I was told on 2 separate occasions by Dr. Shen that Dr. Fazio is sick with a life-threatening condition, and that I should maybe try to schedule surgery sooner that Sept. 12. Does anyone know anything about this? I'm kinda afraid that whatever this "condition" is, it may interfere with my actual surgery. I know it sounds kinda selfish to be thinking about myself, but I'm gonna be wide open on a table in a month, and I now I have more than just a "regular" surgery fear...
Advice, anyone?

I may be way off base here, but I believe he took some time off a year or so ago for health reasons. I recall that it was leukemia. Hopefully someone will come along with the real story.

kathy

I heard that he almost died a few years ago (cancer?). I was told many times how lucky I was to have surgery by him just this past June.
He truly is a miracle worker. I hope he can help you and be healthy himself!

If you are trying to get in soon I would call right away. They told me that I could not get in for my TD until September 17th.

That is horrible news!I hope it is not true,I know the week before I had my TD, he had eye surgery but said he was fine,I will start praying now,he is a lifesaver and very dedicated.

Hi I just spoke to Gina ,Dr Fazio's nurse,she said he is fine and that it was three yrs ago that he was sick.Thank god ,Ed

Always brings up a good point though... I always think who will I see when my Dr. leaves (he is a bit older and I am only 36) I do know that no matter how great my Dr is, there are others that can do as good as a job. Glad he isnt sick and can still do his work.. But something to think about

Ed - thank you so much for clearing that up!

kathy

you know, this was one of the FIRST things out of my moms mouth after hearing what type of procedure that I wanted (the kpouch) and hearing how few people these days actually deal with them...after our initial meeting with Dr. Fazio she tells me "he's great...but...he's not that young of a guy. What happens when he's not around anymore?"

And it has been on my mind alot (mostly in terms of, I wonder if he's training an apprentice to take over for him if need be)
I know when I'm there, I grill any of his fellows or residents, like : "do you believe in the kpouch??")

For all of his loyal and dependent patients sakes, i hope he does have a protege in teh wings.

Dr Remzi built my kock pouch and he is at Cleveland Clinic too. At Dr Remzi's insistance I had a consult with Fazio about whether or not to give up on my j-pouch and get a kock pouch. I asked Fazio if Dr Remzi would be doing my kock pouch or Dr Fazio. Fazio told me that Dr Remzi was an extremely capable surgeon who would make me a great kock pouch.

Though I doubt very much anyone in the world has more experience than Fazio (he told me he has made between 400-500 k-pouches) I think Dr Remzi did a great job with me - he's really kind and personable too and he's only in his 40s so he'll be around a while!

but of course I hope Fazio continues to practice for many more years

--
katie

Despite the hopeful post by Ed, I can't help but still be concerned..I'll copy and paste a segment of Dr. Shen's email from Monday-

"You will need an experienced surgeon, like Dr. Fazio, to do you surgery. It is very important.
I understand that Dr. Fazio’s schedule is always full- Just FYI. He, himself, has some major health problems."

I, too, will contact Gina for advice on whether I should up my surgery date. I'm not mentally or physically prepared to do it sooner though.

I also spoke to Gina today and brought it up, and was told as well that these were rumors circulating again, and that he was sick several years ago, but assured me he is healthy now.
i'd definitely fwd said email to Gina herself. Because honestly...too many people depend on their doctors for random rumors to be perpetuated. and especially by a fellow doctor.
i think that is somewhat unprofessional. but i guess that's just my opinion.
i'd question it if my doctor wrote that to me about another doctor in an email.

but i guess tha'ts just me.

either way, all of us Fazio Patients demand to know!!!

I'd like to see this thread end only because rumors tend to spin out of control.

However, yes Dr. Fazio was sick about 3 years ago. When he was well enough to return to the office/surgery he did so taking it easy.Now he runs with roller skates on. I would think that if he wasn't feeling well he would be canceling appts and working a lighter schedule.

He would tell you, as he did tell me on a follow up appt, that he trains people all the time.

So, I hope Dr. Fazio continues to feel well.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lesrich1,

I saw Dr. Fazio recently and he is in great health. As he was performing a small procedure on me, he was on speaker phone advising another surgeon operating on a j-pouch in another room.
Bill

I'm seeing him today so I'll see how he looks.