Question for "self-payers"
Thank you for your warm welcome to the forum. As promised (threatened?) in my initial post, I have loads of questions. Here's a first bunch, addressed especially to those who have self-payed their surgery or are preparing to do so.
What kind of post-op medical care and general follow-up did you get? I know that if you go the public route at a hospital like Sacré-Coeur for instance, there's usually a whole program that's offered pre- and post-op, with nurses, nut, therapists, etc. But what happens if you self-pay? Do you have to find your own specialists for the long term follow-up?
I'm thinking of maybe having my surgery done with Dr. Michel Gagner - at Sacré-Coeur I was told the wait list was 1.5 year and I just don't know if I want to wait that long; also, Dr. Gagner has such a good reputation, I'd feel safe with him. However, from what I understand he doesn't offer a follow-up program and I just don't see myself leaving the hospital with the diet guide and having to cope all alone with the rest of the process.
So, how did it work for you after you paid the surgery (or what are you planning in terms of medical support if you're still waiting for the surgery)? In the same vein, if anyone knows any good nut, psychotherapist or exercise specialist in the Montreal area, I'd be happy to hear your recommendations. Especially if they have experience treating bariatric patients.
Thank you for your answers!
Monica
What kind of post-op medical care and general follow-up did you get? I know that if you go the public route at a hospital like Sacré-Coeur for instance, there's usually a whole program that's offered pre- and post-op, with nurses, nut, therapists, etc. But what happens if you self-pay? Do you have to find your own specialists for the long term follow-up?
I'm thinking of maybe having my surgery done with Dr. Michel Gagner - at Sacré-Coeur I was told the wait list was 1.5 year and I just don't know if I want to wait that long; also, Dr. Gagner has such a good reputation, I'd feel safe with him. However, from what I understand he doesn't offer a follow-up program and I just don't see myself leaving the hospital with the diet guide and having to cope all alone with the rest of the process.
So, how did it work for you after you paid the surgery (or what are you planning in terms of medical support if you're still waiting for the surgery)? In the same vein, if anyone knows any good nut, psychotherapist or exercise specialist in the Montreal area, I'd be happy to hear your recommendations. Especially if they have experience treating bariatric patients.
Thank you for your answers!
Monica
I don't want to deceive you, but the follow up at Sacré-Coeur is not very good... I went to a group nut class before surgery, got some guidelines. I had to make an appointment for a follow-up with the nut, but there is only one nut, and my FIRST appointment was july 29, 6 months AFTER surgery!!! I didn't go, as I think I have learn enough with all my research and I have a good knowledge in nutrition. Some people I know have seen her, and they say she doesn't know a lot about bariatric nut, she's kind of new to that. As for the medical side, I saw the surgeon once before surgery, and saw Martine, the nurse who did my pré-tests. After surgery, I saw the doc at 1 week, 1 month, 3 month and will see him at 6 months, then every year after. Everytime, I was less than 5 min with him. He weights me, ask if I have question and bye... I don't know if every doc is the same ( mine was Dr Denis) but the people I talk to seems to say that they are all the same. Dr Gagner is a very well known bariatric surgeon, but all the surgeons at Sacré-Coeur are very good surgeons and competent. I am very satisfied of the surgery but forget the TEAM. I created my own team...I go see my family doctor every 2 months, she does blood tests to check my vits and iron( the surgeon never ordered blood tests...) I found a psychologist, even if she doesn't have a formation for bariatric surgery, she helps me with my relation to food, and I go to a gym and get a trainer there.
I am curious about what the self pay will say about their follow up?
I am curious about what the self pay will say about their follow up?
Monica,
I'm honestly not sure if Dr. Gagner is performing surgery through the Quebec health care ssytem or not, that's a great question! If he is, that's wonderful for Quebecers! I wish we had even 1 DS surgeon in Ontario.
