Hey I'm a newbie.....anyone around the Jacksonville area?

So, I got the call today from my Dr's office. A call I have been waiting on for over 2 weeks now. I was finally referred to a weight loss center at Baptist hospital in downtown Jacksonville, FL. There are 3 hospitals that do bariatric surgeries here in Jacksonville. I don't know much about any of them, so I come to you to see if anyone is from this area and might have some insight on the different hospitals. My sister had gastric bypass in Daytona, FL and I would love to go down there b/c my family and I are comfortable with her Dr. but then again I don't know if I would want to make that drive several times a week. I know that I am only getting information, but wonder why my Dr's office picked this hospital over Memorial hospital, which is a center of excellence. I look forward to the feedback!

Memorial? lol... Sorry i hate that place. Of course it could have gotten better over the years. I even knew a nurse that worked there once and would not send her kids there. Kind of like OPMC....

lmao I transport to memorial and orange park medical. 
No I wouldn't send my worst enemy to memorial.
OP..hmm not to bad really.
*works for a private ambulance company*

Donna

I'm in the Jacksonville area!  My doctor suggested WLS to me but didn't specifically recommend any of the hospitals or programs.  She said none of them were bad.  So I chose to go with the Novus program at Memorial.  I just went to the introductory seminar last week and I have my first meeting with the program coordinators next Wednesday.

If you'd rather go through the Novus program at Memorial, I'm sure your doctor would be ok with it.  A lot of the people at the seminar I went to hadn't even talked to their PCP about WLS yet.  The website for Novus is: www.yournovus.com.

Why did I pick this one?  Well when I searched for WLS in Jacksonville it was the first option I came across.  When I finally got serious about deciding to go forward with all of this, I read the Novus website and felt comfortable that they provided the services that I needed (support, nutrition, psych, etc.)

Good luck with your process!

What type of surgery are you leaning towards? There are good things developing in Jacksonville.....

You should also investigate Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine. Great surgeon. Great Bariatric program.  Check out reviews on this site for FLAGLER HOSPITAL and Dr. Marema.

HELLO,

I highly recommend that you attend an information session at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine. Dr. Marema is the Director and has preformed over 7000 surgeries himself. He also had bariatric surgery so he know what you area going through. The hospital has an awesome team approach and I know you wont regret it. For more information go to www.flaglerhospital.org There is a tab for bariatric surgery and more information.

The hospital also is a Center of Excellence. Dr. Maremas office is right in the hospital.

I had a RNY 3 years ago and highly recommend bariatric surgery. If you want to know more let me know. :)
 

Hi Newbie - I'm sorta a newbie too - but have found this site along with a ton of other info on the Internet helpful. I actually chose novous and Dr Steven Webb at memorial. I live in JAX as well. The research on Web was good from his patients - I didn't find anything bad after about 40 plus hours looking. I had my surgery (vertical sleeve) just last weds, Dec 17th and at memorial. Everybody has an opinion on about every hospital in JAX - Web will go to St Vincents as well - my experience with Memorial was wonderful - the staff was caring and attentive. I was there for 3 days two nights.  I have some recommendations for Novous but so far when I've asked the questions they have answered and been there as well - but they never answer their phone - you have to wait for a call back at their convenience - that's a bit irritating. I feel stronger every day. My start weight was 294 with the 2 week high protein diet before the surgery I've lost 24 lbs in about 3 weeks. If you have any questions let me know it's a life changing decision - but I have to tell you - this may be naive at this juncture - but it feels good to know I'm finally on a path that will get  me thin and healthy and no more failure like so many attempts before....there is HUGE satisfaction in that for me.

keep us posted!

I had my RNY done by Dr Bowers at Mayo Clinic. If your insurance allows you to go their it is well worth it. Good luck to you.

 I am having my sleeve done by Dr. Bowers. How long was your hospital stay?