Question:
Has anyone had to travel to another state for Surgery?
I live in the Tampa Bay area, in Florida. There are no AGB surgeons in my area and I don't want to go to just ANY surgeon, simply beause he is "closen to home". Has anyone had to travel and if so where do I start??? — Smellycat (posted on September 2, 2002)
September 2, 2002
Yes, I used a wonderful Program Called Compass. I traveled from NM to Baton
Rouge, LA. My surgery was done 8/23/02 and I traveled home 8/29/02 feeling
very good! In fact I feel great. I am already feeling a change in energy
and have a desire to walk and exercise (something I lacked before). I went
to Dr. Andrew Hargroder and had LAP RNY Medial. I am so far more than happy
with it! I was scared to death to travel but with the Compass program all
the complicated stuff was taken care of for me!
Jessica
— jessmessen
September 2, 2002
I went through Compass as well. I traveled from New Mexico to Texas. Not
much of a trip, but it was all taken care of by Compass. I felt the same
way: I want to have someone dedicated to this surgery and not just in the
neighborhood. Check out www.compasswls.com to get the ball rolling.
— Carolynn J.
September 2, 2002
I am still pre-op but am traveling to PA for my open RNY. I live in NC. I
don't really have any advice on how to find the surgeon you are looking for
except to not give up. It was easy for me because I found BTC. Good luck
with your search and God bless! I'm sorry I couldn't be much help
— Rebekah A.
September 2, 2002
I went to San Diego, Ca because I specifically wanted Dr Wittgrove (he did
Carnie Wilson)... I live in Las Vegas, NV and we only had one surgeon who
did this type of surgery, he wasnt the right Dr for me so I ventured out,
finally deciding on Dr Wittgrove. What I did is started calling around for
prices of hotels and started making sure I would have enough money to cover
a 10 day stay there, which was the required amount of time I had to stay
there. Dont choose a Dr just because he is in your area, pick one you know
you can be happy with and trust. Basically you will want to save save
save...and research alot.
— Deanna Wise
September 2, 2002
I traveld from GA to WA to have my last surgery. I would go to the find a
doc section and insurers section and research the docs that way. I also
went to peers section and emailed patients of my doc that had my same
insurance and asked questions about the doc, his practice, etc..
aftercare, before care..
Take care.. good luck on your journey.. If you want to .. feel free to
email me privately at [email protected]
Hugs,
— Gina Landers
September 2, 2002
Florida has some EXCELLENT WLS surgeons; Hocking & Rout at UF/Shands,
Thoburn and McGregor at North Florida Regional in Gainesville, Marema in Ft
Lauderdale ($$$), Jawad in Ocala, Liem in WPB... their patients all swear
by them. I had Dr Hocking in Gainesville- he was great! Good Luck!
— Rebecca T.
September 6, 2002
For one year I hit 'roadblocks' everywhere in my own state[WV] and the
surrounding states[OH<KY<VA]. I found Dr. Hocking via the internet
and really feel it was just meant to be this way. I live 800 miles away
from Gainesville, FL., but the Lord makes a way.
— Georgianne Faith W.
Click Here to Return