Kaiser Surgeon Appts.

Hello Everyone!!! I was wondering if anyone could tell me what is was like to meet their surgeon?? I am a little scared. I have Dr. Moile on January 13th!! I am excited by scared by the unexpected!! have a great rest of the week!! Sarah

Sarah: Our first visit to our surgeon was nothing like I expected. We had done a lot of homework and had all of our prerequisites out of the way. Our surgeon is in Los Angeles and we had everything he could possibly want done up here and hand carried all of our test reports to the visit. Both my husband and I are having Lap RNY. My sister in law, brother, and my sister have all used our surgeon for RNY. My sister is a nurse and has worked with him many times in the past. So when we got to the appointment it was like old home week. Lots of jokes about my family. He told us that he didn't require my sister to have a psych eval because he already knew she was crazy. After all the laughing and joking aside we went into his exam and he talked with my husband first. He gave us a book of forms, instructions, etc. After examing my husband he did want him to have a echocardiogram but went ahead and scheduled his surgery. December 9th . Next my turn for the exam. I have had a major illness within the past three years that resulted in 7 abdominal surgeries, a series of small strokes, some visual problems and short term memory loss. I also had a colostomy placed at the low right side of my abdomin at the segmoid colon. I was sure he would deny my request and I though I would have to argue forever but what a surprise. We came to an easy agreement that he would begin with a lap procedure and if it looked good he would proceed. However, if he finds to many adhesions and not enough bowel to move around he will stop. I am at high risk for complications with another open procedure so we won't go that route. Dr. Powell says he thinks he has a 98% chance of getting it done thru the lap. My surgeon is very soft spoken but easy to talk to, He spent as much time with us as we needed and gave us all the pros and cons. I've been having some more medical problems with pancreatic and bile ducts and these problems have to be repaired before my RNY. I'm scheduled for 1/15/04. Dr. Powell has even called me a couple of times wondering how I am doing with this mess around the bile ducts. Don't take our experience as typical because I am sure it isn't. But we went really prepared with questions that needed to be answered and we left with more information than expected. We never felt pressure to schedule the surgery immediately and we were encouraged to talk with others if necessary. We had done enough research and sole searching to know this is what we want so we sceduled at that visit and then went out for a fabulous dinner in LA to celebrate.

I have Kaiser as well, I actually had my surgery with Dr. Kosta, but have several friends that had their surgery with Dr. Moile. Both doctors are very straight forward and to the point. They really push that you have to be exercising and that you are prepared both mentally and physically for this major surgery. They want the surgery to be sucessful for you.

I have Dr. Kosta for my surgeon. I'm scheduled for surgery on Jan. 13th!!! Dr. Kosta was very factual and straightforward also. I have heard Dr. Moiel speak at the support group and the orientation and, like any surgeon, he's not Mr. Wonderful, but as long as he knows what he is doing, I'm fine with it!!! When I had my consult with Dr. Kosta, I brought my Mom along as my support person and he was really good at answering questions and making sure we both understood all the details. I think it helped my Mom feel more comfortable. They really are serious about the exercise and diet. You have to have at least a demonstrated downward trend on your weight and keep an exercise diary. Best wishes and congratulations on getting this far!!!