Dr. Monk in york PA

dle204 · September 25, 2008

Hi

Long time reader, first posting.

I am done with all the prerequisites and have submitted to insurance for final approval.

Has anyone had any experiences with Dr. Monk @ Wellspan in York, PA? He has been doing bariatric surgery for like 12 years but just started with lap bands. I am a little nervous about being his twelve bandit.

LAURIE D · October 2, 2008

:cool2:

Hi
Long time reader, first posting.

I am done with all the prerequisites and have submitted to insurance for final approval.

Has anyone had any experiences with Dr. Monk @ Wellspan in York, PA? He has been doing bariatric surgery for like 12 years but just started with lap bands. I am a little nervous about being his twelve bandit.

Actually, I had my appt w/Dr.Monk on 10/1. I really didn't care for him. He rushed the entire appt and wouldn't let me speak. I was very dissapointed. He made it very clear that he prefers th GB over the LB.. I go again on 11/4 so I guess that will be the deal breaker..

Good Luck !

dle204 · October 2, 2008

yep, I got the same impression that he prefers GB over LB. his mannor didn't bother me much, I had a list and he stayed to answer all my questions.

Are you looking at other surgeons in the area? I know there is one in harrisburg and one down at sainai in baltimore but I would hate to have to do the drive every time I need a fill or a checkup.

LAURIE D · October 2, 2008

My plan is having it done in York. I live in Dallastown and work in the York area. I cannot travel all over the place every 4-6 weeks. I'm guessing Dr.Monk's biggest concern is that I'm a recovering alcaholic. I decided GB was way more risky then LB regarding relapse. The Psych Doc and my Family Doc, felt very confident that I would be fine. I felt judged by him, due to of my past. I could have lied and never said a word. I hope and pray he does the surgery. I've gained sooooo much weight in the past year. Pretty face with a plus size body !

dle204 · October 2, 2008

Congradulations on the "recovering" part. I hope it works out for you. I think you are better off telling him and being honest, get any issues out on the table and deal with them, especially if they could make a difference. Just my 2 cents.:w00t:

I am just glad to hear from another bandit in the area. I went to the meeting but it is mostly GB patients.

creamnbax · November 6, 2008

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you know about Dr. Monk. I have had the Gastric Bypass surgery on Aug. 14, 2008 and had Dr. Monk. Yes I am very pleased with his work. Please do not let his office visits scare you in anyway. After going through with the procedure, he is more at ease when he goes in for the surgery. My husband and I had the same thoughts and feelings about him. After my surgery and while I was in recovery he had come out to update my husband and family. The husband really liked him after the surgery and his whole demeaner was different.

When you have the surgery, he is a lot more tolerable and thorough. Dr. Monk's bed side manners are totally different than what they are pre-surgery. I have been told that he is rated #6 in the nation. As far as Dr. Garber goes, he is in the same office as Dr. Monk. I would steer clear of him at all possible cast. You will have more problems with him. My mother had Dr. Monk and was happy. 2 folks in our street rod club had Dr. Garber and had a lot more trouble after surgery. If I can answer any other questions please just ask, I would love to try to answer them since I have gone through the procedure. Oh, by the way, I am down at least 42 pounds since surgery but down about 70 pounds through the clinical weight loss program with the surgery pounds included.

Elizabet · December 3, 2008

I was going through the process for surgery at Hershey Med but their program was so slow I gave up. I am curious as to why Dr Monk feels GB is better than LB surgery?

Thanks, Elizabeth

creamnbax · December 4, 2008

I really did not feel as if Dr. Monk pushed me into GM vs. LB/ I aleady knew prior to going into his office that I wanted the GB. He has been performing the GB a lot longer than LB. The LB procedure is a lot newer procedure. The GB has been actually around since the 60's.

The only thing that I can say is that I am happy with the GB. I am currently down 51 pounds since surgery. If there may be a possibilty that you would want the surgery reversed, than LB is your route to go. With LB, it is more easily reversed than GB. GB would only be reversed in severe cases. I have done some homework and I have heard more horrer stories with the LB. You are more likely I believe to have infestion set in but do not think that with GB you cannot - you still can.

Dr. Monk may feel more comfortable with doing GB over LB since he has been doing this procedure for a number of years. I really did not feel pressured into the GB. The thing that I can suggest is to do your homework on both procedures. You have to honestly make the best decision for you. Please do not allow Dr. Monk to pressure you into the one procedure or other if you are not comfortable with a certain procedure.

If you have anymore questions concerning my recovery or anything else, please feel free to drop me a line. I would be more than happy to give you my opinion on the GB that I have had done. I am so happy with it so far. My only problem was is that I should have it done a lot sooner. There is risks with any surgery that you have done whether elective or not.

Chastity :cursing:

Elizabet · December 4, 2008

Thanks for the info. I have done a lot of research on both procedures. Now I just have to decide which one. I was however quite curious about why he liked GB better. Makes sense since he has been doing it longer. Maybe I need to just go back to Herhsey where they have been doing the LB much longer.

Thanks again,

Elizabeth