On the self pay and follow-up... really, the best way to maintain your daily health is to learn everything you can and become your own advocate ESPECIALLY as a DS post-op. Every one of us from Ontario who had DS, had it far from home. As a result, we have a very tight knit community who assit each other as best we can. Our surgeons are always there should anything critical arise or we need serous medical advice or intervention, but for the day to day stuff, really it's kinda up to you. None of the follow-up programs are stellar from what I have seen. I think you are so lucky living in Montreal because there are a whole TEAM of DS surgeons there that can help if needed. So my advice would be, find a local support group with DSers, make some DS friends or join on online support community. I created a forum for Ontario DSers. Of course we're happy to have anyone join and connect with us.
Gagner is THE BEST, you'd be in great hands!
Bev
I'm honestly not sure if Dr. Gagner is performing surgery through the Quebec health care ssytem or not, that's a great question! If he is, that's wonderful for Quebecers! I wish we had even 1 DS surgeon in Ontario.
On the self pay and follow-up... really, the best way to maintain your daily health is to learn everything you can and become your own advocate ESPECIALLY as a DS post-op. Every one of us from Ontario who had DS, had it far from home. As a result, we have a very tight knit community who assit each other as best we can. Our surgeons are always there should anything critical arise or we need serous medical advice or intervention, but for the day to day stuff, really it's kinda up to you. None of the follow-up programs are stellar from what I have seen. I think you are so lucky living in Montreal because there are a whole TEAM of DS surgeons there that can help if needed. So my advice would be, find a local support group with DSers, make some DS friends or join on online support community. I created a forum for Ontario DSers. Of course we're happy to have anyone join and connect with us.
Gagner is THE BEST, you'd be in great hands!
Bev
Hi Monica,
I had my DS surgery almost 2 years ago in Atlanta with Dr. Smith. Both his pre-surgery and post-surgery programs are excellent but unfortunately they are located in Atlanta so it is difficult for me to participate fully. However, his pre-surgery materials, presentations and consultations were designed to give me the information I needed to take care of myself post-surgery. He also sent a bunch of information to my doctor to help her learn more about my surgery and how to provide me with primary care.
Post-surgery, I have scheduled appointments at 1 week (in person before I'm cleared to leave), 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and every year after that (with a possibility of 18 months if needed). After 1 week the appointments are by phone unless there are problems for which he would want to see me in person. There haven't been.
For each appointment he has a long list of blood work for me to do and I get the requisition from my doctor. I send him the results prior to my appointment. I first meet with his bariatric nurse for about 15 minutes who goes through a long list of questions for me. I then meet with Dr. Smith who spends another 10-15 minutes or so. He goes through all my test results and makes any recommendations. He also gives me plenty of time to ask any questions. He then sends his recommendations to my doctor with a copy to me. If I don't comply with something he has asked me to do, I get a reminder letter. The appointments are getting shorter now as the number of questions I have decrease.
In between his appointments his office has been available for questions at any time. He also gave me a card to carry in my wallet that explains my surgery and how to reach him in an emergency.
He has an on-line support group that I joined for pre and post surgery patients. It is not that active but I get a summary on a daily basis. He has an excellent, really excellent, post-op support group program and I get the notices of topics but it is obviously too far for me to attend. Recently there has been talk of providing teleconferencing for these groups and I'm considering giving that a try.
I believe his program provided me with access to one free nutritionist appointment within a year after surgery. I didn't use it- I know what I need to do.
Frankly though, I learned a lot from the pre-op and all my reading that I feel I know what I need to do post-op. In addition, I have a number of post-op friends that have supported me (and I them) and we have formed our own support structure that is very helpful. While the groups are good, especially initially, you do learn what you are suppose to do and how to take care of yourself.
I have been through the process with Dr. Gagner with 2 patients who had their surgery with him and have met him several times. He is an excellent surgeon! He will followup with you at similar intervals, probably by email or phone. He does not have seem to have a formal post-op program so you will have to create your own.
Monica, we have a mutual friend in Ottawa and I would be very pleased to meet with you any time both pre and post surgery and provide you with any support I can give. I'm in Montreal quite often and would be happy to get together for a coffee and share all my materials with you. Our mutual friend can connect us by email.
