I'm a new member and trying to decide on a Jacksonville Lap Band Surgeon

I've read great things about both Dr. Webb and Dr. Cywes, and now would like to ask other members and Lap Band patients of one of these 2 surgeons which surgeon they chose and why.  I'd like to know about pre-op treatment, How the Insurance/FMLA paperwork was handled, if they help with Coordinating all appointments (Psychiatrist/Nutritionist/Documented Dr care for 6 months (for Cigna/Fills, etc).  I'd like to hear how surgery went and immediately after, I'd like to know how things are months and years down the road once insurance has paid, etc. I am basically in a place you may have been at some point in this journey.  I've fooled around a year already trying to get a grip on everything.  I've been to a seminar from Dr.Webb and am attending one tomorrow for Dr.Cywes.  If I would have had the surgery a year ago, I could have lost 50-100 pounds by now :o(.   I am SERIOUS about this, I called and got a claim number for FMLA today and should get paperwork next week.  I have to return it in 15 days filled out by a physician.  I am not going to continue with my primary and will use whoever the surgeon wants me to use to ensure this is all streamlined.  I have to have 6 months of documented physician weight loss visits, so I want/need FMLA to ensure I can safely make all appointments. I have about a million questions (like how to tell which before/after pics are from Lap Band) Thanks sooooo much for taking the time out to help me.  I really need your support to get through this.

Dr Webb was my surgeon for my Lap RnY-----so I dont have the Band experience, but I do have the experience of him as a surgeon. He is superb, in so many ways. His pre and post op care is great and the clinic staff and support meetings are good too!! If you haven't posted this on the Lap-Band forum--do a cross post there too---more responses might come 'round.

I had the lap RNY with Dr. Webb and I couldn't be more pleased.  I do know bandsters who've used Dr. Cywes (they are in my support group) and they speak highly of Dr. Cywes.  Abandster (on this forum) used Dr. Cywes, maybe email her from her profile. Macy

Hi, I am new as well, I am having my RNY on August 6th by Dr. Jawad in Ocala.  I went to the seminar at Memorial and had a visit in Dr. Webbs office, but I could not afford the "fee" that they were asking for.  So then I started calling all of the other office and the prices went down, but were still kind of high to me, since my insurance is fully covering it.  I had my consult in Ocala on June 22 and got all of my scripts for the other appointments.  I was actually able to get my blood work and psch eval that very next day (SATURDAY).  I had my gallbladder ultrasound and nutritional eval that next week and was approved in a weeks time.  The psych evel was quit and easy!!  He was about 2 miles from my house.  I just started my liquid diet for the next 2 weeks...I hope this goes as well as I am planning!  I researched for about 2 years before I decided that I was ready to go further with it.  The initial consult with Dr. Jawad was what made my mind up.  I had gone in there with all intentions of getting the lap band, but after I listened to the stories (good and bad), I changed my mind and went with the RNY.  I wish you the best of luck.  

Hi Kim, I too am here in Jacksonville and a patient of Dr Cywes.  I am currently waiting on insurance approval then I'll be able to schedule a surgery date.  I can answer a few of your questions though.  Dr Cywes is amazing. He's extremely caring and a no nonsense kind of person.  He wants to make sure you understand everything and if you have any questions he'll take the time to answer them.  All the ladies in the office are wonderful and extremely helpful.  I had to do 3 months biweekly of a doctor supervised weight loss for my insurance and they coordinated every appointment.  The nutritionist comes right to their office so, really the only time I didn't go to the office was when I saw the counselor for the psych eval. 

I can't tell you anything about another surgeon because there are so many people in my life that have been banded by him and were very impressed with both his care and the office staff that once I went to his seminar and saw everything that I was told about him was the way he is I didn't look any further.   Anyhow, whoever you decide will be right for you I wish you luck on this journey.   Keep in touch ~Cassie~

DR.JAWAD IS YOUR GUY!!!!!!!!!! HE'S IN JACKSONVILLE,ORLANDO AND OCALA.  BEST REGARDS,BOB

I am the Bandster that Macy talked about.  Let me start you out with the post I just made:

Hi everyone....just a reminder that there's a meeting this Saturday, August 4th. 

Call me if you need directions (755-5085).... 

If you've never been to a meeting or haven't been to one in a while, please consider coming to be with us this weekend.  Our door is open to pre ops and post ops and family and friends.   

If you're a pre op - bring your list of questions and let us answer them for you.  We enjoy helping the new kids get started on this journey. 

If you're a post op - bring your success stories and your failures to the table and let's rejoice together or cry together.  Its what we do.  We're family. 

For those of you getting the kids ready for school, mark your calendars for the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month.  Get the kids back in to their routine and you mark those Saturdays each month to be mom's day out.   

September 29th will be our next "special" Saturday so be sure and mark that one.  We'll get together and do something fun.   

7256 Merrill Road in Arlington 10 AM til 

Bring your breakfast/lunch/snacks.  Come and go at your leisure.  Don't forget to bring clothes for the clothing exchange.  And remember we're planning a garage sale in the fall so bring your donated items already priced and contribute to our stash. 

Remember the cookbook is ready and can be mailed or picked up in person.  The second book is ready to go to press and the third book is in the preparation stages. 

See you Saturday?  Not this weekend?  Then I hope to see you soon. 

La Wanda ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now, please email me and let's talk.  If you can come to the meeting this weekend, that would be great.  And, yes, we've all been where you are.  And now we're here to help. I'm moving over on the loser's bench to make room for you.  Take my hand.  I'm more than happy to help PULL you along, if that's what it takes.  Sometimes the insurance can be a real pain and the waiting is terrible but don't let go of my hand.  I've got you.  Hang in there.  It will happen and all of the trials and tribulations will be worth it. La Wanda