Sarasota Memorial Hospital Bariatric Center
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I attended a seminar at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville. Dr. Rao was the presenter.
I went in looking for the BPD/DS, because my 'issue' is DMT2. In consultation with the lead partner of the practice, Dr. Webb, it was determined that I was not a good candidate for that procedure.
So I opted for the surgery they were offering, The VSG.
The process began with the August 20 seminar. My insurance required no supervised diet, no psych evaluation. There was the initial consult with Dr. Rao, the consult with Dr. Webb and the followup (inital) consult with Dr. Rao. Then the process began.
The surgery was done on November 25. I went into the hospital at 7am and was discharged the following day before 11. The total time in the hospital was less than 28 hours.
The procedure seems to have gone smoothly. It was a Laproscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. She told me the the tube size was to be 32 F.b., which is the width of a Sharpie Marker. There were 5 incisions, the incision at the navel was 3x the size of the others. She told me that the stomach organ wall was the thickest she had ever worked with and that the navel opening had to be enlarged to remove the excised stomach.
I had my first follow up visit 2 weeks post-op. They had determined that I had lost 20lbs. The next visit is at week 5.
I gave the Doctor a 5 out of 5 rating because her manner is personable enough, she wants you to ask questions and provides answers. The cuts (well 4 out of 5) had completely healed within 2 weeks. I have progressed from Clear Liquids to Pureed soups and meatballs to now (after the post-op visit) mechanically soft foods.
My AM (fasting) B/S used to be 320-380, with the use of insulin and metformin. Since the surgery, I have not taken either and my fasting B/S has been dropping- mid 200s the first week to 170s arouuud day 10. Last two days they were in 150s. All unmedicated.
Based on my experience, I would recommend Dr. Rao. She is probably the least experienced in the practice (Memorial Advanced Surgery and ENT). I chose her simply based on the fact that she attended the same medical school as my cousin. She is probably 2-3 years younger than me (2014- I'm 45), and I think I read that she has been practicing for 11 years.
One note: It does not seem that the practice (Memorial Advanced) is focused soley on Bariatrics, or that this is even their main area of emphasis. They are not in the business of trying to sell bariatric food stuffs, although they do carry a line of vitamin and mineral supplementation. The office staff is friendly, esp. in person, but the doctor advised me at one point that I will 'have to hound the staff' to keep things moving. I have been sick for a very long time and have a lot of experience in working with medical offices.
The hospital (Memorial Hospital) carries the highest bariatric accreditation, and the hospital bariatric office consists of 3, a coordinator, a navigator and the dietitian, who is the head of the office. They are all very friendly. The hospital requires a $200 (2014) program fee, which pays for their services. There is also an $85 dietitian fee. For the $285, you get a dietitian consult, a education class, and a post surgery (next AM in hosp) dietitian followup.
The hospital offers a support group, both in Jax and in OP, as well as a monthly exercise class (at the hosp) and some type of monthly outing.
She has a great personality, and she seems to know what she is talking about. She is down to earth and I feel like I am in good hands :)
1. My first impression of Dr. Fitzgerald was -professional,dry,detatched and bored.
2. My impression of him over time changed to - professional, focused, on the ball, confident, funny, warm, caring, and genuine.
3. His office staff is STELLAR! Patrice and Linda are fun, friendly, accomodating and they know thier stuff. They answer all questions readily, and everything is orderly and prepped. Some of the office staff have also had the surgery,also done by Dr. Fitzgerald, - so it feels good to be talking to people who are REALLY on the same page with you.
4. What did I like the least about Dr. Fitzgerald? It's hard for me to come up with something negative for the man that saved my life. - But to answer the question I suppose I didn't like my first impression of him. Which was aloof. He really didn't seem too interested in me until the last pre op visit. - But once it was surgery time he was everything you want your surgeon to be. - straight up, cool calm collected and ON IT!
5. Future patients should know that Dr. Fitzgerald is someone who really wants you to succeed. He will look you dead in the eye and tell you what you what you need to do. - And you better do it!
6. Aftercare is extremely important to him and I've already got appointments set up to a year out of my surgery. There is also a support group that meets monthly, and the office is so great, you should never feel shy to call and ask any question.
7. Dr. Fitzgerald was very honest and frank about all the risks involved with the surgery. I was fully informed WELL before I had my surgery.
8. Overall I rate Dr. Fitzgerald a TEN of TEN! I really couldn't be more pleased. I was taken care of perfectly and I know he worked hard on me due to my enlarged liver problems. I am very grateful to have had him as my surgeon.
9. Which is better - surgical competence or bedside manner?? - well surgical competence of course! This is kind of an odd question haha - Dr. Fitzgerald was a mix of both really. He isn't very personable at first- but after you see him a few times, it's easy to appreciate the man and see him as a well focused Doc that is really into his job. My parents are both retired medical doctors - so I am used to this type of personality. There are no surprises and no snake oil. Dr. Fitzgerald gets the job done and he is actually a really nice guy too underneath it all. - I think he really cares me and wants me to do well - I appreciate it.
And that is the jist of my experience! I'm thrilled to be feeling much better these days and excited about the changes I can look forward to this year.
Dr Fitzgerald has a very good reputation. I have met him once at my initial visit to discuss me having the Bariatric Bypass surgery laproscopically. He was genuine, honest, caring, and very kind. The Bariatric program OF Sarasota Memorial Hospital was developed by Dr Fitzgerald 3 years ago and is one of the best I found while researching different areas. He is very experienced and has a wonderful, caring staff that are quick to respond to my calls,{which have been many} the nutritionist is wonderful and very caring, the coordinator Patrice is a postop success story ! She is fantastic ! Their upfront fee is 1500.00 that includes the before nutrition class which I can go back to any time for one year. This is basic good nutrition everyone should be doing after the first year or so. I will have a nutritionist that will follow me for 5 years postop as often and as much as I want to use this service..I LOVE IT! She is wonderful! I have had lots of preeducation from them, they have a support group meeting every month! I will be having my surgery in August I HOPE AND PRAY...but for now I could not be happier, with the program Dr Fitzgerald has in place at Sarasota Memorial.Hospital in Sarasota
Dr. Stevens didn't hesitate to answer any of my questions to my complete satisfaction. He definitely knows his stuff. His nurse, Eileen, explained the procedure fully. Patty and Pam, his office staff, were extremely courteous and helpful.rnrnDr. Stevens has since moved his medical practice to Florida. I have not had an appointment with him in the last couple of years. Junction City is quite a ways away just to visit a surgeon who didn't work directly with me. (Or maybe I'm just getting cranky as I get older? lol)
Because I work at Sarasota Memorial Hospital (non-clinical, but I know everyone!) I was aware of Dr. Fitzgerald's wonderful reputation. He is one of those doctors that other doctors would choose for their surgeon, if they needed one. From the time I first met him I have had total confidence in him, and have been forever grateful to have had him for my surgery. I feel wonderful, and have lost over 70 lbs. in the first five months.rnDr. Fitzgerald has an amazing staff and they have put together a wonderful program and support group. You never feel alone . . . they are all so caring and ready to help whenever you need advice. The aftercare program is taken very seriously by Dr. Fitzgerald and his staff, and they address any potential problems you might be having (i.e., with food, etc.) quickly. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would definitely rate Dr. Fitzgerald at least a 12!!!!rnI believe that surgical competence and bedside manner are BOTH important, and I was lucky enough to find both with Dr. Fitzgerald.