Patient Information

What to expect on you first consultation with Dr. Weksler:

On your first consultation you will be asked about your current history and all past medical history. It is very important to bring all of your records, including all studies such as x-rays, CT scans, MRI, and any other study that you had completed in the past. Please bring all reports together with the studies. We would like to know the name and addresses of all of your doctors, including your primary care physician, gastroenterologist, pulmonary doctor, medical oncologist, cardiologist and any other doctor you have seen in the past. Remember to mention all previous surgeries that you had in the past and any medical problems, including heart disease, any clotting or bleeding disorders you had in the past. After recording your history, you will have a physical exam that will be focused on your heart, lungs, and abdomen. At the end of your history and physical examination, Dr. Weksler will discuss with you the findings and recommended therapy.

What to expect after your surgery:

In patients that undergo chest procedures, expect to wake up with a small drain on your side. Your pain will be managed with a PCA (patient controlled analgesia device) and you will be able to self-administer pain medication on a push of a button. In the first evening or following morning you will be started on an oral diet. You will also get a chest radiograph in the morning following your surgery. Most patients will be able to go home in one-to-three days after surgery. Patients who underwent surgery for gastroesophageal reflux or achalasia will wake up without drains. Pain will also be managed with a PCA. In the morning following your surgery, you will have a barium swallow (radiography of the esophagus with contrast) and if everything is fine, you will be started on an oral diet. Most patients are discharged on the first day after surgery.

Patients who underwent surgery for gastroesophageal reflux or achalasia will wake up without drains. Pain will also be managed with a PCA. In the morning following you surgery, you will have a barium swallow (radiography of the esophagus with contrast) and if everything is fine, you will be started on oral diet. Most patients are discharged on the first day after surgery.

What to expect at you follow up appointment:

Most patients are seen two weeks after discharge from the hospital with a chest radiograph. If everything is fine, further follow-up will be determined depending on your disease. Examples of routine follow-up:

Reflux disease and achalasia – Yearly follow-up with a barium swallow.
Myasthenia gravis - Yearly follow-up with a chest radiograph.
Thymoma - Every six months follow-up with a chest CT scan for five years and yearly follow-up for life.
Lung cancer - Every four months follow-up with a chest CT scan for three years, every six months for two years, and yearly follow-up for life
Esophageal Cancer - Every four months with a chest CT scan for three years, every six months for two years, yearly and follow-up for life.

Other tests or a different follow-up schedule may be required depending on your condition.

If before or after your surgery you don’t feel well and you need urgent medical attention, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Let the physicians there know that you are Dr. Weksler’ s patient and have them call UPMC Medcall at 412-647-7000 and you will be transferred to Dr. Weksler’ s service..

If you have other concerns after your surgery, but do not require urgent medical attention, please call our clinical nurse at 412-647-7373.