Chestnut Hill Hospital Hospital

I have only met with Dr. Meilahn once for my consult. He was very informative and took as much time as I needed to understand the surgery and answer my questions. He was very honest about the risks and complications. His administrative assistant, Nyeesha was very helpful. She gave me a complete list of tests and consults that I needed before the surgery and her e-mail address if I had any questions. The wait for a consult appointment was 2 months. I wish I had asked for a list of tests and consults so I could have had those scheduled while waiting for my appointment.

My first impression of Dr. Meilahn was very positive. I first met with him in May, and felt comfortable with him from the start. He took his time explaining everything to me, and seemed to really want to make sure I got all the information I needed. His office staff was very nice, and Nyeesha, the office assistant was helpful in explaining next steps. I ran right out and got all the necessary tests, and then the problems began. Every time I called, there was some new test I needed. It seems like Dr. Meilahn is revising his protocol, which may be good, but it's extremely frustrating. Every time I think I'm done, there's one more. The process has dragged out since July, and I am finding it tougher and tougher to get any information from the office. That said, I'm sticking with him, because from all my research he is very highly regarded, and I do feel comfortable with him as my surgeon (if we every get it scheduled, that is!)

EXCELLENT and QUALITY CARE from my surgeon, he made sure to visit me daily, as well as several interns! HE did a great job, has a pleasant demeanor and came very HIGHLY recommended by my PCP, a surgeon I saw for another reason and his former patients! His office does all the insurance approvals, I never had to call my insurance company and was approved withina few days of getting my surgery date!

Dr MEilahn is big on aftercare and I am glad! THere will be regular aftercare appointments.


IF YOU LIVE IN THE PHILLY AREA AND ARE CONSIDERING WLS< GO TO DR MEILAHN!

Okay, I didn't write anything about Dr. Meilahn until after surgery. I didn't know what to write. From the first moment I met him I felt confident that I made the right decision when I chose him, but he did not give me the "warm and fuzzies". That has changed. That may not mean much to many people, but it does to me. As far as competence, I can't imagine coming across a better selection. As far as bed side manner, he is fabulous (even though he takes a couple of visits to warm up to)!

It took me 6 weeks to get in for a consultation with Dr. Meilahn, which is not long at all. Other surgeons I called had a 8 month wait just for a consult. Dr. Meilahn was very nice and informative at my consult. He drew pictures of the different types of WLS. Dr. Meilahn's right hand, Nyeesha, is very informative and really knows her stuff. Sometimes on the phone, she acts like I am bothering her, but in person, she is very nice. I had LAP RNY on 5/20/02. I found the surgery a piece of cake. I had no pain at all. Just some discomfort. The worst part of the whole ordeal was anesthesia. The intubated me while I was still awake and all I can remember is gagging up a storm. The nose tube did not bother me at all. I had the drain removed a week after I was discharged and this did NOT hurt me at all - I hardly felt it. I am 4 weeks post-op today and down 31 pounds. If i were to do the surgery all over again, I would go to Dr. Meilahn in a heartbeat. He's the greatest. Email me at [email protected] with any questions.

I was really impressed with Dr. Meilahn. He was very nice and low-key. He took the time to answer all my questions and explain the procedures he does thoroughly, including the downsides. His office staff is also very nice, and Nyeesha is great.

He seemed like a likable guy, easy and sofespoken. He explained the procedure start to finish, drew diagrams of the procedure and answered all my questions. At the end he asked what I thought. And, I responded, "Where do I sign up".
His staff was very helpful and answered all questions put to them.
He told me how much I could expect to lose, and what I would have to do nutrient wise to stay healthy. He said that it is a lifestyle change.
He said the mortality rate is 1%, and sometimes revisions are necessary.
He seemed proficient, surgically. Others have said that he is always accessible for concerns after the fact.

I have a second appointment with Dr. Meilahn 2 weeks before surgery. My first impression was great, I hope this impression stays. Nyeesha, from his office is great, even after 10 calls to her with a bunch of questions.

