Wittgrove Bariatric Center Bariatric Center
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I met Dr. Clark on 11/16/00 at a lecture in San Diego. He seemed very nice and took time to answer all my questions after the lecture. I haven't met Dr. Wittgrove yet. However, I will be attending another lecture on Jan. 5th led by him this time, so that I will get a chance to meet him.
I will make my final decision between Dr. Clark and Dr. Wittgrove as to who will be my surgeon after the lecture.
~*1/05/01 UPDATE*~ I attended the seminar today in San Diego with Dr. Wittgrove. It was great ... very informative. I went in telling myself to not get all caught up in the "Carnie" hype. I told myself that he would have to prove himself to "ME" and "win ME over." My Mom went with me and we both said to one another that we were unsure of whether we liked him or not at the beginning of the lecture. As time went on tho, he really started warming up to both of us! He had a nice sense of humor. But most importantly, he took his time to answer everyone's questions. So much so that the seminar went on for more than an hour longer than it was suppose to. He did not rush our questions OR his answers AT ALL. He took his time explaining EVERY answer to EVERY question everyone had. And, he spoke in terms that both my Mom and I could easily understand, which has been really hard for me to find with numerous doctors in the past. I found out that he performed the surgery on Dr. Clark's wife. So, needless to say, we both felt VERY IMPRESSED with him. He definately won us over and proved himself to me in many ways. I left the seminar feeling very happy in that I know I have found a surgeon that I completely trust and feel comfortable with in every aspect. It is only now that I can say I truly know and understand why Carnie Wilson chose HIM as her surgeon! :o)
My husband had surgery with Dr. Wittgrove in December and everything went very well. His office, especially the nurses are very responsive and helpful. Several of them have had the procedure themselves, and that really makes a difference.
At this point, I am waiting for them to finish completing the letter to send to my insurance company. I am a bit frustrated because they have had my medical records for almost two weeks, and I'm not sure if anything has happened, because I'm not getting a return phone call. I have a feeling though, with all of Carnie's publicity, they are becoming swamped with requests for surgery( he is the same surgeon that operated on Carnie).
I am hoping to get everything submitted to my insurance company soon and hopefully their review of my request will be quick.
I am very comfortable with Dr. Wittgrove, we met with him twice before my husband's surgery and he was very patient to answer all of our questions and address our concerns. I consider him such an expert in this procedure that it really helps take away some of the anxiety about having it done. I was only disappointed that we didn't see him again in the hospital after surgery until the day he was discharged. I was hoping he would at least come by to check the night of his surgery or the next day.
I am also very impressed with their after care program. I have heard so many stories of patients who are left wondering how to eat after surgery or are told things they can eat that don't sound right based on info we received. However, there is a two hour nutritional class that is mandatory prior to being finally discharged from his care after surgery. They also have you come back a week after surgery and you have to eat for the first time (egg and toast only) wait for 2 hours then go back to the office to be checked to make sure everything is ok. Once you are cleared, you are dischsrged until your one month follow up.
I was very impressed when on New Years day, my husband was having come complications (vomiting after anything he ate or drank), and when we called the office's exchange, they contacted Dr. Wittgrove's partner, who was on-call, and got him on the phone to speak with us in just a few minutes. I new then we were really in the right hands and I'm very comfortable in making the decision to move forward with this procedure for myself and having Dr. Wittgrove as my surgeon.
I met with Dr. Wittgrove today. He is caring and sincere. Seems incredibly knowledgable. I left feeling that I had made a wise choice and I was co9nfident leavinbg my life in his hands. He will not be doing laproscopic (which I had my heart set on) But even with that news I knew whatever he decided was the right decision for MY best interest and not a testament for what was more convenient for him.
The discusions of the procedure, during and after care were very precise. Almost everyone I met on his staff are success stories of his procedures. They all look healthy, thin and just wonderful.
I haven't met Dr. Wittgove yet, but his office staff has been wonderful! I flew to San Diego in early July and got the opportunity to meet Leslie Jester and my insurance analyst, Sandra. They seem to be very experienced and on top of things.
