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Meet
Our Patients
Support
is a critical element throughout this process. Reading about the progress
of others can bring comfort during trying times. Read what some of our
patients have to say about their experiences.
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Comments About Richard Tillquist M.D.:
Great surgeon and wonderful personality.
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Comments About Richard Tillquist M.D.:
I haven't met him yet, I will meet him next week. The office staff is great though. Eileen put up with me calling more frequent then I am sure I should have, and CJ has answered every question I have come up with.
The book they sent me home when I met with CJ the first time has been very helpful. They send me to the nutrition classes as well which was eye opening, and really laid the foundation for my success I believe.
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Comments About Richard Tillquist M.D.:
Everyone in Dr. Tillquist's office is an angel. When I first went to see Dr. Tillquist at a seminar he and CJ gave about weight loss surgeries, I was at the lowest point of my life and coincidentally, my highest weight. I was 317 lbs at 5'9". So, I decided to make a change for the better in my life. I was tired of being winded from walking just a little bit and tired of my knees aching from just a little bit of activity. I wanted to exercise again! I went to see Dr. Tillquist and met with him and CJ. They never looked at me with judgement or cynicism, only understanding and empathy. They knew what I have been going through because they have seen it so many times before. They gave me every piece of information my little brain could handle and all of the tools for me to make my decision if it turned out I was qualified.
Once it was determined that I am a candidate because of my asthma and severe arthritis in my knees, Eileen did everything she could to help me along the way to getting approved. Finally, after a little bit of a struggle, I was approved! Then, in September, right before my surgery date I had a setback when I got a weird infection in my abdomen out of nowhere. Eileen did everything in her power to get me scheduled again as soon as I was cleared.
I had my lap band surgery on 11/14/07 and as of today, 4/15/07... I am down 50 lbs. The aftercare was wonderful and I look forward to my visits to get my band filled so that I can update them on my status. They are always so pleasant and friendly, it makes me feel right at home.
I am so thankful to Dr. Tillquist, CJ and Eileen for their help. Without them, I wouldn't be the brand new me I am today... and continuing to grow as I shrink.
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Comments About Richard Tillquist M.D.:
Well I am very excited to get my bypass done. I met Dr T yesterday and very much enjoyed talking with him and his staff. They are all very knowledgeable and made me feel right at home the moment I walked in the door. I have been trying for four years now to get a bypass here in the Springs. Yes, to no avail. My high weight as well as having Celiac Disease has made the local Dr's nervous to do the procedure on me. They have made excuses and put me off for quiet a while now. As well as they did not have much knowledge of having Celiac Disease in a bypass. Dr T has put my worries at ease on this subject. His knowledge, experience and confidence is very appreciated here. He asked me if I had any other questions and I only had one. If he could do my surgery tomorrow (jokingly) I have been waiting for over 4 years now. The only request I did have was to have something ready to calm me down when I do get to the hospital for the procedure. I had my gallbladder removed a little over a year ago (in the Springs and not by Dr T) and the anesthesiologist made a mistake and almost killed me. I still get flash backs in bits and peaces. I am 100% sure for 4 years now I want this surgery but I know I will be more than nervous when I see the OR door coming. Dr T was great at relieving my concerns.
I am 5'3 and 453 pounds. Yes, a little more than most. I have my nutrition class scheduled for tomorrow and the phone call to the Psychiatrist office to type up the release letter went out yesterday 5 min after I left Dr T's office. The only thing left is a Cardio assessment. I have a few surgeries under my belt and know what that entails and have passed every one I have had with colors. So now the only thing to do is wait for that appointment which I do not have yet. I anticipated all the other releases I would need and all ready had the appointments weeks ago. I brought the paperwork with me yesterday to Dr T's Office. My GP, my Rheumatologist and my Pulmonologist . All the releases filled out with the t's crossed, i's dotted and tests complete.
Anyway, I just wanted to post a little of my thoughts here since not many has been posted lately. I will add more later as things happen. I hope those that read this later will find some comfort on what they will be going through. It is kinda scary but I also know it will change my life as well as extend it. But I am just plumb old excited right now.
Kathleen
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Personal Comments:
1/13/04- Mom has voiced her usual concerns and complaints about the WLS. She loves me, others are so vain, and so on and so forth. I keep reminding her-- this has nothing to do with vanity, but my shrinking ability to walk and stand. She says she will support me no matter what. I already know that.
1/12/04- In the packet Dr. Bell's office sent me-- it clearly states to give them a call for an appointment upon receipt. So, I get up early today to give them a call. Now, I'm supposed to fax them back all of the info and they'll give me a call. O-Kay.
