Meridian Surgical Group Bariatric Center

Had to change surgeons. First choice has decided to longer perform WLS. My appointment with him would have been February 20, 2001. Dr. Inman was the first surgeon I could get an appointment with...May 6th! It's amazing that it takes 3 months to get an appointment for a consultation. After that, her staff said that I should expect up to 3 months (!?!?!?!) before getting approval (I am hoping it won't be this long since talking to my insurer and they said they can give approval over the phone)! And, once I have that...it can take 3-4 months to get a surgery date!!! Now I just try to patiently wait for my May appointment (with toes and fingers crossed for a cancellation to move it up! Ü I'd cross my legs but I haven't been able to do that in more than a decade! LOL).

Dr. Inman is straight forward and I liked that. I hate it when doctors beat around the bush and Dr.Inman does not do that. She was very up front about the risks.I have had many operations but this will be my first woman MD. I HAVE NO QUALMS what so ever about her or her ability.

I knew Dr Inman when she was a resident and i like her personally.. as a surgeon she is just great she was very informative she helped me with insurance denial.. and she is such a great support to me pre op.. i will up date you all after surgery to the rest of this!!!! Her staff is more than supportive the encouragement when insurancw denied me.. the help with questions is great.. we are like family yet i have met few face to face at this time.. The preop classes are wonderful.. they paint a pic that is not one to scare you but to show you the reality of your new life.. they offer support classes pre and post op free of charge.. it is like one big happy family there! The aftercare program is something you must commit to prior to surgery.. they have meetings 3 times a month and you must attend at least 1 per month and sign a form agreeing to this.. which makes you liable for not attending.. The dietican work with you at anytime. I have phone numbers, email addresses and fax.. so there is almost always someway to conatct someone. I am diabetic, high blood pressure, arthristis and 2 articical knees, have Reflux,on and on. and she said with the surgery i am adding at least 20 yrs to my life without I am cheating myself and my family of mom, wife and grandparent.. I would rate her 100% SUPER.. i love her like family already!! she is just a great person and Dr..

Very direct and to the point. She has done many of these surgeries. Very willing to answer questions. I liked the fact she was very experienced with the roux-en-y. She is also an experienced trauma surgeon which meant a lot to me incase something would happen to go wrong. She talked a lot about the importance of attending the support group. I only got to meet with her in the group setting. I had an individual session scheduled with her but she got called-out to surgery.

Dr. Inman was wonderful. She still is! She answered all my questions patiently. My surgery took 1 hour less than average. My hospital stay was 2 days shorter than average. I called her office daily after discharge from the hospital with one question or another.. from how much drainage is normal to questions about how to care for my incision and g-tube and what supplements I should be taking. Each phone call was returned promptly and I never felt like I was bothering them. I usually spoke to Dr. Inman's surgical nurse. The program for bariatric patients at St. Vincent's Carmel is very thorough. There is plenty of opportunity for education, support group, exercise class, etc. I meet with Dr. Inman and a dietcian regularly: 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 mo, 6 mo, 1 year. The risks of surgery were covered both in the initial orientation and the mandatory pre-op education class. Both Dr. Inman's office and the Bariatric Center at St. Vincent's provide excellent support. Everyone from the phlebotomist who drew my blood to the x-ray techs were very obviously sensitive to the special needs of obese patients. The chairs and wheelchairs were ample. At my first post-op visit, I told Dr. Inman I would gladly be her cheerleader. This is a first class operation! (no pun intended)

HAVENT MEET HER YET

She is personable and knowledgeable. She is very careful on her patient selection which is what she attributes to her success rate. I feel secure that she is capable of providing first rate care and make sure that her support team of OR, staff nursing and anesthesia are on their toes. Her office personnel were very nice and open to questions.

Dr. Inman is a caring person who has a no nonsense attitude. Her office staff is kind and helpful. I showed up on the wrong day for my 5 hour pre-op class, and Dr. Inman's staff bent over backwards to accomidate me. Dr. Inman's associates were also very professional and made me feel mentally comfortable by answering all of my questions. The hospital staff at St. Vincents- Carmel treated me with dignity overall.

I met with Dr. Inman on December 11, 2000. First we met in a group setting. It was immediately apparent, no question was off limits.

Dr. Inman and St. Vincent's had an excellent support staff at the meeting. They made certain my husband and I felt totally comfortable and relaxed.

She did an excellent job of explaining the various methods of WLS. She provided visual aids to help me understand the different processes that were available. She discussed the causes of obesity. She discussed those causes that are beyond our control as well as those that ARE under our control.

The doctor discussed the possible risks as they relate to the surgery. I went in understanding most of these things, but I also understand the risk associated with staying the way I am.

She explained that WLS is merely a tool. But, she did explain is could be a permanent solution to my life-long problem.

After the group session Dr. Inman met with each of us (who were still interested) on a one on one basis. She allowed me sufficient time to get answers to any questions I had that would apply only to me. I had several questions, due to some existing medical conditions.

I found Dr. Inman to be very knowledgable and straight-forward. This is an important character trait to me. I require this, far more than I do a good bedside manner. Give me competence and self-assuredness any day! Dr. Inman is also an experienced trauma surgeon. This could come in handy!

Dr. Inman stressed the importance of St. Vincent's aftercare program. I for one am looking forward to the support meetings she discussed.

I first attended a seminar given by Dr. Inman in March 2000. She came highly recommended and I have looked into a lot of things regarding this surgery and the doctors who do them. I signed up for the surgery and sat about to wait. She only does this surgery once a week, so it takes a long time. I would call and check in about every month to see where I was on the list. In December 2000 when I called I was told Dr. Inman was having trouble with Medicare. I then recieved a letter stating that Dr. Inman had not been payed for the last 30 bariatric surgeries done on Medicare patients. This caused her to have to change her policy. It requires putting up half of her fee in cash up front, then signing a contract that you will be responsible for the remainder of the medical bills if Medicare does not pay. She will fill out all necessary Medicare forms for you and should they pay you will be reinbursed. I see Dr. Inmans point of view concerning Medicare. I hope this changes for I really liked Dr. Inman. She is a very busy surgeon but came highly recommended. I liked her a lot. I do not feel like she has been treated or in turn her patients treated fairly because of Medicares lack of service!!!!! She covered all the aspects of this surgery and what you could expect, she also was very good answering any personel questions you had. I still hope some way this Medicare stumbling block can be corrected !!!!!