"2/17/04 - I met Dr. O'Connell & some of the ReNew staff (social worker, nutritionist, nurse practitioner) at a support group meeting/new info meeting. The 1st 30 min. was for pre-ops to ask questions to the post-ops, then the post-ops went to their aftercare meeting, and us pre-ops stayed with the Doctor & nurse & asked more questions. It was very laid back & informal, no slide show, etc. The doc was very honest & direct. He & his partner, Dr. Mando, do all of the surgeries together (over 2,000 RNY). He openly stated that they consider themselves still learning the laproscopic procedure (although I believe he said they're done a few hundred). They do the open RNY in under 1 hour. I had already decided that I wanted mine done open anyway. And last week I found out I have gallstones, and they only do an open procedure if they know the patient has stones. He discussed the risks & expected outcomes. I haven't had an appointment with him yet, but I feel I've made a good choice in surgeons. I believe that experience, competence and success rates are the most important factors in choosing a surgeon. If a surgeon has a good bedside manner, that's just a plus.
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12/22/04
lap rny. Dr. O'Connell said my surgery was the easiest they've done. I took just 85 minutes. I had no complications in the hospital. Went in on Wednesday, and home on Friday.
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2/09/05
7 weeks post-op. Down 30 1/2 #. BMI is now 34.2. I couldn't have lost this weight without the surgery. In less than a month, my blood pressure was normal without medication.
Aftercare is very important. There is a dietician & social worker & nurse practitioner in his office. There are 3 support group meetings a month in different cities.
I am very pleased that I choose the Renew program and Dr. O'Connell. It was worth the fight with my insurance company.
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