UPMC Hamot Hospital
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I have not met him my first appointmen is on
December 17.2002
WELL TODAY WAS MY APPOINTMENT AND IT WAS A LONG DRIVE FROM ST.LOUIS TO KANSAS CITY BUT I MADE IT. DR. ALI WAS WONDERFUL AND HIS STAFF WAS WONDERFULL.ALL WE ARE WAITING FOR
NOW IS MY INSURANCE APPROVAL.I HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND I AM SURE I WILL GET APPROVED.WHEN I ARRIVED I HAD ALL THE TEST HE NEEDED ACCEPT THE MEETING WITH THE ABGS
I HATE THOSE BUT THEY MUST BE DONE.IF ALL GOES WELL I CAN HAVE MY SURGERY BY 02-03.
My first impression was one of complete confidence. His staff was very busy but inspite of that all were extremely nice.
He is very strict on the pre surgery and post surgery care and ifomation that you recieve. He expects questions and is more then willing to answer them. Is ver explicted in his instructions and program prior to surgery. Future paitients should knwo that while I found him very professional and confident he has a wls program pre surgery that must also be followed to meet his requirements. He is very clear about not wanting to do the surgery if you are not willing or ready to make all the needed changes in your life on every level. For me I found that comforting. I can not get it done impulsively. It takes time and more then likely will be 2 or 3 months before surgery is scheduled. Over all I really do have to give a high rating for attitude of staff and effectivness.
A couple of months ago I met with Dr. Sifers because I had decided to have the BPD.
Just yesterday, upon the advice of my endocrinologist, I met with Dr. Ali, who does the RNY.
I have now decided to go with the RNY with Dr. Ali - he has told me that I would be a good candidate for lap surgery!!! Yay! I was under the impression that he didn't do lap surgery, so this really excited me!
Dr. Ali seemed like a very nice person and I have heard wonderful things about him, so I am very happy with my choice.
I saw Dr. Ali on 6-11-02 I have to say that I really liked Dr.Ali and his staff. I was very skeptical going in because I have not had a very good experience with Doctors. Most of the Doctors I have talked to seem very condecending and don't listen. I did not get that impression from Dr. Ali or his staff. He was very straight forward about what I would have to do to make this surgery suceed.
I attended a support meeting the evening I had my first appointment. After meeting several people that have had the procedure done I have no reservations about having the procedure done.
As far as any negetive feelings I had was the fact that I live 4 hours away and was late for my appointment.( which has absolutley nothing to do with Dr.Ali or his staff) In fact even though I was an hour late for my appointment Dr.Ali still saw me.
I choose Dr. Ali because of the comments that I saw posted here. I really liked the idea that he spent so much time with his patients, even on the initial visit. When I arrived at the office, I was greeted with extremely professional, and nice people. I had already filled out all my paperwork prior, so my wait was not long (prior to my appt., Lizz, Dr. Ali's nurse, sent me a packet of info. for me to fill out). When I was called back for my appt, the first room I went to was the "weighing in" room where we calculated height, weight, and BMI. After that I spoke for about 30 min. with the Nutricianist. She was extrememly nice and informative. Dr. Ali then came in, and thoroughly discussed the procedure, tests to be run, steps for me to take before sureger (start exercise program now--stop all carbonated sugar drinks now, 3 meals a day--no snacking, and go to at least 1 support meeting (he holds one 2nd Tuesday of every month). He answered all my questions, and made me feel at ease. Lizz took all my list of tests he wants run, and set up the appt's for me. Gale (Billing/Insurance) is now working on letter to insurance company for approval. Dr. Ali and his staff comes highly recommened by me so far.....I will keep you updated!
2/20 - I have an appointment for March 26. The person I spoke with on the phone was very nice and helpful. 3/26 - I had my appointment with Dr. Ali today. He met with me for over an hour. He was so thorough and really wanted to help me any way he could. Anyone interested interested in having this surgery should read the book he requires you to read before surgery. It is called "Weight Loss Surgery: Finding the thin Person Hiding Inside You" by Barbara Thompson. You can get it at her website www.wlscenter.com for around $25. Dr. Ali requires his patients to read it so that they are completely informed. I can't wait to read it. The office staff was so friendly. They set up all the lab tests the very next morning and called me immediately. I am very excited. 4/30 Saw Dr. Ali again today. He says we are just waiting on approval. 5/8 Have been approved waiting for date for surgery, should know soon.
Dr. Ali is a wonderful surgeon. My first appointment with him went great. He was very informative, and made sure if I had any questions or concerns he answered them. His staff is so friendly and helpful. His nurses are so sweet and wonderful. I never felt bad for being overweight at his
office.
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Gale, in Dr. Ali's billing office, was so helpful to me. She worked so hard with my insurance company for me. If I didn't call her then she was calling me letting me know how things were going. If something needed done she told me, and I got it done. I can never in a million years thank her enough for being so helpful, and so on top of things when it comes to dealing with an insurance company.
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Dr. Ali has a support group that meets every 2nd tuesday of the month. Unfortuneately I have not been to a meeting yet, but I do plan on going to one today. He really emphasizes aftercare. He really wants to be a part of how i'm doing, and if anything goes wrong he wants to know right away. He really shows concern and wants to be helpful to his patients.
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I think Dr. Ali's surgical competence and bedside manner are both great. His assistants are also wonderful. I would reccomend Dr. Ali to anyone in my area interested in getting RNY. Everyone involved in his office and assistants were just so comforting, helpful, and just all around wonderful during this whole time. I know I still have a ways to go on my journey, and I'm so glad I have all of them on my side guiding the way.
Dr. Ali is a very nice, honest man. He told me just how everything was and the risk I was in, I like a doctor that doesn't beat around the bush. His office staff was very nice and easy to deal with. Liz is a very business like lady, but nice. Dr. Ali told me this was a very long and risky surgery. What I would be getting into and the changes I would have to make. I like Dr. Ali and the way he takes his time with you, to rate Dr. Ali, I would give him a 10. Also went to a support group, really enjoyed that.
Have some more to say about Dr.Ali, he is one of the greatest person I know. He is very, very concern about his people. The only thing I found out about Dr.Ali I don't like is that he is as hard headed as I am, lol. He has to be, to be my doctor and for me to trust him and I do. I don't say this lightly either, my trust is not given easely.