I'm new to the site and was wondering if anyone has had their gastric sleeve surgery at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville?

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Hi there! I'm going through the process there now. I just got insurance approval!

@@Changed2016 & @@Ruth1ess - I am just south of Jacksonville. Had my surgery at St Vincents Southside with Dr Uchal.

My surgeon will be Dr. Steven Bowers.

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Hi @@jane13 how long ago was your surgery?

@@Ruth1ess so excited for your approval! My insurance plan doesn't cover anything regarding weight loss, just crazy. So, I am self pay. I have met with Karen my coordinator, ️ her and have my appointment with Dr. Lynch on 4/6 and Dr. Ames, Psych on 4/7. Then meet with nutritionist on 4/11. I'm hoping to have my surgery in June. Did you already take the two session classes? How were they?

I am so glad to meet you both! Very excited to know there are others in my area on the journey. I would love to stay in touch with you both @@jane13 and @@Ruth1ess.

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Yes, my last class was on 3/9. Dr. Ames is pretty wonderful, she is my favorite part of the team which is really saying something...my first run in with her wasn't the best (I was adamantly against surgery and she gave me some much-needrd tough love).

Honestly with the classes, I learned a lot more on this forums reading back through a lot of threads. They're good for caregivers, though, if you have someone in your life who isn't really quite on board with surgery. It's also a good day to connect with others in your situation.

I would love to stay in touch! I actually work here at Mayo Clinic (in Cannaday) so I'm always here. Are you local?

I'm hoping to have my surgery late April, just after finals at school.

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@Ruth1less, yes I am local. I live in the intracoastal west area. In the Girvin/Wonderwood area. My PCP is Dr. Hedges in Cannady.

It sounds like you will be a couple of months ahead of me. I was hoping since I'm self pay, I can speed this process along. But, it's my understanding that the classes are required regardless of insurance. I have heard great things about Dr. Bowers and I am very interested in the new Director of Bariatrics Dr. Elli. I've been reading up on him and I would be very comfortable with him doing the surgery. Plus, I could get scheduled faster with him since he is new. What does the Bariatrician discuss with you that is different than the surgeon consult?

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@@Changed2016 I'm in Atlantic Beach, I live on the intracoastal off of Mayport Rd, not too far from Dutton Island

Dr. Lynch (bariatrician) gives you the run down on surgeries, talks about if surgery is right for you and which is right for you, answers any questions early on in the game. For me, it was a bit different.. again, because I went through the program not wanting surgery, then decided halfway in that I was in (at Mayo, they put you through the bariatric program for weight loss, too, until very recently. They stopped medically-supervised replacement shake diets because they don't really work long term). So, I met with Dr. Lynch twice.. the first time, he told me how surgery could benefit me. I imagine it's a little different with patients seeking surgery.

I thought I could speed things along, too (being an employee), but unfortunately there aren't many times that they do the classes. You're at the mercy of their scheduling. You won't have to wait for insurance approval, though, so that may speed things up considerably! I would talk to Karen as soon as you're done with your last class, and ask that they book the consult with the surgeon ASAP. That will move things along for you. I'm also told there is very little wait once you're good to go, because they have surgery spots open all the time. It may be sooner than June depending on when your classes let out and how long you need to do the pre-op diet.

@ruth1less when my husband and I got married we lived in Hidden Cove. I know exactly where you are at.

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Hey @@Changed2016! I going through the 6 month process now. I suppose to be sleeve in September 2016. I am going to Dr.Uchal.

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Hey @"Ruth1ess" and @"jane13"

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@@nickcombus that's great!!!! September will be here before you know it!!

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@@Changed2016 - less than an hour

Sorry I didn't see your reply :/

@@nickcombus @Changed2016 - hey! I am a Clay County Girl

@@jane13 how long has it been since your surgery? It's so awesome to know there are people right here in my neck of the woods going through, or have gone through the same process. It seems like I'm meeting people daily.

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@@Changed2016 - I was sleeved 5/6/15 by Dr Uchal with NE Florida Bariatric.

My surgery was uneventful at St Vincents Southside.