New here and have a question.

I was wondering if anyone here is from the CSRA(Augusta) area?   I have thought about getting the wls for as long as I have known about it.  I have just found out that medicare pays for the surgery so I'm now hopeful that it will become a reality.  Does anyone here know of a surgeon that takes medicare?  I'm told that it has to be classified as a center of excellence by medicare.  I totally don't even know where to begin because i'm new to the state of Georgia.  Help would be great.  Thanks.

Amy Williams is from Augusta and I am sure she can help you with questions....she is wonderful and such an inspiration to us all. PhyllisJ.

Hey, Phyxias-- I'm from Augusta and I'm in Amy William's Support group. You should come-we meet next  Wednesday  night, July 11, at 7:00 p.m.  I do know that University Hospital here in Augusta is classified as a Center of Excellence, you could always start by calling there. But do go to Amy's  site, she has more info about our support group, etc--hope to see you next Wednesday! Good Luck. Jan Alexander

Do you know the web address for Amy's WLS support group?  The msn address is not working that is on her site here. Thanks, Laurel B.

No, actually I don't.  I tried the link from this site and nothing.  I hope I have found a surgeon that will work for me.  I'm going to a seminar tomorow in West Columbia, SC at the Lexington medical center and the doctors are supposed to be there.  I'm hoping this will be a positive step anyway.

Thank you guys so much for responding.  I will look up the site that Amy has.   I'm really hoping to find some way to get this done and get my life back. Again, thanks.

I was going to go to the same place tomorrow, because they are a center of excellence.  I heard things can go smoother there.  In the mean time I set up an appt with Dr. Blaney here in town.  The soonest appt was for 8/8.  I was a little bummed about the delay in appt but asked if they could call me if they had a cancellation.  They did call and now I have my appt for tomorrow and my appt with psych for Friday.  I'm so excited.  At first when I called and the appt was so far off.  The Lexington office wouldn't even give you an appt until after you attend the seminar.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed things can move quickly.  I initially hoped to get it done before school begins since I'm a teacher but that was completely unrealistic.  I'm hoping now for before Labor  Day, which is still probably unrealistic. I do have letters from my PCP already and think I have my ducks in a row. Let me know what you think of the doctor and facility in Lexington.  If I don't like him I may end up there. Laurel

I went to the seminar on Wednesday night and one of the surgeons (Dr. Antonetti) was there and that was pretty cool.  I was impressed with how they require you to go through a 4hr nutrition class with one of their nurses after they give you a surgery date but before you have it.  We got to meet the nurse and she is really nice.  One of the surgeons did the surgery on her in 2001 and WOW you should see her before and afters. Long and short of it Laurel is that so far I think I will stick with these guys.  They have already called me back for the appt with the surgeon and wanted me to come in on this teusday but I had to have them give me one for Aug.6th.  Being on fixed income, stinks at the end of the month.

Since I can't seem to find where to start a new post, I am going to have to reply to this one. I am also interested in knowing about the state of Georgia and if Medicare will pay for lap band surgery. I also would like to know if anyone on this list knows if Medicaid covers it as well? Thanks, Lynn W.