Jacksonville, NC area..newbie

Hi, I'm from the Jacksonville NC area. I researched gastric a year ago, then thought I would try to loose weight once again on my own. Now, one year later, I've only gained. I really think I am going to follow through with what I started last year. Is there anyone here from my area??? If so, I'd love to see what doctor you used. Also, I am not way over the BMI requirement, when I went last year he said even with my blood pressure and chloresterol levels, There are ppl who are bigger than I getting this, and thats why I stepped back from the plate, so to speak, and tried again. Should I have tried this because of what he said, or should I have went on with my plans? It just seemed kind of discouraging at the time. Enough of writing, I hope to hear from someone!! Thanks!

Nancy, you have to follow your heart. I am so glad that I have this surgery but I would never tell someone to have it. It is a personal decision. I am from the Greenville area and Dr. Naziri from Southern Surgical did my srgery. He is great. A doctor will help you with the issues you are concerned with. God bless. Diane B

Hi Tanya. I'm from Greenville, Dr. Chapman is my doctor. My surgery is actually a week from today. I just wanted to stop by and say hello. Take care. ~Ellen

Hi Ellen, I have researched Dr. Chapman and also Kenneth Macdonald. They both seem VERY quailified. I know it's a small drive from where I live to Greenville, but it's a small price to pay for a good dr. I am going to call and try to get a inital appt. with MacDonald. Have a wonderful day!~~~~~~~~Nancy

Sounds like a great plan. I'd love to hear how it goes. Take care. ~Ellen

Hello Ellen, I live in Goldsboro and am going on Friday to my family doctor to have him start the process with my insurance approval. Greenville is where I will probably go have my surgery and I have heard alot of people talke about how good Dr. Chapman is. I really wanted to find a doctor in greenville that would do the lap band instead of the gastric but if not I will go with the gastric and I hope they can do it laproscopically. Was yours done open of laproscopically?. thanks, Angie

Hi Angie. Actually, mine is scheduled for next Wednesday the 28th. It is supposed to be laparoscopic, but they can't guarantee it will be until they go in. I have had a hernia repair that he is a little concerned about. So I won't know for sure until Wednesday afternoon or evening. Anyway, Drs. Chapman, MacDonald, Naziri, and the rest in Greenville all do Lap unless they have to open, at least that's my understanding. Chapman and MacDonald have both been doing RNY for years. Naziri has also been at it a while. MacDonald left ECU and the Brody School of Medicine last year and has joined Naziri's private practice. I can't speak for MacDonald and Naziri, but Chapman is offering Lap-Band now. Feel free to email me if I can help out further. Take care. ~Ellen

I went to see my family doctor this afternoon and he did not hesitate to refer me to a Dr. Nazari in Greenville on June 7. They said I would have to pay for the seminar up front out of pocket because insurance won't pay for that. So i have until then to save up. I am a divorced single mom so I have to buget a little more. I guess they will work on my insurance approval process from the Dr. in Greenville. My family doctor shared that he would sent whatever information that the insurance company needs. I wish i could have seen dr. Nazari sooner but I guess June is not that far off it is actually my birthday month. I have had a hernia repaired right below my belly button years ago due to an emergency female surgery that I had undergone. I have had two open sugeries straight down from my belly button and really do not want another open surgery. So I hope and pray it can be done laproscopic. Thank you for your time and advice. Angie