Question:
I have only seen my surgeon one time in May 2003. Is this normal?
My surgery date is 10/22/03 I have seen my surgeon in May and I will see him on 10/14/03 and thats all. I guess I was just wondering if this is normal. Just curious. — Mildred M. (posted on September 22, 2003)
September 22, 2003
Hi Mildred, My date is 10/22/03 also. I wish you the best and quick
healing. I will not see my surgeon again til the 22nd and I have only seen
him once so that is probably ok.
— Tammy H.
September 22, 2003
I saw my surgeon on my initial consult and then did not see him again until
the morning of my surgery...JR (open RNY 07/17/02 -194# post-op -207#
total)
— John Rushton
September 22, 2003
I saw my surgeon only once before surgery, and then regularly thereafter
(after 1 week, one month, three months, six months, one year, and annually
thereafter). At the pre-op visit, he evaluated my candidacy for surgery,
and went over the procedure and any questions I had. Since I was not
required to lose weight before surgery, and there were no issues with my
pre-op tests, there wasn't any reason to see the surgeon inbetween the
consultation and the surgery. I'd say you're fine.
— Vespa R.
September 22, 2003
First off - congratulations on your upcoming surgery date! My surgery is
scheduled for October 23rd. I met with my doctor for a consult & have
my pre-op appt w/him on October 17th. I have met with others on his staff
though (his Physician Assistant & Nutritionist). Good luck!
— j A.
September 22, 2003
Fear Not - it's pretty common. I saw mine at his seminar and when I had my
consult, saw his PA. Never saw him again until 15 minutes before surgery.
I'm assuming you did your homework and picked a good surgeon which most
likely means he is busy doing surgery. We hire them for their cutting
skills, not bedside manner. I found comfort in talking to others who
are/were his patients - online and in support group.
— Donya P.
September 22, 2003
My experience has been the exact opposite. I saw my surgeon (Dr. Ralph
Crum of Norwalk, CT) at my initial consult, a few weeks later at the
support group meeting (he attends two meetings a month to answer our
questions) and then again on the day before my surgery. I have kept
regular post-op appointments (1 week, 1 mos, 2 mos, 4 mos, etc.), plus he
has made it a point to see me when I've had any other medical issues. He
tells us that the longer he can maintain contact with us, the longer he
believes we can sustain and maintain our weight loss.
— SteveColarossi
September 22, 2003
Meeting my surgeon was the very last step in my process. A nurse heads the
hospital program I went through. So I had to have a nutrition eval, psych
evaul, diet history, and letter from PCP for a committee to review to see
if I would be accepted as a candidate for surgery, once accepted I had to
take 4 weeks of nutrional classes then after I completed those they
assigned me to one of their surgeons, based on my BMI and weight I was
assigned to their high risk surgeon. I had an appointment with him and my
surgery was scheduled for 2 weeks later. I had previously had a sleep
study done and had already been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
— Sarahlicious
September 22, 2003
I only saw my surgeon twice before surgery. Once on my first visit and
then a week before surgery. I think that's pretty common. You should have
asked all your questions or mentioned any concerns you had by the first and
then the last visit before surgery. It gives you plenty of time to think
of any questions.
— Patty H.
September 23, 2003
I had my first consult on October 30, 2001 and my surgery was scheduled for
November 29. I had an appointment with the surgeon for November 28 for
pre-op but it was cancelled because of a bad snowstorm - so I didn't see my
surgeon again til the morning of the surgery. He came in and did a quick
pre-op.
— Patty_Butler
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