Dr. Mittermiller was great. I liked that he treated consultations as a craft. Being thorough and asking questions was a nice feature. Besides him, I have a suggestion for scheduling. I would put a more thorough warning for zoom instructions. When I joined the call, I was the only one there. I left and rejoined several times and I did not see him. I had to go to my settings in my iPhone, guess some changes, and rejoin. The entire time he was actually there but it did not show that I had joined earlier. I would hate to waste his time!
Dr. Safir was very pleasant and professional but evidently did not follow through with the few items we discussed that he said he would get back to me on and/or make an introduction on my behalf.
I had expected the consultation to be for scheduling the surgery, but instead Dr. Mittermiller confirmed some of the information I had already submitted in the patient task packet and then told me that the office would contact me in a few weeks to schedule my surgery, and that his wait time was 6-9 months. I had thought it would be around 4.
Staff was very polite and helpful! But the actual consult left much to be desired. Three major things made the experience unpleasant: Turning down any wants/needs I had and focusing more on trying to convince me the things I want would look bad or be impossible, no attempt to come up with solutions or discuss options for a result I would be pleased with. Insistence on my loosing a SIGNIFIGANT amount of weight and focusing on that (including saying some unpleasant things about my weight and making insinuations about my diet/activity levels) despite my being visibly only slightly above average due to some fat and muscle. And finally it was very obvious he was exaggerating his knowledge on a minor medical condition I have that is not related to the surgery, but something to be aware of during surgery. I would have rather he said he did not know and ask me or be honest if he would do research or simply did not want to work with me because of it. These three things made the consult unpleasant and left me feeling a sense of unease in regard to the procedure. I was no longer excited about a life saving and medically necessary surgery. I am not sure what was going on that day, if it was just a bad day or he was trying to dissuade me from the surgery for some reason, but I feel it was a lacking experience.
I give Dr Safir a 9 he is very well versed in his expertise and knowledgeable. And answered my questions effectively. The non medical staff communication I would give a 5 it's difficult to process any information in an effective way without multiple phone calls and emails. And information is not relayed efficiently as well . The doctors and medical staff have been easy to work with however.
Dr. Safir was very warm and welcoming. He answered all of my questions. Treated me with request, and made me feel comfortable asking him anything. Even if I thought it was embarrassing he assured me not to be embarrassed and really reassured me of the entire process and my decision for surgery.