriguez

My question also.

Dr. Rodriguez is the new director of The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center. We are not partners, but colleagues. I will still be seeing patients there as well is in my private office, but I'm not "the boss" any more. Dr. C

Hi Cincinnati, My name is Sandy Gose and I live in Oklahoma. Three years ago Dr. Rodriguez did my RNY and enabled me to regain my health. I had lost 100 pounds twice in 4 years and was back up to 279, on my way back to 320 when my PCP intervened and asked me to research bariatric surgery. There was one big group of WLS in Oklahoma City at the time but Dr. Owen asked me to look at all my options because the local group loved the surgery but did no follow up. He said if there was a complication, the patient was referred back to her pcp. When I approached my surgeon husband about my having surgery he was less than thrilled. Finally, he told me how difficult the operation is and asked me to find someone who did lots of them and had good outcomes. So I set off searching for a doctor who wasn't a jerk (my rule) who was really talented at this particular operation, who had a program to fullow up with patients. Dr. Rodriguez was the third bariatric surgeon I consulted but as soon as I met him I knew I had found the right one. I asked lots of questions and he answered them all. He treated me with dignity and kindness. He will do everything in his power to make you successful in your quest for weight loss including kicking your butt if he thinks you are not trying. My husband and I were impressed enough to ask him to see our 27 year old daughter last summer. He did a lapband for Jessica and six months later she has lost 95 pounds and regained her self confidence and her smile! It is very unfair that you have both Dr.Curry and Dr. Rod to choose from. If I can answer any questions please email me. Good luck on your journey. Sandy

Hello Dr. Rod and Cincinnati! I routinely check out Dr. Rodriguez's Patient Forum Board for messages from other patients, etc. and discovered he has now formally announced his practice in Cincinnati. I want to tell everyone how terrific Dr. Rodriguez is. You can't go wrong by putting your trust, and health, in this great doctor. He is an extremely skilled surgeon *****ally cares for his patients and wants each one to succeed. And, you will succeed provided you do your part and follow his rules ---- ALL THE TIME! Dr. Rodriguez performed an open RNY on me July 28, 2004. I am 53 years old. My heaviest weight was at 330 pounds. I lost a few pounds prior to surgery but not much. My weight now fluctuates between 132 and 135 pounds. I have gone from a size 32 to a size 8. I am now HEALTHY! I went from being barely able to walk to the curb at my house to power walking up to five miles without stopping. My aerobic exercise is dancing to "The Wiggles" with my precious granddaughter. (By the way, if you will get one of their videos and do what they do, you WILL get a workout!) She described me better than anyone else can. She was looking at pictures of the day she was born and everyone was holding her. She would point out individuals and say who they were. When she saw the picture of ME holding her she proudly announced, "that's me and who used to be Nanna holding me!" I am a retired Federal employee but went back to work a few months ago because I FEEL GOOD and want a productive life. I love working now! So many of Dr. Rod's patients are certainly going to miss him. Since I work for a major airline now, I am extremely fortunate to be in the position to continue seeing him for my checkups. This is my plan if he is willing to continue seeing this Texas patient. Please don't hesitate to send me a message if you have any questions and I will gladly talk to you any time. Best wishes, thoughts, and prayers for you Dr. Rodriguez. Cincinnati has drawn a winner! Kathy

Kathy; Thanks for your kind words. Call the Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center and set up a follow-up appointment at your convenience. The phone number is on my profile here on ObesityHelp. The staff here in Cincinnati has already been fielding calls from my Texas patients. Hope to see you soon. Cordially, Dr. Rodriguez