Have to wait till Jan or Feb for Consult?

I just tried to call Louisville Surgical Associates (heard good things about Dr. Allen) and was told they weren't taking appointments right now. Asked me to call back in Jan or Feb. Should I look for another doctor?

Hi Rob, I am scheduled for Dec. 15 surgery at St. Joseph East. I was referred by my PCP to the Center For Weight Loss Surgery located there. They have introductory seminars there quite often if you are interested. There is a schedule on the website www.saintjosephhealthcare.org/bypass if you would like to check it out. Good Luck Sharan

I called them in oct. and was told there was 1300 people ahead of me so I called Dr Argotte in mayfield and got a consult 2 weeks later and start testing 11/20 with and expected surgery date the last week in december. Its a 5 hour drive for me but it will be well worth it. I liked Dr Argotte from the get go, he might be an option for you. I don't have his number handy but I got it off of the internet phone search. good luck cheyenne

I used Dr. Geller in Louisville. Very pleased with his work. I'm 8 months post op now. Surgery is done at Norton Suburban. Good Luck.

I, too, used Dr. David Geller in Louisville. I have nothing but GOOD things to say about him. I'm almost 5 months out. I saw him the last of March, had insurance approval in April and surgery in June (down 97 lbs unofficially today!). Call Ashley at the Right Weigh Bariatric program. They have a great program here in Louisville. Good Luck!!!!

I tried for several months to get into Dr Allen also but I was told in June that it would be after the first of the year before I could get a consult. I decided to look elsewhere and I called Dr Mark Shina and got an appointment . It took less than 3 months from my first appointment until surgery on Oct 2. Dr Shina is awesome. He is very knowledgeable and to the point. I have been very pleased.

Rob, when I first started looking into this surgery last year, i was told that Dr. Allen sometimes has a year to wait before you even get a consult. i also had my surgery in lexington with Dr. Steiner at the center for wls at St. Joe east. I know the first thing you have to do is call them and set up a time to go to the information meeting. (mandatory). Then you fill out your packet and almost immediately when they get it back, they schedule all your pre-op tests then when those are complete, they turn it all into your ins. company for you. I think right now they are looking at about four or five months from starting process to surgery. A lot of it depends on how long it takes your insurance to approve. There are many other good surgeons in Kentucky also. Dr. Randall Bolar is also in Lexington at the Samartian Hospital. I think it is called Bariatric Center of Kentucky. Not real sure about the name but he used to be in georgetown and has a great reputation and has done over a thousand of these surgeries. Oh BTW, they have just added a third surgeon at the center for wls at St. Joe so the wait time might not be so long. He has just started doing wls but has been a great, well-known surgeon in this area for many years. Dr. Greelee. I don't know where you live, but people go to st. joe from every area of kentucky, from one end of it to the other as evidenced by the attendance at our support meetings. Good luck to you. Keep us posted.

Hello Rob, my name is Teresa Gash and I have lost 79 lbs in 4 months at the Georgetown Hopistal, in Georgetown Kentucky. All surgeries are done lap. and the Surgeons have had no deaths. You can check them out on their web site at: www.bluegrassbariatrics.com., phone # is 1-866-342-7546 Good luck, they are indeed awesome and Dr. Weiss is orginally from Louisville.

OOphs, lets try that phone number again, 1-888-868-0008.....Teresa Gash

Dr Shina was good. The nurses in the hospital said that he has patients come to him from as far as TN, FL and VA. I was approved in August and just had surgery 10/23/03. I thought that was pretty quick. I have heard that Dr Allen has a huge waiting list. Good luck in what ever decision you make.