Dirk I Rodriguez Bariatric Surgeon

Dr. Rodriguez took the time to answer all of my husband's and my questions. We were told we could take ask as many as we wanted. He did not get snotty with us about even the most ovious questions. He was really very perfessional and pretty good looking if you ask me! :) His office staff has really been very nice and professional, especially Judy. Ginger, the lady who teaches the seminar is very knowledgable since she had the surgery herself. Dr. Rodriguez does have an aftercare program that he expects you to stick to.

Let me say up front, I’m glad I did my research and I feel excellent about choosing Dr. Dirk Rodriguez and having the surgery in Palestine, Texas.
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Dr. Rodriguez’s staff holds seminars every Monday morning in the Palestine and then Dr. Rodriguez sees patients in the afternoon. Palestine is a small town about 3.5 hours Northeast of Austin. I got to Palestine on Sunday evening and found the hospital and the doctor’s office with ease. The Dr.’s office has a relatively small waiting room and is on the lower right side of the small hospital.
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I got to the office a little before 8:00 AM on Monday morning for the seminar and found the waiting room crowded with excited potential WLS patients and their families. The first thing that I thought was, “look at these chairs with the torture bars”, but that’s just a personal thing I guess. The staff is really busy on Monday’s, but did an excellent job of making each patient feel welcome.
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One of Dr. Rodriguez’ nurses that has had quiet an experience with weight loss surgery conducts the seminar after leading the entire group of folks through the hospital labyrinth to a not so impressive meeting room. However, she does an excellent job of explaining the surgery through her personal experiences of weight loss surgery. She also is a huge fan of Dr. Rodriguez and credits him for saving her life by correcting a debacled WLS performed by another surgeon. She does not sugar coat WLS and speaks from her on experiences. She also does an excellent job of reassuring every one of Dr. Rodriguez’s skills and expertise.
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One thing that I would suggest is not to take a whole group of people to the seminar. Also, this is not the time to spring the procedure on a family member or close friend from whom you want support. Make sure that the people who attend the seminar with you are very familiar with the procedure before they arrive. I saw three cases where family members were unprepared foo what they were hearing and ended up not being very supportive of the procedure. If you have gotten this far in the process, you need to know that this is a commitment to be on a life long restrictive diet and exercise. If you don’t know this, they will tell you and your family this at the seminar in excruciating detail. I personally appreciate that, but I could see and hear the Oh, SH@&T! looks and responses in the meeting. Simply, prepare your guests and family members before you take them and prepare yourself.
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Fortunately, I drew the short straw and my appointment ended up being at 4:45. So I had to wait from12:00 until 4:45 for my appointment with Dr. Rodriguez. Fortunate in that I decided to wait the entire time in the waiting room. Now, why would I say fortunate? Because, I was able to sit and talk to people wanting the surgery and people who have had the surgery and came in for there post-op exams. I talked to two people who were three weeks post-op, 6 weeks post-op, 9 weeks post-op, 4 months post-op, and one person 1 year post-op. Every one of these people did nothing but praise Dr. Rodriguez and the hospital. They literally loved the ICU unit and stated they were pampered like they never have been. I would suggest hanging out at your Dr’s office if you can one day….this was wonderful.
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I saw Dr. Rodriguez at 4:15 and he was very nice, but direct. He examined me and talked to me about making a commitment to the diet and exercise in order for this to be successful. He emphasized that this is not a magic pill, but a tool to help lose weight and maintain it. He said that success depends on me following directions and exercising. He is very confident with a firm hand shake. I like him and feel that I will be in excellent care.

I have not meet him yet. I have talked to the staff and they seem very friendly. I am scheduled for my first consultation 04/07/03.

I am going to my first appointment on March 31, 2003.

The staff so far has been great. I had already been approved, they called and got the referral from my primary care physican. When I call the office I actually speak to a person, that in itself is such a bonus!

Since I had already been approved, if the doc and I like each other and want to move on this asap then the date will be April 22nd. Lets cross our fingers and say our prayers!

<Font face="Book Antiqua"><font size=2><p align="left">I liked Dr. Rodriguez. He was very straight forward and explained the risks of Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y thoroughly. His office staff is very busy but more than happy to answer any question I had. Ginger gave a great seminar on the surgery. She is very knowledgable. Dr. Rod emphasize aftercare. I would rate Dr. Rod A+++

I am now waiting for insurance approval.

He has a wonderful program, the seminar was very informative. He was VERY patient and answered all my questions and those of my husband. He has a great sense of humor. My surgery is scheduled for 3/12/03.

Make sure you stay on the nurses to get your paper work turned in. It took them 2 weeks to turn in mine and I was promised the next day.

3/17/03 - DR Rod is awesome, I found out a lot about him by talking to people at the hospital as I was going through prelims. He is am incredible surgeon and I feel lucky to have had him!

email me and i will tell my story about .Palestine hospital

I was very pleased with Dr. Rodriguez from the very start. His mannerisms and his professional style put me at ease from the very first visit. He is frank and straight forward, yet has a manner that sooths you. I highly recommend Dr. Rodriguez to anyone considering this procedure. Dr. Rodriguez also has a very professional and supportive staff. I would have to say that they took much of the stress out of the uncertainty for me and I am looking toward a new future.

I have met with the doctor and am waiting for a responce from the insurance company.

He was very nice and efficiant

3/11/2003, I faxed my information to Cigna and to Dr Dirks office atteention Judy, for some reason, my regular doctor coulnt get anything threw to them

I HAVE NOT MET WITH THE DOCTOR YET, BUT I HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH HIS STAFF AND HIS CORDNATING NURSE, KAREN. SHE, THEY ARE SO NICE. VERY HEPLFUL WITH ALL MY QUESTIONS AND QUICK TO RESPOND. TO ME IT WAS A KIND OF IMPORTANT HOW FAST THEY WOULD RESPOND TO MY INTREST IN THEIR OFFICE. AND I HEARD BACK RIGHT AWAY.THIS SHOW AN INTREST IN THEM HAVING YOU AS A PATIENT. I,M FINISHING UP GETTING ALL THE PAPERWORK I NEED TOGETHER, AND WILL MAKE MY APPOINTMENT THIS WEEK. HERE GOES!!



03/03/2003: I AM A WEEK AWAY! THIS TIME NEXT MONDAY I WILL BE HEADED TOWARD MY NEW LIFE. DR RODRIQUEZ WAS VERY EASY TO TALK TO AND FUNNY. HE DIDN'T MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE JUST ANOTHER PATIENT. HIS STAFF IS SOOO WONDERFUL! THEY ARE SO HELPFUL AND REALLY NICE. I FEEL LIKE I'M IN GREAT HANDS!!