I can tell you that my only regret with the DS is that I didn't do it sooner. Best of luck in your journey!
cheers, Corky
I had my DS surgery almost 2 years ago in Atlanta with Dr. Smith. Both his pre-surgery and post-surgery programs are excellent but unfortunately they are located in Atlanta so it is difficult for me to participate fully. However, his pre-surgery materials, presentations and consultations were designed to give me the information I needed to take care of myself post-surgery. He also sent a bunch of information to my doctor to help her learn more about my surgery and how to provide me with primary care.
Post-surgery, I have scheduled appointments at 1 week (in person before I'm cleared to leave), 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and every year after that (with a possibility of 18 months if needed). After 1 week the appointments are by phone unless there are problems for which he would want to see me in person. There haven't been.
For each appointment he has a long list of blood work for me to do and I get the requisition from my doctor. I send him the results prior to my appointment. I first meet with his bariatric nurse for about 15 minutes who goes through a long list of questions for me. I then meet with Dr. Smith who spends another 10-15 minutes or so. He goes through all my test results and makes any recommendations. He also gives me plenty of time to ask any questions. He then sends his recommendations to my doctor with a copy to me. If I don't comply with something he has asked me to do, I get a reminder letter. The appointments are getting shorter now as the number of questions I have decrease.
In between his appointments his office has been available for questions at any time. He also gave me a card to carry in my wallet that explains my surgery and how to reach him in an emergency.
He has an on-line support group that I joined for pre and post surgery patients. It is not that active but I get a summary on a daily basis. He has an excellent, really excellent, post-op support group program and I get the notices of topics but it is obviously too far for me to attend. Recently there has been talk of providing teleconferencing for these groups and I'm considering giving that a try.
I believe his program provided me with access to one free nutritionist appointment within a year after surgery. I didn't use it- I know what I need to do.
Frankly though, I learned a lot from the pre-op and all my reading that I feel I know what I need to do post-op. In addition, I have a number of post-op friends that have supported me (and I them) and we have formed our own support structure that is very helpful. While the groups are good, especially initially, you do learn what you are suppose to do and how to take care of yourself.
I have been through the process with Dr. Gagner with 2 patients who had their surgery with him and have met him several times. He is an excellent surgeon! He will followup with you at similar intervals, probably by email or phone. He does not have seem to have a formal post-op program so you will have to create your own.
Monica, we have a mutual friend in Ottawa and I would be very pleased to meet with you any time both pre and post surgery and provide you with any support I can give. I'm in Montreal quite often and would be happy to get together for a coffee and share all my materials with you. Our mutual friend can connect us by email.
I can tell you that my only regret with the DS is that I didn't do it sooner. Best of luck in your journey!
cheers, Corky
My Angel is BEV and she's been Super!
Thank you all for your answers. From what I hear, one of the only 2 reasons I had for going public - better post-op support - just bit the dust. The other one being money, of course. But as someone else on this forum said, it's like buying a car, and since I already have one, I might as well invest in myself. We'll see if my bank agrees with me!
Salem: I've emailed Dr. Gagner and he said he'd call me today. I'll definitively ask him about post-op follow-up and let you know.
Bev: I've been reading DS Facts, and it's a fount of information. Thank you so much!
Corky: I would love to meet with you next time you're in Montréal. Our mutual friend has had nothing but praise for you and judging by your comments on her FB status (I believe we've both commented on the same ones on more than one occasion) I think you're one cool chick!
Ok, off to work with me. Have a great week everybody!
Monica
Salem: I've emailed Dr. Gagner and he said he'd call me today. I'll definitively ask him about post-op follow-up and let you know.
Bev: I've been reading DS Facts, and it's a fount of information. Thank you so much!
Corky: I would love to meet with you next time you're in Montréal. Our mutual friend has had nothing but praise for you and judging by your comments on her FB status (I believe we've both commented on the same ones on more than one occasion) I think you're one cool chick!
Ok, off to work with me. Have a great week everybody!
Monica
Most Active
Recent Topics
