I am having lapband surg in 4 days so I need an answer quick.

The clinic that is doing this has no doctors on staff but is affiliated with 2 docs that do the surg. They work together. When I had my meeting with the doc, he did not seem to know much about diet,etc. He just does the surgery. The lapband clinic nurse does the fill, etc and the docs do not seem to be very involved after success of the surg. Is this parr for lapband? This is a well thought of clinic.

PLEASE Answer ASAP.:confused:

I can only speak to my situation. My doctor did the initial information session. After that most of my interactions has been with the Nurse Prac and the insurance coordinator. My final appointment was with my doctor, who then advised me on what to expect on the day of surgery, benefits of pre-op and explained the risk and benefits. He also addressed any concerns that I had and answered all my questions.

From what I understand the practice that I am using has Fill clinics on Fridays and the 5 surgeons rotated. My doctor was very knowledgeable about the whole process from begining to end. Good Luck with surgery!

My surgeon did the first info seminar, and delegates much of the patient education to his nurse coordinators and dietitian.

BUT he does each and every fill (using fluoro), and therefore knows each patient and keeps on top of his/her progress.

I think it's very reasonable to have support staff handle much of the patient education; that's just the way labor is divided in the medical community.

But I would not be comfortable if the extent of my surgeon's involvement were the surgery itself. Not with this type of surgery, with long-term follow-up.

My surgeon (there are two in the practice) is very involved. They personally give the seminars, consult appt, pre-op appt and every fill after. They have nutritionist and pyschologist on staff and well trained nurses that are always available if needed. A pre-op class is required (at my office) with the nutritionist and the nurse, at that time you get a big manual that explains the stages of surgery, eating guidlines for the next year out, exercise tips, basic do and don'ts and what to expect.

I think it's a matter of are you seeing a small practice or a lap-band mill?

My surgeon did the seminar himself, he attends most of the monthly support group meetings (except when he was in Haiti), he does all of the fills himself, I met with him for the initial consult and pre-op appointment. He has staff but he is very hands on during the entire process. I really like knowing that the person who put the band in me is involved because if something were to happen, he doesn't have to go and ask someone else how the surgery went.

Perhaps you should be asking your surgeon what his level of involvement is.