Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Has Anyone Been Sleeved In Jacksonville, Fl?



Recommended Posts

My research showed Memorial Hospital with Dr. Cywes, Dr. Paul Chappano and Dr. Uchal (Reviosonal Bariatric Surgeon) both at St. Vincent's Hospital in Jacksonville, Fl.

Both hospitals have been awarded the "Certificate of Excelence".

Has anyone had surgery here in Fl. besides Ocala?

Thanks for any advice..:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery in Sebastian with Dr Patrick Domkowski. I think he hung the sun, the moon and the stars!!! He does do revision surgeries. We actually talked about it at my last appt as a curiousity point for me.

My friend is an ER nurse at the Sebastian River Medical Center where Dr D does his surgeries and she gave him glowing reviews before I ever met him. I did talk to other docs, but Dr D made me feel the most secure about the surgery.

I have had no problems since/because of my surgery. He doesn't have the Center of Excellence distinction because they weren't doing the required volume. That is changing by summer of 2012, though.

He's doing an online seminar tomorrow night if you're interested. http://www.riversidesurgicalweightloss.com/ is the link, I think.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes! I did! I had surgery with Dr. Pinnar, who works with Dr. Cywes, out of Memorial. Memorial is also a center of excellence. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask. I also know a few other people who had the surgery in Jacksonville.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

FYI: Dr. Cywes is the only surgeon of excellence among the 3. Another possible option is my surgeon. See his information on my signature. I know he takes tough cases, not sure about revisions. Might be worth a call. Best wishes!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everybody!! The names suggested are the surgeons that had come up in the top 10.

I typed in "Top Doc's in Jacksonville"

Oh, Dr. Pinnar was also mentioned along with Dr. Cywes...Sorry I forgot to mention him.

Dr. Merema is affiliated with Flagler Hospital right?

My head is in a Whirl Spin right now....

Thanks Ladies...:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would suggest going to some seminars. I know Dr. Cywes and Dr. Pinnar host at least one a week at memorial, not sure about the others. You may already know the info they are presenting but it would give you a chance to feel out their personalities and figure which one you fit best with.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was sleeved by Dr. Webb at St. Lukes Hospital. I can highly recommend Dr. Webb. Nothing but glowing reviews for the work he did and the the experience has been nothing short of excellent.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Also, most of the staff that used to work for Novus in Jacksonville now work for Memorial, and I wouldn't hate to recommend them as well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, Dr. Marema is at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine. Flagler Hospital is a hospital of Excellence.

In my opinion, the key for you is finding a surgeon that has tons of experience with revisions, so if I was you I would go to a few seminars, as previously suggested. At the end of the seminar you will probably be able to approach these surgeons and ask them questions specifically about your case. If not, give them a call before even going to the first appointment. That is what I would do anyway. smile.png

Oh, one more thing. Call before you go to the seminars and make sure the doctor that will be present is the one you want to meet. (I made that mistake once. lol). Good luck and don't get nervous. It is awesome that you will probably have a few to pick from!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Does Memorial Hospital have a Seperate recovery floor/unit specific for Bariatric patients after surgery?

Do the surgeons do surgeries there on site?

I know in St. Vincent's bariatric patients are sent to the ICU to keep a close eye on the patient.

St Lukes Did Not (after my LapBand) and I had a horrible experience there...

When I got up out of bed to sit/sat in the recliner and fell backward, is when the after care nurse said

"Oh wait. I forgot that chair is broken". Are you kidding me?

I was screaming and crying in such pain...I had to ask for a different nurse.

Seriously, I'm afraid to go back there....

It was truly a traumatic experience that I will Never forget.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just had my surgery on Monday at Memorial Hospital. Dr. Webb is my doc. He is very good. My family like him also. My husband said that it seems that he really likes what he does. He had a big smile on his face when he came out to speak to them.

Recovery was not separate for bariatric patients. I was actually fine in there. I was using my pain med pump and people watching. I had one guy two beds down that sounded like Billy Bob Thornton in Sling Blade. I had to laugh.

I was doing great until later in the night when my pain meds started making me VERY sick. I stopped using it. After that my husband stayed with me all night (poor thing was so uncomfortable) It made it much easier for me to get up and go to the bathroom and get ice, etc. They got me on meds I could tolerate and that made it better too.

I would feel horrible one minute then passable the next. Go Figure. I was happy to get out of the hospital.I have to give them high marks though. Very nice private room and attentive staff. No complaints here.

I didn't realized my husband had become a member here and I posted this under his name!!!!! I am Mamacujo.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Dr.Uchal performed my surgery at svmc he is awesome in my opinion very accessible just go and get a few consults and pick based upon how the provider makes you feel as a patient

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mesa, did your Insurance cover the surgery?

Did it pay for phsych and nutrition visits pre and post-op?

What about all post-op visits?

Were you transfered to ICU immediately after your suergery to keep a close watch fo complications?

That's what their website states. Just wondering.

I was interested in Dr. Uchal because he does do revisionals as I think Cywes does as well.

I guess I have to start calling my ins companies and get to some seminars.

Thanks!! wink.png

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×