Introducing myself and a couple of questions re the Navarre/Pensacola area.

Hi, my name is Betti, and I want to be a loser! I've been reading the boards for a few weeks now, but this is my first time to post here. There is an awful lot of good information at this site. Thanks to everyone who posts their experiences. It helps those of us who come behind you. Hopefully I can be in a position to help others here one day. I live in the Navarra/Pensacola area of the Florida Panhandle. I have just a couple of questions (okay...maybe three questions...LOL). I'm really interested in going to some seminars about WLS. I found where the new doctor at Sacred Heart in Pensacola, Dr. Lord, does a seminar. They haven't scheduled another one since I found out about it, but I plan to attend the next one if at all possible. My questions are: 1. Does anyone have any information or opinions to offer about Dr. Lord? From what I can tell he might be new to the area. I've been unable to find much of anything out about him--neither here nor in VA where it looks like he came from. 2. Dr. Nye seems to be pretty popular in this area too. Is he supposed to be the best around here? Does his group offer a seminar of any kind that I could attend? 3. I'm still looking at all options. Is there any doc in this area who has experience with the DS? Thanks so much!

Hello I used Dr Nye in Pensacola... HE IS GREAT!!! And yes we do have meetings.. Its the 2nd tuesday of the month at the baptist hospital... And they also get togather and go out to togather every month... I've not been to dinners... Their is also a website where you can go for the ones who have had surgery in Pensacola (http://)groups.yahoo.com/group/WLS_Pensacola/ Its a great site.. You go on and post and it will send your post to everyones email that has signed up for the site.... LOOK forward to hearing from you... Hope this info helps.....

Thanks for the info on the meetings at Baptist Hospital. Do you happen to know where/who I call to sign up for those meetings? Are there doctors there to answer questions? I went to the yahoo group this afternoon and signed up. Can't wait until I have spare time to go back and spend more time reading over past posts before I jump in and start posting. Thanks again!

Hey you just walk in the front of the Medical office building and go straight down the hall and its on the Right... You will see everyone.. You don't have to call to sign up or anything.. Its just best to go early so you can get a good seat... And a Dr does not come everytime... Most of the time though... You can read the post to know who will be at the meeting speaking..But they are really good meetings.. I go when I can... Talk to you soon.... Jennifer

Betti, Welcome to the board!! I think you will find that each person here swears that his/her surgeon is the best, and I'm no exception. I would encourage you to get as much information as you can about your possible choice of surgeon and make sure he's done PLENTY of procedures and be sure also that you know precisely what his complication rate is. This surgery is nothing to fool around with!!!! Best of luck and feel free to peruse my profile if you want to. If you are going to have any insurance issues, I have a couple of letters on my profile that might help. Ya never know! Best of luck in your journey, Jan

Thanks for the welcome, Jan! You're exactly right in that most people are biased when it comes to who is the best surgeon. I'm definitely trying to research each doctor from several different sources. Ya can't necessarily believe everything you hear, but I definitely plan on gathering enough information on the doctor and the surgery options so I can make an educated decision. My husband always claims I analyze things to death, but in this case, ya can't be too careful with something that will impact the rest of your life in one way or the other. I checked out your profile. I'll keep those letters in mind in case I should have a problem if/when I get to that point. Thanks again!

Hi Betti, welcome...I live in Pace...just north of you. Dr Nye did my surgery and he is the best surgeon in NW Florida. He has been doing it for years and has wonderful results and stats. Dr. Althar in Milton is the next best in the area, though he has only been practicing for a couple of years (he also does lap versus Dr. Nye doing open). Next would be Dr. Lord. He is very new to the area though I don't know what his background is. He may very well have been practicing for years but I have no knowledge, nor have talked to anyone who knew anything about him prior to his coming here. Good luck, Patty