Need HELP please finding surgeon in the area!

Hello All.....well yesterday was an extremely hard day for me...after thinking about and researching WLS for 2 1/2 years and even attending a couple of seminars in August (I would have pursued it then but there was a family emergency back where I grew up that set me back some)and after following my doctors supervised weight loss program all year (to make sure I had at least 6 months--and losing 50 in that time) and finally making that call to the surgeon I had attended seminars and researched and felt sooooooooo happy with my choice.....come to find out that as of January 1 he is not taking in network patients (with my insurance anyhow--BC/BS) and the gastric that a co-worker on my same plan...had two weeks ago with this doctor and it was all covered--(and I am more issues, co-mords. highter BMI etc that he did)--and just the news that it wasn't going to happen with this doctor...just was so very hard.   I guess I'm the type of person, even though it takes me a while to get there...once I do come to a conclusion that this is what is the right option for me (believe me, years & years of going up and down...years of losing 40, 60 or 90 or more and always gaining it all back and much more) I just want to get moving as soon as possible!  My best friend had gastric back in NC- 3 months ago and is doing so well (80 pounds so far!) after a really scary start--she was bleeding..and was in the hospital for a week and home for a month before she could go back to work.....but she keeps telling me to be patient...and I know setbacks are expected...but I never thought the doctors office would switch so quickly--and after I finally felt comfortable with him and his staff.

Just trying to get some feedback as to any of your experiences!  The one doctor his office was recommending...I haven't read many positives things about her yet....and I really want to feel good about this...for me, I've never had surgery, and Its huge for anyone I know...but its taken me so long to get here.

Any tips, advice, opinions would be most appreciated....I have so much of the pre-insuance issues all ready and done...just need to get started on the other tests etc. and get this going...before I chicken out...and then end up back here in 6 months wishing I had kept up with it!

Btw...I live in the Rockville, MD area --would like to stay around here...but I'm hearing good things about a few doctors at Johns Hopkins and actually had originally want one of their doctors but then thought I'd research closer to home.

thanks again for reading and any help you can offer!

PK

PK -

Welcome to the Maryland Board!!!!  Your story sounds familiar - most of us lost great amounts of weight pre-op, only to gain it back plus some!!!  It IS extremely frustrating and yet, oddly liberating once you decide that wls is right for you.

My doctor was Dr. David Von Rueden, then at GBMC in Towson, now at St. Agnes in Baltimore.  Neither I nor his other patients can say enough good about him.  He's a skilled, knowledgeable surgeon, but equally important, he is a kind, caring man also.

I'm sure you'll get lots of great feedback which should be helpful in making your decision.

Good luck, keep us posted on your journey and let us know if we can help!!

Hugs,

Tia

Welcome to the board andknow that you can always come here for support

I had the same Dr Tia did and I can not say enough good things about DVR.
Just this weekend I was reminded what a good Dr he is.
He insisted I have an IVC filter put in preop ( to protect my heart and lungs from possible blood clots) - That was 18 months ago -  this weekend I was diagnosed with a blood clot and
was able to go home rather then stay in the hospital because I have the filter.

I may be wrong but I don't think you would have to wait long for a surgury date.
It sounds like you have done what your insurance company requires so you should
not have to do a six month preop diet regimine with DVR. 

Good Luck with whatever Dr. you choose and again welcome to the board

Darla

I used dr. steele and she was the best. she is out of johns hopkins. I have had no complications and she has a wonderful bedside manner. if you can use them, i would recommend her hands down. good luck.

Thank you very much...I was actuallly looking at Dr. Schweitzer at Johns Hopkins....but I was hoping to find someone at Holy Cross since a few co-workers (not with WLS though....two had babies there) have raved about that place.  But I also have an additional question...and please I hope no one thinks I am being vain...as I am not at all...but one of the things that really bothers me is seeing the sagging skin after WLS....and someone once tried to tell me that its not because of rapid weight loss...which in researching and talking to quite a few doctors...I know that is NOT the case....when you lose so quickly your skin doesn't have the chance to bounce back as it would if you lost at a slower pace.  But I also know that heredity and the condition of your skin is etc. etc. also play a big part.  But as silly as this may sound....seeing some of the after shots of WLS patients....and knowing that I would never ever be able to afford plastic surgery  REALLY adds to my fears and confusion...even though I know that surgery would be so helpful to me.

