Is/Has anyone else use(d) Duke WLS Center?

I've just started my experience with DukeWLS. I just went through part of the evaluation ... medical w/RN and a psych eval. Nutritional eval wasn't done because the nutrionist wasn't available. I sort of feel like there's a lot of wait, do this, wait ... but without any real communication. It leaves me feeling a bit lost. I was wondering if anyone else has had experience with them. I'm looking forward to a positive experience ... maybe, I'm not doing something right. Any input would be great.

I'm with Dr. Farrell's group at UNC Chapel Hill and I'm replying because I feel the same way that you do. I went through evals with my Primary Care Manager, then the nutritionist then the psych eval. I haven't heard from Dr. Farrell's office except once when they called to tell me what other paperwork I needed from my PCM. I have my first appointment with Dr. Farrell's office on April 2nd but I have no idea what happens after that. I've heard that they have support group meetings but I haven't been invited to them. I emailed the office but never heard anything back. So I too feel like I have been left hanging. It must be par for the course? I just feel like with all that is expected of us to do before the actual surgical consult we could be kept better informed. Waiting is almost too much to bear! Every day I think that I'll just call the office but then I get too busy at work and I don't think of it again until I'm on my way home but then it is too late. I think about the whole...'what if they don't think I'm a candidate?' or 'what if my insurance co. says no'. I'm a worrier and I'm up every night worrying about the whole process and it shows in my puffy, tired eyes. I haven't even gotten to the point of worrying about the surgery risks and the issues that others on this forum have after surgery. I just want a sure answer and a surgery date! Even if I could get info on the support groups' meeting date and time at least I might still feel connected to the whole process. Sorry I chewed your ear off. The frustration and doubt are getting to me too. Thanks for listening. E

Dear Ethyl - Thanks for your note and my ear is still in tact. I have to say that I'm not really having doubts and I really try to just let the process take it's course. I guess I would just really rather know what the next steps are. I am definitely a communication type person and I don't have a problem waiting, I just want to know where I am and where I'm going. To be really honest, if they called me and said everything was approved and they had a surgery date for next week I'd have to say please give the date to someone else ... I have to make sure that my head is in the right place that I'm not so busy care giving for others that I don't care of myself. I just returned from NYC from taking my daughter up there to begin the process of correcting a birth defect. When I got home, my poor husband could hardly move. Apparently he has some discs out of alignment and pinching the ciatic nerve, so tomorrow we are off to see the Neurologist aout his back. The fact that you are busy at work each day is a blessing. If possible, can you just work on research more on the subject of WLS or find more books to read. Maybe that will occupy your mind in a more positive direction. I'm sure that when it is time for you to have he surgery it will be done and you will continue your journey to lifelong health. Wishing you all the best, Barb

Barbra Had my RNY surgery with Duke Oct 31st Met with Hillary &Applegate & Patric in Mid June for the first time . It is a visit and wait process ,alot will depend on your insurance company. how well your prior weight loss attempts are documented by your Dr's,how many diseases you have. Beth in the office is a sweetheart at getting folks thru insurance but it does take time Just had my 3 month follow up not long ago and down 79 lbs from first day I walked into Duke W L S Good luck in you journey , it's well worth the wait. But we all wonder if it will ever happen ,then that surgery date comes and its all go .....

Ed - THanks so much for your response. I have a complication which may effect their decision. I suffer from severe clinical depression and unfortunately have all of my adult life. This episode started several yrs ago, and while I do think that they think I have my head on straight re:WLS, but there's some real concern ... warranted I think. I know that I'll be at greater risk for depression associated with the WLS and that the WLS can also exaserbate existing depression ... I just need to arm myself for it. I've been seeing my PCP since this past fall for my weight. I'm on Phentermine and working on it, but I lose some, gain some ... all together. I think I've been seeing them specifically about my health issues as they relate to my weight since this past July/August. My concern, is that the insurer won't think I've done enough I'm losing 1 - 2 lbs a month. I really am trying and will continue. I met with Sandra and Kelly Freidman; Patrick was out of the office and they said he'd call me this past Monday to reschedule or handle the interview over the phone. I'll give them a call to see if/what I need to do about that. It sounds to me like you are definitely using your new "tool"! Congratulations on the weight loss. Thanks again, Barb

You have entered the world or waiting--and while patience is a hard thing to come by look within yourself and see if you can muster up some! I know its hard but if this is important to you--and I think it is--then you can do it! I am 2 years post op and went through Duke. Every program has its up and downs and I was relatively satisfied with every part of my journey but its a fact none of us likes to wait.I had a 6 week psych delay---I took meds--attended support groups and meet other surgery patients. I look back upon that time as very valuable. Its learning experience and I went into it more prepared than most. It gives you time to start changing your life--and get ready for the surgery--mentally and physically. Just be patient and follow their recommendations. 2 years out and about 200 lbs down tell you things turned out just fine for me! Best wishes! Lisa 3/15/05 Dr. Grant 348.5/150 and after PS under 150 maybe~!

