Getting Nervous - Two Weeks Til TT Date - Palo Alto, CA

Dr. Weintraub is one half of the Duet plastic surgery team. The fact that the two surgeons work together on the procedure was part of the reason I booked a consultation with her - it means being under anesthesia for less time, making it less risky, not to mention the perspective and expertise of two surgeons. Doctor Weintraub is an excellent listener - she asked questions about my physical history, what I hoped for from the surgery, what my concerns were, and was particularly thorough about my medical history. She made sure I had some lab tests and a check up with my cardiologist before my procedure because I had some mild precious episodes and she wanted to be sure it was safe. I hope this doesn't sound weird, but I could tell that she actually cared about me as a person and about my life, not just me as a "case." Of course bedside manner doesn't matter if the technique is not good, but after practically interrogating Dr. W. about how she would improve my stomach, and after looking through her book of before and after photos, I felt very confident that she would do good work. Frankly, I also like the idea of a woman surgeon. I felt like she would have a much better understanding of the feelings that had led me to the decision to have the surgery, and about what kind of result would suit me as a person. (e.g. I am 47 YO and a tall Scandinavian with several big kids - it would look odd if I suddenly had a six pack - I wanted flat, but realistically so). Long story short, she did beautiful job. She and her surgery partner work with a wonderful anesthesiologist who had a great combination of sardonic humor and confidence, and it was the best anesthetic experience I've had. We talked World Cup and vacations and then I woke up in recovery. The day after surgery, for me, was the hardest. Even with percocet and valium, I was miserable every time I had to get up to go to the bathroom. The doctor needs to see the patient the day after surgery but Dr. W, rather than making her patients go through the pain of getting in the car and hobbling into the office, comes to her patients' homes for that first-day visit. For me that meant a 45 minute drive for her, each way. That consideration epitomizes Dr. Weintraub. A week after the surgery I developed a serious health issue - one that had nothing at all to do with Dr. W.'s work. Thankfully she is so approachable and had stayed in such regular contact that I felt completely comfortable calling her about these symptoms that had nothing to do with my TT. She contacted triage at the local ER for me and told me to go there immediately. Had we not established such rapport I might not have called a doctor, and the consequences could have been terrible. I ended up in the hospital for a week for treatment for this other issue and she came to see me there, to check on my dressings and remove my drains. This was 30 miles from her regular practice. She really goes above and beyond for her patients and I would recommend her to anyone.