Dr. Patterson in OR Question about Post-op Care!

Hi All, Please no one take offense if this is your Dr. because it is mine too! I chose Dr. P. because I heard she was the top in her field as far as a surgeon. I also heard she has strict guidlines when you decide to have her do your surgery and you have to have all your testing...etc... before she will ever meet you. Also, she has the BEST POST-OP CARE! WHAT????? My 3 week post op appt. was with Sonja her PA and NOT the Dr. When I call and have a question it's Sonja who calls me back and not the Dr. It's not that I don't trust her opinion, it's just It would make me feel better hearing these things from the Dr.'s mouth since she went to Medical School for all these years. I was also told at my 3 week post-op that I will not see Dr. Patterson now until my 3 MONTH DATE.....what???? 3 Months then she wants to see me? Is this normal........and what about post-op care? Yes, they told me about the support groups and I have not been able to make one, but I will soon. But will she be there? Sorry, had to vent, I know other peoples Doctors have called them to see how they are etc......and they have appt's with them, not the PA. Well, I had to vent....THANKS! Oh, and have a GREAT DAY! Nadine

Hey Nadine, You are not alone on how you feel. Dr. P is a great surgeon and her office is swamped. I waited over one hour for my 3 month check up! So bring a book when you have appointments for your check ups! The support meetings are helpful but they are not run by Dr. P. The person that was running the meeting now has a different position so a nutritionist will be running them until they find someone else to fill that position. There is also a support meeting that meets in Beaverton the second Wed of the month. You should check that meeting out too! Email me if you want to vent more or if you have any questions! Julie 3-1-04 Lap RNY

Nadine, You already know I had another Dr. but I just wanted to pop in and say GEEZE girl....you look great! I am sorry to hear your loss is slow going....but look on the bright side....your skin will have more time to adjust to the loss, so perhaps you won't have the excess skin issues as much! I'm down 23 lbs and feeling really good, except for that darn sore spot on one incision. My goal is 30 lbs down by 22nd and I'll be thrilled....we'll see! Take care, Michele

Since Michele brought it up - even though it doesn't answer this question - I thought I'd just let you know that I feel your pain on the slow loss! I lost 17 lbs (and weighed about 100 more than you to start) in the first couple weeks then stopped dead cold and stalled for a couple more weeks. I finally dropped enough to get me to 24 lbs down in the first month, but it was scarey. I couldn't believe I stalled so early on. So take heart - I know it seems like you are at a standstill, and you may not drop it today or tomorrow, but likely you will see that you have a large drop in a couple three days that will make up for lost time. I still get freaked out and disappointed. I have been fighting to get the last lb off to make an even 75 for a week now. ::sigh:: Oh well. Downward is better than upward! Dina