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Post by nacartwright on Jan 6, 2012 10:31:11 GMT -5
Hola, So I 've been to two "seminars" or what ever you want to call them so far. The first (IU Health) I knew the surgeon who does DS did surgeries there - but alas - the hospital doesn't support DS. Plus, the surgeon who did speak gave a horrible presentation. I recall someone asking about RNY: "Why is the stomach still left if no food reaches it?" - This surgeon replied, "Because that's how we're taught to do it." Fast Forward to last night I went to St Vincent in Carmel, In... where they do the DS procedure. The Bariatric center its self I'm not sure about...they told us to expect to be there for 2-3 hours but they didn't tell us that most of it was going to be waiting. They took everyones vitals, weight, and then reviewed the medical history we submitted. Later the insurance lady from the surgeons office came in and talked. She gave nothing formal just gave tips on how to get approved quicker. For instance she said that for the 6 month med supervised visit to be sure to call the doctor and make the appointment for weight loss. She said the insurance companies sometimes look at the reason for the visit and if it's a secondary reason they may reject...thought that made sense. The dietitian was next...she flew through the slides and talked so softly you couldn't hear her - or at least I could not. Was mostly RNY stuff - however - unlike what I've read about other centers and DS they did tell you that and if you wanted the DS information they would go over it with you separately. Perhaps not to make the RNY people jealous  ? Next the surgeon came in...Dr. Inman - she was awesome. Gave a really great overview of all of the surgeries and obesity its self. Gave a detailed background of where she did training. I was expecting someone more uptight and "all business" as she was described. She was to a point but in a good way...she felt genuine. Finally, you had the option to meet with the surgeon - it was going to cost $250 or something like that (billable to insurance). I was expecting too much I guess. The PA came in listened to my heart and lungs - reviewed the same info that the RN had. She asked which surgery I was interested in and said ok go schedule your psych appointment. Took a total of 5 minutes...for $250...WOW. I make ok money and all but I shoulda went to med-school . Their psych does not do insurance at all and is 100% out of pocket. The did give a list of dates but I figure it'd be easier for the process if I just went to their guy. Anyway - I think if Dr. Inman did the DS at other hospitals I would go somewhere else...I wasn't impressed with St Vincent at all. I took off of work and all I did was wait around for the majority of time. I hope everything after this goes better? PS: I Finally (after a year) went to my doctor today. I talked to him about various things in my health - he made a couple comments about weight - indirectly though - so I finally brought it up to him - he's fully on board and said when I need to start the 6 month thing to call and make an appointment - he'd help me out. Which was a relief. |
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Post by hoosiermama on Jan 6, 2012 11:04:43 GMT -5
Dr. Inman is supposed to be a phenomenal surgeon. We have a St. Vincents hospital down here that would have referred me to Inman. I won't go to that ER for a sore throat. St. Vincent recently bought the hospital and they may be cleaning it up but it has such a rep for killing/maiming people that the closest I go to there is to driveby fast  I was having major heart issues a few weeks after my surgery and I drove 50 miles to get to a good hospital. I know I've seen people who have had Inman as a surgeon and they can pipe up about the care at St. Vincents. I haven't seen any complaints so it might just have been a bad night. I'm so glad you've decided to take back control of your life and body! It's empowering to make the decision! me |
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Post by nacartwright on Jan 6, 2012 12:47:11 GMT -5
My family has always gone to St Francis because it's close - they bought our local hospital in Mooresville. I've recently become a fan of IU Health because that's who my doctor is through - plus they do their surgeries in the fancy new hospital in Carmel - IU North. I've always known St Vincent was around just had never been. Dr. Inmans office is separate from St. Vincent - she's through Meridian Surgery or something like that. Her staff seems good enough - which is what really matters - not sure about St. Vincent still though . Anywho - I don't think I'd be as committed to doing this w/o all of you. Other than pain in my joints (which my doc says he wrote me a RX for last time I saw him - but I never remember him saying anything about it) and a bit of high blood pressure I'm not in "bad" health - though - I know it will decline any time - heart issues, diabetes, etc and that scares the living hell out of me more than having surgery. The vitamin regimen is a little intimidating - not that I won't be committed to it - because I am and will be...I'm just so afraid of messing it up. Though, having a place like this I can come and get help and guidance eases the intimidation greatly! I've never had a strong relationship with a doctor - I think mostly because doctors growing up has been for colds, flu, stomach sickness and not for overall health. When I brought my weight up to my current doctor today he grinned and was happy to hear I wanted to do something about it - which made me feel good. He committed to me doing everything possible to help me get to where I want to go. I'll be traveling the next three weeks for work - 3 Cities in 3 weeks...WOWZA. Once I return I go for the psych visit and start my 6 month doctor supervised thing. |
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Post by sandyv63 on Jan 6, 2012 21:23:06 GMT -5
Congratulations on your decision to take control of your life by choosing the best WLS available! Please continue to update us on your progress. Men do so well with this surgery and I am sure you'll be no different.
