Sacred Heart Surgical Weight Loss Center Bariatric Center
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I must first say that any apprehension or fears I had are now GONE. Dr Lord instilled an extra boost of confidence and I am completely assured that he is the best person "for the job." He was not only compassionate, but displayed an acute sense of understanding regarding our needs and concerns. Not only was he thoroughly entertaining, he was highly motivated. Jan and the rest of the program staff all provided terrific amounts of information, and I feel like I am now even more prepared.I can confidently say that is quite possibly the best bariatric program the Navy and civilian world has to offer. The surgeon, staff, preparations, screening, and after care program are impressive. Dr Lord's reputation and accomplishments are well deserved.
**Update** I received the news that Dr Chastenet would be my surgeon. He and Dr Lord performed my surgery together. I was truly touched by how kind and compassionate Dr Chastenet is. He took the time to listen to all of our questions and concerns. He was very sweet, and a great addition to the bariatric surgical staff! I would highly recommend him to anyone.
My first impression of Dr. Lord was incredibly confident. I was a bit unnerved at first but then I realized he had the goods to back up the confidence. The whole staff behind the bypass surgeons is remarkable. Jan and Chris are phenomenal. Know that everyone at the program at Portsmouth isn't going to candy-coat anything for you. They are going to be real and expect the same from you. The program is structured for ultimate success if you follow their instructions. All the pros and cons including risks are layed out in front and they emphasis your role in the process. Overall, besides the HUGE waiting list the program is well worth the wait.
First, My surgeon was originally Dr. Mark Fontana. He is whom I have had all my appointments with , up to this point. He was so comforting, and knowlegable. However, he will be leaving the hospital before my surgery, and will not be able to participate. Dr. Jeffory Lord, is now my surgeon, and he "Had me from Hello" I guess you can say. He was the Doctor who did my orietation, and I think some may of found him over confident. But I found him to be reassuring. He does not sugar coat things, yet he is warm and kind. Some, I think want to be "babied" and hear only positive, this is not reality.This is in fact a very serious surgery, and there are many risks. However, I have never had surgery, EVER, and I feel completly comfortable with Dr. Lord, and his staff. Jan Carlo RN, she is the best. 1 person, who manages us all. And, there isn't anyone better! To all future patients, if you are lucky enough as I was, to find such a wonderful program as there is at the Portsmouth naval, do not hestiate. The pre op informtion is wonderful, all the doctors are wonderful, and I am confident in saying that I do not think that there is a better program out there. I am sure many surgeons are capable of preforming this surgery, but will they take the time and effort to completly educate their patients so that they have the best chances at a succesful "new" life. If I had to put a rating on Dr. Lord and his staff, and program, 1-10, I would give them a 15!! However, the surgeon' only do a part, it is YOU that has to change your life. Make sure you have all the support you need. And don't ever be afraid to aske questions!!
My first impression of Dr. Lord was that he was very confident in his abilities. My opionion has not changed as he has proven to be an outstanding surgeion. The entire staff is wonderful and very helpful, especially Jan the nurse and Nancy the nutritionist. As a new patient you should know that Dr. Lord is a no nonense physician. He insists on total compliance but not obnoxious if you fail to do everything you should. You are required to keep your follow-up appointments and he is always willing to answer all your questions. Dr. Lord ensures that his patients knows the risks of surgery before, during and after the surgery is completed. Overall, I think he is a wonderful, competent, very experienced surgeon. His specialty is the Laproscopic RNY. I have found his bedside manner to be great and would highly recommend him and any of the other physicians at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. The wait is long but worth it. The program is organized and complications are very low.
I have not listed any negative comments because I have none other than the wait is long. For me that was not a negative because in the 18 months I waited, I was able to fully prepare myself for the sugery. With one nurse (Jan), I am amazed that as patients we have access to her and so much information. Dr. Lord saved my life and for that I am grateful.
I have had three doctors for my surgery. I started out with Dr. Bissel. I was glad he didn't operate on me. Then I had Dr. Spencer. He is a good surgeon. Many other surgeons would have given up after the first 3 hours of trying to get my gallstone out lapriscopically before they continued on with the gastric bypass. Then we come to my third Doctor. If you noticed I spelled it with a capital D. I can ask Dr. Lord anything. I am confident that he will not become frustrated when he is asked questions. I have seen in the past that some doctors get a little upset if you question them. This has always led me to believe that the person was not as well educated or skilled in the subject. I have full confidence that Dr. Lord knows what he is talking about. He has never gotten angry or frustrated at any questions that I have seen asked of him. I have also heard him answer questions that I have not been able to get answers to before, or the answer was so vague that it really wasn't an answer. He has operated on some of my friends and his professionalism is above reproach, not to mention his skill level. All I can say is that if you are lucky enough to have Doctor Lord then feel free to ask all the questions you need to and get ready for an educated, well versed bedside mannered complete package doctor.
