Education
Surgeon Spotlight - Dr. Philip A. Weber
by Lori Sperling Nevins, LCSW
As a bariatric program coordinator, I have a unique opportunity today. I am going to interview my boss and ask him some questions; not an activity we usually have time for in a busy doctor's office. Dr. Philip A.Weber, as well as the whole bariatric team at New York Bariatrics, in White Plains, New York, has had an unusual challenge asked of them this year: how to provide transition and continuity to a bariatric program who has lost it's founding surgeon, Dr. William Peden Homan, in July of this year. In speaking with Dr. Weber, who was the assistant surgeon to Dr. Homan as well as the lead surgeon on most laparoscopic bariatric surgeries in the last five years, I am reminded of what is so unique and successful about the bariatric program and it's professional team members.
Dr. Weber attended Brown University Medical School and completed a fellowship in Gastrointestinal Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery in addition to Bariatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center. He then joined Dr. Homan and his father, Dr. Carl P. Weber, in private practice in 2001. Dr. Weber told me that a main draw to the area of general surgery and working in a private practice was the opportunity to work with his father, who is a master surgeon and a tremendous source of knowledge as well as an irreplaceable role model, "a privilege and tremendous knowledge resource." He told me that a general surgeon has the ability "to diagnose and solve a problem through a medical intervention" without an increase in medication or postponement of treatment.
"As soon as I joined this practice, it was clear that the bariatric team was composed of highly trained professionals, with a specialty in this area, who demonstrated a unique interest and deep commitment to those who struggle with morbid obesity. It's no secret that this is a multifactorial disease with many aspects to it. Dr. Weber went on to say that "it has been demonstrated that a professional team of various disciplines are instrumental in assisting the patient yield maximum outcomes, especially in the area of bariatric surgery, a unique situation in itself." He stated that patients need guidance and assistance in beginning, and continuing on a journey, that will last for many years to come.
When I asked Dr. Weber to describe our bariatric program, he told me many thoughts came to mind. "New York Bariatrics is a community based program, in conjunction with White Plains Hospital Center; our patients have access to the entire team in a hands on kind of way as we become familiar with individuals as people from the word go." He continued on to say that "working in a community hospital is a benefit to the patient as they know who is going to see them, operate on them and care for them; I prefer this style of practice over a practice with "'physician extenders"; it's a much nicer way to practice medicine." To expand on that idea, New York Bariatrics does not hold community forums or question/answer sessions; the surgeon meets the patient in an individual consultation at the beginning of their exploration of surgery preparation and discusses which procedure, R-N-Y or Lap-Band, is the appropriate surgery for the patient. Dr. Weber told me that individual evaluation and consultation of the patient right up front is a unique opportunity for him to get to know people and develop relationships with them over a long period of time." Most surgeons will see a patient two or three times in the post-operative recovery period but he stays involved with the patient, with as much or as little contact as the patient desires. Even with a high volume of surgeries, he still gives patients the individual attention that reassures the patients that they will be a high priority to our program staff as long as they are patients of our office. How often do we hear about doctors that are truly accessible to patients these days!!
Dr. Weber also had some other good points about how our program philosophy benefits patients overall. Because each of our team members is accessible to the patients as well as the surgeon, it adds to the quality, not just the quantity of patient care. Patients tend to have more comfort and confidence in the competency of the team members and the accessibility to current and updated information about medical, nutritional and emotional issues are readily available to them. In addition to the practice being well informed about the field of bariatrics, there is a wing of White Plains Hospital Center primarily dedicated to the immediate post-operative healing of patients directly following surgery. The nursing staff is well trained and informed as to medical and nutritional post-op needs of our bariatric patients from hospital stay to discharge home from the hospital.
New York Bariatrics also has some unique services that grew out of a community-based ideology. A trained team of volunteers, called 'Bariatric Angels' is updated yearly on the issues and interests of bariatric patients and what propels then forward in their post-operative journey. The weekly post-operative support group meetings are topic oriented and geared toward many areas of interest and relevance to the bariatric patient. Special programs and activities that involve family and friends are also provided throughout the year. Not surprisingly, Dr. Weber enjoys involving himself in the planning of and participation in program events; we had a great time walking with patients during the Walk From Obesity in New York City in late September of this year.
Dr. Weber adds a humorous touch to most any interaction with those around him; inside of his comedic nature though, is a warm, caring and modest person who feels truly thankful to be in this line of work. He shared a few thoughts on that subject as well: "On a personal note, it's a privilege to be part of a life altering experience for someone. Many of our patients are unrecognizable following surgery, not just physically but more so, mentally and emotionally in such amazing ways. We get to observe the results of their long-term hard work and share in the positive outcomes of our patients because they share their lives with us. Yes, a surgeon must be skilled to perform weight loss surgery but the patients are the ones that use the 'tool' and maximize their surgery outcomes everyday of their lives." When taking an occasional break from thinking about and being involved in bariatric surgery, he is always eager to speak about another favorite subject: the New York Mets and the baseball season.
As Dr. Weber and I were talking, it occurred to me that we are a very patient interactive and bariatric program as well. Yes, we are a team of professionals that bring knowledge and structure to our program. Our patients, though, bring us their life experiences that, in turn, teach us how this whole process works in real life and real time. The joys, the challenges, the achievements and the frustrations of a bariatric patient's journey paint a very telling picture of what the surgery really does, or doesn't do, for patients. Dr. Weber maintains the highest standards of program service with a tone of partnership between patients and bariatric staff; I suppose we teach and inspire each other to continue the work that benefits all of us but primarily the courageous patients who begin a journey with a bit of knowledge and a leap of faith.
Lori Sperling Nevins, MSW, LCSW, is a clinical social worker and Bariatric Program Coordinator, with New York Bariatrics. She assisted Dr. William Homan, along with Valerie Ross Homan, LCSW, in developing a holistic team approach to pre-operative surgery preparation. Her team prepares bariatric patients for surgery and maintains patient follow-up in a supportive medical, nutritional and psychosocial aftercare program meant to maximize surgical outcomes.
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