Need advice!?!?!?

Everyone is such wonderful supporters here and I need some advice. I've already heard from a couple of you. I have already been to 2 surgeons - Dr. Burry in Evansville and Dr. Weiss in Georgetown. Dr. Burry requires all of his patients to have an EGD but my insurance would not cover it. Dr Weiss will not do the bypass on me because I have asthma and have had to be on prednisone in the past. They said if I had to go on it in the future then it would increase my chances of getting an ulcer. He said he would do the band though but I don't think my insurance covers it. Ive already had everything done - psych. eval., nutritionist, pulmonary function tests, heart tests, labs, seminars, etc... Just need to find someone to do surgery on me. My insurance has already approved the bypass!! If I have to look for another surgeon, I am considering Dr. Husted in Nashville, TN. That is who my pulmonologist prefers or I've thought about Dr. Bolar in Lexington, KY. Does anyone know anything about these surgeons and what experience they have? My pulmonologist wants me to have it done somewhere where there are other pulmonologists available in case I will need one. My asthma is very complicated and can get worse in a short period of time. It's always been that way. I am pretty stable for the time being. I know I can't be the only one out there with asthma problems like this and have to take prednisone when it's worse. I'm trying to find someone with any input or experience with the same situation I'm in. I don't care to have the band done either, if only my insurance covers it. Amy Stanley

I used Dr. Bolar out of Lexington...I am 11 days post op and feel great. I have heard nothing but good about him.

I forgot his experience is that he has performed over 3,000.00 surgeries of this type.

What about the hospital care you received? I've read mixed posts about the hospital. Does he still perform surgeries at Samaritan?

I received excellent care at Samaritan. I also read those bad reviews and I don't know how long ago they were, but it wasn't like that at all. The nurses on every shift were very very nice and accomidating.

The nursing care there is great. Of course, I am prejudiced. I worked there for many years and a lot of the same nurses are still there.

Amy, I am a nurse and while dr. Bolar is a wonderful doctor, in your situation, I would go with the one your pulmonologist recommends.

Hi Amy, Dr. Alex Argotte in Paducah Ky. is wonderful, and has never lost a WLS patient yet. He is the kindest doctor I ever met. I have asthma and sleep apnea, and had NO problems. I'm 1 mnt. post-op, and doing great. Good luck. Jenni 300/265/145 -35 lbs.

Amy, check with your insurance and make sure they won't cover the band. There are many people I know who have had great success with the band. Trust me, ulcers are not something you want to chance with such a small amount of stomach lining left. When I got the RNY I knew there were certain meds I could never take again in my life. Actually, I did not think that through long enough. I'm only 31. What if I get arthritis? I can't have Ibuprofen, or steroids. There are many other things I could needs those forbidden meds for. If I take the meds, I could have an ulcer which could land me in the hospital for a long time, or worse. Right now I just know that I will have to take these things as they come and hope for the best. But before surgery, had I thought it through long enough, I might have opted for the band. If that didn't work, then later I could change to the RNY. Whatever you choose, good luck! Stephanie