I was under the general impression that the doctor attended/hosted information seminars. Is this correct? I just found a doc who doesn't attend, the RN does them. This kinda turns me off because I would like to meet the doc before I start making any commitments!

Doesn't the doc usually attend?

I've been to two seminars (while I was choosing docs) the doctor attended both of them. Not sure I would like a seminar that didn't include a doctor.

I just went to an orientation last night, and I encountered the same thing. I wasn't to crazy about it either. However, I went to another hospital last week, and the doctor was their, as well as the entire team, from the doctor to insurance person, to the exercise specialist etc. The only person not their was the shrink. I was really impressed.

Lisa

yeah, i would be turned off as well. i've been to 3 seminars and all included the dr. the insurance person was there and a couple of people who have had the surgery were there for questions and to share their experience. that is weird. try another office and go to their seminar. i would also ask if their dr's attend befor you go.

There are several big WLS Clinic where I live - they all do seminars that are run by nurses.

i wouldn't worry too much about the doctor not being at the seminar. you'll have a chance to meet him (or her) during your initial consultation. i didn't really have a lot of interaction with my doctor until after surgery.

Most places have the doctor attend. However, I am not sure it would make a big difference for me other than giving a couple extra warm and fuzzies. The nurse can probably give all of the basic information and you would still get the one-on-one deeper level consult with the doctor.

My doctor actually conducts the seminar and his staff are there for questions afterward. I can understand your apprehension about wanting him/her more involved from day one. Have you attended a seminar yet? I'd go and get all the information you can. If you are still interested in him - make a consultation appointment. That doesn't mean you have to commit to a specific doctor. At least you could get a feel for his office and see if you are comfortable with him being your surgeon.

I liked the doctor attended... in fact, that's how I chose my group. He talked with every person there like they were the only on in the room and took the time to answer all of our questions that he's heard a million times, I'm sure. Me personally, I like to get to know the doctor and the fact that he takes the time to come to every seminar makes me feel as though he truly cares. I knew I had to go with someone like that.

It's a seminar not a consult...I went to a seminar that was conducted by a surgeon that i wasn't impressed with. It didn't really matter as he was using a power point presentation and conveying information to a large group of people. I chose several surgeons that I wanted to interview and used the information that I obtained from the seminar to interview them. The seminar is a formality and an issue of compliancy. It's a way of weeding out people that are looking into a procedure rather than taking up the surgeons time on an individual basis. A nurse is able to convey the same information as a Dr.

I just went to an orientation last night, and I encountered the same thing. I wasn't to crazy about it either. However, I went to another hospital last week, and the doctor was their, as well as the entire team, from the doctor to insurance person, to the exercise specialist etc. The only person not their was the shrink. I was really impressed.

Lisa

That's how mine was, too. I went to another in my city (there are several) and it was much less professional, and the surgeon wasn't there. It was also much, much more crowded, I felt like we were being herded through like cattle to get it over and done with as a formality, rather than an actual step in the process. I was really turned off by that and even though the first place (the good one) is less convenient to get to and from, and that the second place is a Center of Excellence and mine isn't--I sill went with mine because I knew that I would get more personal attention which would (for me) lead to long-term success.