Doctors in Austin, Tx

Thread Starter  

Hello,

I attended a seminar on Saturday August 9th with Southwest Bariatric that was given by Dr. Bridget Brady. I was very impressed based on the seminar and I am considering Dr. Brady. Has anyone seen Dr. Brady or undergone the Lap Band procedure? If so I would be interested in your experience.

Larry

I was banded by Dr. Fass at Southwest Bariatrics, and I was pleased. The nurse is awesome and the receptionist is sweet. I mentioned those because I almost backed out of the surgery with the office because I was uncomfortable with the office staff before they switched receptionists. I talked to the doctor about it and he said, I had nothing to worry about she wouldn't be there after the next week, and she was gone. I think you will be very pleased with the office....

Thread Starter  

Thank you! your reply seems to confirm the impression I had. I did Southwest's online seminar several days before the one I attended, then I saw the seminar I attended. I faxed in all the paperwork from their website and I am now awaiting reply from the patient advocate.

Depending on your insurance...you won't be waiting long for anything. They are really on top of things!!! My process moved so quick sometimes I have to remind myself I have already been banded....It took all of my maybe a month and 2 weeks...

Actually, while the staff at SW bariatrics ARE friendly and great...they weren't exactly "on top of things" with my case. I would be my own advocate if I were you, Larry. And if you are serious about the surgery, I would call them until you get the surgery. I had to do that. They ended up losing my information b/c my surgeon went on vacation right after my first meeting with him and a whole month went by before I finally decided to call to see what was going on. That's when I found out that my files were misplaced. I would have never known if I wouldn't have called. Then my pre op advocate was a little late in contacting me as well, but again, I was on top of her as well b/c of the other situation. But everyone was VERY nice and had a pleasant attitude, which I appreciated. I haven't been banded yet, but I am in my pre op stages...been approved and all. But SW Bariactrics is a great place. I am with Dr. Clark, I heard that he was the best out of the bunch, which is why I chose him. But all of the doctors are good. Dr. Faas did the seminar I attended. I wish you the best on your journey!!

Thread Starter  

Thank you ArmyWife, I have been very impressed so far. I too am in the pre-op stages, I had the lab work and EKG done on 8/26, the meeting with the exercise physiologist on 9/5, and am currently looking to get the psych eval done. I had my first appoinment with Dr. Brady on 8/21 and I am convinced that I have chosen the right surgeon. Good luck as you get throught the pre-op requirements.


Larry

Hi Larry - I was banded at SW Bariatrics in 11/06 and my doctor was Mark Sherrod. He's been great! Know that some doctors are much more conservative than others at the practice. We have a Lap Band support group here in Austin that you're more than welcomed to come to -- we're meeting tonite at TGI Friday's at LaFrontera at 6:30. Just ask for the Band Support group -- they know us. St David's also has their support group meetings -- you can check St. David's site for the next meeting -- it's within the next week or so on a Monday nite. Getting all of the facts/details before surgery is so important! Be sure to ask away and get input from folks who have had experience with their doctors. As I said, I'd recommend Dr Sherrod in a heartbeat. He's been there for me and continues to be a terrific supporter!

I agree about being your own best advocate. Just keep on top of things and do know that the insurance process is not easy or quick. Unless you've got coverage that's extraordinary, plan on at least a 3 month wait for approval/getting tests done/scheduling. Many wait much longer, but it's all part of the process. In the meantime, get to know the Lap Band community here in Austin -- there are a lot of us here to support each other and new folks considering surgery. Best to you and hope to see you at the meeting! (we also have a Yahoo group that you may want to plug into -- CenTexBandsters : CenTex (Austin Metro) Bandsters).

Happy trails to you!

Dawn

Hey Larry...Congrats! You are further along than I thought you were, a little futher than I am...how was the pre op testing? Mine will be done next week. How long did it take. My patient advocate(PA) told me that it would take about 3 hours. I am having everything done in one day. The only thing I am unsure about is the nutrition scheduling, I haven't talked to Jerry yet. But everything else will be done on 9/15...so how was it?

Dawn-Yes, Dr. Clark first off looks to be about 70 or so , so he's probably the most conservative as they come...lol. But my PCP said that he's the best in the office and she only sends her patients to him. I think it's b/c of all of his experience. Just her personal choice I think and I feel comfortable with him. I like him. How fast did your whole process take from start to finish? With the exception of the "snafoo" of the misplacement of my files and the month wait b/c of it, I haven't waited long at all. I went to the seminar on July 9th, saw Dr. Clark on Jul. 28, (called them up on Aug 24th b/c I hadn't heard anything back and found out they'd forgotten about me...it happens!...lol), but was approved by Tricare by Aug.26th. Am now in preop testing stage. So it's moved pretty quickly. If I didn't have that mishap, I may have been banded by now!!