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Post by lyndiain on Jan 6, 2012 21:48:52 GMT -5
Ok, don't let the wackadoodles at the bariatric center at St. V's scare you off. (and by the way, Dr. Inman's office is at St. V's, it's just called Meridian Surgical Group.) Anyway, St. V's actual bariatric surgical unit is awesome!! It is clean, the staff really wants to be there (they aren't just "assigned." They actually request to be assigned to the unit.) And Dr. Inman is the best! She performed my first surgery back in 1997 (the VBG) and when I knew I needed a revision I knew I wanted to go back to her. I had some complications (a stomach leak and abscess) and was in the hospital almost 8 weeks. I had another 4 day stint about a year later and it was just as awesome then, too. I love St. V's Carmel, and have never had any issues there. Yes, the dieticians at the bariatric center are retarded and don't "get" the DS lifestyle, but that's ok; that's why you're here. But I can tell you from experience, you can't go wrong with the actual hospital.
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Post by lyndiain on Jan 6, 2012 21:53:32 GMT -5
OH, and if you can, go to a different psych than Dr. DOLT! at St. V's. He's an idiot and he thinks all overweight people are fat because they have emotional issues and are out of control fatties. I despised that man, and he wouldn't recommend me for surgery unless I went to at least 6 sessions with an addiction specialist. I went to an addiction/weight loss specialist counselor and he told me after the first visit that I didn't have any real issues and didn't see what Dr. DOLT! saw. I can't believe he's still there. Probably because he can't get a job anywhere else.
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Post by lyndiain on Jan 6, 2012 21:59:50 GMT -5
Oh yeah, I almost forgot... the monthly Indy DS support group meeting is this coming Tuesday Jan. 10th at Fogo De Chao downtown Indy. (Each month we hit a different restaurant around the Indianapolis area.) It starts at 6:00pm. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it because I'll be in Dallas for work, but I hope you can make it. Lots of really cool Indy DSers to meet! My best friend Jessica usually plans each month's outing. Here's more info:
Dinner
Tuesday, January 10th, 6pm
Fogo de Chao
online info
Fogo de Chao is a Brazilian steakhouse which means plenty of PROTEIN! We will be going during the Devour Downtown event which means prices are only $30 for a full dinner (a greatly reduced price). Please post ASAP if you plan to attend because reservations will be needed at the restaurant. A posting to this thread or an email to jnplacke at gmail.com will also work. I look forward to celebrating everyone's successes in 2011 and plans for 2012!
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Post by nacartwright on Jan 6, 2012 22:37:28 GMT -5
hola - Do you mean Dr. Stote? Joseph Stote? They gave a list of other psychs we can visit too that do bill insurance. and Fogo is amazing! I wish I could make it - but I'm on a 3 week travel cycle for work starting on Monday. YAY Small planes and a big ass ! Excited. lol |
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Post by feeder3565 on Jan 7, 2012 1:18:07 GMT -5
Hi, so glad you are moving ahead with your decision and life. Dr. Inman is a great cutter. She is straight foreword. You will need to speak up with things you might need. You will have to be very assertive with her staff. ST.V is a great hospital, and believe me I have been in many to compare it to. Top notch equipment, after all we are talking Carmel here. You will do fine. I had a 15 minute talk with some guy, passed me with no problem. Good luck. Karen
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Post by lyndiain on Jan 7, 2012 10:38:42 GMT -5
hola - Do you mean Dr. Stote? Joseph Stote? They gave a list of other psychs we can visit too that do bill insurance. and Fogo is amazing! I wish I could make it - but I'm on a 3 week travel cycle for work starting on Monday. YAY Small planes and a big ass ! Excited. lol Yes, Dr. Stote. He's an idiot. Go to someone else. Yeah, I'm bummed that I can't make it to Fogo. I've never been and I was all excited, but then I found out last week I have to be in Dallas for work and will miss it.  Oh well, I'll make it there someday. |
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Post by ms2mrsmyers on Jan 8, 2012 3:20:27 GMT -5
I saw Dr. Stote a few weeks back for my psych appointment and I thought he was very good and pleasant and he recommended me for surgery with no problem. There is a lot of waiting at the initial seminar but I think it's because there are so many that attend and a limited amount of staff, I have not had that problem with any of my subsequent appointments. I am going the 13th for all my pre op testing and will hopefully get a surgery date that day. Good luck to you on your journey.
