Penn or Jefferson ???

Hi ladies and gentleman -  I need your advise!!!  I've narrowed it down between Penn (Noel WIlliams MD) and Jefferson (David Tichansky, MD) for lap RNY.  Both are excellent programs close to where I live and both believe I won't have trouble with Personal Choice. I really enjoyed meeting both surgeons - could not have been more impressed!  What would be your final criteria for RNY ???  One of the surgeons has more experience but both are well above the learning curve - over 500 and over 1000. Please feel free to pm me or email me if you would rather not discuss in a public forum - [email protected] - I feel guilty discussing these 2 fine doctors because I really like them both - and really curious what you guys think!   --Carol from Philly

I am a Barix baby however many folks from other programs frequent our support groups.  Noel Williams has a great rep, he's was doing WLS in the Philly area before it became trendy.  I don't know anything about the other doc.  Personally I felt the nursing and comprehensive program was better at Barix than any area hospital back when I had my surgery.  The hospitals have caught up somewhat now.  However, if you are ok with both docs I'd move on to their support systems as that is, in my opinion, far more important.  You need to be followed for several years after surgery by your Doc and Nut.  Support of other WLSers will be the key to your success.  You really should get a Psych too around the 18-24mo. mark as well as that's a crucial time.  Whatever hospital can provide all that is the one I'd go with.   Looking back, the surgery itself was the easiest part.

Thank you Jackie!  I am going to Penn's support group this Saturday and will also attend Jefferson's in about 2 weeks.  That will be a major determining factor.  The psychologist I saw for the psych eval told me the same thing as you - prepare to be connected with whichever program you chose for a long time.  I appreciate your feedback.

I have to second what Jackie said.  As a Barix baby, too, I was most impressed not only with Dr. Pupkova but with the comprehensive nature of the support system at Barix, pre- and (more importantly) post-op.  I also loved the fact that the hospital facility only handles WLS, so everyone you come in contact with knows the WLS issues intimately, and also that there are no "sick" (contagious) people in the facility - only surgical patients - which lessens the opportunity for infection.

The support system you'll need to truly succeed, wherever you choose, needs to encompass:  support groups (online and in person), nutritionists, doctor followups, exercise consultation, psych consultations, nutritional supplement supplies/guidance.  Part of that needs to be 24/7/365 phone "on call" to WLS-knowledgeable folks (your surgeon, your nutritionist).

Hope this helps!

Karen

Yes - it helps a lot.  I'm hoping to learn more from the support groups.  In the mean time I'm having the results of all pre-op tests sent to both places.  Penn a floor of the hospital specifically for WLS pts - Jefferson is a newer program but the team is super dedicated.  I hope I don't keep obsessing about this for the next 8 weeks. I've finally come to a point where I'm really excited about having the surgery and getting to know the other pts has been a great experience. 

Hi Carol,

I am a Penn baby, having my surgery at PA Hospot.  My decision to go to PA Hospot was based on the fact that I was close to 500 lbs, 49 years old, and have lymphedma in my one leg  I wanted to make sure that if anything went wrong there would be all kinds of experts there.  I was also born at PA hospot and had a panniculectomy there before my RNY.  I was scheduled for lap but at the last minute the surgeon had to do my surgery open.  As far as the care of the staff in the hospital, it is a city hospital same as Penn and Jeff and they are busy, but I got taken care of.  The office staff at the surgeon that I selected were extremely busy and they did the best that they could.  Because I had open surgery I had to see the surgeon several times post-op, then I didn't see him for 6 months, then one year.  My point in all this babling is that if you feel confident in your surgeon, let hiim do his job.  After year one he will be out of your life except for follow-ups.   I had some plastics done 2 years post and my surgeon did a hernia repair, so again my relationship with him continued a little longer.  A man that I work with had Noel and he never saw him again after the initial consulation.  I was told his staff does most of his follow-ups.  On the other hand, Noel is very published and has taught many of the barariatric surgeons that practice here in Phillie. 

Getting to the most imporrtant part, the support group.  I don't know about Penn in West Phllie, but the support program at PA Hospital needed a lot of help.  They have a great coordinator, who I have attended individual and private sessions with but the support groups not so much.  As all of the others have told you Barix is second to none with its support groups.  The people who are a part of the groups are loving, helpful and there is almost nothing that you ask that they can't help with.

Sorry to be so long winded but so much of what you are concerned with will all come together in the end.  Go with the surgeon that you feel comfortable with, attend the support group that is provided and then if that is not enough, Barix is always open to new people.  There is also a great group that meets in south Jersey (both live and by phone) but that is a fee based program with insurance re-imbursement after attending all sessions.

Good luck to you and please keep in touch. 

 

 

Jeanne

Jeanne - Thank you so much and please - no amount of information about WLS is too much for me. I am in the learning phase where I want to know everything and fortunately everything I'm hearing is consistent.  I just got off the phone with the friend of a co-worker who was telling me about her experience at Penn and as far as I'm concerned nothing is TMI.  I've heard great things about Barix and about your doc at Pennsylvania.  I hope to attend one of the Barix support group at some point just to meet the fabulous people on this board.  Thanks again so much and will definitely stay in touch!  --Carol

Boy am I gonna get whupped for this one but I spent one night in Jefferson this past december and it was the worst nite of my life.  I could be dying but don't anyone dare even think of taking me to Jeff they SUCK their nursing staff was so bad after I had my shoulder surgery I know you are talking about Gastric but OMG I wanted to get out of that bed and beat the living crap out of their nurses! And I am not kidding.  I have never, ever had any issues in any other hospitals like Jeff and a person who had their gastric at Penn told me they were horrible.  Now for the positive thing I swear by Dr Popkuva and Barix loved them. She was awesome and the nursing stuff I can't say enough wonderful things about them!  The were terriffi****ep in mind I am talking about the hospitals not the doctors to answer your question.

Hey - I'm not gonna whup ya!  I asked for advise and I appreciate it.  I'm sorry you had such a horrific experience at Jefferson.  Was that recent?  It must have been incredibly frustrating.  I know Barix is a great place but I just feel better going somehwere closer to home.  After your email I think I'm going to visit both hospitals.  Yikes!