Did you have your surgery in KY? If so, what surgeon?

I had my at Norton Suburban with Doctor Shina. I know some do not like his bedside manner (even some of those have reported he has impressed them with a new attitude of late) but I really like him. He is very straight forward and will require a ton of tests before surgery to ensure you are healthy- which I totally respect. He will tell you what you need to do and how to do it, but he will also tell you it is up to you to do it.  I live a bit further out than many of his patients being about an hour from Louisville so he had a home health nurse come and check on me for the first two weeks. Again something I appreciate about him. And he does his follow up appointments for check-ups and the like-- some do not so ask specifically if you will see your doc for your follow ups if that is important to you.
I have had awesome results as far as I can tell. Alittle over 2 years out and I am maintaining my loss. I went from a high of 326, at surgery 298 and then now, between 155 and 160. He will stress support and that has been a HUGE factor for me...groups or friends whatever you will need it so search it out NOW...go ahead of time and make some new friends.
  SO in all I will say I am extremely happy with my surgeon- sorry it got so long.

That is awesome that a home health nurse came out to your house!

I am so glad to read your post about Dr. Shina...I am in the process of pre-op. I have Tricare and they want a ton of testing and all before they will even submit to insurance. I finally got all of my "clearances" faxed into his office today..now its wait and see for the psych and nutritional appointment and then submit to insurance. I am so overwhelmed to be honest. I have wanted this for years but never really was fully ready to commit to the life change as I am now! I really like Dr. Shina so far, he is as some would think "blunt" and "gruff" but I want a dr that knows what he is doing, and talking about, and is most of all HONEST! I really don't feel he is out for money, or running a surgery factor, I think he really cares about his patients and wants what is best for them. I now just wonder how long after approval from insurance my surgery date will be. That is IF I am approved, but the office staff feels very confident that I have a strong case, but I am so afraid to get my hopes up and then have my dreams dashed...

Dr. Tom Sonnanstine did my surgery in G-town, KY and I loved him,  he is leaving G-town and going to some place in Ohio, I forget where, but I plan to follow him.  I can't imagine going to anyone else. 

I am looking into both Bluegrass Bariatrics with Dr. Oldham and with Norton.  I haven't met anyone from Norton yet, but I am attending one of their seminars on Saturday.  I just need to know whether or not they do VSGs there or bands and RNY only.

 His partner, Dr. Weiss, did my lapband, which the por****ured and I had all kinds of problems with.  Their aftercare sucks big time.  I would look for another surgeon, although they are good surgeons, but with weight loss surgery of any kind after care is very important.  You will NEVER see the doctor again after surgery unless you have a major problem, then you probably won't see them until they are ready to take you into the OR again.  

I wouldn't go to a surgeon who moves every other year either.  you are right, after care is important and the reason they hire their own staff to take care of them.  I think you are truely mistaken if you believe your doctor has never had an issue,..find out death rates and success rates when chosing your surgeon as well.

I feel like after care is just as important as the surgery itself.  And just in dealing with the ins. co-ordinator at the Bluegrass Bariatric office here in Louisville, I have been turned off and disappointed.  I have a feeling that Norton is on top of their game with after care and general kindness for their patients, but they really seem to be interested in doing mostly lapbands, which boggles me.  There are 7 surgeons and most of their procedures are the lap band.  This is frustrating.  I was looking to stay in town and not have to go elsewhere for my surgery.  Yes, you can give me cheese with my whine now (:

 I know my surgeon has had deaths just like Dr.Weiss and Oldham have.  I also know he does not cherry pick his patients and does people that BBSA turns down.  Yes he is moving, but he is going to his dream job and I have to admire anyone that follows their dreams.  I wish I had followed mine when I was young and could have.  

Wonder what a reason would be for them turning down patients.  You know also, maybe it wasn't even Dr. Weiss per se that failed you, but the procedure itself just failed.  I do not know your situation personally, so I can't say, but it's just an idea that came to mind.  I never thought of the fact that maybe a particular WLS may not be the right one for us, and so we may have to be forced to revise later on down the road with no one being at fault exactly.