Dr. Macdonald,Chapman or Miles info please
Nancy, I live in Wilmington and I'm almost 4 weeks postop for my LapBand. To be truthful- when I looked at local surgeons- no one stood out. I did have 2 recommendations for a General Surgeon- Dr Harris, in Wilmington who is very selective about his RNY pts. I choose to drive to Concord and used Dr Bauman based on his stats, pts comments and my own sense of comfort and satisifaction with him and his staff. Good luck in your search.
Sheila
Thanks both of you for answering. Shelia, I was wondering why you DIDnt go with Dr. Harris. Is it because you wanted Lapband? I went for a consultation with Harris a year ago, felt discouraged and never followed up. I guess I wasn't ready- THEN. Ok, I gotta' ask this "newbie" question: isn't it difficult having a surgeon who is so far away?? It seems like between the nutrition classes, eval's and support groups arent you constantly driving there? Reason I ask, yes, I have looked in the Chlt. area, which is where my Mom lives, but I can't see myself constantly driving. Or is there something I'm missing here??~~Nancy
Hi Nancy -
I have not had my surgery yet, but I am using Dr. Harris in Wilmington. I have attended their support group meetings and met many of his patients there...ALL with excellent reviews. I met with Dr. Harris and he was very thorough explaining everything to me. He is very experienced and knowledgable. I feel completely confident is his ability to do my surgery. He is very strict about requirements from his patients, but that just tells me that he wants to be sure everything goes as well as it can. He requires that your BMI is no more than 60 - which I am slightly over, so I am currently dieting to get where I need to be. It's kinda frustrating though to have to lose weight before surgery, but if that is what I have to do to be in "prime" condition for it...I'm there! Good Luck!
Mare
Hi Nancy. I am having my surgery next week with Dr. Chapman. I cannot speak as a post-op yet, but I can say that I really like him and his program. He is very experienced and very thorough. I would recommend him. One of the things you want to make sure is that the doctor you choose has done at least 100 surgeries. That seems to be the magic number to reduce complications. Chapman's been doing them for many years. You can see more than one surgeon, and interview them.
Take care and good luck.
~Ellen
I gotta' ask this "newbie" question: isn't it difficult having a surgeon who is so far away?? It seems like between the nutrition classes, eval's and support groups arent you constantly driving there? Reason I ask, yes, I have looked in the Chlt. area, which is where my Mom lives, but I can't see myself constantly driving. Or is there something I'm missing here??~~Nancy
Nancy- I was able to combine my 1 week post op for both Dr Bauman and my nut. eval. I am now on monthly appt with my nut. and after a couple months we will do phone appts. I was in medicine for 18yrs- so I have kinda strict standards when I look for a healthcare provider. If I was going with RNY , I would have used Dr Harris locally- I had both my PCP and another physician strongly recommmend him. I was only interested in LapBand. My BMI was right at 40 last fall but down to 34% the day of surgery. I had spent 1 yr doing a lot of research and trying to apply the new eating habits. I have no problem doing the drive to Dr Bauman- I have 4 brothers and sisters in Charlotte, so always some one to go visit.
My best advice- find who you are absolutely comfortable with- who you trust and you can always be forthright and candid with= that is YOUR surgeon for YOUR needs. Please stay in touch. I need some local support. I have 3 online WLS buddies ( having dinner with 2 of them in Concord this week, when going up for my nut. appt).
I'm hear to support nd offer any guidance!
Take Care,
Sheila