Anyone have surgery (or know someone) with Dr. Macik in Atlanta, GA?

[educationrulz 18]

I'm pretty confident about my decision to go with this surgeon, but it would help me feel even better to hear how someone else's surgery and postop care went. I've read numerous positive reviews on OH, but I'd love to hear from someone on this forum. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to post here.

Thanks

[mmcclure 3]

Hi Mary,

I am going with Dr. Macik, too. My daughter and I are in the process of getting the pre-tests done and when that is finished, we will get our surgery date. We are going to try and have it done over the summer so that she won't miss much school (in college).

So - I don't have anything to say, really, in answer to your questions about Dr. Macik, other than my PCP is REALLY particular who he was going to approve for this surgery for us and he was fine with Dr. Macik. I do have the name and phone number of someone who has had it done by him and I plan on calling her soon. Do you want me to send you a private message with my phone number after I speak with her so that I can let you know what she says?

I do know that he uses a 40 bougie cuz I asked him (LOL) and, when I said, "FORTY! Isn't that kind of large???" He said that it wasn't, especially since it really depends on how tightly a surgeon goes up against it and he does it close to the bougie.

What progress have you made towards your surgery?

Marilee

[educationrulz 18]

Hi Mary,

I am going with Dr. Macik, too. My daughter and I are in the process of getting the pre-tests done and when that is finished, we will get our surgery date. We are going to try and have it done over the summer so that she won't miss much school (in college).

So - I don't have anything to say, really, in answer to your questions about Dr. Macik, other than my PCP is REALLY particular who he was going to approve for this surgery for us and he was fine with Dr. Macik. I do have the name and phone number of someone who has had it done by him and I plan on calling her soon. Do you want me to send you a private message with my phone number after I speak with her so that I can let you know what she says?

I do know that he uses a 40 bougie cuz I asked him (LOL) and, when I said, "FORTY! Isn't that kind of large???" He said that it wasn't, especially since it really depends on how tightly a surgeon goes up against it and he does it close to the bougie.

What progress have you made towards your surgery?

Marilee

Hey Marilee,

I'm so excited to see your post. I've only had one consult with Dr. Macik and for some reason I totally blanked when he asked if I had any questions. It's so NOT like me to be speechless. So, I've been keeping a list of questions for my next appointment, which will probably be to get my pre-ops scheduled - or I guess it might be my actual pre-op. I had definitely planned to ask about the boughie size and oversewing. 40 does sound big compared to others, but when I think about it, it may be good to have a slightly larger size when it comes time to stop losing and the need to maintain a certain weight.

I just finished my 5th month of the 6 month diet and couseling requirements for the insurance plan. I also want to have mine over the summer since I work for the school system. One month of appointments left and I'm on pins and needles, but in a good, excited kind of way. I'm hoping to get my pre-op procedures done by the end of May and surgery in June.

I know there are quite a few people on OH who've had surgery with Macik but I haven't contacted anyone there because I'm mostly active on VST. But, I have read alot of those patient's blogs and all of the testimonials, so I feel good about my choice. I would love to hear from you after you talk to your friend. Feel free to PM me. Also, let me know what kind of pre-op testing you're getting done.

[Kenwillmore 0]

I am schedule to have gastric sleeve with Dr. Macik on May 12th. Originally I was scheduled for RNY but once aenta added the sleeve as one of their options I change. From what I understand he is one of the best in the area. One of his staff told me he sleeved her aunt and she is doing really well.

[educationrulz 18]

I am schedule to have gastric sleeve with Dr. Macik on May 12th. Originally I was scheduled for RNY but once aenta added the sleeve as one of their options I change. From what I understand he is one of the best in the area. One of his staff told me he sleeved her aunt and she is doing really well.

That's great to hear. It looks like I'll be a month behind you if all goes as planned. I'm also excited that I may be able to get the single incision sleeve. Have either of you discussed that option with Dr. Macik? I think I'll know more about whether I qualify at my pre-op exam. Honestly, it doesn't matter THAT much. I just want my sleeve...like yesterday!

[Kenwillmore 0]

I will add that to my list of questions to ask Dr. Macik during my preop on the 10th. I begin my preop diet tomorrow. Fortunately he requires his patients to do a no carb diet. I guess if I had to do liquids I could.

[mmcclure 3]

I spoke with someone who had Dr. Macik on the phone the other night. One of the things she told me was that there is no drain tube. Whoo hoo! Also, when I asked her if he overstitches, she said, "no" because there is more chance of infection, there is no need for it and it makes the bougie smaller. I'm also glad that he goes with a 40 because apparently, if the bougie is too small, there is risk of it twisting and things getting stuck.

