I have the choice of a doctor 3 hours away that I've heard very positive things. But i'm also interested in Cooley who is across the country. Would i have to fly out there once for a quick consultation and then again for the procedure? Seems very expensive and time consuming. I would like your opinion - i've decided to go for it just researching doctors.

thanks

quote:

Originally posted by struggling:
I have the choice of a doctor 3 hours away that I've heard very positive things. But i'm also interested in Cooley who is across the country. Would i have to fly out there once for a quick consultation and then again for the procedure? Seems very expensive and time consuming. I would like your opinion - i've decided to go for it just researching doctors.

thanks

I'm going with Dr. Cooley in a couple of weeks, and I haven't met him yet. I emailed pics to Aileen, who is his asst., and she consulted with Dr. Cooley and we did an hour phone consult. They also offered to make an appointment to speak directly with the doctor on the phone (or in person if I wish).

They recommend I come in late the afternoon before so I can meet Dr. Cooley and we can get a game plan together; as he starts at like 7 a.m. So, I'll go in the day before at 5:00.

If there is a major difference in seeing me in person or on the pics we can adjust the gameplan then.

I'm pretty educated now on this, and his reputation seems impeccable, so I think this is a good plan for me.

He's about 300 miles from me so I'm driving in. I would think it will be similar with any doc, unless you have some special circumstances you want them to look at.

I basically did the same thing as Dewayne. I consulted by telephone with H&W, got a general synopsis by sending them photos and then spoke separately to the staff a couple of times followed by a telephone conversation with Dr. Hasson, the surgeon who I had selected.

I had already done my research on the HT and several doctors so I was prepared to make a commitment. I was satisfied I had made the right choice so I scheduled the procedure and met with the doctor and staff the day before. I could've and would've canceled at that point if something didn't feel right, but as expected, everything was ok.

I think this is fairly common and as long as you do your research you should be fine. Don't be afraid to get all of your questions answered beforehand.

Rambler
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Who is the doctor 3h away? Whether you travel across the country depends on your evaluation of how superior Doctor X is (in this case Cooley), over Doctor Y, and whether you find it to be worth the trek.

Also, I think e-consults can be great and many clinics do them really well.

Dr Dow Stough - Hot Springs Arkansas