I chose Bluegrass Bariatrics because they do surgery at Baptist East. I have had all of my tests done at Baptist East and also had a great experience when I had a hysterectomy in 2008.   Dr. Oldham did my lap band surgery just this past Wednesday, February 3 and I can't say enough good things about him and the care I have received in going through the whole process.  Everyone at the Bluegrass Bariatrics office have been great and always respond quickly when I have called or e-mailed. 

Dr. Oldham himself called me the day following my surgery just to see how I was doing and if I had any questions.  Baptist East also called and even my insurance case manager. 

I wish you good luck in making your decision.  It is a very personal decision and I am sure you will make the right one for you. 

Mary

Hi  Stacey... I am close.. I am in Fairdale.  Also, a Dr. Shina patient.  Your loss is Great!  Don't compare yourself to others.  Everyone loses how their body wants to.  I have been a slow loser.  I see Dr. Shina in a couple of weeks for my year checkup.  I am sure he will tell you what he tells me when I wonder why I am losing slow.  "when's the last time you lost 55 lbs in 5 months"

Hang in there!  Congrats!!  Good luck with the exercise.  I am a YMCA junkie.

 Losing 55 pounds in just a few  months is nothing to sneeze at!  Congratulations!

Baptist East Hospital in Louisville is very new at doing WLS.  I believe that one of my friends was the first WLS they did there, and her surgery was late last summer.  I had my surgery at Norton Suburban, which is a Center of Excellence.  I feel like I had very good care there.  One of my nurses had had WLS and really understood what I was going through.  They have a new unit dedicated to bariatric patients.  My room was very comfortable and I had it all to myself.  I think all the rooms in that unit are private.

As for deciding between the lap band and the gastric bypass, I wish you the best with that.  I was a self-pay patient and could have had any surgery I wanted.  I didn't want to pay $15,000 for a lap band only to have to turn around a year or two later and revise to a bypass for an additional $20,000.  For me, I felt like I needed more than just restriction -- I also needed that malabsorption that gastric bypass provides.  I was also concerned about having to go in for fills with a band and the higher probability of needing additional surgery later due to band slippage, erosion, flipping, etc.

I know a lot of people who have had gastric bypass and done very well long-term with it.  I only know one person who has done well with a lap band.  I know several people who have gotten lap bands and not achieved the weight loss that they had hoped for.  Of course, any weight loss surgery is just a tool and much depends on how you use it.

There are pros and cons to both types of surgery.  Only you can decide what is going to be best for you.  Whatever you decide, I wish you success, happiness, and health!

I used bluegrass bariatrics, and they have been great for me.  I can't think of any cons, but I'm sure that someone will.  I have heard great things about Dr. Sonnastine who is now at Georgetown.  I had my surgery at Central Baptist in lexington and have been very pleased with their staff and the follow up care that I have had.  just make sure that you feel comfortable with the surgeon and the hospital that you choose that's the most important thing you can do. for you.  good luck in your journey.  congratulations for taking your first step towards a healthier you!!!! (no matter who you choose)
Becca