Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Saw my doc; she recommended a surgeon - but found this Tweet by him! Not sure I like this guy much



Recommended Posts

I saw my doctor yesterday and asked her about possibility of Gastric Sleeve. She seemed ok with it - hard to tell her real feelings. But she is a GP and has seen a lot in her career. She has patients that have undergone the surgery and she seems to understand the battle obese patients have with weight and the issues that accompany it. She knows me well - I've been her patient since about the time she began her practice. I think she 'gets' me. She referred me to this doctor in my city. Can do self-pay, so can bypass the very long waits for surgery paid by our provincial healthcare, and the surgery is done in a hospital, not a clinic. She said this guy was a GP originally (so she said he has a good bedside manner), but decided to pursue surgery after a number of years as a GP. She said she highly recommends him. His office is close to home for me, as well as the hospital he works out of. Here's the clincher: I looked him up on RateMD and there are mixed reviews, although I have to say his support staff gets very low marks compared to him. Some people were very happy, one guy wrote the worst review as he had a terrible outcome (he doesn't just do WLS - other surgeries too). Some say he thinks he's a god and acts like it, some say he is great at explaining things. Perhaps it depends on whether or not the patient is obese and there for bariatric surgery as to how he treats the patient ??- just going by the following tweet I found on him… what do you think? It's the best option I have in my city - and I'm going to go see him and get an opinion for myself - but this tweet made me VERY uneasy. Even more so than the bad review or two on him.

https://mobile.twitter.com/kristalK55/status/403369637087178752/photo/1

Edited by TracyBar

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@TracyBar I would not go by the Tweet - he was just the recipient of it. The best thing to do is meet him yourself and see how you feel. You can't go by one or two bad reviews either. I would be more comfortable with your GP's recommendation than a few miserable people on the internet. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Surgeons have sense of humors too, but that just my opinion. I would meet with him first, then make a decision. If you don't like him/her find someone you do like. Again, just my lowly, humble opinion.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Surgeons have sense of humors too, but that just my opinion. I would meet with him first, then make a decision. If you don't like him/her find someone you do like. Again, just my lowly, humble opinion.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

that thought did cross my mind of course - there were pictures of him with friends, etc. and I told myself he has a life outside of work. It just made me feel uneasy.

Surgeons have sense of humors too, but that just my opinion. I would meet with him first, then make a decision. If you don't like him/her find someone you do like. Again, just my lowly, humble opinion.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good point - and I know that he wasn't the send but the recipient - it's just i would have expected him to just ignore a Tweet like that? Anyway, I will be going to see him. Just wondering how long it'll take!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Who knows, maybe it was a former patient that shared that tweet with him. I would definitely not judge him without meeting him and his staff. For me, I spent a lot more time with the support staff than I did the surgeon so liking them was very important to me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I see it as funny and the tweet actually makes me like him more........I wouldn't go by anything you hear from others who have given him bad reviews. I would meet him and judge for myself. Just remember that folks who have a bad experience are much more likely to write a review...........If everything went well and as planned why even search out where to provide a review?....So wait and form your own opinion.

Edited by kmorri

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I often tell my trainer and other's "I don't run, you know why? because I'm fat, fat people don't run, if I ran, I wouldn't be fat" He was the recipient of a tweet that was funny.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Surgeons have sense of humors too, but that just my opinion. I would meet with him first, then make a decision. If you don't like him/her find someone you do like. Again, just my lowly, humble opinion.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Agree! Don't go by the tweet. Feel him out first. Then if you don't like him, try someone else.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ask him about the tweet !

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You are all so smart!

I actually did find the joke funny - but then started feeling uneasy about it. I'm pretty sure that after you all have brought me back to reality, that I was feeling overly sensitive. I had just faced my doctor with the idea of Gastric surgery, thereby admitting fully to myself that I'm pretty overweight and have no control over my weight gain. I was shaking when I told her so I think my feelings were a bit raw.

thanks to all of you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I often tell my trainer and other's "I don't run, you know why? because I'm fat, fat people don't run, if I ran, I wouldn't be fat" He was the recipient of a tweet that was funny.

Some Fat ppl run :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Great advice here! I'd DEFINITELY ask him about it :) And you know what, at the end of the day, you need a great surgeon, not a great guy. The doc who did my sleeve is not well-liked in our bariatric support group, but he does impeccable work and he and I speak the same language when it comes to patient responsibility and who is in charge of me, my behavior and my success or failure. THAT, after his technical ability, was my biggest criteria. Good luck!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon is a really good surgeon. The support staff are lack luster. The chicks in the office have bad attitudes. I wasn't pleased with the after care but it doesn't really matter. I wanted a good surgery outcome and that is what I got. The rest afterwards, you can have anyone handle.

Meet him and form your own opinion.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would say when it comes to the surgeon, go by the experience that they have. You don't have to like them as a person. You want the doctor that is the best at what they do. You will not be hanging out with them or inviting them over to dinner. Good luck with finding your surgery center!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×