Treating Heel Pain with ESWT: Our Happy Patients

Hey Doc! I am writing to let you know of my ESWT and office visits from start to finish. When I got there on my first visit I liked the fact that you were straight forward and didn’t try to sell me ESWT and let me know it was not a covered (insurance) item. I had just gotten a shot from my referring doctor so my foot was feeling good. You introduced me to Jennifer and said when and if I decide to do something please call her and she will take care of it from start to finish. She did.

I called several months later and came in and got my first treatment followed by the 3 other two a few weeks apart and we talked every time and I did feel like you were really listening and wanted to let you know I appreciated that. Still and all my foot was not feeling as good as I would have liked. Once again you took the time to listen and we talked about a moving forward game plan. From here is where I really to emphasize my treatment by your staff; in particular Jennifer (She was great!!). The plan was to send in for insurance approval for orthotics. Jen had me get molded so that if they approved them then you get them done and I could come back when complete and be good to go. She said if they say no, we will go to Plan “B” which was using my fourth “freebie” ESWT, and then see how that took and go from there to Plan “C”, which was surgery.

I was called the next day by someone and told that insurance wouldn’t cover the ortoics and if I wanted I would have to pay $550 now. I said to hold them and I will think more on them and get back with them. Then I asked to speak to Jen and schedule the fourth ESWT treatment. I really thought this would be a hassle or was thinking something would be less than before being on you. It was not and you handled it just like normal and one of the things I want to report in this letter is the fourth time was the charm and my foot has felt 100% better since.

Everything seemed great until…I got a bill wanting me to pay approx. $125 for my part of the bill for work that was never done and what the insurance didn’t cover on the orthotics that they did pay for. I called and talked to someone who I’m sure was more than happy to hand this over to Jen to take care of. (I was not happy) The first thing Jen said was will take off everything on this bill that’s not right and make everything right.

She had me come in for another fitting which did not have the office co-pay since I was there before for that. (A cheap guy like me appreciates that). Made the next appointment for the fitting and said if I had any issues on the bill we will finalize them after the fitting. Today after the fitting she walked me out to the waiting area, spoke to Lindsay personally and had her correct the bill to what made sense and then had Lindsay (who was also very nice) go over the bill with me in detail. Then Jen stopped back in and made sure I was a “happy camper”. This was the right thing to do, the professional thing to do, and the nice thing to do. They took a wrong and made it right. Please accept my compliments on your work, Lindsay’s work, and especially Jennifer’s work. She is the best! Please feel free to share this and use me for any reference.

Thanks,
Bob
Franklin Park, IL

Teamwork to Treat Complex Cases: a Patient Testimonial

Dear Dr. Baker and Dr. Bongiovanni,

I would like to sincerely thank the both of you for your service and dedication put forth in the healing of my foot. I would not be where I am today without your expertise, guidance, and diligent care.

I had back surgery as an infant, which resulted in neuropathy in my foot and three toe amputations and countless infections. When I first came to your office back in August, I was quite frustrated with the medical care (or lack thereof) that I’d been receiving. My problems were recurring, and I felt as though I was getting nowhere, or even going backwards. I searched locally for another doctor for a second opinion, and was repeatedly told that the doctors didn’t see patients with a condition like mine. I originally found out about Weil Foot & Ankle Center by doing some online research on a Saturday morning, reading about Charcot. When I dug a little further, I realized that your offices were in Illinois thus I immediately picked up the phone to call to make an appointment. I cannot explain the excitement that I felt going to get another opinion in such a well-regarded establishment.

I have only wonderful things to say about Dr. Baker and Dr. Bongiovanni. They have both been a true testament of what a doctor should be: honest, caring, practical, down-to-earth, and just plain nice! I have felt comfortable around the both of them and respect their immense knowledge of properly caring for the foot. They both were not only concerned with treating the existing problem but finding ways of prevention to avoid future problems. They took the time to ask me questions about my lifestyle and gave me practical solutions that fit appropriately. They did not just come in, look at my foot, offer a few phrases and leave; they spent on average 20-25 minutes each visit to talk about what was presently at hand.

Since then, I have visited your office on several occasions. All of the staff are so kind and really put forth the extra effort to accommodate me. I live about 75 miles away, and each visit was scheduled to see both of my doctors within a short time period to save on having to make two trips.

I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Baker , Dr. Bongiovanni, all the nurses and staff for the exemplary care I that I received. I would highly recommend Weil Foot & Ankle Center to anyone looking for a physician. Thank you again.

Cordially,

Kate
Wauwatosa, WI

A Successful Bilateral Scarf Procedure

Hi, Dr. Weil,

I know you're busy, so I'll try to make this brief...

My name is Trip Swindell (Major Swindell), and you performed a bilateral scarf on me in 2001 (I was the patient with hypermobility, or "double-jointedness").

I live in Houston, now, and just yesterday, I had to choose a local podiatrist to extract a shard of glass from my foot. It just so happened that I was seen by Dr. Michael Mineo, who was amazed by your work and the range of post-surgical mobility I have. He told me that he's known you for many years, and his son is currently gaining internship experience as a volunteer in your office.
He went further to tell me that you are the top podiatry surgeon in the country... perhaps the world!

What a small world, huh?!

Thank you for everything you've done to make my life what it is today... I'm completely pain-free and more physically active than I've ever been.

Trip Swindell
Houston, TX

Relieving Heel Pain with Orthotics and the Arizona Brace

Dear Dr. Bongiovanni: (or as known in my office "Dr. BonJovi")

I thought I would drop you an email to give you an update on my progress with my new orthotics and Arizona brace.

Honestly, I was a little apprehensive when I left your office with my new devices. They initially felt obtrusive and uncomfortable. Within an hour I felt very secure and comfortable in the Arizona brace and actually left it on all day. (as you suspected I went all out!)

I have worn it every day with the exception of the last two days because I was in Phoenix for a night and wore shorts and topsiders. Even being without it my left ankle and foot felt much better, better than they have in years. I still have slight heel pain but much less than before. I cannot tell you how liberating the feeling is. I have seen over three different Podiatrists and Orthopedic Surgeons and nobody was able to give me the level of relief that you and Dr. Weil have given me. I would just like to express my deepest gratitude to you. Your help is so greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your honesty and professionalism and more importantly, your talent! You should be very proud. You guys are awesome.

Sincerely,

Dr. James Kakos
one happy patient!!!:-)