Hi Everyone!

I recently attended a seminar at Carolina Surgical. I was pleased with the information provided. I'm also scheduled to attend a seminar on July 18th held by Carolina Weight Management (I think thats the name). I'm just curious to know if anyone in the Charlotte area would recommend one office/surgeon over the other.

Thanks in advance!

"Greenivy"

I'm going through Carolina's Weight Management, and my surgeon is Keith Gersin. They are all top-notch! I have always had a good experience in any CHS facility, and feel that I am well taken care of.

My husband works for Carolinas HealthCare Center....we both can vouch how professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate they are.

My surgery date is 7/22. Let me know if you have any questions, and I will answer them as best as I can for you.

CorvetteGirl

Thanks for responding. Did you attend the seminar prior to scheduling your initial appointment? Is it a requirement to attend a seminar first? If you attended, did they gather any information from you that night? Also, how long was the process from start to finish for you?

My coworker had the procedure in May. He said that he went to the seminar, was approved for the procedure within a week and had the procedure within a month! Based upon what I've read/heard about Carolina Weight Management, they seem very structured and organized (which is a good thing). After my seminar at Carolina Surgical, I got the impression that I would have to make several different appointments with the the nut, psychologist, exercise specialist, etc. According to my coworker, Carolina Weight Management was able to help him get all of his appointments scheduled in one day (awesome)! How was the scheduling of appointments for you?

Sorry for asking so many questions but I'm eager to get the process going!

I did attend an informational seminar on May 15. At the seminar I had to fill out basic demographic information. They gave everyone who attended a packet which included an in-depth patient history that I had to fill out and complete prior to the first scheduled appointment. They contacted me the next day and scheduled my appointment for May 29. I don't think that the seminar is required.

I tried to stack whatever appointments I could to get through the process more quickly. They were very helpful and accommodating; however due to availability I was not able to get my appointments all done within a week. Still, everything has proceeded very quickly. Once your bloodwork from the initial consultation is back, and you get your dietary and psych evals done, they will submit to your insurance. They submitted my paperwork to the insurance (MedCost) on 6/4 and called me on 6/14 that I had been approved.

Keep in mind that each surgeon's pre-surgical requirements may be different, but I would imagine that any of the ones at Carolina's Weight Management would be the same. They really are structured and organized, and the girls in the office are super nice!

At that point they put me on the surgical calendar. My magic day is 7/22!

CorvetteGirl

Are you expected to do a 2 week liquid diet prior to the procedure?

Yes, I start my 2-week pre-op diet on Monday. It's really a modified liquid diet. I am to have 3 - 4 Protein shakes per day (at least 25g protein each), along with a list of other full and Clear liquids that are allowed. The dietary goals are:

1300 calories per day

90 - 120g protein per day

less than 100g carbs per day

If I want to chew or need more food, I can have raw or steamed veggies with fat free Parkay spray or salads with no starchy veggies with fat free dressing. I can also have 2 tablespoons of Peanut Butter per day or 1/4 cup any kind of nuts.

The Protein Shakes should be distributed as evenly as possible throughout the day. No caffeine and no carbonated beverages of any kind.

Once per week I can have 3 - 4 oz of grilled or baked fish, chicken or turkey.

CorvetteGirl

That doesn't seem too bad. I'm sure it'll be an adjustment but you can do it!

Thanks for answering my questions! Good luck with everything!

Thanks, and good luck to you as well!!

I have Medcost through CHS also and I was wondering how much did you end up paying out of pocket?