Mount Sinai Hospital Bariatric Center

2/22/01 Well I am 8 months out since surgery and have lost over 150lbs. My nausea is finally gone. I have started living my life for the first time in many, many years. I can walk without losing my breath, fit into "regular" seats in movies, buses, planes etc. and I have so much more energy than pre-op. My social life is soaring because I am happier and want to be around people (and they in turn want to be around me). I am dating which is great for my ever increasing self esteem!! I see an attractive happier person when I look in the mirror, something I have been fearful of doing for years. I am making life altering decisions like deciding to move out of state which I wouldn't have done previously. Now I am beginning to feel I can do anything I set my mind to even if it is scary and risky. That is what life is about, living it and taking risks. Dr. H. is and was very supportive and thinks my 150lb weight loss is fantastic. I still have about 85 to go but know it will come in time. I will miss having the security of Dr. H. so I will have to find a new surgeon to take on my follow up care. I expect to move from NYC in mid June after my one year check up. I am so excited with all the change in my life. None of it would have worked if I didn't take that first step and decide on this life altering surgery. I wish anyone who embarks on this journey as much success and fortitude as I have been blessed with. Feel free to email me at [email protected] with any questions and comments.

10/12/01 It has been almost four months since surgery and I have lost over 100pds. It really is remarkable. I still have a long way to go but what a fantastic start! My side effects have been nausea and more nausea. I have really been hit hard with it and it is managable some days with medication. I also have very low energy because I have difficulty taking my supplements as they too make me nauseous. It is coming along, the weight loss is great and I am looking forward to more and more good things as I travel down my new road in life. I wouldn't change it for anything.

6/1/01 After a 3/01 cancelation I am finally on the road to surgery. Two+ weeks and counting. I am starting to get a little nervous and recalling last minute questions. Since I have had almost 8 months pre-op since my first consult, I think I am pretty prepared. I just want it to be done!! Looking forward to a new beginning!! Dr. Herron will be performing my surgery "open" instead of lap because he is concerned about the additional length of time on the table for lap, my previous lung issues, high bmi, enlarged liver (common in MO) etc. I was hoping to go lap, but understand and appreciate his reservation. I too was worried about the time on the table afraid my body won't cooperate. I am almost there!! Yippee!

3/01 Update: My BPD/DS surgery was scheduled for 3/13/01 but after reviewing my lung function tests, Dr. Herron canceled it for more asthma treatment. While I was extremely dissappointed by these events, I know Dr. H. only has my health and best interests in mind. I also ran into the doctor at a suuport group meeting and again he was very receptive to me by taking a few minutes out for discussion. I am reinforcing my support for Dr. H. and will hopefully be able to update you on an uneventful surgery with him :) I met Dr. Herron for the first time 11/16 and although I was frustrated because of the waiting time, he was very professional, friendly and informative. I got bumped by two other patients (the administrative staff did not transfer my file from an associate as I had requested twice previously). The wait was 3 hours and I was seething by the time I saw Dr. Herron. His nurse Diana was extremely supportive during my period of "distress" when she could have been dismissive. Dr. Herron listened as I vented and then we proceeded onto the consultation. Dr. Herron took considerable time with me answering questions and discussing precautions, risks, aftercare, nutrition, etc. His bedside manner was excellent (especially since I was in the crisis mode personally). Due to the long delays I had to leave abruptly. Dr. Herron later apologized for the long wait in an email. To date, I am pleased with my choice even though I have had poor experiences with his admin staff. Since the admin staff will not be performing in the operating room and I will be proactive and diligent, ensuring all the documentation required is maintained in my file, I feel very comfortable with the doctor and his nursing staff. These of course are my personal experiences and can not account for any other experiences except my own.