The Office is a little hard to get through because of the volume of patients. Janice does have an emergency number for patients to call incase there is a problem. She is responsive to any problems that you have. I have had some problems getting scheduled for appointments, but I am hoping that they will work out their systems for after care appointments. Although I have had this problem many others have not. It just may be the patient. As a last note I have to say that the thing I didn't like about Dr. Lord is that he is so intelligent and caring that you could feel bad if you didn't do what he asked of you. But then again I guess that deters you from doing the wrong thing.
My 1st impression came about by 1st word of mouth - I've been told repeatedly that he is suppose to be one of the best in the country, and the navy has been awaiting his arrival for quite some time now. Every one in the staff is quite supportive and "fat friendly". :) Dr. Lord TRULY imphasizes complete aftercare, and made me feel very secure that if ANYTHING at all went wrong that he would fix it immediatly. There are also a few test that MUST be past before Dr. Lord allows his patients to be dicharges after surgery, if you don't pass, you don't go home: Suture leak test, and a few other test. I went into my OR consult visit with him feeling a bit questionable about getting this surgery, but after speaking extensively with him, I left feeling 100% ok and excited about having my surgery done, EXSPECIALLY BY HIM. All of the risk of the surgery were completely explained, repeatedly. Plus I took the liberty to do my own research on GB.
My first impression of Dr. Lord was WOW this guy is really confident in himself, a bit too cocky. I thought he might be taking his surname literally. But you know what, I WAS WRONG.
Dr. Lord is cocky but it’s a confidence in his abilities kind of cocky not an ego thing. He knows he is good at what he does and wants to reassure his patients that they are in good hands. I think his chosen field stems from his honest need to help others. He reassures his patients and his cockiness makes you feel confident in his abilities so you don't have to worry about that before surgery.
He is an exceptional Doctor. He is compassionate but not overly sensitive, he will tell it to you straight, but is tactful and informative in his approach. It still isn't easy to hear some of the things they need to tell you about your weight and health though. However, I feel he truly has me and my heath in the forefront of his mind, not his ego.
Dr. Lord and all of the bariatric staff at Portsmouth are wonderful. All have been very helpful, an infinite source of information and compassion, and overall there for me. No question went unanswered or was 'stupid'. They even answered the same questions a few times for reassurance!
Dr. Lord and the bariatric program at Portsmouth stresses educating yourself on the surgery and risks and requires you to maintain contact with them for at least one year after your surgery. They have made it clear that I am not alone in this, that we are a team! As for the risks, most of us spent a year in pre-op classes and support groups that discussed all aspects of the surgery and gave us the ability to 'really consider' all issues involved.
I would rate the bariatric team at Portsmouth that is Dr. Lord and Dr. Fontana, Jan Carlo, Christine Zirpoli and Elizabeth Hain as well as all of the nursing staff and surgical residents as some of the best I have come across. They are compassionate, sincere, informative, and friendly.
If I could change something, it would be the amount of time spent waiting for the surgery and I would want to spend maybe one more day in the hospital. They did pamper me, especially in the step down unit but unlike some on this board, I had a wonderful nursing staff on the regular floor. In a time when you are literally at your worst they allowed me to maintain my dignity and showed me a lot of respect!
I think that surgical competence is a requirement, you don't have to have a great bedside manner to be a good surgeon but when a Doctor possesses both then you are very fortunate. I feel that Dr. Lord, Dr. Fontana and their residents had both.
The Bariatric Clinic at Portsmouth Naval Hospital is nothing short of amazing. While you may think that a Navy facility might be lacking in services provided or compassion, I never had a single trouble. Doctors Lord and Fontana are VERY well informed, the entire Clinic is filled with understanding, efficient, and helpful people who are ready and willing to assist you in your weight loss journey. Feeling Judged is never a problem here. In fact, everyone I met, from the Anethesiologist to the Floor Corpsman who took care of me in the middle of the night, was so kind that I was immediately put at ease. Jan, the Bariatric Nurse who oversees the program, keeps everything so fine tuned that the entire process feels like it's oiled...I never had a single complaint or worry about insurance or paperwork, it was all calmly and clearly taken care of for me. Being that everyone in the program is always working to make everything run as smoothly as possible for the HUNDREDS of patients, both Post and Pre-Op, that are treated by the Clinic, if you are ever afraid that ANYTHING has ever been overlooked, or you have ANY questions, always ASK! Everyone in the Clinic is always willing and able to answer any question or concern. Every risk, every instruction, every possible answer that you could need is listed in the "Blue Bible" - the manual (100 pages long!!) that they give you when you join the program. It's an amazing Clinic with amazing Staff, and I would recommend them to anyone else with NO hesitation at all.
My first impression of Dr. Lord was, he knows what he is doing and is very knowledgable about how and why it should be done. I continue to find that he answers the questions that you forget to ask him. I find his office staff very helpful and Jan absolutely wonderful and totally on top of her job. Dr Lord is straight forward if you have other issues that you are dealing with along with obesity. I appreciate the fact that I feel that he has great surgical competence and from what I have heard a great bedside manner.