Paula

Paula -

You're not being vain, I think everyone worries about plastic surgery.  I can only tell you that while I have great skin (good genes!), I DO have excess skin.  BUT......I can live with the somewhat flabby arms, because it's not really that bad.  I do want to have a panniculectomy (removal of the stomach apron), because yes, it's unsightly, and my clothes will actually fit better once I have it removed.  I had some serious female issues that have just been resolved within the past year, so I WILL be exploring surgery next year.  Ultimately, I'd like a breast lift, but that, too can wait.  Don't be so sure that your insurance won't cover any plastics, because each provider is different.  I think mine will cover SOME, but I need to explore that further.

The main thing, as you've realized, is to get healthy and take care of the inside - the rest will fall into place.

Tia

Paula,

I had Dr. Schweitzer and I HIGHLY recommend him!  I think Dr. Greene is down your way out of Holy Cross, but I've heard some negative things about him and the insurance he accepts.  If you want more details about Dr. Schweitzer feel free to ask!  I loved him!

Thanks Heather....ironically I had chosen Dr. Greene.....I just didn't want to deal with the drive from Rockville to Baltimore all the time for visits, pre and post op.....and went to Dr. Greenes seminars....actually I really liked him and Ada in his staff was so very helpful trying to help me out...but unfortunately on Jan. 1st.....he wont take my insurance...and it was hard...since I had made that choice you know?  Plus I had started emailing with several of his patients...and they all raved about him....but one thing that did bother me a teeny bit...he was really pushing lapband in his seminars.....and a friend of mine had RNY a few weeks back and about an hour from surgery, he told me that Dr. G tried to talk him into doing the Lap!!  That is one thing that would have realllllllllllly bothered me....its a scary thing to be going into surgery to begin with (especially if you've never had any kind before) and then have the doctor try to talk you into something else.

I was also told (and tend to believe this) that just like the drug companies, some doctors will push more of the types of meds that they're salespeople are selling them....and bringing into their offices....its all a business...and I am sure these lapbands are no different...Not saying that the doctor wont want the best for you....but some times they push one over the other...instead of really listening to what you want or need.

I did talk to a very nice woman today from Dr. Schweitzers office...she was very helpful and informative.....I still am not crazy about the drive....but it almost sounded like I could get some of the pre-op tests done around here....and maybe after a while...do support groups here? Or would I always have to go to the support groups of where I got the surgery done?

Also knew someone who's doctor was Dr. Steele I believe?  But she said she'd started with Dr. Schweitzer but didn't care for his personality....and LOVED Dr. Steele...she said she seemed easier to deal with....

But yes...would love to know everything you can tell me...if you want to send me a personal message...I'll send you my aol address...thank you!

Also.....does anyone know any exceptional surgeons out of HOLY CROSS?   I know that it is also  an excellant hospital and closer to me....just checking every option out.

I have heard a lot of people are put off by Dr. Schweitzer's personality.  It's not that he's rude or anything, he is straight forward, he doesn't bullsh*t, and he's very professional.  He's not a jokester, but he is a leader in his field.  I'll take knowledge and talent over a smile any day, but I can understand what people mean.  He DOES open up if you can get past the first initial visit and does loosen up a bit once a relationship is established.  His son plays soccer at the indoor arena where my daughter does gymnastics and he's the same off working hours as he is at Bayview.  Just not very bubbly and open.  I put enough of that out on my own though.  Dr. Steele is wonderful from what I know of her and either she or Dr. Lidor (maybe both!) trained under Dr. Schweitzer so I'm certain that you'd get equally excellent care.  Another bandster and long time friend before we were banded used to see Dr. Greene and had to leave when his stopped taking her insurance.  Prior to that she was fed up with him anyway.  I've even heard that prior Dr. Greene patients are being red flagged by other doctors when they start seeing them.  I hope you hear something about a doc at Holy Cross, but if not, Hopkins docs are definitely WORTH the travel...and at least gas prices are better now! ;) lol

p.s. Magnuson, Schweitzer, Steele, and Lidor are all wonderful docs at Hopkins and I believe are in the same practice.