I was very impressed with Dr Meilahn during my consultation. He was very thorough in explaining the procedure, but did not have a "canned" spiel. He took the time to answer all of my questions. THis made me more forgiving of the fact that he was really running behind, and I had to wait almost an hour in a tiny room for him to come in and see me. He is very low-key and personable which I also liked. He emphasized that this surgery is not a miracle cure, but rather a tool to promote weight loss, and that I would have to do my part to be successful. He was also very clear that though there are advantages to a laproscopic procedure, it isn't to be taken lightly. His office staff was also helpful, especially Nyeesha, who took the time to answer questions, and explain what I needed to do going forward.

HAD MY FIRST APPT. WITH SURGEON SCHEDULED FOR MAY 1OTH 2002. I CALLED THEIR OFFICE AND GOT IN TO SEE HIM ON APRIL 17TH. WHEW!!! DID I LUCK OUT OR WHAT?! I SAW DR. MEILAHN AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY IN PHILA PA. HE WAS RECOMMENDED TO ME BY TWO FELLOW EMPLOYEES AT A HOSPITAL I WORK AT IN NEW JERSEY. THEY LOVED HIM AND HAD NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT HIM OR THE HOSPITAL. ONE HAD SLIGHT COMPLICATIONS FROM SGY. (INFECTION AT SITE) AND THE OTHER HAS HAD NO COMPLICATIONS TO DATE. THEY BOTH HAD SGY IN 1/2002AT TEMPLE. MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE DR WAS "MAN AM I SCARED ". HE PUT MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND RIGHT AT EASE. AFTER A DISCUSSION WITH HIM ON WHY I WANTED SGY HE DREW ME PICTURES OF THE TWO OPTIONS I HAVE WITH HIM ONE BEING ROUX-N-Y DISTAL/PROXIMAL AND THE OTHER BEING THE NEW LAB BAND PROCEDURE THAT DOESN'T INVOLVE A BYPASS OF YOUR INTESTINES. HE WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH MY DIET HISTORY I TYPED UP AND ASKED IF HE COULD KEEP IT. THE OFFICE IS NOT JUST HIS ALONE IT IS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SGY AT TEMPLE. HE DOES HAVE A WONDERFUL WOMAN NAMED NAYEESHA WHO IS HIS RIGHT HAND GAL. SHE IS GREAT ON THE PHONE AND IN PERSON. WE DID GET INTO IN DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH CHANGES AFTER SGY IN DIET AND EATING. I RECIEVED A BOOKLET OF PAPERS AND PAMPHLET ABOUT THE SGY AND ALL IT ENTAILS. HAHA THEY DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH TIME I HAVE SPENT ON THE NET READING UP ON WLS. THEY ARE JUST STARTING AN AFTERCARE/SUPPORT GROUP UP FOR THEIR PATIENTS BUT HE DID SAY THAT MOST OF HIS PATIENTS SEEM TO FIND SUPPORT FROM OHTERS LOCALLY IN THEIR HOME TOWNS. HIS GUIDELINES FOR SGY ARE INTENSE... THEY INCLUDE: MEDICAL CLEARANCE LETTER FROM PRIMARY DOCTOR/FAMILY DOCTOR, PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION LETTER OF COMPETENCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF SAID SGY, PULMONARY CONSULT AND SLEEP STUDY TESTING, 2D ECHO AND/OR STRESS TEST, US OF GALLBLADDER/ABD, AN UPPER GI OR EGD, AND ATTENDANCE AT HIS MANDATORY PREOPERATIVE TEACHING CLASS WITH A NURSE PRACTITIONER AND DIETICIAN. THE OFFICE WILL HANDLE ALL OTHER MATTERS REGARDING INSURANCE APPROVAL ONCE THESE GUIDELINES ARE MET AND THEY HAVE RECEIVED COPIES OF SAID STUDIES. AT THAT POINT THEY WILL CONTACT INSURANCE CO FOR APPROVAL AND A SGY DATE WILL BE SCHEDULED. ALOT OF WORK AND I KNOW IT WILL BE WELL WORTH IT. GOD IS WITH ME ON THIS I JUST KNOW HE IS...WILL UPDATE YOU ALL LATER AS TIME PROGRESSES AND TEST ARE COMPLETED. BYE:)