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Post by lyndiain on Jan 8, 2012 7:40:49 GMT -5
I saw Dr. Stote a few weeks back for my psych appointment and I thought he was very good and pleasant and he recommended me for surgery with no problem. There is a lot of waiting at the initial seminar but I think it's because there are so many that attend and a limited amount of staff, I have not had that problem with any of my subsequent appointments. I am going the 13th for all my pre op testing and will hopefully get a surgery date that day. Good luck to you on your journey. Glad you had a better experience with Dr. Dolt! Many a DSer has had an experience more like mine than like yours. Who knows, maybe he's mellowed in the past few years, but when I saw him back in 2005 he was horrible. When he asked me why I though my first surgery failed and I explained the staple line disruption, he asked me what I thought caused that. Told him I wasn't sure, and neither was Dr. Inman. He kept trying to get me to say it was my fault somehow. And when he asked why I wanted the DS over the RNY and I told him I thought I would do better with the dietary guidelines (since I'm such a carnivore) he decided I had an unhealthy attitude about food and WLS and that I needed to realize that WLS wasn't about what you like to eat but about adhering to "the rules." I thought he was extremely arrogant. |
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huskerchad
Full Member
Gentleman. Scholar. DS'er.
Posts: 194
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Post by huskerchad on Jan 9, 2012 0:45:06 GMT -5
First, it sounds like we might be neighbors if you are in or near Mooresville. I live in the Heartland Crossing neighborhood if you know where that is. We also have a group of people from the Plainfield area who come to the support group pretty regularly. I would be happy to talk over the phone or meet up sometime if you can't make the regular support groups and feel like you need more info.
Anyway, I second what others say. Dr. Inman is as good as they come. The bariatric ward where you will spend your recovery is better than any I have seen or heard of. The dietitians are as bad as anyone, anywhere, and don't deserve any of your time. Personally, I refuse to meet with them.
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Post by ms2mrsmyers on Jan 9, 2012 0:58:46 GMT -5
The dieticians at St. V's do suck. They don't seem to "get" what it is like to be obese and they give the same dietary guidelines for all surgeries. I haven't gained any useful info from them yet...thankfully I found this site.
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Post by nacartwright on Jan 9, 2012 7:26:54 GMT -5
First, it sounds like we might be neighbors if you are in or near Mooresville. I live in the Heartland Crossing neighborhood if you know where that is. We also have a group of people from the Plainfield area who come to the support group pretty regularly. I would be happy to talk over the phone or meet up sometime if you can't make the regular support groups and feel like you need more info. Anyway, I second what others say. Dr. Inman is as good as they come. The bariatric ward where you will spend your recovery is better than any I have seen or heard of. The dietitians are as bad as anyone, anywhere, and don't deserve any of your time. Personally, I refuse to meet with them. Actually - That's funny - I live in Heartland Crossing as well. We might actually be neighbors. haha. I'd love to perhaps meet and talk or come to the support group. As I've mentioned about I have to squeeze my fat arse in a few different planes this month for work and will be back in February. |
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huskerchad
Full Member
Gentleman. Scholar. DS'er.
Posts: 194
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Post by huskerchad on Jan 9, 2012 9:55:33 GMT -5
Wow, small world! My sympathy about the planes. I remember the feeling well. I actually never got on a plane at my highest weight nor anywhere near it. I don't know how many belt extenders that would have taken. The last time I had been on a plane before surgery was 6 years prior and over a hundred pounds smaller.
I'll PM you my contact info as well as Jessica's so you can get on her contact list for the Indy DS events if you want.
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Post by Jessica on Jan 9, 2012 11:26:54 GMT -5
Hi,
You've already met several of the Indy DSers - we're a great bunch of folks! I know you said you can't make dinner this week but I wanted to let you know that we also have a monthly support group meeting the 4th Tuesday of the month at St. Vincent's in Carmel. It runs from 6:30pm - 8:00pm and we often get together for dinner afterward.
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Post by nacartwright on Jan 9, 2012 11:35:54 GMT -5
I am in Boston that week or I'd love to join. Perhaps next month. I should be in town...
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Post by pktwatch on Jan 9, 2012 23:13:09 GMT -5
Another St Vincent and Dr Inman patient here.  I echo what the others have said, surgeons do not come any better than Dr Inman and I was treated with respect and made very comfortable while in the Bariatric unit, nicest staff you could want. Dr. Stote was a joke as are the NUTS however you can file the ins yourself for the psych visit. My ins paid, it is just that HE won't bill them and wait for his money! "Dr. Inmans office is separate from St. Vincent - she's through Meridian Surgery" In reality her office is on the second floor just above the Bariatric Center. I have been to several support group meeting and find the people to be helpful and friendly. Sometimes the facilitater speaks like we had the RNY and I have tried arguing with her from time to time but it's best just to hang out with the DS'ers after the meeting and get the "real story". Hope to meet you at a support group sometime, I may not make the one this month, our daughter and her family are coming up from Tennessee that day. |
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Post by nacartwright on Jan 10, 2012 15:33:25 GMT -5
Now that you mention the location of Dr. Inmans office I recall them saying something like that. Though all the millions of papers we signed they made it clear they were at least legally separate entities.
I'm going to really attempt to make the group meeting next month.
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I was having major heart issues a few weeks after my surgery and I drove 50 miles to get to a good hospital.
Oh well, I'll make it there someday.
I echo what the others have said, surgeons do not come any better than Dr Inman and I was treated with respect and made very comfortable while in the Bariatric unit, nicest staff you could want.