Hi! I'm Jennifer from Apex, NC. Looking for anyone who was banded by Duke WLSC (Dr. DeMaria or Dr. Pryor).

You should check out Surgical Specialists of North Carolina, Dr. Paul Enochs. You can read what patients have to say about him on obesityhelp.com. At Duke you don't get personalized attention like you would from Dr. Enochs. Their number is 919-859-9191. You will be happy.:eek:

My friend Judy went there and as Jennifer said, you dont' get personal attention there. she had a major 1 of a kind band problem and they basicially said oh well!

She landed up coming down here to Dr Voellinger in Charlotte. Even though it is a ride for her, she is thrilled that she dis it.

You can look up her posts here and also on Band2gether.net (b2g) Lap band Support Forums - Powered by vBulletin

Her name is Judybelly.

Actually her name is JudyBellyBand.

Good luck let us know how you do.

Need support . . badly!! Defect leak in My 30 month Vanguard

My friends name on here and also band2gether. net is judybellyband. This is one of her posts. Good luck.

I was banded by Dr. Pryor in December 2007. I like her a lot. I think there are problems with Duke (overbooking, etc), but I've been happy with my medical care. I had some problems after my surgery, and they were very responsive.

Good luck!

no but i am going there

Hi Jennifer, I live in Cary. I am half way (3 months) through my 6 months of doctors visits and will be banded by Duke WLS. I know there are some folks that have not had a positive experience with them, but I have not had the same experience. Things have gone good for me. I hope things go great for you. I liken the Duke experience to the way they are building in Wake County....it's growing so much they can't keep up. :tongue:) I understand the frustration some folks feel, but I believe it will get better. Wish for those that have had an issue would have been able to have had a better experience. Thanks, Kathy S.

Hi! I'm Jennifer from Apex, NC. Looking for anyone who was banded by Duke WLSC (Dr. DeMaria or Dr. Pryor).

I am considering Duke also. I am sure there is always someone who has a bad experience and they speak the loudess. I also would like to here about positive experiences from Duke.

No, haven't heard much about Duke WLS. I just need personalized attention. That's why I went to a private practice instead. At Duke, I heard you just feel like a number. I guess it all depends.

Im currently awaiting insurance approval for Duke WLS and Dr Pryor. My PCP recommended her and had sent another patient to her with good results. Hopefully next week Ill get my date. Im also in Apex.

Thanks everyone for your responses! After researching, talking with my family and PCP, I decided to go to Duke. I've heard from a few that the bariatric program at Duke is taking a turn for the better since Dr. DeMaria arrived. My first appointment is 4/23/08. I decided to have all the testing done through my PCP prior to my appointment in hopes of speading up the proceses.

~Jennifer

Thanks everyone for your responses! After researching, talking with my family and PCP, I decided to go to Duke. I've heard from a few that the bariatric program at Duke is taking a turn for the better since Dr. DeMaria arrived. My first appointment is 4/23/08. I decided to have all the testing done through my PCP prior to my appointment in hopes of speading up the proceses.

Be sure you don't have tests too far ahead of your appt--at least the blood tests. They made me redo because they weren't "current." Pam

Hi, what ARE the rules on that? I went to Duke in October. But had tests done in the year before that. For example, I had my stress test done last Feb. 07. Had blood drawn maybe in Aug. 07. I'm done w/ my 6 months pre-lapband diet in April and expect my paperwork will go up to insurance from there. Do you guys have any idea what times limits are on some of these tests? Thanks Kathy

Hi, what ARE the rules on that? I went to Duke in October. But had tests done in the year before that. For example, I had my stress test done last Feb. 07. Had blood drawn maybe in Aug. 07. I'm done w/ my 6 months pre-lapband diet in April and expect my paperwork will go up to insurance from there. Do you guys have any idea what times limits are on some of these tests? Thanks Kathy

I went to Duke meeting & applied early last Sept, & was given an appt 1/03/08. Was told then that blood tests had to be w/n 3 mos. They also redid my ekg (2X: one on "wrong paper", the second--ordered by them at Durham Regional was not yet listed in my record), then ordered a stress test even though (all) my ekg's were fine. Said I had significant "risk factors because I was obese (!) and so old. Then when that was fine (according to the tech who did it), they insisted on doing a cardiac catheterization, too, which was also fine. Two weeks later, they don't have any of the reports--including notes from 1/03--yet listed in my records! Have ALL reports sent to your primary care physician, & keep copies of EVERYTHING you turn in. Good luck. Pam