Dr. Maguire's info seminar

I am attending his seminar soon and I was just wondering what I should expect?  First off, I can't walk very far. Should I bring my wheelchair or is it a short distance to walk? I guess its at Miami Valley South Hospital.  Will they weigh me in front of everyone or in private? I'm so nervous. Could someone just tell me what they experienced? Thanks so much!

Hello Bobbie,  I saw/went to one of Dr.Maguire's seminair when he was at Kettering and here are my tips for you.  Call Mr. Maguire's office  and find out exactly where the seminar will be, it could be at the office or it could be at one of the hospitals.  Then tell them about not being able to walk far and ask them about your chair.  I know when I went way back in 2003 there were several people there in wheel chair.   They will not weigh you at the seminar at least they never had in the past. Before I chose my doc I went to severa info sessions to check out different docs and NONE of them weighed there.  Here's what happens at most info sessions.  The doc goes over all the different types od WLS they do. RNY, Band, BPDS and what ever else they offer. They tell the pro and cons of each. They have some one there that has had each of the different types do you can see how life will be after.   They go over RISK and that yes you can die with ANY SURGERY.  Go over different insurance and paper work IN GENERAL.   There is a question and answer session. You are given a lot of paper work if you chose to use them and set up an appointment.  Here are several sites that might help  http://216.196.154.37/mvh/mvh.php http://216.196.154.37/index.php Good Luck,  Robin

Robin's reply was great.  I just wanted to let you know that, if the session is being held at the new MVH South facility (at Wilmington and Clyo), you will probably want your wheelchair since even the handicapped parking that I saw (granted, I was not specifically looking for it, however) was not right next to the building, and there are no rooms that I saw right near the entrance during the Open House that would be appropriate for such a session. Also,  I attended the info session with Dr Maguire 2 years ago when he was at Kettering, and then attended the one with my surgeon (who is still at Kettering) when I had decided to go ahead with surgery.  Both sessions were as Robin described.   Please do not get yourself stressed about being embarrassed or singled out at the session.  Everyone who is there is in the same boat (it's only a matter of HOW overweight everyone is), and the people who do the sessions (at both Miami Valley and Kettering) are very caring and compassionate Lora

I went to one of his seminars right after he moved to MV hospital. The seminar was held at the hospital so I would recommed taking your wheelchair. They did weight me, but it wasn't out in front of everyone. This was close to two years ago so things may have changed. Please don't worry, as said earlier, everyone there is in the same boat - you are not going to be judged..

I was going to say I went to Dr. M's seminar too almost 3 yrs. ago at Kettering. Robin has the info. down pat! Good luck and keep us posted!  Pam

Thanks for the replies, ladies.  I'm really starting to get psyched thinking that this might actually happen for me now! I will call as you mentioned Robin. Thanks again!!

HI Bobbie! Dr. Teel did my lap DS surgery three weeks ago...he's Dr. Maguire's partner. I attended the seminar and Dr. Maguire spoke.  He's very nice (kind of dry sense of humor) but very, very willing to answer any of your questions. You'll be happy with him. I attended the seminar in October.  It was NOT at the hospital but at a hotel close by...I'm thinking the Mariott?  They will send you a paper packet with the information.  Please make sure you read it because I was under the impression that they were now doing all their seminars there.  Also, rest assured that they are free of charge. They do weigh you when you go in but no one else sees it.  They are very "obese friendly" and understand such things. Next, they will give you a packet to fill out so take your insurance information.  Then, a lovely blond lady will discuss their program.  She's a DS patient and is doing WONERFULLY! You'll like her.  Dr. Maguire (or it could be Dr. Teel or both) will then discuss the three surgery options they offer...the DS, the RNY, and the LapBand.  Then, they have three people to testify to their own surgery...one will be banded, the other an RNY patient, and the other a DS patient.  You can then ask those three any questions you want about the procedure.   Finally, the blond lady (can't remember her name, sorry!) will ask if there's any other questions.  Here, you get a lot of insurance questions and program questions.  Insurance questions go to Jennifer in the office...who is also WONDERFUL, by the way. She's an ace at insurance information. After the seminar, you go out of the conference room and make your appointments with Jennifer and the other staff.  They'll tell you if you need to see a nutritionist (if your insurance requires it) and to set up your first pre-surgery consultation.  If you're not ready to make an appointment, you can just leave at the end of the seminar and call them later when you've made a decision. Overall, it's a good, educational experience and you get some great literature in your information packet that you can take home and review. Also, since you're coming from Chillicothe, you can take 35 all the way to downtown Dayton and it's about a 1 and 1/2 hour drive.   Please feel free to PM me if you have any more questions! Best of luck!

Sylvia, Great info.  You are right on the money.  The blonde gal (Debra Anderson) is the Program Manager for the doctors and a friend of mine from high school.  She has a profile here (http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php ?N=A1076149521) It hasn't been updated in a while, so it doesn't do her justice on her current weight.

Thanks for the reply with all the helpful hints, buckeyesylvia! I got my papers in the mail yesterday and it is at the Miami Valley South Health center on the 2nd level in the sunroom. You put my mind at ease some.  I hardly leave my house unless I have a doctors appt. so when I have to go places, I get a nervous wreck. So you can imagine what I'm going thru. But I know I got to get this done. I want a better life for myself.  Thank you again for all the information!

You are so very welcome! I'm glad I could help.  We're actually neighbors. Have you decided on which surgery you want? Dr. Maguire is known for being very pro-DS and has a wonderful reputation as a DS surgeon. When I was in the Miami Valley after my surgery, I had TONS of nurses and techs come in and say "I had the DS with Dr. Maguire and I loved him and this surgery." One nurse was 7 years out and looked amazing.  The staff at Miami Valley are FABULOUS! Best of luck to you!