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Rockwood Bariatic- Spokane, WA



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Does anyone have experience with their surgeons? Or heard anything about the practice? I'm already scheduled for my surgery there, but was wondering about the experience that others may have had.

Keri

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The only bariatric doctor that I know of in Spokane does not have the best reputation.

What is the name of this surgeon?

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I've been seeing Mathew Rawlins at the clinic up there and I've found him to be really great so far. Has been doing these surgeries exclusively for about 10 years now. His group performs 3-400 per year I think they said. I'm scheduled for the end of the year sometime.

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I had my surgery with Dr. Rawlin's a week ago. Didn't have much interaction with him prior to the surgery; only the initial meeting in May. At the time he had a student with him so I met with both the student and him. He seemed nice and reassuring when I asked day of surgery questions.

Of the three physicians in the office, DH had Dr.Spitz, and a friend had her surgery with Dr. Bright on Monday. My interaction with Dr. Spitz as the spouse of a patient was good. He kept me in the loop while in the waiting area for DHs surgery, and then for a recovery room to come available.

As for Deaconess, their nursing staff varies. The nursing staff that was on duty during my surgery was different then those on DHs surgery. Mixed reviews there. As for the recovery rooms, there are 4 bariatric rooms on the floor and there is no guarantee that you'll get one. I had a cramped recovery room. No recliner to sit/sleep in like in the spacious room DH had. Had to repeatedly request a cot for DH to sleep in. I think the hospital staff assumed that he would just sleep on the limited floor space; especially as they had to search multiple floors for a cot. BTW, not everyone on the floor is there for bariatric surgery.

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Interesting thanks for the info. No complications I hope!

Yeah hospitals aren't generally the most fun places in general -- add staff that are carrying around their own personal issues and drama, and the stay can become even less enjoyable!

I was kind of surprised this specialty clinic is based at Deaconess instead of Sacred Heart - my impression is that the latter is a newer and more carefully run facility.

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I have been increasingly impressed with this Rockwood Group in Spokane. I'm scheduled for December 1 and I've had a great experience with them so far. They're very helpful, have clear instructions, and are 100% non-shaming which is essential for me.

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    • LeighaTR

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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

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      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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