Regine C.
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Dirk I Rodriguez
"***12/19/2002 PRE-CONSULTATION*** I have received a very thorough, but brief packet of information from Dr. Rodriguez' office. Karen is the WLS coordinator and Judy is the insurance coordinator. Pleasant staff, explained things clearly, quite prompt once the ball got rolling. The packet included a booklet about the procedure, risks, benefits and what post-op commitments would be required.It had a (relatively short) set of forms to be completed before the appointment. It had discounts for a motel and pharmacy nearby, and a pretty good map.(It's not like Palestine is a HUGE place!) The map was useful because the staff had marked the motel and pharmacy as well as the medical center on it. These little touches, which probably cost very little to Dr. Rodriguez' practice, make a big difference to my perception of efficiency, competence and kindness as an overall first impression.My appointment is on December 23. ***12/23/2002 CONSULTATION APP'T AND SEMINAR*** I went to a seminar at Advanced Surgery Group with a family member (good idea) and we listened to a pretty good video and the RN/WLS coordinator, (Karen) and asked NUMEROUS questions to poor Karen! I think we were a most curious bunch! I felt Karen was honest and encouraging and totally "unsalesmanlike." She seemed to want to help us reach our goals and was quite frank in pointing out if the surgery was not for us. I think Dr. Rodriguez is my kind of doctor. He's direct, he doesn't worry too much about the way you got here, looking into WLS surgery, but is here to help you now. He is clear about his expectations from you, and the things he can and cannot promise. I like his enthusiastic manner, open smile. He pays attention to what people are telling him. He seems to rarely miss a thing. He could actually keep up with me and my rapid-fire questions. He seemed genuinely interested and capable of helping me. He warned me about some potential problems with my insurance company (Aetna), and so I can only hope that I will be approved on the first try. I am very impressed. ***3/2/2003 POST-OP IMPRESSIONS*** I respect this doctor very much. I have never had to wait more than a day for a call-back from Karen, nor more than an hour for a call-back from Dr. Rodriguez when I had a question on day 10 after surgery. He is a good surgeon, and my incision is healing well. He was encouraging at my first post-op appointment and urged continued exercise and commitment to the post-op dietary plan. Everything he explained, via the seminar or pre- and post- op has been useful, complete information. I highly recommend Doctor Rodriguez for this procedure. It is unique, and I believe it is a "best" of both laparoscopic and open technique. I feel safer with this procedure in comparison to either one alone. And I feel great, 4 weeks post-op!SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Dr. Rodriguez' Board certification is in Cardiovascular Surgery. He is eminently qualified to reat this disorder which has such an impact oncardiovascular health."

Palestine Regional Medical Center
"Haven't had surgery there (yet!), but I met an OR recovery nurse, Sandy, and she was so nice! Also, quite a few of the nurses have had this particular WLS surgery and were very enthusiastic and positive post-ops. The hospital looked exquisitely clean, and when my teenage daughter and I ate in the cafeteria, it was very good. Overall people were friendly to strangers like us, and helpful in finding our way around. It seemed like a happy place. I also learned that Dr. Rodriguez is very particular about who works with his patients from the physician specialists on down to the the nursing staff. He intervenes without fail when there is a problem. He also has a particular area of the 2nd floor he likes to use, if I heard correctly. I don't know why this reassures me, but it does! ****Now that I have had the surgery:**** This was one of the nicest and most friendly places I have ever been. They really do care about their work and about the people they are caring for. I can't say enough nice things! The only thing I would say, is that the recliner situation needs amendment: They were almost too small for me to use, and not everyone had one! Also, throughout the hospital, the need for super-size hospital gowns that open at the sleeves was phenomenal! I could start a business! (ha-ha). I wish they had some available- two large gowns were barely adequate, and I felt a little exposed. I had a semi-private room, but no one was admitted into it while I was there. My husband was allowed to stay as long as needed- no one tried to "kick him out"- ever. In spite of the Columbia disaster (which I heard the sonic booms from ICU, with a lot of excitement and quarantine activity surrounding the hospital) I never felt ignored by the staff. ICU was a little too loud for my taste, especially when some student nurses were goofing around, and when a clinician felt a need to let everyone know his opinion on the shuttle episode, and the pieces found a mile and a half north of us. He was too loud about his involvement. Maybe he was just a bit excited, and didn't realize it. "

Daniel Voss
"What can I say? He listens, he evaluates, he's calm, quiet and honors his Christian values in all of his work. He never seems to get impatient at my very specific (annoying) questions, he respects the knowledge I come with, he's honest and caring.He is supprtive of my efforts to lose weight and encourages me to look into WLS and decide if it is something I want to do!"
About Me
Georgetown, TX
Location
53.7
BMI
RNY
Surgery
01/30/2003
Surgery Date
Dec 02, 2002
Member Since
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