:bananapartyhat: :bananapartyhat: Are there any Florida Panhandle bansters out there??? I am from Pensacola area!!!! would love to connect!!! :bananapartyhat:

Whose your doctor? I went to Mexico. Nancy @ the Beach

I'm at Panama City Beach---- Do you attend or know of a band support group?

Are you looking to be banded or by-pass? Banded and loving it in PCB. HOWEVER, I went to Mexico and thankful I did. Now I get fills in MS. That also is a great dr and practice. I wish I knew something good about the Pensacola area drs. but sorry to say I do not. Please research your dr and choices very carefully. They are probably wonderful, I just know several unhappy Pensacola bandsters. Be careful ---and welcome to BANDLAND :eek: It is wonderful

If you live in Mobile PLEASE CHECK OUT SOUTH MS Surgical Weight Loss Clinic. I go there for fills and they are great! They also removed my gall bladder. They are in Ocean Springs MS

Hey Girl,

It's me Nancy :eek:

Hi everyone,

I am in Vicenza Italy right now, but grew up in Pensacola. My parents still live there and my mother wants to get the band as well. She is retired Navy and she says she has to pay a copay. Does anyone know if there is a hospital at Eglin AFB that they could send her to? Anyway, I went to Tate and Catholic HS, then graduated from PJC adult high. I got banded March 20th 2008 by Dr. Favretti and Dr. Segato Vicenza Italy.

Ciao!

Patricia France

Hi, I was really surprised to find a group in Pensacola-until I discovered my daughter, Patricia in Italy, had already been here! I haven't been able to come to a decision about the surgery. Yes, I want to lose the weight and be able to keep it off...NO, I don't want to lose my hair or have my excess skin hanging around me like wings! :scared2:

Today I talked to Tricare at the Navy Hospital, and to my doctor. Tricare's copay is almost laughably small because we have Tricare Prime. So one of my "excuses" was shot down. I was sure the copay would be huge - how about $11.oo per day or $25.00 for the entire time I'm in the hospital and nonmilitary doctors' appointments carry a $15.oo copay!

My husband, my kids and my friends all say I should have the procedure done. My BMI is 41.5 and my joints and ligamints are awful. So, why am I holding back...did I just talk myself into the surgery? :blushing:

I think I'm just scared...aside from Patricia, how did you all come to the decision to have this done, and has it been worth it? What's the worst part and what are the best things?

Someone mentioned people in the area were really unhappy with their surgeries...was it the doctor, the hospital or what?

I know I have a million questions, sorry. I'd appreciate whatever you have to share.

Thanks,

Betsy

PS!!!!! Have found out that I will have a $500.00 "Administrative Fee" charged by the Doctor/Hospital performing the procedure. Still quite a deal! So I have had my Doctor send the referral to Tricare!

Edited April 24, 200818 yr by ladybug51
additional cost information

I am from Panama City Beach, now living in the Atlanta area, my band was done on 4/19. My family are being very supportive and helpful. I do have other family members also being banded, which is great. Just follow the doctors orders! Never stray from that. PLEASE check the wellness Center at Gulf Coast Community Hospital for support, they usually have a lot of programs.

** Emory in Atlanta performs this surgery and will be the most helpful of any place I found. Personally I had to go to Mexico due to insurance not covering me, but Emory was still helpful to me as I attended a seminar and learned so much before going through this.

I live in Pensacola and will be banded next month by Dr. Lord. It's nice to see so many local people on this website.

Hello there, I live about 45 miles east of Pensacola in Santa Rosa Beach FL, (its right outside Destin) I too havent found anyone in my area, but there should be plenty in Pensacola since the hospitals are there,right??

I was banded 4 weeks ago, Dr Friedman at Sacred Heart Med Ctr, now he has left and I have to go to Dr Jeffrey Lord, who is great anyway, oh yeah and my name is Bev

I will be banded on the 22nd by Dr. Nye at Baptist in Pensacola. I live in Niceville.

Dr Lord is great!, everyone in the office have been so supportive of me from the beginning and so helpful and nice. You have made a great decision. I go back like I said next tues for my 1 fill Dr Lord is gonna do it...kinda apprehensive about it, but trust him completely. Good Luck with your Banding!! Bev

Hello to all the Panhandlers!

I am up in Crestview and will be banded December 10th at Sacred Heart. I am glad to there are others upstate. I look forward to getting to know others in the area.

Fran

Hello,

My name is Patricia Vance and I live in Navarre, FL. and Dr. Jeffrey Lord is my doctor. It would be great if all the Panhandle banders could get together and meet since there is no seminars for banders in this area. Everyone is welcome to email me at vanceemilton@bellsouth.net. I would really like to meet everyone in this area.

I am in Molino, north of Pensacola. My band date is Dec 18th by Dr. Lord at Sacred Heart. I have several friends who have had gastric bypass, but only one who has been banded. I would love to have a "Band Group" meeting. Do any of you attend the Support Group Meetings held each month at SHH? I have not been to one yet. What do you think about meeting there in January?