I met Dr. Herron, his PA, and his MA on January 31. I'm confident in my choice of surgeon even though the whole atmosphere in the laproscopic center is nuts!! And they told me it was a quiet day. Anyway, the front desk staff is not the most forthcoming on the phone or in person, but I can live with that. The insurance person returned a phone call last fall, but isn't returning them now for some reason. Dr. Herron had a sense of humor and that counts for a lot with me. He also responded to an email I sent the next day, and I find that most impressive. Wish me luck! My upper GI is next week as well as my psych evaluation.

I'd appreciate knowing from others if the endoscopy is really that bad.

Dr. Herron and Dr. Pomp are honest, personable, articulate, informative, good Drs and good people.

My impression of them has not changed

I like their office staff, Diana Gee is GREAT,very organised and responsible. I love working with her. She is the best person I have ever worked with in my 36 years as a Medical Assistant ( we both have the same "work ethic").

Future patients should know that they can ask Drs Pomp and Herron or Diana Gee or myself (Irene) any question and they will be answered to the best of our ability.

Both doctory stress the importance of aftercare with your primary care physician.

Visits to the Drs 3 weeks post op, 3 months post op, 6 months post op and 12 moths post op. Visits with the Nutritionist should also follow this schedule..

Both doctors stress the risks and benefits of the surgeries.

I would rate them both overall a 9.5. (The 10 I reserve for a General Practitioner I worked with back in the 70's)

Both their surgical competence and bedside manners are GREAT!

i like dr. herron from the first time i met him. he has only grown in my esteem. he has a terrific way about him. very kind and caring. he is an extremely skilled surgeon. he was wonderful at the surgery. he has been wonderful in post-op care. i had lap rny on 6/20/2000 and have had absolutely no problems or side effects except for losing 92lbs so far. i recommend him to everyone who asks me. i never had a problem with the staff. they have always been great to me. nicole siegel, his nutrionist is an angel. i usually contact them thru email and they always answer me back in a very timely fashion. much better than calling. best surgeon i have ever worked with

My first impression of Dr. Herron uhmmm, He was answering my questions so quickly like boom, boom, boom, I was kinda praying I made the right choice in selecting him, but he's turning out to be a good choice as I do more investigating, and I'm not finished yet ... I have a few more weeks before surgery. I guess he hears the same questions all the time so he was basically giving me the speach. But, in any case he was was very thorough and prepared in answering all my questions (even brought in paper to draw what my stomach would look like after surgery), he did not skim or shy away from "MY" high risk questions such as mortally rates, anesthesia fears, surgerical complications, types of proceures (Lap or incision) and he was very direct and honest, he also showed patiences in giving me time to think about my discisson of getting the surgery.

Overall impression ... no change, he seems confident.

Dr. Herron's immediate staff, Nurse, Assistant was great ... kind and answered most of my questions ... the front desk appointment people maybe because it was almost 5:00 PM quiting time they were somewhat more interested in getting out of the office on time then servicing me.

Have not reached that stage yet of aftercare.
Dr. Herron addressed all major facets of wls risk.

Overall I give Dr. Herron a rate of 90% his staff makes up the 5% and God completes them with 100%. I'm putting myself in God's hands not Dr. Herron's he's only the tool God will use to do the job.

Which is better surgical competence or bedside manner ... BOTH!!!!!!

Rumor has it, I was extoadinarily lucky, as I waited 10 minutes for my first consultation and was still seen before my appointment time. Everyone else I have talked to claims it is normally a 2 hour wait. I found the office staff pleasant.

My impression was that Dr. Herron is used to giving the WLS run down, so I am not sure I felt that is was personalized to me per se. I was also surprised that he didn't ask ME more questions and had me schedule surgery immediately following my appointment. Perhaps it was due to my "knowing I wanted to do this". I didn't feel any warm fuzzies but I left feeling Dr. Herron was more than competant. Diana his PA and Yvette, the MA were both extremely nice and pleasant. I was impressed with Dr. Herron's credential and reputation and am comfortable with my choice. To add a major PLUS, he accepts e-mails and responds rather quickly.