If the packet had stated that, I could still be asleep right now.
1/11/04- I've got all the stuff together for my PCP's to fill out for Dr. Bell to use for approval. I'm going to call my provider on 1/13 to find out if they require a psych workup, so I can get that scheduled as well.
1/7/04- Dr. Bell's office verified WLS is a covered benefit of my plan, if I qualify. I got a big packet of stuff to fill out, and have ... Click here to read more
Comments About Richard Tillquist M.D.:
Dr. Bell is no longer a provider under my plan, nor are any of the other local doctors.
I'm going to start the process again with Dr. Tillquist.
PREVIOUS posts are from 2004. . . . . .
1/5- I called to Dr. Bell's office. First things first-- his office verifies WLS is a plan benefit prior to consultation. Good idea-- saves a lot of time, I bet. Everything they asked for, I faxed this afternoon. I even faxed a copy of my plan benefit book which shows gastroplasty is a benefit.
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Personal Comments:
http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/3;10711;90;0;1/c/244/t/140/s/244/k/e3fa/weight.png
I come from a long line of obese people. I have 4 children under the age 11, so anyone can obviously see my sense of urgency in the matter of weight loss. I don't want to miss out on their childhood any longer. I just finished my consultation with Dr. Syn and fell in love with his honesty, sense of humor and dedication to his patients. I am looking forward to having this rebirth of life!
20 Aug 2006 I am assuming this is where we keep adding to our "Journal Entry". Well I am a bit aggrivated. Back in Feb. 2006 I had my consultation with the doc. Everything went great! THEN...I was told that my insurance wouldn't support this surgery, so I dropped them and went straight Medicare. Once that was ok'ed I was told that the hospital wasn't certified to treat Medicare Patients....So I would have to wait a couple of months for this to happen. Not happy, but Ok things happen.
So Luckily my... Click here to read more
Comments About Richard Tillquist M.D.:
I just want to say that anyone that has Dr. Tillquist do their surgery is in good hands. Every person that I came across in the hospital asked who was doing my surgery. When I told them, the response was always the same, "He is such a nice man, I have Never seen him angry or annoyed."
His office staff was really nice to work with and very serious about your care. If I had to do it all over again, I would definately go with Dr. Tillquist!
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Comments About Richard Tillquist M.D.:
Great first impression - awsome bedside manner. He is very well informed, and always willing to answer all of my questions.
Also, his staff is nice and well informed.
Structured aftercare program - monthly visits the first year with weigh-ins and routine checks on my vitamin levels.
I would rate Dr. Tilquist a 10 out of 10
Both his bedside manner and surgical competence were important factors in chosing him as a surgeon.
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Comments About Richard Tillquist M.D.:
Dr Tillquist was great from the moment I met him through surgery. He is quite soft spoken, but made me feel very comfortable. He answered my huge list of questions without batting an eye. He has one post op visit 7-10 days out and then does monthly appointments for a year. Dr Tillquist was very upfront with what both the surgeries that I was considering could do for me, gave me the pros and cons of both and realistically told me what my end of the bargain was. I could not have picked a better surgeon for me. Both my mom and aunt had surgery with him also.
Eilleen worked wonders for me with getting my insurance approval.
CJ, the NP is wonderful. She gives very straight and upfront answers. Everytime I call or see her, she is genuine and supportive. What a great asset to this office!
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Comments About Richard Tillquist M.D.:
Dr. Tillquist lit up the room when he walked in!
My impression didn't change, he's a sweet heart!
The staff is very helpful and on the ball!
I can't think of anything I disliked about Dr. Tillquist.
I have lots of aftercare support.
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Comments About Richard Tillquist M.D.:
I really like Dr. Tillquist's personality and compassion. I still have the same impression. He is a very caring and genuine individual. Awesome. The staff has been very supportive and are just as caring as Dr. Tillquist. Nothing, I like everything about him. He's just very awesome. The whole staff emphasizes aftercare. I have called a couple of times and my calls have always been answered immediately. Yes, check-ups every month for the first year, then yearly afterwards. Yes, they addressed the risks, even took the time to assure my 15 year old son what would happen and answered my family questions. I was very happy with Dr. Tillquist. I had seen two other doctor's and he was definetely my favorite. Both are great, it makes you feel better going into surgery and assures you afterward. I have nothing negative to say. This shouldn't be taken as suspect either. I have seen some crappy doctors and when a good one comes along, I appreciate them.
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2003
