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

George R. Merriman 2; Shreveport, La



Recommended Posts

Has anyone on here had their procedure done with this surgeon? If so, what did you think? Would you recommend him?

Lap Band, Gastric Bypass & Sleeve | Weight Loss & Bariatric Surgery - Longview Texas, Shreveport Louisiana - Surgical Specialist

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have a friend that wishes she had used him. I think her dr. in East Texas doesn't have a good bedside manner.

I went to Mexico....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I went to Dr. Merriman for a preop consultation. I liked the doctor ok but he did not have much bedside manner. He was very knowledgeable though. However I did not feel his Staff was very cordial. And I wanted to look around just to be for sure. I ended up going with Dr. James Davidson in Dallas but i wont have surgery until december. So far the experience has been so much better when I call I don't feel like a burden I don't feel Like I'm rushed. They really want to help. I don't have anything bad to say about that Merriman but I did feel very rushed and I did feel he was annoyed with my numerous questions. I live in the middle so it's the same distance either way. Also as I researched I could not find much info about Dr. Merriman there was nothing negative but there just wasn't much and in the sleeves he has only done in the hundreds as opposed to the other doctors who have done in the thousands those were my reasons for choosing Dr. James Davidson I wish you the best of luck in whatever choice you make

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the input.

I'm still trying to figure out if this is something that I am even going to do. I'm dipping my toes in the Water.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery with Dr.Merriman. His demeanor is a bit arrogant in some minds but i feel it is confidence not arrogant. I feel he is completely truthful about the process and he walked me thru what I would go thru. I would rather someone be honest and upfront than have a great bedside manner and not really care. Answered every question I had and I would use him again times 10. He is very big on follow up of his patients for the long term, something very few surgeons do. Once you have the surgery you don't see them anymore. This is not the case. He also has a private Facebook support group for all his post surgery patients. Everyone loves him. He is the best bariatric surgeon in the ArklaTex.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't use Dr. Merriman but researched about him. I think the comments about his bedside manner seems to be the most compliant. I used Dr. Norwood and have been very pleased with him. They also emphasize follow-up. I'm 12 wks out I see the nurse practitioner monthly who happens to be his wife. It's not a lot of staff but pleasant and efficient . I live out of town so I don't get to go to the support group like I want too . He is also a Bliss doctor since I was self pay. Just make sure you are comfortable with your choice.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

A bliss doctor is covered which means you are covered for most complications that may come with surgery. It's insurance. I have three year coverage. Dr Norwood is awesome.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I used Dr. Todd McCarty at Lakewood Weight Loss and Wellness in Dallas. He is a very good Doctor. Very caring, compassionate and takes his time in getting to know you. Is also a nationalist and is really good with setting diets. He put me on a 1,000 calorie a day diet three months before my sleeve and just from that and walking 8 miles a day I lost 58lbs. I am now two weeks out from surgery and going for my first post opp appointment this Friday.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I finally called today and signed up to go to a group meeting this week. I'm terrified. I have high anxiety already and this decision is really weighing on me (no pun intended LOL!) I just dont know if I am brave enough to pull the trigger on something like this...its such a huge huge life changing decision. I'm scared about complications and I'm scared that I'll have this massive regret after it's been done...months later...and wonder why the hell I did it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I went to Dr. Merriman for a preop consultation. I liked the doctor ok but he did not have much bedside manner. He was very knowledgeable though. However I did not feel his Staff was very cordial. And I wanted to look around just to be for sure. I ended up going with Dr. James Davidson in Dallas but i wont have surgery until december. So far the experience has been so much better when I call I don't feel like a burden I don't feel Like I'm rushed. They really want to help. I don't have anything bad to say about that Merriman but I did feel very rushed and I did feel he was annoyed with my numerous questions. I live in the middle so it's the same distance either way. Also as I researched I could not find much info about Dr. Merriman there was nothing negative but there just wasn't much and in the sleeves he has only done in the hundreds as opposed to the other doctors who have done in the thousands those were my reasons for choosing Dr. James Davidson I wish you the best of luck in whatever choice you make

I will be using Dr. Davidson, we live almost 200 miles away but he's done over 1000 sleeves and I liked his staff as well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I used Dr. Todd McCarty at Lakewood Weight Loss and Wellness in Dallas. He is a very good Doctor. Very caring, compassionate and takes his time in getting to know you. Is also a nationalist and is really good with setting diets. He put me on a 1,000 calorie a day diet three months before my sleeve and just from that and walking 8 miles a day I lost 58lbs. I am now two weeks out from surgery and going for my first post opp appointment this Friday.

What do you mean by a nationalist?


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

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • 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

    ×