"First impression?.......well he is certainly easy on the eyes, totally professional and has an ability to make me & my husband feel totally secure in his professional knowledge and expertise in the seminar. I have never spoken with any actual patient of his.... Although I have been approved after being denied the first time and Dr. Sonnanstine's office sending an appeal letter, I have not met with Dr. Sonnanstine at this point other than attending the initial seminar and also his special seminar showing the actual surgery process & tools used during each bariatric type of surgery. I am concerned because I do have a hiatel hernia & was hoping that the hernia could be repaired at the same time of my RNY surgery. (My best friend, a RNY patient of Dr. Oldham, had her hiatel hernia repaired at same time as her RNY in Georgetown.) However, when I ask about the hernia at a seminar, Dr. Sonnanstine informed me that it probably wouldn't have to be repaired bcs it would \"correct itself\" after having the RNY??? I am worried somewhat bcs I am in SO much pain with this hernia whether I eat or not and I'm scared that the pain will continue after surgery if not repaired. I'm not knowledgeable perhaps on this situation.rnrnIts too early to know about my docs bedside manner, although his confidence level is out the top. The aftercare programs for support are in place and active, as well as, the pre/op educational programs. rnrnI was surprisingly informed today when I called Tina, the surgery scheduler, that she would be calling me sometime this week to plan my all day PreOp meeting with Dr. Sonnanstine. I'm so excited now!! Although she said she is currently scheduling for the end of October at this point......and I still may possibly go into November for my date. Who cares ...AT LEAST ITS GOING TO HAPPEN!!! YEAH!!!"
