Wouldn't it be great if bariatric surgeons all had to have bariatric surgery themselves before they practiced?

I'd rather they all freaking agree on some basic things like pre-op diet guidelines and post-op diets for the first 8 weeks.

My surgeon definitely needed a lesson in not being a douchebag. But I hear that is the case with a lot of surgeons. I appreciate the fact that he is talented and did a good job on my surgery, but I'll never forget what a horrible person he was to my family and me on that day. (And I won't allow them to photograph me and use me in any of their advertisements because of it...)

31 minutes ago, orionburn said:

I'd rather they all freaking agree on some basic things like pre-op diet guidelines and post-op diets for the first 8 weeks.

I'm actually surprised this is expected of surgeons back in the US. In Canada you're assigned a case manager and RD (registered dietitian) who take care of that. All the surgeon does here is say what he feels is a comfortable length of pre-op diet given the patient's weight, medical history, etc. In my case I even got two second opinions, and the surgeon was the one who even suggested them just to verify for making up my mind whether I wanted to do VSG or RNY.

20 minutes ago, blizair09 said:

My surgeon definitely needed a lesson in not being a douchebag. But I hear that is the case with a lot of surgeons. I appreciate the fact that he is talented and did a good job on my surgery, but I'll never forget what a horrible person he was to my family and me on that day. (And I won't allow them to photograph me and use me in any of their advertisements because of it...)

I must be a rare case. Dr. Richdeep Gill has been an awesome surgeon thus far. I've only had 3 appointments and an endoscopy with him, and OR date for him to slice and dice me up is April 20th, but the guy is very clinical with his work, explains everything well, has a very positive attitude, and moreover attuned toward patient concerns. Granted, he also seems like he's in his early/mid 30s like me.. one of the surgeons I had a second opinion with, I'm actually glad I didn't have him as my actual surgeon. Had the attitude of an old vet who's tired of everyone's crap.

I also sort of told him I'm deviating from the RD's stupid pre-op liquid diet requirements, and given my results have been fantastic (I'm sure if they weren't he'd be scolding me), he's actually praised my efforts and research.

Edited March 24, 20179 yr by PatientEleventyBillion

1 minute ago, PatientEleventyBillion said:

I must be a rare case. Dr. Richdeep Gill has been an awesome surgeon thus far. I've only had 3 appointments and an endoscopy with him, and OR date for him to slice and dice me up is April 20th, but the guy is very clinical with his work, explains everything well, has a very positive attitude, and moreover attuned toward patient concerns. Granted, he also seems like he's in his early/mid 30s like me.. one of the surgeons I had a second opinion with, I'm actually glad I didn't have him as my actual surgeon. Had the attitude of an old vet who's tired of everyone's crap.

My surgeon showed up 3 hours late to the hospital with no explanation and no apology. (This after they called me 3 different times the day before the surgery to change the time I should arrive at the hospital.) I was the last surgery, so we waited for hours and hours in the waiting room. When I finally did get to go, he never spoke to me or my family. After it was over, he talked to mom on the phone because he wanted to leave (meaning that my dad and my parnter had to get information secondhand). He didn't go out and speak to them in person as he had done with every other patient's family all day. And, to top it off, when my mom (a sleeve patient herself) asked some questions, he was condescending and rude to her.

He is an incredible surgeon, but, based on that experience, he is not a great person.

7 minutes ago, blizair09 said:

My surgeon showed up 3 hours late to the hospital with no explanation and no apology. (This after they called me 3 different times the day before the surgery to change the time I should arrive at the hospital.) I was the last surgery, so we waited for hours and hours in the waiting room. When I finally did get to go, he never spoke to me or my family. After it was over, he talked to mom on the phone because he wanted to leave (meaning that my dad and my parnter had to get information secondhand). He didn't go out and speak to them in person as he had done with every other patient's family all day. And, to top it off, when my mom (a sleeve patient herself) asked some questions, he was condescending and rude to her.

He is an incredible surgeon, but, based on that experience, he is not a great person.

I'd be slightly uncomfortable with someone like that digging through my guts -- great or not.

13 minutes ago, blizair09 said:

My surgeon showed up 3 hours late to the hospital with no explanation and no apology. (This after they called me 3 different times the day before the surgery to change the time I should arrive at the hospital.) I was the last surgery, so we waited for hours and hours in the waiting room. When I finally did get to go, he never spoke to me or my family. After it was over, he talked to mom on the phone because he wanted to leave (meaning that my dad and my parnter had to get information secondhand). He didn't go out and speak to them in person as he had done with every other patient's family all day. And, to top it off, when my mom (a sleeve patient herself) asked some questions, he was condescending and rude to her.

That guy deserves a biiiiiiiiiiiiig

1 hour ago, orionburn said:

I'd rather they all freaking agree on some basic things like pre-op diet guidelines and post-op diets for the first 8 weeks.

I agree with this! Not too concerned about if they should have the surgery. For them to be qualified to cut a body and work on the insides, is enough for me.

S

30 minutes ago, blizair09 said:

My surgeon showed up 3 hours late to the hospital with no explanation and no apology. (This after they called me 3 different times the day before the surgery to change the time I should arrive at the hospital.) I was the last surgery, so we waited for hours and hours in the waiting room. When I finally did get to go, he never spoke to me or my family. After it was over, he talked to mom on the phone because he wanted to leave (meaning that my dad and my parnter had to get information secondhand). He didn't go out and speak to them in person as he had done with every other patient's family all day. And, to top it off, when my mom (a sleeve patient herself) asked some questions, he was condescending and rude to her.

He is an incredible surgeon, but, based on that experience, he is not a great person.

Maybe he had a rough day? His behavior isn't excusable but forgivable. I'm sorry you had that experience too. But all is well now, right?

13 minutes ago, Navigating the Wilderness said:

That guy deserves a biiiiiiiiiiiiig

No need. I'd just take some viagra before surgery and go in with a huge boner for him to stare at the entire time.

Edited March 24, 20179 yr by PatientEleventyBillion

23 minutes ago, Newme17 said:

S

Maybe he had a rough day? His behavior isn't excusable but forgivable. I'm sorry you had that experience too. But all is well now, right?

Yep. Everything is fine. And his staff is amazing. But I won't let him profit off of my success after he treated my family and me like that.

8 minutes ago, blizair09 said:

Yep. Everything is fine. And his staff is amazing. But I won't let him profit off of my success after he treated my family and me like that.

Understood and I wouldn't either. Sometimes we just have to shake the dust off and move on, right? I'm glad all is well. Congrats on your progress so far!!! You've done an amazing job.

I was very lucky with my surgeon and his staff. Dr. Onopchenko was wonderful. He and his staff were very kind and explained everything. Treated me and my husband with great respect.
Best experience with a surgeon that I've ever had.

Yes, so sorry to hear some of you had bad experiences with your surgeons.

My surgeon was awesome! Super empathetic, respectful, thorough, etc. When I told him I wanted to ride a roller coaster, horse, etc. he got tears in his eyes. I have the utmost respect for him. A family member sees him every now and then and he always asks how I am doing. There is good and not so good in every profession.

Surgeon and hospital care was great! Surgeon arrogant but my experience is they normally are..but as long as they do a good job and all parts in order I'm happy..nurses and doctors make up for bed side manner lacking in surgeon.

I had an Amazing suregon. Dr. Allen Alavrez with Sage Bariatrics in San Antonio! But I did my research first, he was not the first suregon I visited. It was important to me to have a great doctor.