Re: talked to Dr. Hess today!

[Guest guest]

Hi folks! I got to talk to Dr. Hess today on the phone. He was so nice and

answered all my questions. He said he didn't see a problem with me using a

tape during surgery, but the anestsologist (sp) is the one to ask, but he

didn't see any problems.

He told me during surgery you are not " standing up " but they move the table

around to move you around depending on what part of it they are doing. He

said for some of it, they want your head up and other parts they want your

head down. He said you aree tiltled 30 - 35 dgrees, never more than that.

I asked him about using a flouroscope for the epidural and he said they don't

do that and he said that the fluroscope is an x-ray thing and he didn''t see

how that would be used for the epidual. And they don't use twilight sleep,

either, but they do give you some meds to relax. However, he did say that

they do MANY of these at his hospital and the people who do them have been

with him for years and they haven't had any problems with them.

He reviewed my blood work and said " you aren't diabetic, are you? " and I said

" no, I'm not " and he said " you are " which I took to mean " you are? " and I

said " no, I'm not and he said " you ARE! " and I said " OHMYGOD " I didn't have

any idea I could be.

He said my sugar is good (I think thats what he said) but that my glcosamyn?

and hemoglobin is 6 and normal is 5.9, so I am just a little over. I also

have high triglycerides, etc., which I already knew. Anyway, he said about

the diabetic " no big deal, because this cures it. " and I told him I knew

that, because I had read it on line.

I said if we need to write again to my ins company, you can mention this,

right? And he said that should help get approval if necessary (if I don't get

it without that)..

I had been scheduled for Feb. 28th, but when I called I told Dr. Hess I

wanted HIM and I would come in on Christmas if I had to! Well, he is going

to be out of town in February, so he changed my date to Jan. 22nd (he almost

changed it to 12/26 and I would have to come in on Christmas, and I told him

I would do that - by the way - Christmas is my birthday!) Anyway, providing

I get ins approval, Jan. 22nd will be the day!

Dr. Hess is going to send me a copy of my bloodwork so I can have my PCP go

over it about the borderline diabetes and he is going to send me a paper

where I can have a pint of my blood drawn 2 weeks before surgery so they will

have it if they need it for surgery.

I cannot TELL you how wonderful it was to talk to HIM. I told him how much I

respect him and think of him because of what I have learned on line - about

the anonymous post about the " bad surgeon " and how she considers him her hero

(he chuckled when I said that) and about Val who is the latest surgery I know

of that he did on a person with more potential complications (she is doing

well so far). He was very humble and said " well, we all work here together

and we will all see you in the hospital as we do our rounds together. " But

he really answered my questions in detail - no short quips, and he took time

for me. I feel so good about reaching him and meeting him, if only on the

phone!

I also feel like had I NOT talked to him, I would have been scheduled for

surgery in Feb when he isn't even going to be in town (even tho I asked

specifically for him) and I wouldn't have gotten notification of my blood

work results, or the paper to get the pint of blood taken. whew! I am glad

I called!! I know they can move up a scheduled date from the original, but

it still upsets me that I was down for Feb and he is going to be out of town

that month and I wanted him!!

Carole

[Guest guest]

That's great news, Carole! I knew if you really had questions you could talk

to Dr. Hess and the phone and it would put your mind at ease.

Dawn--South Suburban Chicago area

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

BPD/DS

4/27/00

www.duodenalswitch.com

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