__________________
NEWSeminar- 10/9
Insurance referral sent -8/22
Insurance Approved Procedure-8/26

My whole process took about 4 and a half months from when my papers were submitted to my insurance company until I was banded. Honestly, it wasn't bad, but I do know of others who have had a much longer wait time -- it all depends upon what is submitted with your paperwork and the documentation's content. All in all, I was happy with the process -- although I did have to stay on top of things to make sure I wasn't being lost in the shuffle.

I know of several folks who have used Dr. Clark and have liked him. He was the person who gave the presentation at my seminar and I didn't take a liking to him but, from what I've heard, he's very good at lap band surgery. Just know, he IS conservative with fills and you have to be the driver on when and how much you need. A friend of mine has not done great with the band (and he's her doctor) simply because she hasn't taken the inititive to speak up and let him know what she wants to have happen. Some doctors in the practice are very exercise orientented and won't fill you unless you are in some kind of exercise program -- some aren't. Some are liberal and let you tell them what you want. Honestly, this is YOUR journey and YOU should be the driver of what you want to see happen. If you don't speak up, they won't know what you want and they aren't mind readers.

Best of luck with your process -- I'm sure all will be fine!

Dawn

Explain what you mena by being a "Driver." I all ready know what you mean first hand about staying on top of the process before getting the band, so you won't get lost in the process. I feel kind of anal by calling them so much, but I allready saw what happened to me first and I don't want it to happen again...correction...it WON'T happen again if I can help it, b/c I will keep calling to make sure they don't forget about me...lol. But yes Dr. Clark was about 70, so most men that age could be pretty conservative in their views, espcially a physician. Why did your friend not speak up about her fills? Was she afraid or something? Or do you just mean that Dr. Clark was telling her how much she needed each time she went and she was just like "ok" knowing that it wasn't enough? Explain to me and let me know BEFORE hand. I have NO PROBLEM changing docs at all. I want this to be a complete success. My hubby is in the military too, so Dr. Clark probably won't be the doc I'm with forever anyway, but still...if you knw something I don't...let me know now!!! lol...

__________________
NEWSeminar- 10/9
Insurance referral sent -8/22
Insurance Approved Procedure-8/26

By "being the driver" I mean that you have to be pro-active in your treatment plan. If things aren't going the way you'd like to see them, it's your responsibility to be the one who speaks up and let's the doctor know what your needs are. If you don't feel you're getting the results you need, you need to be the one who has to find out why -- giving the doctor as much information regarding your expectations, knowing what his approach is and working together to achieve the end goal is the main factor with this process. If you're comfortable and are confident with your doctor, that is the most important thing.

It's clear you're willing to speak up. Some aren't and, when things go awray, the blame the band or the doctor or whatever rather than taking responsibility of knowing that their input is key in the success of your weight loss. My suggestion is that you get to a few support group meetings to talk to folks who have had the surgery. If you haven't been to any, this is where folks will give you the in's and out's of their experiences and you can hear what folks have gone through, how they've solved their problems and the good/bad of it all.

What's right for one may not be right for another, but what's right for YOU is the most important thing. And, remember, results vary from person to person based on age/sex/weight, etc. My friend has other issues going on with her and, until these are reconcilled, she'll probably continue to be stagnent with her weight loss. Again, taking responsibility and taking action on what you need is key. Making sure your needs are being met and making sure your expectations aren't unrealistic are important (i.e. don't expect to lose as fast as by-pass folks).

Hope this helps you. As I said, it's a process and sometimes we want things to happen quicker than they (actually) can....be patient, be on top of it and be pro-active and you'll be fine. Sounds as if you're on top of it all so I'm sure you'll get the results you want! Best to you!

Dawn

Thread Starter  

Armywife, Sorry I haven't replied sooner, the lab work wasn't bad at all just had the EKG done and the blood draw done for the tests. I had this done by my primary care physician, Dr. Malleske at South Austin Medical so my insurance would have to cover at least that much, this was done on 8/26, I had the exercise consult on 9/5 at St. Davids, next will be the Psych eval on 9/22, and last but not least the appointment with Jerry on 10/2, and I'm hoping the next appointment with Dr. Brady and a sugery date soon after that. Good Luck with your pre-op appointments! Larry.