Gary Anthone, MD, FACS Organization
I have had nothing but a good experience with Dr. Anthone and Maria his assistant. He was very thorough and really went over everything very well. He included my husband in the discussions which was very important to me.
My opinion of Dr. Anthone has only gotten better now that I've had the surgery. He and Maria have treated me with care and I will forever be grateful for the care I recieved.
I had my consultation with Dr. Anthone on 7--16-01. I was originally scheduled for 8-20, but called up and filled in for a cancelation. Angie (the scheduler) was very kind and professional. Dr. Anthone did an excellent job explaining the procedure, though I was very well prepared. I asked many detailed questions. He spent a full 45 minutes with me (In addition to the 15 minutes that Maria spent with me going over heatlth history).
Dr. Anthone specilizes in the Duodedenal Switch procedure, and this is the procedure I would like to have because of the lack of a dumping syndrome and the ability to eat closer to normal sized meals.
The only thing I didn't like was his answer to my question regarding lactouse intolerance. He simply said "if you have that problem then just eliminate lactouse from your diet". While I am a dairy lover, so that is easier said then done. To me that is a significant potential side effect and I hope to mange it with lactaid and other suppliments.
UPDATE: 9-24-01
Dr. Anthone's office was succesful in wording my request for authorization. I have been approved for a "distal gastric bypass" but the DS is specifically excluded. The net result is that I will self-pay for the gastrectomy, and Aetna will pay for the intestinal re-arangement and hospitalization.
Dr. Anthone's staff have been OK, but not as pro-active as I would like. E-mail to Maria works well. Angie does NOT return phone calls or respond to e-mail.
Please go to my personal profile to see my comments on Dr. Anthone.
Dr. Anthone is wonderful. Intelligent, personable, good humored. I have the utmost confidence in him. Ok, it could just be because they are so overwhelmed with patients, but the pre-op info is seriously lacking from Dr. Anthone's office. I've had to pry bits and pieces from his nurse. I am somewhat of a "planner" so not having a printout of what I should/not do, eat /shouldn'teat, what time I should show up, etc is very disconcerting! I don't care for that at all. There doesn't appear to be that much I can do about it.
I have had a difficult time knowing what I want to tell people about my surgeon. Dr. Anthone seems very nice and competent. Because this is such a personal decision, it is hard for me to just let things happen in their own time. Dr. Anthone was very thorough in discussing all of the risks of surgery and going through the entire procedure. He answered all of my questions thoroughly and didn't brush off any of my concerns. Overall, as a pre-op, I think Dr. Anthone seems to be an excellent surgeon. The real test comes with surgery and follow-up care.
I was impressed with Dr. Anthone from the first
time I met him He is very caring and as far
as I am concerned no better surgeon could be
found
His office and staff are very busy and sometimes
difficult to contact but the care is excellent.
In my case I had very little after care required
but periodic check-ups are required as well
as consults with a nutritionionist.
I consider Dr. Anthone the top of the line
My first impression of Dr Anthone was Wow what a kind and compassionate human being. He has an excellent bedside manner along with his expertise in the Duodenal Switch.
My impressions of Dr Anthone have gotten more and more impressed with him.
Dr Anthone's staff are extremely busy , He has 3 staff members.
I like that they are very knowledgeable about the surgery itself.
You are in great hands with Dr Anthone. He is a humbold and efficient surgeon.
There is a very strong emphasis on Dr Anthones aftercare program.
They encourage continued attendence to the monthly support group meetings, follow up care with Dr Anthone & the nutritionist.
Dr Anthone and his assistant Maria were very thorough with their explanations of the risk of surgery.
I would rate Dr Anthone on a one to ten scale... a Major 10 !!!
Honestly ... Dr Anthone has mastered both :)
Which is refreshing to see in a surgeon.
I had read all about gastric bypass surgery especially the duodenal switch procedure for 6 months prior to my consult and meeting with Dr Gary Anthone at University USC hospital in Los Angeles California.
Within the first 5 minutes of our introduction he made me feel completely relaxed and comfortable. He was extremely empathetic to my health problems and was a active listener. He was compassionate and he touched you on your shoulder or your hand to show you he genuinely cared about you and your condition. As time went on and I spoke to him more frequently my initial impression of him were solidified and I was even more convinced by what a caring and concerned surgeon he was.
I beleive future patients should know that Dr Anthone is one of the most highly skilled surgeons performing the duodenal switch procedure , and he is one of the most down to earth physicians I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with in my 15 years of being a Registered Nurse in a large teaching facility in Los Angeles.
Dr Anthone has a very close knit support group that meets once a month as well as an active online support group , [email protected]
His patients are well taken care of , we are given a emergency card with details and drawings of the surgery he has performed for us to keep at all times with us in our wallets. He can be reached by pager through his answering service 24 hours a day for emergencies.
During your initial consultation he goes over all the risks of this surgery and takes his time explaining each one of them to you , one by one. He is open to questions and takes his time with you.
I would give Dr Anthone a 10 overall because they just do not make skilled surgeons with a down to earth attitude that conveys his compassion for his patients any more.
With Dr Anthone I would have say that both his competence and his warm bedside manner are both of equal wonderfulness.
My First impression of Dr. Anthone was absulutely wonderful. I had my consultation on 3/6 and he described the surgery in every detail for me. He seems to genuinely care about his patients. His staff is great once you get there, although talking to them on the phone or getting a hold of anyone seems to be quite a challenge because they are a very busy office. I was honestly a little surprised that they had chairs with arms also.I was not able to sit and be very comfortable. But that will not be a problem for me much longer! I am confident with Dr. A's surgical abilities and his credentials are great. I have done a lot of research on surgeons and he is the chosen one! Even though I have to travel it will be well worth it. I would definitely give Dr. Anthone a 10. We'll have to work on those chairs though!!
I waited about 5 months to see him and it was worth it, he is wonderful. He went over everything and is very patient and answered all my questions. I have to wait for the insurance now to see if they ok it, which will be 2 to 3 months!