Colorado Bariatric Surgery Bariatric Center

<font color="purple">I have now met with two surgeons, Dr. Brown and Dr. Tillquist. Dr. Brown took more time with me and seems like a great surgeon, but his office staff while friendly, didn't take care of business as far as I was concerned. And he is much more expensive than other doctors ($5k out of pocket.) That expense, however, could equate to surgery 1 to 5 months sooner than other doctors.

Dr. Tilquist, on the other hand is a lot more laid back. I already knew most of my answers but I found that he doesn't think fasting does much for you. He also doesn't require you stay off birth control for x time and he works through Porter Hospital. That was three things in his favor. I spoke with the nutritionist in Denver and she said everyone she worked with was a good doctor so I think it is more a chemistry thing -- who do you feel comfortable with. So I think I elect Dr. Tillquist -- more because of the office staff than anything else. I REALLY hate when I don't feel people have my best interest in mind even if they are busy. I'm still the most important person to me and I want to feel like it. So we'll see what happens with the dreaded UHC and go from there.

<p><font color="red>Dr. Brown was fine. In fact, I really liked him. The office was terribly busy when I went in and the wait was unreal. I was reading a book and he poked in and said "I hope we get to you before you finisht that". I like a Doc with a sense of humor.

Also, he gave some good advice. I talked about surgical sterilization. He recommended I wait until it was time for plastic surgery because then the hospital and most of the surgery would be covered and I would only have to pay for the plastic surgery part. Thinking ahead was a great idea.

He also seems to have the entire health thing going. He has a nutritionsist that is in his office. He also is just starting some educational seminars. Of course, he is much more expensive than the other doctors in Denver that I checked out. About $5k versus the $2k that insurance will normally pay. But my surgery date WAS scheduled for 8/6 (originally 7/30 until I had to reschedule for personal reason.) verses a October or November date with other surgeons.

Now for the down side. I went in on June 10th. My insurance is United. I was told I wouldn't have a problem and in fact I called United and was told I wouldn't have a problem. The office staff didn't submit my insurance until 7/17 or so. On 7/19 I was DENIED! I am upset that they sat on it for so long. Their answer is it doesn't really matter because an appeal will take 3 months at least so you wouldn't make your 8/6 surgery date even if we had submitted on time. What a crock! True or not, that is not customer service! I'm going to work the insurance issue and keep my appointments with the other surgeons that were scheduled AFTER I was supposed to have my surgery and decide what to do from there.

I can honestly say that my first impression of Dr. Tillquist was that he is a very nice man. I took my sister and a friend along to my first consultation with him in hopes that they might think of questions to ask that I hadn't thought of. He didn't mind at all and was very courteous in answering all the questions thoroughly. I have to admit that I was a little unprepared. I should have written down every concern and question I had. Instead I relyed on what was in my head (big mistake). But despite that, I think between the three of us we covered just about everything. I even asked the doctor if he might add and answer some questions that I hadn't thought of asking. Since he had been through this firing squad session many times before. He chuckled and added a few more that I had missed. I left his office feeling much more at ease about the whole thing that I had when I entered. My over all impression of him was that of a very competent surgeon. I feel I will be in good hands.
Now that I am post-op there is only one thing I don't really like about him. He is not too quick to volunteer any information. As long as your questions keep coming he keeps talking. But as soon as you run out of questions the visit is usually over. So come prepared with a long list of questions.

I've decided to switch from Dr. Snyder to Dr. Tillquist for several reasons. Mainly it is a lot closer to my home, and I'm already familiar with the hospital. And I have already done lots of research, I don't feel the need to sit through an info lecture to tell me things I've already found out on my own.
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I finally got ahold of Dr. T's office. I've scheduled a consult for September 3rd. I;ve also got on a waiting list in case there are cancellations. * * * * *
I met with Dr. T yesterday and everything went fine (except for the fact I left my papers at home, and since I was taking the bus/light rail, I didn't have time to go back for them.) The place was a bit disorganized as they just moved to a new office (I think next door to the old). My next tasks are to talk to the surgery co-ordinator and take my nutrition class. I even learned something that can help my husband (he had a RNY 14 years ago). Back then, they weren't sure that B12 absorption was inhibited by he procedure. Dr. T said post-op patients need to either get shots of b12 monthly or take sublingual tablets daily. My husband hasn't been taking his sublingual tablets-- he didn't realize that he couldn't absorb B12 from food and regular vitamins. Now that he know, he can take his sublingual B12 every day and he should be feeling much better soon. I asked Dr. T about the risks of having to convert to open surgery from lap surgery, he said he's only had to do that twice, and it's a risk of any lap procedure. I also asked him if the weight loss would help with dark hairs growing on my chin-- he said that if they are a result of hormal imbalance, it might help, however, if it's just a ethnic thing (I'm part Italian) obviously surgery doesn't change that. We also dicussed how long I should wait after the surgery to try to conceive again. (He said, once I am at the weight I want to be at.) Overall, I'm feeling very positive about going ahead with the surgery.

I have an appointment for an initial consultation on August 27th.


~~~~~~~8/27/02 Great first impression! He has a soothing manner and I liked him immediately. I brought my sister along and she had a great impression of him also. The office staff was very helpful and kind. They were moving into their new office space today and were a wee bit disorganized. My appointment was for 9:30 and was brought back to a room at around 10 to wait another 15 minutes. However he was in no way rushed during my time with him so I was satisfied. I was fortunate enough to get a surgery date for 11/27/02 exactly 3 months away. Wish me luck folks, here I go!

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July 18 2002<br>
I met Dr.Tillquist and it was a short and informative meeting ... I think he could tell that I had been researching the surgery on the internet also the surgeon... I did not have alot of questions. I felt he was competant and experienced. I guess if you do the same thing alot you become very proficient and was very reassuring about the whole procedure. I like him and he is very easy to talk to.

First impression on Dr. Tillquist was that he was a busy man. But after a few moments of talk to him, that changed. He spoke to me and a fellow "new patient". He answered all our questions and went in great detail where it was needed. He also was up front with all the complications he has had with the surgery. He and his office are very open to answering questions. The only down part is waiting about 3 months to see him and then 3 1/2 months till my sugery date...he is booked but for good reason. The class he requires you attend is good. Don't be afraid to speak up. Over all I think Dr. Tillquist is the best choice for anyone in Colorado. Ellaine is great at insurance and so nice!

Dr. T is extremelt knowledgeable about this type of procedure. I had all of my questions answered and never felt that there was something that he did not know. His staff is very nice to work with.

Have first appointment set up. First available was November 19! Eileen was wonderful. Will update!

Dr Tillquist was very professional. He spent about an hour and a half answering my 3-page typed list of questions. He was very open to discuss past problems and his experience. His office is very helpful. I already need to thank Ilene, Gini, and Diane for helping me, satisfying my need to know a million details. I have found that if you are polite, professional, and grateful, you get pretty far in life. Sorry to read posts from people knocking these ladies. I'm pleased to know them!

I met with Dr. Tillquist on June 11th. I feel very comfortable with him doing my surgery. Everyone was very professional and nice at their office. My surgery date is Aug 16th.
Eileen called me today (July 23rd) to tell me that my insurance company has approved my surgery. The doctor's office has been great! I am very happy that Dr. Tillquist is doing my surgery.