UPDATE: I just got back from my pre-op physical in San Diego. All I have to say is ALVARADO IS WONDERFUL!! I was very pleased with what I had encountered and strongly recommend them to anyone who is considering this procedure. Dr. Wittgrove was so kind and sensitive towards me. I did not feel rushed whatsoever, as sometimes I do with doctors. He's great!! In my opinion, the only thing I think they should improve on is expanding their staff members. My new insurance analyst (not Sandra) would not return any of my calls. It was extremely frustrating for me and it really made me feel like I was kind of forgotten. Maybe she's too busy or something, but they probably need to expand their staff.
Prior to meeting Dr. Wittgrove I had done an extensive amount of research. This was my life I was placing in the hands of a surgeon I did not know, so I wanted the best.
Clinically, I still believe that Dr. Wittgrove had and has the most experience and is very compassionate and has a good bedside manner unless he is challenged.
The office staff however has room for improvement. Specifically the lady who was handling the insurance. She was rude and rarely returned telephone calls. She made sure that I knew that I was one of thousands and frankly not important. I almost cancelled my surgery due to this.
Aftercare initiated by Dr. Wittgrove's office is non-existent. I have been the one to call them, make appointments and make sure that I have my blood work done. They have no support groups for the hundreds of patients in the San Francisco Bay Area. Again, an area that they could improve on.
Overall, I believe that Dr. Wittgrove was my best choice.
I felt after many months of research he was
the best surgeon for me.My follow-up care has
been excellent.They are consistencly doing
phone calls and checking back with me.
I believe Dr. and his staff are extremly
up to date on all the latest and have ongoing
training , his office staff stick with him
and are brite and helpful . Yes he did tell
me of the risks of this surgery .He also
shows you the instruments he uses to do the
entire proceedure and since its was my first
and only surgery, I found this very interest-
ing . He gets an A plus from me.
Dr. Alan Wittgrove is focused, personable, patient, and warm with a sense of humor. I never felt rushed or stupid or guilty with him. He explained everything and answered my questions thoroughly. He is well respected at the hospital. My extensive research reveals that Dr. Wittgrove has authored several articles on gastric bypass surgery and is cited by his medical colleagues as a pioneer and expert in laparoscopic gastric bypass. He is also a professor who offers preceptorships to other surgeons learning bariatric surgery.
The insurance analyst, Sandra T., is very friendly, energetic and responsive. My phone calls have always been returned in the same day. ALL of the staff at both Dr. Wittgrove's office and at Alvarado Medical Center are professional and friendly, trying their best to make me feel safe and comfortable always.
I am also grateful for how discreetly the mailings are handled. I don't want my mailman and neighbors knowing and appreciate that the return address on the envelopes state "Alvarado CSWC" rather than Alvarado Center for Surgical Weight Control.
At first I wasn't sure about leaving Hawaii and traveling a long distance to San Diego to have this surgery. My surgical experience was well worth the trip and investment.
AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I AM LEANING TOWARDS GOING TO SAN DIEGO TO HAVE AN RYN LAP. I AM HAVING LUNCH TOMORROW WITH SOMEONE THAT HAD HER SURGERY DONE BY DR. ALAN WITTGROVE. IT IS SAD THAT NO ONE IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA IS DOING RYN LAP.
8-2-00 Well I filled out all the paper work today. The office staff was professional and very experienced. Did I forget to say pleasant and patient. It was all done over the phone and fax. They called my Insurance Carrier and they said I made history. I was the first case ever to get approved when they called and gave them my history. At first they said it would take 2-6 weeks. We had all the paperwork and insurance approval done between 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM EST. I won't meet Dr. Wittgrove until October 13, 2000. Seems like we will be spending the day together doing all the pre-op testing and physical exams.
The surgery will be on October 17, 2000. I guess my husband and I will be enjoying San Diego for the weekend. I need to stay in San Diego until October 27, 2000 for check ups and nutrition and exercise counceling.
So far I've only met my surgeon one time and that was at the seminar. I'm sure I will get to know him better as my surgery date approches (Aug 30) So far he seems completely dedicated to this type of surgery.He and his 'partner', Dr. Clark, go all over the world to teach other Doctors how to do it Lap.As far as his office staff (and I have yet to meet any of them in person)they have been very patient will all of the calls and questions that I've been firing at them. I'll obviously have lots more information after the surgery, till then------