Moving...Aftercare...MD/PA area

 I am moving to western Maryland in the end of may, beginning of june.  I am looking at moving my aftercare to one of the few doctors that are in the relative area.  Form being around here long enough, I have narrowed it down to about 2-3 doctors/areas that I would go.  What I am wanting to know, If anyone knows these answers, as far as accepting aftercare of patients, insurance issues, medical network/hospital affiliation (other specialties) or any other insight you can offer me.

The ones I am looking at:

Dr. Elariny: (about 65 miles) major concerns would be insurance issues, and not really sure if he has any affiliation with any medical network (would prefer to have all my doctors within the same system)

Dr. Schweitzer: (about 70 miles)  Main reason I am considering him is because his affiliation with Johns Hopkins, and my need for a liver specialist/GI doctor for the time being. And the fact I no longer need to have the DS and just need someone for aftercare.  I also know he really doesn't do the DS anymore or isn't a huge fan of it (whatever it is)

Dr. Bonanni or Dr. Antanavicius:  (about 3 - 3 1/2 hours) Just basically know they have had a lot of patients.  Don't really know much else.  Also Dr. Antanavicius did a fellowship under my doctor.

Thanks for any input you may have.
Feel free to message me any info as well

Jeff

I guess it isn't so much the surgeon for after care but a hospital and specialists that knows how to work with a DS patient and their potential issues. My money would be on Fairfax hospital where Dr E practices. The hospital might not be as big or have the rep that Johns Hopkins has but they know a DS when they see one. You may be able to get Dr Elariny to recommend specific specialists for your issues.

--gina
 

 You right Gina, it is more about finding a hospital, with the specialists, and the ability to recognize what a DS is.  Those hospitals are usually the ones that have a doctor there that performs it.  So maybe I shouldn't have put this as so much as aftercare, because it seems that at most places it is pretty poor..  I am thinking my best bet would be to contact there office and go from there.

If you want to meet with Emily, the dietitian, she's really getting to be a good dietitian that recognizes that DSrs are different but not impossible. lol  She would be a good person for aftercare in Dr E's office. She should be there today. I'm not sure if Dr E or his fellow, Dr Franco are there today, but maybe. Alex is the office manager and insurance guru. She's almost always there unless she's deployed on reserve duty.

--g

HI Jeff,

Im not sure who else is in Western MD, but I know JoTeddy is.  You may want to contact her.

Dr. S was my surgeon. Although I was content with his surgery skills at the time, I was not happy with his aftercare at all.  For the hour and 45 min drive I made each way, I got nothing out of it, didn't even see him most the time, even though I requested it each time.  If I had a complication, I would consider returning to him as he did my surgery initially.  AND.. Hopkins is an excellent hospital.  But.. there's a good chance I'd turn  to Elariny because of his effed up office and the way things were handled with others.  The bright spot at Hopkins where a DS is concerned is Margaret Furtado who is a nut there.   She does know the DS.  But as for aftercare, or lack of, I found a great PCP locally who has been interested in my surgery and listens to me.  I lucked out with that.

I know Elariny is an excellent surgeon too but dont know about their aftercare.  It would be a major haul for you though from western MD.

No idea about Bonnani or Dr A, though I know there are many who are happy with them.

Welcome to MD!

Teri

 Thanks Teri,  I guess that is what I sort of remember reading about Dr. S and his staff.  And I guess I will be more west central Maryland than western, since I actually looked at a map...Lol.  I also think my best bet will be to find a PCP, who either knows the DS (which I doubt), or is willing to learn.

I agree with Gina. Fairfax is one of the best hospitals in the DC area.

My experience with John Hopkins is that they are very research oriented.  That the focus is really not on patient care or customer service.  I had to explain what a DS was to one of the nurses that saw me for follow-up care.  I think she genuinely had no idea what it was.  They told me I was taking way too much vit D and to up my B12 without even looking at my labs. It was the last time I bothered to drive the 2 hours for a follow-up appointment at John Hopkins.  Now I just see my PCP 10 min. from home.  At least she is more than willing to admit what she doesn't know and learn. 

Don't waste your time with Drs. Bonanni and Antanavicus. The only thing that practice does well is surgery. Aftercare, nada.

I see one of Dr. Schweitzer's patients has commented on aftercare. I've read that same thing about his practice many times.

If you find a good liver and GI specialist, you can educate them about the DS. If they are open to being educated, then that IMO is a sign of a good doc. If not, or if they keep referring to the DS as being just like the RNY, I'd take that as a sign that it's time to shop further. The openness to my input is one MAJOR factor in whether or not I'll hire a doctor. I use it like a litmus test.

How far will you be from Pittsburgh? They have some great hospitals. Harrisburg might also be an option.

 I think I would be about 170 miles from Pittsburgh and about 75 miles from Harrisburg.  I guess I never really thought of those areas, just because I knew there wasn't a DS doctor that I have heard of near there.  But like has been said, a DS doctor isn't absolutely necessary, would just be nice to have one in your back pocket, if the need for one came up.