ALL Healthcare Is Still Important

News about the coronavirus is all we hear nowadays and medical experts are unsure when we’ll be able to stop self quarantine and social distancing. While Covid-19 is of course an enormous, serious global and local emergency, Dr. Gaston knows that other medical issues are still a worrisome concern - and still must be evaluated, diagnosed and treated.

To ensure that patients are getting the care needed while still preserving physical distance, Dr. Gaston is introducing telehealth visits.

Telehealth or telemedicine visits are perfect for:

• Medication management including prescribing new medications and refilling prescriptions.
• Lab, imaging and testing reviews and follow up visits
• Diet and nutrition discussions
• Initial weight loss procedure consultations and follow up visits
• Patient questions, concerns and education

Dr. Gaston recommends all patients register for telehealth visits, but especially if you have a chronic medical condition such as Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Hepatitis C or chronic pancreatitis. Telemedicine visits are also helpful for diarrhea and constipation issues, pain and discomfort challenges and other chronic GI issues.

While telehealth is a positive way to maintain your digestive health during this time, it’s also convenient at any time. You’ll find it easier to keep your appointments, you’ll experience shorter wait times, and you won’t have to leave your home to travel to our offices. Telemedicine is completely confidential and meets all HIPAA requirements. Medicare and most insurances cover telemedicine visits, but check with your insurance company to be sure this type of visit is included as one of your covered insurance benefits.

You’ll need a smartphone, tablet or computer - something with a camera and microphone - for a telemedicine visit. Click here to register and get started.

You’ll click “I am a patient” and then “Create An Account”. Fill in your name and zip code, following the instructions to create a password. After your registration is complete, you’ll get an email from GI OnDEMAND. Please open that email and click the green “Activate” button. If you’re planning on using a smartphone or tablet for your telemedicine appointment, download the app GI OnDEMAND from the Apple App Store or GooglePlay

Call the Metro GI office at 773-238-1126 to make an appointment.

Before your appointment begins, weigh yourself and take your temperature. Have a flashlight or light source nearby just in case. Prepare your list of concerns and questions. Set up in a well-lighted space. About 5 minutes before your appointment time, login from your computer or open the GI OnDEMAND app on your smartphone or tablet. You’ll be placed in a virtual waiting room and Dr. Gaston will join you shortly, “face to face”.

While we all are eager to get back to “normal” in our daily lives, we also know that preventative and regular maintenance health care must continue, so all of us are as healthy as possible. Not only do we avoid emergency situations, we also feel better overall, both physically and mentally. Managing and keeping chronic conditions and diseases under control also helps prevent serious complications if we do contract the Covid-19 virus.

Make sure your overall health doesn’t deteriorate during these weeks of physical distance and isolation. Consider improving your health dramatically with a non-surgical, temporary weight loss procedure. Register for telemedicine visits with Dr. Gaston and make an appointment today. Call 773-238-1126 if you have questions or click here to get started!