*12/21/01

Looking back on my original comments I cant help but think it must have been an off day. My surgery on 7/27/01 was a textbook lap RNY. They even asled if they could televise it to another doctor in Canada. Who would have thought I would become a movie star too. LOL

Dr. Herron is more than I could have ever hoped for in a doctor. He is both incredibly skilled and at the same time, extremely personable and compassionate. He visited me every day and called a few times in between. I recently e-mailed him re: medications as I hurt my back and he not only gave me the info I asked for but told me of his recent back injury as well and told me to call him for ANYTHING. When I saw him at my 3 month post op appt, he was great.

My first impression is of a quiet, concerned and professional doctor.
My impression of him only grew more positive with time. I had some hardship (physically) getting to my surgery date and he was with me all the way.
His main assistance Robin Kessler was EXCELLENT! Supportive, prompt, accurate and very caring.
He refrained from giving me answers to certain questions on the phone, alittle annoying. He is quiet and without alot of theatrics, don't perceive it as unwillingness. He is a wonderful surgeon and very sweet man.
He visited me in the hospital twice a day. I felt very reassured.
I was also visited by nutritionist several times. Alltogether I left the hospital armed with information and an accurate idea of what to expect.
We discussed risk, but I am very healthy so their wasn't much concern.
I rate him a 10!
Both competence and dimeaner count. But I would think competence should be first.

I chose Dr. Herron because he was the only doctor I found in my area who did the procedure I wanted (BPD/DS) and took my insurance (Cigna). I called during the first week of November 2001 and took the first appointment available, in February 2002! However, because of a cancellation, I saw Dr. Herron just a few days later. I'm accustomed to feeling defensive around doctors, but I felt very comfortable with Dr. Herron and his staff. We discussed the procedure I had decided on, the risks and benefits and the need for long-term lifestyle change. He agreed that the procedure I'd chosen was appropriate for me. I then met with Irene, who gave me forms and instructed me in getting the necessary tests done. At this point I'm happy with Dr. Herron and his staff, and I'm very comfortable with his level of experience and expertise. I don't need a lot of hand-holding (although I love it when it's given!), but I do want a doctor who is very experienced and competent, and Dr. Herron seems to be the man!

Finally I met him :) and he is real sweet! I have been crying for the past month, mixed emotions from not being able to decide on which surgery I want to have and all and Dr. Inabnet put it all in place, he is scandanavian by the way :) I was wondering too! He was great Yvonne was sweet as well, that is his nurse, I have not met his PA yet but if he/she is as pleasent as the rest of the staff there I will be one happy camper! The wait was kinda long, but not too bad, the Doctor took his time with me and I cannot wait to get my date!
I have met the PA, shes nice too, she always gets back to me right away. The only thing I am upset about is the fact that My surgeon decided to go out of town on November 2, so my date is moved to Nov. 6. Otherwise I have been pleased so far :)
11/17/01............BY THE WAY, MY DOCTOR IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST IN THE WORLD, I HAVE NEVER MET SUCH A KIND AND CARING MAN, THRU ALL MY PROBLEMS HE ASSISTED ME EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, VISITING ME EVERYDAY, SOMETIMES EVEN TWICE A DAY. I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH KIND THINGS ABOUT HIM AND HIS PA ROBIN KESSLER. THEY ARE TRUELY THE BEST! I THANK THEM FOR MY SPEEDY RECOVERY :)

Dr. Herron was pleasant and very informative. He addressed all of my concerns regarding having the surgery done. He let me know what my expectations should be and informed me of the possible risks involved. Dr. Herron emphasized the importance of post-surgical maintenance (proper nutrition, protein, exercising, and dieting). His office staff was kind, cheerful, and accommodating. I rate him an A+ (of course that may change...if everything doesn't go well with the surgery -just a good little humor)! I believe that both surgical competence and bedside manner play and important role in the progress of a patient's recovery...although the importance of a physician's surgical competence should far surpass the importance of his bedside manner. I could live with poor bedside manners. However, there is a slim chance of surviving a physician's lack of competence in a surgery such as this.