I meant to ask her if you stay one or two days in the hospital. Do either of you know?

My daughter and I saw the dietitian on Friday and will get our psych evaluation tomorrow. Once those are done, we only need a few tests before we are ready for surgery. My insurance does not require pre-certification (nor do they do it). It just has to be medically necessary and my PCP is doing the letter for that. It looks like we will have our surgery at the end of June!

Oh, and the dietitian gave us the packet of information for our post-surgery diets, etc. She also said that he requires a 1 week no carb diet but it consists of things like meat and veggies. We can definitely do that. :-)

[Kenwillmore 0]

I believe Dr. Macik like his patients to stay for two days. Which dietitian did you see? I saw one at northside during my pre-certification. I have begun my two week no carb diet.

[educationrulz 18]

I spoke with someone who had Dr. Macik on the phone the other night. One of the things she told me was that there is no drain tube. Whoo hoo! Also, when I asked her if he overstitches, she said, "no" because there is more chance of infection, there is no need for it and it makes the bougie smaller. I'm also glad that he goes with a 40 because apparently, if the bougie is too small, there is risk of it twisting and things getting stuck.

I meant to ask her if you stay one or two days in the hospital. Do either of you know?

My daughter and I saw the dietitian on Friday and will get our psych evaluation tomorrow. Once those are done, we only need a few tests before we are ready for surgery. My insurance does not require pre-certification (nor do they do it). It just has to be medically necessary and my PCP is doing the letter for that. It looks like we will have our surgery at the end of June!

Oh, and the dietitian gave us the packet of information for our post-surgery diets, etc. She also said that he requires a 1 week no carb diet but it consists of things like meat and veggies. We can definitely do that. :-)

Hmmm, that's interesting about the overstitching. I hadn't heard that before so I'll be sure to ask more about it at my next appointment.

My insurance doesn't require a nutrition consult so I haven't done that. I had thought about doing it anyway for my own benefit, but haven't gotten around to it yet. I feel like I"ve gotten such great info here that I can get by without it. I am required to meet with the nutritionist after surgery, so that should keep me on track with eating properly.

I'm freakin out a little now because I've gained a few pounds since my initial visit and that's a no-no. I have jumped off the eating binge train and have been doing better with my diet and with exercising. I hope it's enough to lose whatever weight I've gained since the initial consult. If it looks like I'm going to be cutting it too close, I'm going to move to liquid shakes for two meals a day.

[THill 0]

Hello, I am new to the site and thinking about VSG since Cigna now covers it (as of 5/15/10). I have an appt to see my doctor Friday to start the 6 month supervised diet, but what else should I be working on? I am sure there are posts on here that will tell me what is needed, just havent found it yet.

Good luck to everyone!

THill

[mmcclure 3]

Hi,

Are you going with Dr. Macik? If you are, Tiffany will tell you everything you need to get done before she submits the paperwork to Cigna. Some of the insurance companies have bariatric coordinators to help you with the approval process as well.

If you haven't already done so, you will need to attend a information seminar (a couple of hours) on WLS. If you go to his website, I think they list when those are held.

Good luck!

[THill 0]

Thank you for the information. :scared0:

[educationrulz 18]

Hello, I am new to the site and thinking about VSG since Cigna now covers it (as of 5/15/10). I have an appt to see my doctor Friday to start the 6 month supervised diet, but what else should I be working on? I am sure there are posts on here that will tell me what is needed, just havent found it yet.

Good luck to everyone!

THill

Be sure to check with your insurance. I found out that some of the info given by the docs office as far as pre-surgery requirements didn't apply to my insurance. So it's best to get the info from insurance and then review it with the surgeon's office.

[educationrulz 18]

I spoke with someone who had Dr. Macik on the phone the other night. One of the things she told me was that there is no drain tube. Whoo hoo! Also, when I asked her if he overstitches, she said, "no" because there is more chance of infection, there is no need for it and it makes the bougie smaller. I'm also glad that he goes with a 40 because apparently, if the bougie is too small, there is risk of it twisting and things getting stuck.

I just wanted to clarify for anyone who might be considering Dr. Macik that when I asked him about oversewing and/or buttressing the staple line, he said that he does. So, maybe his procedures have changed since the patient referred to above had surgery. He did verify that he uses a 40 boughie.

[HansiH 9]

I am using Dr. Macik, so please update me as to how everything is going, when you get a chance. Today was my first appointment and I liked him. However, I am scared to death. This is not a game and I have to be here for my children!

Thank you!