Just wondering if anyone has used Dr. Steeley in Clarksville, TN? I've heard good and not so good--more good than bad, though.

Dana

I am planning on using Dr. Steely in Clarksville. What have you heard?? When I went for my initial visit, he was nice, informative, but busy. Might have caught him on a rushed day. His office staff have been awsome.

PJ

PJ--

I've mostly heard good things about him. I know a few people who have had the gastric bypass by him. They all spoke highly of him.

One friend (who's mother had the gastric bypass at Centennial in Nashville) said that she'd heard he had had several deaths--but this is to be expected with the gastric bypass. I think the national average is a 1% death rate.

I had my endoscope last Wed. with Dr. Steely. It went well.

Like you said, he seems very nice, experienced, etc. but rushed. His wife, Barbara, did speek with me in her office for about 30 minutes answering my questions.

I really only care if he's a good surgeon--his personality really doesn't matter to me.

So, you're going for the band? Do you have a surgery date yet?

Dana

Dana

Yes, I am going for the band. No surgery date yet but I have completed all my test and got letters from two doctors. The last time I talked to Steely's office, they were waiting for the evaluation to be submitted to them, then they were going to submit to the insurance company. That was a week ago this past Friday. If I don't hear anything this week saying they have submitted my information to my insurance co., I will call them. Right now I am on pins and needles with this waiting!! How about yourself, how far are you in the process??

PJ

PJ--

I have completed my psychological and EGD. I don't know if my PCP has sent my letter or not. I was told at my initial appt. with Dr. Steely that they would request the letter from my PCP. My PCP knows I am wanting the Lap Band--he is all for it. I have completed the requirements from my insurance company (the six months of a diet, checked by a physcian--in fact, I used the weight loss med., Phentermine, which made me crazy--too much of a stimulant for me--couldn't sleep,etc.).

I have my nutrition and education class this Wed. After that, I guess I just wait for a reply. I'm going to call Dr. Steely's office on Wed. (it will have been two weeks from my initial appt. with him) to see if he's received the letter from my doctor (PCP).

***I have no gallbladder--so I didn't have to have that test run, and Dr. Steely didn't require me to do the sleep study because I've had no issues with snoring, etc.

So--I, like you, just wait anxiously. I'm so ready to get this weight off. I hope I'm making the right decision by getting the band. I really hope it works. Have you known many people to get the band? Were they successful?

***I am from Crofton, Ky. I graduated from Christian Co. High in 1992.

Dana

Dana

I have met one woman who was banded a month prior to me seeing her. She had lost 30 lbs. and was really tickled with her band. I won't see her for a couple of months so I know I will be amazed then. That's funny to hear you live in Crofton, I live in Hopkinsville...talk about small world!!!

PJ--

Oh--I used to live in Crofton--when I was in high school. I actually live in Clarksville now--about one mile from the hospital where Dr. Steely's office is.

I have BC/BS of TN (PPO)--my husband is also a state employee (of TN, however). Do you know if insurance will cover the "fills"?

Good luck with getting a surgery date. I hope it's soon for you. Let me know what you find out.

Dana

I am a state of KY employee and we just switched to Humana Choice PPO. I am assuming that if they pay for the surgery they will also pay for the fills. Hey, I'm living on hope and prayer!!! Have you told anyone beside family that you are considering the surgery?? I havn't told anyone but my husband and daughter. Guess I don't want to be watched like a hawk.

I graduated 77, a few years older than you.

PJ

Just wondering if anyone has used Dr. Steeley in Clarksville, TN? I've heard good and not so good--more good than bad, though.

Dana

You aren't too far from me in Knoxville. I'm having my surgery by Dr. Colquist in Marysville. I wish you a lot of luck. Dr. DeAlexander did almost all the lap banding in that area for a very long time, but he has left the area to move to Memphis because his son is very ill and he needs to be near a certain hospital there where he is receiving treatment. Dr. Colquist took over a lot of his patients and perhaps your dr. did too. I know my dr. has done a lot of lap bands, but primarily does gastric bypass. He is open to each and lets the patient decide. He doesn't push gastric bypass at all, and in fact prefers the lapbanding proceedure. I wish you lots of luck.

Dody--

No--Knoxville isn't too far from Clarksville.--3.5 hours, I think.

I'm in the waiting-for-the-insurance-to-approve-me stage. It's been almost two weeks since BCBS has received my paperwork, so I'm hoping for an answer soon.

Good luck to you, too. I'm sure you will be very successful. I plan to be.

Hey ladies, I am at Fort Campbell, so basically right here in Clarksville as well. I do not qualify through our insurance to have this done here so I am going to Mexico. Wonder if either of you would know if he will do the fills on people who had it done elsewhere. I am finding more times than not they won't. Thanks.

jude0426

I don't know if he would do your fills or how much he would charge you. I will give you his phone number for you to call and ask. It is 931-552-0380. When are you going to Mexico??

PJ

Thanks for his number! My surgery is on the 31st. I am getting anxious. :roll:

Good luck to you. I am still trying to make the insurance company happy. They have required 6 months of supervised diet, my pcp said it was only to see if I would jump through the hoops. I will jump for a while, then I might go to Mexico!! Let me know what you find out, you will be in my prayers.

PJ

Now that Tricare has approved the lapband, I think that I will be getting referred to Dr. Steely. Did you guys use him? What was your experience?

Zeama, I have been seeing Dr. Steeley but I have not received surgery yet. I just recently was approved and my appointment is 2/27 with Steeley. We will see what happens.

PA