Brigham and Women's Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Hospital
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Overall I wouldn't have another surgery at B&W. My room was very dirty and they never completely cleaned it. There were not enough nurses to accomodate the patients 100%. They also didn't ave enough aids to help with daily hygeine of the patients. I waited 2 days to get help with a shower/bath! I was disgusted with that. Also, i got my blood sugar taken by an aide and I don't even have diabetes. They were supposed to take the other patients, not mine. What if it was something more serious? The nurses that I did occasionally see were great but never had enough time for me when I needed them most.
Dr. Shikora was wonderful, explained everything clearly. He combines the best of technical expertise with an actual personality, I always felt comfortable with him.
The New England Medical Center program is a multi-disciplinary program involving medical, behavioral, and surgical care. While we think of this as a surgical treatment option there are so many people involved in this process that I feel we should broaden our concept of “surgeons comments” to include them.<BR><BR>
Dr. Isaac Greenberg – Intake psychological assessment. I have to say I very much enjoyed my conversation with Issie, even though it was being recorded for Scientific American Frontiers. I think we established an immediate rapport, and since I’m sure he had heard it a million times I told him things that were very embarrassing to me, like getting on a plane, going to a red sox game etc; Things that I have been avoiding for way too long. He was very understanding and affirmed that these feelings are shared by so many morbidly obese people that I almost cried in the knowledge that I am not alone. <BR><BR>
Dr. Margaret Marino – Behavioral support group facilitator. Margaret is fantastic! She is sensitive, and smart, funny and full of facts. Margaret really got me thinking about things – why I eat the things I eat, why I eat when I do, what are the emotional triggers. Margaret has helped start me on the path of mindful eating: eating when your hungry and monitoring your physical hunger versus mind hunger. How will I plan for change and how will I reward myself for making change are valuable lessons I will take from Margaret. <BR><BR>
Dr. Edward Saltzman – Dr. Saltzman and I have only met one for a complete history, and exam. He outlined for me many of the things I should expect from the program.<BR><BR>
Alison Chamberlain – is a PA in the program. Of all the people at NEMC I truly value Alison’s advice, lectures, and pep talks. She is tough but truly caring which I think is a hallmark of so many of the professionals at the Obesity Consult Center. <BR><BR>
Phyllis Thomason – Dietician / Nutritionist – Phyllis gives it to me straight. She has helped me craft the before surgery and after surgery diet. <BR><BR>
My first meeting with Dr. Tarnoff started with him asking some questions about history and putting together a letter for my PCP. <B>As it turned out I ended up having Dr Shikora perform the surgery</b> When we got these preliminaries taken care of he was excellent at explaining the procedure, the risks, and benefits. I found Dr. Tarnoff to be very down to earth; he spoke my language. He was adamant about my losing some weight before surgery even though I have just quit smoking. Since I carry a lot of weight around my middle he explained that he wont have a lot of room to maneuver and we essentially have to move my liver out of the way to conduct surgery he needs more room. <BR><BR>
All of the really great professionals at the OCC have stressed the importance of aftercare to the success of the outcome. They are imaginative, creative, and decent people who are constantly examining the value of each step in the process and are not ideologues about scrapping one thing and trying others. I am thoroughly impressed, and feel my life could not be in better hands.
I was taken into my appointment very promptly, which was nice. I spent 45 minutes with a physicians assistant, going over the roux-en-y proceedure. The risks, the complications, etc. I was weighed, asked my medical history. The physicians assistant was young, and very business like, but not at all unpleasant. I met Dr. Robinson at this point. He came in and briefly outlined all that had been said to me by the PA. He was very pleasant. He seems to have a nice demeanor.
Post Op: Dr Robinson is a very competent, and professional Doctor. I was very happy with the care I received from him. His staff is very good with follow up when I had questions and problems.
The hospital had no issues with my size, they seem to go about their daily business. I think they have performed so many of these and have dealt with enough large patients they can be proactive instead od reactive to small & big issues that may arise
Big variety of nursing and nursing aides styles, personalities and knowledge. Luckily for the 1st 3 days I had wonderful help all around. After that, it kind of went downhill. Plus, the hospital lost my bottom teeth (that were in a labeled cup and right beside me after my surgery). This is causing my quite a few problems, but they will be paying to replace them. However, in the middle of my recovering from the surgery, I'm the one that now has to go to 4 or 5 dental visits over the next 3 weeks to have them remade.
I went to Dr. Robinson because he was the one I was referred to by my insurance (Harvard Pilgrim). I read a lot of info and reviews about him on this site and felt good about the referral. Once I met him, I was not overly impressed with his demeanor (very serious and rushed) - but what matters most is that I believe him to be a very good surgeon. His office staff make up for his lack of "people skills" - he has wonderful Physician Assistants (Gina is a great one) and a nice secretary named Jennifer
The nursing staff at Brigham & Women's was phenomenal. They made the stay at the hospital comfortable. From the pre-op area to discharge - every single nurse I came in conctact with was outstanding.
Dr. Robinson was very matter-of-fact and efficient in my two meetings pre-op. I did not spend a great deal of time with him before my operation. I firmly beleive that I am my own best advocate - so I did research on the surgery and my surgeon before I even met with him.
After my surgery I had a chance to see Dr. Robinson as very warm and caring. He did a great job on my surgery and post-op care.
Dr. Robinson's office staff is extremely busy but efficient. The PA's are warm and helpful. Whether in person or on the phone I have found each of them to be wonderful.
If asked which is better, surgical competence or bedside manner, Dr. Robinson is an excellent surgeon. I brought someone I loved to hold my hand - I didn't expect it from my doctor.