Changing Surgery Centers

On Sept. 14, 2007, I attended a weight loss seminar at Duke and (within a day or two) paid my $250 and got the process started.  It's Cinco de Mayo now and I'm not much further along in the process than I was back then.

While in the hospital for a week (6 weeks ago), I was chatting with one of my 7 kidney doctors who told me his "next door neighbor was the gastric bypass surgeon at UNC Hospitals." After talking with him and a few patients of both Duke and UNC programs, I've decided to switch to UNC. I am hoping to get copies of all of the evaluations and tests from Duke-before I tell them my plans (I think there will be less hassle this way.)  

I'm hopeful that maybe since all of the evaluations and all but one of tests have already been done the only thing I'll have to wait for is insurance approval.  I realize that depending on how busy this surgeon is (because he is the only one) I may have to wait some time for his schedule to become available, as well.  

I feel good about this decision and to quote one of my favorite TV shows: "It's ALL good in the hood!!"

Thank you for your prayers and support!!

Kelly :)

The most important thing, no matter who you see, is that you are comfortable in your decision. Your surgeon is your confident for life, since you get the see them at least once a year for the rest of your life.  This is someone you are littlerly putting your life in their hands.  So good for you and I'm happy that you feel good about your decision.

Thanks, Cagair!!  I'm still using the Isobreathing video you sent me.  I start back to PT on Friday.  I had to stop after being put in the hospital.  Then, I burned my hands-rather severely-and am now getting back into the swing of things--typing with my pointer finger of my left hand and and ring finger on my right hand!! Now, I'm back on the diet an losing weight again and it feels so good!! Hope you are well!! Kelly :)

Kelly,

I think if you are more comfortable with the program and physicians at UNC and your insurance covers their program then you should go for it. You should be able to copies of all of your records from Duke whether you are going to go through them or not. They are your records.

Good luck,

Barb

Hi Kelly, It's funny you would post this, I've just been wondering if I need to switch. I went to the seminar at Duke August 31, 2007 and had LapBand surgery April 23, 2008. I love Dr. Pryor, I think she is fabulous. But the follow-up and post-op diet I feel is all geared towards RNY (which would be good for you) and nothing for LapBand. I had a mental meltdown over the weekend and left the nutritionist a rather pitiful voicemail. Do you know, when he called back, he didn't ask how I was, he left a very short message and didn't even bother to call my cell phone (and I had left the number).  I'm better now, but not because of anything I got from them. It's all been from this website and the wonderful people on it that got me through. Make sure UNC has good follow-up and support. I don't mean the herding people in and out through the psych evals and group sessions, but actuall follow-up and support if you need it. Good luck! Congratulations on your decision! Amy

Hey Kelly, I am in the same boat you are.  I attended a seminar in September of 2007 too.  I paid that night and turned in my application.  I have had nothing but problems with them.  I am just fed up.  I tried to sign on to the Duke WLS forums and low and behold they are no longer there and when I tried to sign in later in the day they had blocked me out.  There were so many complaints on the forums from other people.  You call them they say they will call you back they don't and I have e-mailed I don't get any response back from the center.  It is just getting  a bit out of hand.