Arnot Ogden anyone?

Hello,

I am new to the boards (been doing a lot of reading for the past several days here) and wanted to introduce myself.

My first consult is scheduled for October 2nd at Arnot Ogden with Dr. Rahman.  I was wondering if there are any Arnot Ogden patients here on the boards and if you wouldn't mind sharing your experience with me, I would love to hear it.  I have a friend that had Dr. Moon (whom she loved), but from what I understand, he is no longer with Arnot Ogden.

I'm nervous and scared and am looking forward to having a place to go that has been or is going where I'm going on this journey to the center of me!

Kristina

Hi I do not know the area you are speaking about but I am more than happy to be a part of any questions and answers you may have in regards to WLS. I am happy to share what has worked for me and where I am now.. Welcome to OH
Jennifer NY

 Thanks, Jennifer!

Arnot Ogden Health is in Horseheads, NY (Elmira area).  I was looking to see if there were others that had gone there for their surgery to see how satisfied they were.

Thanks!  I'm sure I'll have many questions as I travel this long road!

Kristina

Hi Kristina,

Dr. Rahman is my surgeon and I absolutely adore him!  I am pre-op and waiting on my surgery date.

I've added you as a friend so you can read my blogs about my experience with him.  If you have any questions, please feel free to msg me!

Kelli

Thank you Kelli,  I will definitely be checking out your blog!  I'm very nervous even though I know that I want this surgery so bad.  I am so scared I'm going to be the one that has a horrible experience or dies on the table or something like that!  It would be just my luck!! 

Kristina

Hi -

Welcome - I too am a patient at Arnot Ogden.  I see Dr. Grijalva in that office.  I truly enjoy the friendliness of the staff.  After your initial consult, you will then have to go for a 4 hour informational session, which is VERY informative.  Take a notebook to that one so you can take notes.  After that you will have your appointment with the nutritionist & social worker.  Each of these appointments are one on one.  Then, if all goes well from that, you will be scheduled for a physical with the Physician's Assistant and a follow-up one month later with your doctor to go over the findings from the physical.  After that I'm assuming that the insurance papers are submitted for approval and then you get your  surger date.  The whole process can take up to 6 months, but don't let that discourage you because it goes MUCH faster than you can imagine.

I have my appointment tomorrow with the PA for my physical....   Hoping for a surger date for the beginning of December....

I don't usually do a lot of posting, I generally do more reading and absorbing.  However, if you ever have a question, don't hesitate to ask.

Good luck to you.

Jean

Hello Jean and thanks for the insight as to what to expect appointment wise!  I had two options as far as places to have my surgery done.  One was Highland Hospital in Rochester or Arnot Ogden.  The process is much lengthier (so I am told) in Rochester, hence the reason for going to Arnot.  I had read where someone really didn't like Arnot Ogden and had a horrible experience with Dr. Rahman so I was looking for someone that did like them before I made any committments! 

I probably won't be a speed poster either as I like you, tend to read and absorb, but I'm sure I'll have my fair share of questions along the way!

I started a blog last night on Live Journal.  I guess I should probably just do it here.  I want to document my journey.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you getting a surgery date early December!

Kristina

Oh and another thing...I chose open because Dr. Cole to me was the best and everyone is entitled to their own opinion but TO ME he was and to have the best you have to make some choices and I wasnt concerned about the scar. I think my recover was just as good as anyone elses. I was out of the hospital on a Monday and was at my group meeting with 27 staples and a drain and laughing and having a good time with my friends so healing wise is all about the person. The scar that is left doesnt concern me Im proud of it because its a battle scar. The battle of obesity that Im fighting so to see it reminds me what I have and what Im presently going threw to be the person I really deserve to be. Besides it looks like a pencil mark its thin. He did a good job closing me up. Ok Im done now I promise LOL.

yeah, you're names not stampstalker for the heck of it!  Good to see you posting Jean! 

Welcome to posting on the boards lol.  Im a Arnot Ogden patient but my surgeon was Dr. Cole. I had open rny and I loved the job he did and how the office was to me.  I started my journey in January looking for a surgeon. I first met Dr. Rahman but I wanted open rny and he does laparscopic so I opted out and waited another month to see Dr. Cole and in the end I just had my surgery in August.  The hospital was great and my surgeon had my mind at ease. Sometimes I cant believe I had the surgery finally.  The office staff is helpful and they try to help you out no matter what. I could of had a local dr do my surgery but I opted to drive the hour and 15 minutes to Arnot and Im so glad I did.  If you have any questions I could try to help you out as much as possible. And try to think of questions you want to ask him. Like how long hes been doing this surgery, what complications has he encountered doing this surgery and whatever else you want to know. My husband asked my surgeon more question than I did like...how many people has he killed LOL he tries to have a sense of humor sometimes, also the percentage of leakages that hes had after his surgery is done and other stuff. 

Remember you are your own advocate. If you dont ask you wont know so dont be afraid you wont offend anyone with the questions you have!! Good Luck hon and keep us posted on what you think and what your gonna do!!