new and confused

Hi! I just started to consider having weight loss surgery. I'm a nurse and I know the risks so I'm confused as to what to do at this point. I thought that finding a local message board might be a good start! I'm close to Greenville, NC and considering going with Dr Naziri or Dr Macdonald at Southern Surgical or Dr Chapman at ECU. Any suggestions? When my FNP tried to make me an appointment with SS, they said the first thing is the group session for $200. I'm still in the learning stage of this and am not ready to commit to that. I want to speak with a Dr and find out what is involved, what to expect, etc. Did I get misinformation on that? Can I have a consultation before that session? Thank you all!

Different programs charge different prices. I went to Dr. Moran in Raleigh. His seminar is free. His 250.00 initiation fee is due before your surgery, I paid 125.00 on my first visit and the other 125.00 after I was approved. If you are not approved, he will refund 125.00. He is the greatest. He does his own seminar and you see him from day one,not one of his associates. He follows you through the whole program and takes as much time with you as you need. He is very personal and approachable.

By the way, I forgot to mention, I'm a nurse also.

Hi Jessica. Yes, southern surgical requires a 200 dollar fee before the informational meeting. I presume because they are a private practice as opposed to Chapman at ECU. Dr. Chapman is my doctor and I feel that I am in very good hands. There's no reason why you can't go see both of them and make a decision after you've weighed all your options. There is a wealth of information on this site if you look for it. I don't think either of them have official pages on OH, but they have a lot of patient feedback. Good luck with your search. Take care. ~Ellen

Hi, Dr, Naziri is my surgeon. I had to pay out of my own pocket for my initial consultation. I didn't mind that but I was concerned that I would see his nurse and not the surgeon. It turned out to be a good thing. She gave me more time than the doctor would have. She answered all my questions and I was very much at ease with her. Then the surgery clearance appointments began and I didn't have time to be concerned anymore. I hardly had time to catch my breath. I finally met the surgeon when I had been approved by all my doctors. I liked him very much. He did a great job. My surgery was January 9th. Diane B

He is who I was referred to from my family Doctor. I was told as well that I needed to bring 200 with me for a seminar. What is that like. Then what happened next? Angie F.

Hi. I also went to Dr. Moran in Raleigh. I went for my initial consult last week. I paid 1/2 or $125 and the other before surgery. I really like that he came in and sat down with me to answer any and all questions. I'm just starting but feel good about my choice. Katt9

Hi Katt9, I'm also going to go with Dr. Moran. Iris called me this morning to set up my first appointment and said they had a cancelation this afternoon. Well, an hour before the appt. she called to say that the Dr. had an emergency and we would have to reschedule. I'm scheduled the second week in April. I saw your post that said that you paid 1/2 of the $250.00 fee and the other 1/2 to be paid later. I was told that I would have to pay my office visit copay of $40 and the $250 on the day of my appointment. How did you get to just pay 1/2? Mary

Hi Mary. I've never spoken to Iris. Janell is Dr. Moran's nurse. She is awesome. You should call and ask for her. She volunteered the paying 1/2 to me. I would definitely call. Nice to meet you. Jennifer