<p>I have scheduled seminars w/ 3 different docs here in GA. I want to find out all I can, am an avid researcher. The three docs I am considering are Dr. McKernan, Dr. Lin, and Dr. Dennis Smith. I was wanting to hear from former/current patients and hear your stories!! Any info will be helpful.</p> <p> Thanks!!</p>

Hey Y'all,

I just got insurance approval to be banded today!! Yippee. I'll be going to Dr. Lin at Emory. I really like his bedside manner and he seems very relaxed (which makes me feel confident in his abilities). My friend was banded by him in this past summer. She has lost over 40 lbs already and recommended Lin to me.

Another friend got RNY by Dr. Burrowes but that was years ago and was not laproscopic. He was a good doctor, though.

Kathy,

I was at the same seminar as you. I really enjoy Dr. Menachery's presentation. What did you think? How far long are you in the process?

Where were you sitting? I was accross the room from the door sitting next to the wall about halfway up. I loved his presentation and how throughly he covered everything, over and over when necessary. I was ready to make my appointment, but we are moving back to SC now, so I will have to start all over. At least I will go into it there with a little more knowledge because of Dr. Mneachery. Good luck with your surgery!

I was up front on the first row in the first seat by the podium where he was standing.

I was up front on the first row in the first seat by the podium where he was standing.

Oh, ok. What pre-op appointments are they requiring for you?

First I had my one-on-one with Dr. Steinberg.

Now I have to see a Psychologist, Dietician, Pulmonologist and Cardiologist.

I have set up all these appointments already and will be done with all of them by December 3. I have my Psych visit today at 10:30 a.m.

They have doctors that they work with all the time and it make the process go smoother, however, I already had a Psychologist so I decided to go with her for my Bariatric Clearance.

Sorry, I have been away for a few days. Dr. Steinberg is doing my surgery and Dr. Menachery is assisting. Congrats on your progress so far. It really goes fairly quickly. I specifically asked for surgery in December as I have a vacation planned the end of the month and don't get back until December 2.

First I had my one-on-one with Dr. Steinberg.

Now I have to see a Psychologist, Dietician, Pulmonologist and Cardiologist.

I have set up all these appointments already and will be done with all of them by December 3. I have my Psych visit today at 10:30 a.m.

They have doctors that they work with all the time and it make the process go smoother, however, I already had a Psychologist so I decided to go with her for my Bariatric Clearance.

I remember them saying they had that list of doctors they refer you to. It does seem like that would make the whole process smoother. I am hoping the doctor I end up with in SC will be the same way. How did the psych visit go?

I passed the Psych visit...I'm not crazy. She call me within a half hour after I left her office. She said she'd be send the report over the Surgical Weight Loss Office.

Pretty much you have an interview first that lasts about 20 minutes and then you have to do this T or F questionnaire that has almost 600 questions on it. That's what takes the most time.

hi. i live in acworth and i am wanting to get this procedure done as soon as my insurance is switched from UHC to BCBS of south dakota. ( and hopefully i get approved!) thats who my employer have now since the head office is in sioux falls SD. is dr champion the closest to where i live or are there others in the acworth area?

thanks

Hey randiik. I'm not quite sure about the other doctors who are around the Acworth area. I live in Marietta, but location wasn't the reason why I chose Dr. Champion. I had spoken to maybe 5-6 doctors and Nurse Practitioners to ask them if they had heard of any good Bariatric Surgeons, and every one of them said Dr. Champion without hesitation. If you go on Highway 75, he is literally JUST off of exit 267B. He's absolutely fantastic. I've heard only amazing things about him. If you go to Bariatric Surgery Georgia - Gastric Bypass - Weight Loss Surgery by Dr. J.K. Chapmion (I think I gave out that website in my last post-eh), you can get a lot of information on him. If location is most important to you, try to go to obesityhelp.com (I THINK that's the website- someone correct me if I'm wrong!!), and you can do a surgeon search for your area. Good luck!!

First I had my one-on-one with Dr. Steinberg.

Now I have to see a Psychologist, Dietician, Pulmonologist and Cardiologist.

I have set up all these appointments already and will be done with all of them by December 3. I have my Psych visit today at 10:30 a.m.

They have doctors that they work with all the time and it make the process go smoother, however, I already had a Psychologist so I decided to go with her for my Bariatric Clearance.

Hey NeNe! Well, November is over half gone...How are your other appointments progressing towards your goal of December 3?

thanks!

i looked at his prices and he is pretty high.. i am not really familar with how much the surgery is but reading these forums his price seems a bit on the higher end. i want a good surgeon but i want to be able to afford him and have the insurance cover also. i will check him out though. thank you for the information!

randi

Hey Kathy,

I just finished my last appointment yesterday. They needed to reveiw my file, and get a letter from my PCP with my weight history for the last five years. I am suppose to call the office later this week to see if I need to see the dietician for 3 months (this month included) before surgery. If not, they will submit and hopefully I can get an approval. If I get the approval back quickly, I plan on having the surjery ASAP in Janaury 2008.

If not, the soonest I could do the surgery (that is satifiying the dietican schedule and getting insurance approval) would be mid-February 2008.

Wish me luck!!!

Hey Kathy,

I just finished my last appointment yesterday. They needed to reveiw my file, and get a letter from my PCP with my weight history for the last five years. I am suppose to call the office later this week to see if I need to see the dietician for 3 months (this month included) before surgery. If not, they will submit and hopefully I can get an approval. If I get the approval back quickly, I plan on having the surjery ASAP in Janaury 2008.

If not, the soonest I could do the surgery (that is satifiying the dietican schedule and getting insurance approval) would be mid-February 2008.

Wish me luck!!!

NeNe,

That's great!! It won't be long now!! Good luck to you and keep me posted...