Lisa - Thanks for your response. I am so excited to have contact with someone who has been through this with DukeWLS and lives in Raleigh no less! I believe that I will have the WLS and it will just be a matter of time. When it is time for me to have it, I'll have it. I really am not so concernted about waiting ... I just would like to have better communication with DukeWLS re: what happens next ... I do better when I know what to expect. As I wait, I'm continuing to research WLS ... trying to really grasp and understand the different operations, the consequences of each. The consequences of having any of the surgies ... i.e., the loose skin that w'll likely be saddled with. I doubt that i'll be in any financial position to have insurance help to pay for it. In the meantime, I'm on Phentermine, my PCP follows me each month ... i'm only losing 1 -2 lbs a month.. And I see my other health care proffessionals anywhere from monthly to weekly. I just want to know what to expect next. Thanks again. Regards, Barb P.S. Good luck on your PS adventure. I look forward to hearing that you've had wonderful results!

I have a friend who went throught Duke and they had the same problem. Here is another option. I went to Dr. Joseph Moran in Raleigh. His office is accross from Rex Hospital. The reason I like him is you see him from day one. He follows with you, not one of his associates. His initiation fee is only $250.00 and if you are not approved you get $125.00 of that back. He has the most wonderful staff, each time I called, they talked to me. The nurse even gave me her e-mail address and she e-mailed me back everytime I had questions. They are never in a hurry and take as much time with you that you need. I went to his seminar on Dec. 6th. He was there and he held the seminar, and answered any questions we had. Even with it being the holiday I had all of my pre-op visits done by Jan 15. Could have been through quicker but a lot of Dr.'s not available until after the holidays. I was submitted to insurance on Feb. 17th and got approval on Feb 27th. Had surgery on March 1. I saw a pulmonologist, psychologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, had a stress test, ekg, abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy and a pumonary function test. Dr. Moran is the only board certified specialist in the Raleigh area. I have never heard but great things about him.

I started my journey with Dr.Moran and I am so proud to say he was ny doctor and he did a great job on my rny. He listened to me and anwered all my questions. Now that I am done with my wls ,he is still great and he still helps his patients very much.If you are looking into WLS and you don not want to pay all that money upfront that Duke requires. You need to get in contact with Dr.Joseph Maran office. They are quick to get the surgery submitted to insuranse and get you a quick surgery date, I started with Dr.Moran in November and then I went to the hospital for pre-testing the day after Thanksgiving. Then in December I meet with the PSY, NUT, PULM, and then we had everything we need to submit to UHC and it took them about a week and then I got my approval letter. I got the letter on 2/2 and my surgery was scheduled for 2/15/07. It was the greatest day of my life other then the day I accepted Christ as my personal savior. I hope this helps-but I just love and adore DR.Moran and his staff.

Hey Barbara, I started my Duke WLS process, July 6 2005, after my daughter was 6 months old and at the time she was born in Jan 2005, I weighed 340lbs, I could not stand it anymore. I went to Duke WLS seminar July 2005. Got my surgery date Nov 2005, it was scheduled for Jan 23 2006. I had a GREAT experience with Duke WLS. Everyone was so great. I had Dr. Pryor. I had surgery Jan 23 2006, Monday, was in the ICU the first night only cause I had some O2 desat at my sleep study. I did not have sleep apnea. I was discharged early Wed morning I was off pain meds by Thur and started walking 1/2 mile by Sat. The next week I took my at the time 1 yr old daughter out of day care and took care of her and was back to work the following week. I did have high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes. The day of my surgery I weighed 321lbs. Since then I no longer have Diabetes or high cholesterol. I have had NO complications WHAT so ever. I have never regretted it one bit. I wore size 30 pants and now I wear 14/16, never in my life would I think that. I weigh now 205. April 16th I am scheduled for a tummy tuck/ liposuction. Insurance in covering it also. So they say by time its all done, I will probably wear size 10 pants. OMG, I am not sure what to say. Please feel free to email me anytime with questions regarding duke, or the surgery itself or anything. I also have plenty of pictures, before and after. Duke will take care of you. Good luck and god bless Melissa [email protected] or [email protected]