New Center - need help!

Hello group, I am a bariatric surgeon setting up a brand new center in Ohio. I'm not looking to solicit business by posting a message on this board. What I am seeking is the expertise and knowledge of patients here. I would sincerely appreciate the help of you folks to give me suggestions on things we can do to make this center the best it can possibly be. No matter how hard we may try, we can't do it right without input from patients. Thanks in advance, Trace W. Curry MD

Hi Trace. I am in the process of waiting on insurance approval. I can tell you some of the things that I was happy to see or would like to see from the surgeon is someone ALWAYS curteous when answering questions. I would prefer that my dr/'s office would have at the mandatory meeting, if you wanted, gave you time to complete paperwork, and if you already had everything needed, took your information then scheduled a time for you to meet surgeon. If you had everything, your information could be submitted day after mandatory meeting, and maybe have insurance approval before your meeting with doc. If you also had everything, you got a tentative surgery date on the spot too. However I am a "I don't want to wait" type of person and when I set my mind to it, I want it done then. But hey...this was just a suggestion. Good luck in your practice!

I totally agree with the courteous part. Patients deserve to be treated with the same respect and courtesy that they show to us. I have tried scheduling tentative dates with my current practice and it just doesn't work. The time to insurance approval is so highly variable that 75% of the time we had to end up moving people who had already started making plans around this date. Thanks for the input, though. This center will be a self-contained bariatric unit so I am also looking for suggestions on hospital care, after care, etc. Good luck to you, Dr. C

Please, please make sure you hire some knowledgable clinical people. I had an experience where my husband (a month post op) was in some real distress, and was sort of "blown off" by a nurse, probably because he was calm and explained what was going on. She never took this information to the surgeon, but made the decision that his problem was not serious. To make a long story short, he wound up being scoped 2 days later with some debris and bleeding at the anastamosis, and stayed in the hospital overnight. I would highly suggest that any patients calling in with physical problems have their symptoms documented and reviewed with a surgeon before the end of the day. Also, I would suggest a form (a checklist, maybe) that outlines the steps a potential surgical candidate has to take before being considered for surgery. Although the previous poster would really like to speed things up, I do understand the reasons for protocols to be followed. Having a checklist and being able to check off things as they are done might make it easier for patients to understand what they need to do in order to get to surgery. The whole process can be overwhelming to most people, who are ultimately focused on having surgery as soon as possible. Also, putting it all down in "black and white" may discourage those individuals who just don't have the determination necessary to make the surgery work if they see what they have to do first. Just curious - where will this center be located? Sue Kennedy

Yes, we have a pathway for patients to see how the steps through the program will go. Knowledgeable staff is definitely a must in this field. I'm sorry to hear about your husband-it is problems like this we are trying to avoid. The center is located at Deaconess Hospital in Cincinnati. It is primarily a laparoscopic program. Dr C.

A good knowledgeable and caring staff is important but also a good support network is vital with a pre op and a post op link. So many times it is I do the surgery and you are on your own. email me for a good example of an local support group in Cincinnati. We have a local meeting tonight at 7 pm. Bethesda Oak

Our program is designed to have monthly support groups led by our dietitian for one year post-op. Do you think this will be helpful? Of course we will also encourage them to attend patient-to-patient support groups such as yours. Dr. C

My only comment is and I don't know the dietician but to say to make sure she is bariatric trained. Our needs are different than the regular people. I am not doubting her and I am sure she is qualified but I have seen a lot of misinformation. Also please make sure you have her give them a good solid food plan including what vitamins and/ or supplements needed at each stage.

I hope that didn't come across as arrogant. If it did I apologize. I am not trying to be that way.

I am soon to be a post-op March 3rd...will be glad to let you know any suggestions. Do you have an email address? With this new center are you going to be needing new staff? What better than a medical assistant who is post-op herself. I currently work at doctor's office in Cincinnati but would love to work with people going through this. Would love to hear from you Let me know if I could be of any help. My email is [email protected]. Good Luck. Thanks, Alison