New to the site

I'm new to the site and a little confused. Everything I read from people on here gives me the impression that this is a long drawn out process. But I started this in October 2007 and they are telling me that my surgery is proably going to be in March. Does this sound normal to anyone else? I do not have a whole lot of trust at this point in time in my facility. I have not even meet the surgeon yet. Does anyone know anything about Nashville, TN Vanderbilt Center for Weight Loss?

welcome charlotte i started in dec of 05 and had my surgery in may of 06 it really depends on the place u get ur surgery done i had to be smoke free for 3 months before my surgern would do my surgery that what took me so long u need to fine a place u can trust that is very important what part of ky are u from tina starting now 228 132

i just read ur story im sorry ur having so much trouble u really need to go with ur gut filling if it dont seem right u really should find some place else because u will have to be with the place u pick for the rest of ur life i went to 4 different places before i picked the weight loss center in lexington ky i love it there always there when i need them and my surgern is the best in the world im so happy i picked them i hope i have helped u i no its really hard tina

Thank you Tina. My husband says it's all me I'm just too emotional and I let things get to me. But I just don't feel any personal touch from anyone yet. They called today with my surgery date of Feb. 5th and scheduled me to see the surgeon/pre-op visit on Jan. 17th. I told the nurse that I had not seen the nutritionist yet and was not scheduled to see them till Feb. 6th, but she said that was ok. So I guess I'm 3 weeks and counting. I'm gonna call tomorrow and see if I can see the nutritionist on the 17th also. Charlotte

If ur not happy now u will not b happy later. This is something that u must live with 4 the rest of ur life so u really need to start out on the right foot and it don't seem like they r letting that happen 4 u. May I suggest georgetowm bariatrics in georgetown ky. The # is 888-868-0008 or u can find them here on the site. My ins. Was sent in on jan. 2 and I was approved on jan. 3 and had all my test and was scheduled 4 surgery yesterday. I have lap band done next Wednesday the 17th. If ur already approved u probaly won't have to wait that long. I know its a lomg drive 4 u but look at it as a investment in ur health. I hope u find what ur looking 4 but please make the right decision 4 urself as ur the one that has to live with ur decision all ur life. I'll b looking forward to hearing about ur journey.....Tony

Tony thanks for replying. It just feels good to have other people beside my husband to talk to. He says I take things to personal. I really just want to know that this place is going to take care of me. I got my call today. I see the surgeon on Jan.17th and go for my post-op. My surgery is scheduled for Feb. 5th. I'm hoping to see some kind of compasion from the place next week. Charlotte

HI Charlotte.... I went to the first seminar on Nov 20, 06 at St. Joe's East in Lexington and had my surgery Dec 29, 06. I think Dr. Steiner is awesome. If You are having this done for sure then make sure you are completely sure of you surgeon. After all you are putting your life in his hands. The center at St. Joe's is great, I have no complaints. Best of luck to you and God Bless Miranda Austin

Miranda, I work in the health care field and know a lot of people who have went to Lexington. I have heard lots of praise over Dr. Steiner. If I had went to Lexington that is the Doctor I would have picked too. I just didn't want to drive 4 hours to and 4 hours back. As of right now I do not know anything about my surgeon other than what I have been told or read about. But all of that was great stuff. He is suppose to be the best at Vanderbilt. But at this point I have not met him yet. I will meet him on Jan 17th breifly. They scheduled me with him at 8:15 and pre-op at 8:55. He's not planning on spending a lot of time with me. Surgery is scheduled for Feb 5th. Charlotte

hi Charlotte, welcome.........well if it dont feel right then it aint right.................no i can talk on this because i found out the hard way. I seeked out a doc that came highly referred. Dr.Randall Bolar of lexington ky. Well i went to him on sept 1 and was approved within a week. I had my rny surgery oct 05. Well he new at that time he was leaving town. But did i get informed........NO. I was informed in june that his doors was shut when i had complications..did he stick around for me when i was sick ??? no. I had to go to st.joe east emergency room........and i found the most wonderful person waiting on me there. Dr.Josh Steiner.........he at that time was not my doc....i was looking for a program at that time that would take me. well i had 8 blockages and steiner cleaned me up and a hernia repair. I joined there program and have been treated great by all.....i just had another hernia repaired in nov...and i am doing well now.............but Charlotte if you dont trust them then it wont work for you....i thought i trusted my surgeron to. But the way he did my surgery i am set up to keep having complications.No i cant find a doc to straighten me out ,just make sure that i am healed and feeling well right now. If i where you i would investigate and do all the research and feel at piece with your desicion,this is not a reversal surgery and it is something you will have the rest of your life. I wish i would have took my gut instinct and ran from the place i first went to. I will warn you this to, i had to pay a 250.00 program fee for a new doc.......each time you need a bariatric doc if yours leaves or something, it is hard to find one to take you. So make sure that youre surgeon is planning on sticking around for you ok..............vickie

Vickie, Thanks for the advice. Thats a question that I never even thought about asking. It's a very good one. I know in my gut that this is a good place and they are the best for me. I just wish I could get a least one person to make me feel like they are in my corner. That I am a person and not a number with dollar signs. I need some compasion a personal touch from someone. Have they been doing it so long they have forgotten, or is it just me. I don't know. Charlotte