Okay but Not Entirely Pleased- San Antonio, TX

After much research, I made an appointment with Dr. Dechers who came recommended by my OBGYN. The consultation lasted a good hour but I was made to feel that I had taken a lot of their time with questions and at the end, I felt rushed rushed out the door and told to call with any further questions. Although pleasant, the Patient Coordinator just doesn't come across as real or sincere so I didn't feel comfortable with her. In reading about "how to choose a PS" I did some more research on Dr. Decherd's educational background and learned that his undergrad is in Electrical Engineering, and that also was a bit of a concern for me, so I will continue researching until I find the right PS.

I had a consultation with a second PS, Dr. Mario Diana, last week of January 2013). The examination room was small, you get a throw-away gown, and you answer several of the same questions that you are asked to complete online prior to the consultation. The staff is pleasant -- young and "green," so not a lot they can answer. My time in the waiting room was minimal, which was nice! In the exam room, I probably only waited about 10 minutes before the doc showed up. There's only 1 chair in the examination room, so the doc remained standing during the entire time of the consultation. He answered every question I had...and I had several...and he provided thorough responses. However, I couldn't help to feel like I was one of a few patients that had as many questions as I had. Doesn't everyone have lots of questions? He was patient with me but as another reviewer described, he did seem to have other places to be...maybe another patient consultation. Thereafter, there was a brief visit with the scheduler who conveyed the special discount if the procedure was booked by a certain date. I asked to look at patient photos (twice) and was told the website was down (it was); however, I asked to look at regular album photos and with a little hesitiation and after stating she had to go talk to the doc, the young lady brought in an album. The TT before and after patient photos on the website don't show the patients' scars, there's no indication of the time after the procedure, and you can't enlarge the photos to look at them in more detail so that's why I wanted to look at some photos in person. A concern that I have is the unnatural look of the belly button in many TT patients. I may schedule a second consultation to clear some additional questions that I have: the look of the belly button, anticipated location of scar, and a few other things I missed to inquire about. Next doc consultation will be with Elizabeth Harris (her consultation is $75 and I had to provide a credit card to book the appointment -- hmmm). I also considered Robert Young...until I read about the 2011 patient death accident.

A sign perhaps? I was originally scheduled in July for my TT procedure; doc cancelled due to family emergency. I reschedule for August; I broke my foot prior to surgery so I postpone it. 3rd time: my pre-op labs show an iron deficiency so surgery has to be postponed. Last week it was the 4th and last time: 1 week prior to surgery, I'm called and told doc has an emergency and won't be able to perform the surgery. I was in tears! Dr. Mario Diana's office will be refunding my full payment but it's so disappointing to have start from square 1. Both times he cancelled they offered for Dr. Connie Hiers to perform the surgery but of course, I said no way. I'd never even met her. I've now scheduled an appointment with Dr. Eric Schaffer...first available appointment was 1 month out.