New to Charlotte and starting my weight loss

Hello everyone,  I'm so glad I found this site.  You all are so supportive and helpful.  I just want to know if anyone can suggest a doctor for me to see.  I just moved here to charlotte from nj and I need to get this weight loss surgery stuff started.  When I lived in NJ, my insurance didn't cover it.  Here in NC, I am reading that alot of ppl that have BCBSNC are getting approved... so YeeeHaaaw,  I am on my way.  I am attending some seminars at the end of the month with dr. bauman and carolinas mercy.  Thanks, talk to you all soon.  Wish me luck on my journey. 

Southeast Bariatrics is having one on Monday June 18th and 25th. That is Dr Voellinger. We are very lucky to have so many options here in the Charlotte area. Good Luck!!!!

Surgery with Dr. Bauman was a smooth experience.  Check out his statistics.  He even posts his adverse events.  He has a really strong program and excellent reputation.  Good luck with your journey and welcome NC! ...Jill

Hi Markeel,

Welcome to Charlotte and ObesityHelp. You're right, this is a very supportive and helpful site. I don't know what I would have done without it. I got questions answered that I didn't even know I had.

My surgeon was Dr Kuwada with CMC (Mercy) Bariatric Center. He was absolutely wonderful. Every person in his office just plain rock! Dr Kuwada and his associate, Dr Chen practically stayed by me the entire hospital visit. Everytime I looked up someone from the group was there. They never rushed me and always made sure I had all questions and concerns addressed.

The person that gathers all the insurance information for submittal is awesome. She know what each insurance company requests and makes sure they have it before sending it in. That greatly reduces the denials and your waiting time.

We get free, unlimited visits (for a year) with a fantastic, supportive and knowledeable nutritionist. Anytime I've had to call the office, I always gotten a call back right away. The monthly support groups are great and a good opportunity to made friends and build a network of 'face to face'support.

So I guess you can tell how happy I am! If you have any questions, let me know. I'm happy to help if I can. Again, welcome!

WELL I GUESS WE ALL AR GOING TO TOUT OUR OWN SURGEONS SO HERE GOES. DR CARL LOWE IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THOUGHTFULL, CONSIDERATE SOFT SPOKEN AND SO WELL INFORMED ON THE PROCEDURE AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOUR BODY GOES THROUGH AFTERWARDS. I WORK AT PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL AND HE WAS RECOMMENDED TO ME BY THE SURGICAL NURSES. THAT IS THE HIGHEST OF COMPLIMENTS BECAUSE NURSES CAN BE VERY CRITICAL ABOUT DR'S AND THIS PARTICULAR SURGERY. ACTUALLY MY COWORKERS WERE AGAINST ME DOING THIS FOR OVER  3 YEARS. BUT SINCE I HAVE HAD THE SURGERY (MY PROGRESS AND LACK OF COMPLICATIONS) HAVE CHANGED THERE MINDS. PLEASE CONSIDER HIM WHEN YOU LOOK INTO THIS WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.  

I have BCBSNC as well and used DrMelkonian at Carolinas Surgical Clinic... DrLowe is also in practice with him as well. I had chosen him because my best friend had surgery with him 6 years ago and has done wonderfully... she spent a lot of time researching surgeons in the area and had decided on him.  I believe there is a seminar on Monday the 18th (at Presby Uptown)... you can call the office to find out and set up... I spoke at the last seminar and may be asked to speak at this one, so if you go say hello! If there is not a seminar that night there is a support group that you would be welcome to come to!

I have Dr. Jon Pirrello who practices with Dr. Bauman.  As someone else said, we'll each probably promote our own dr.  That said, I suggest you check out all the docs in the area, determine what elements/factors are most important to you, and then trust your own senses as to who to go with.  I did that very thing, and found that Dr. Pirrello was far and away the right guy for me.  That has proven out, too, as I had an emergency hernia op four days after my rny and dr. P was right there by my side.  Every time I have had a question about anything, I have gotten a response from the office (including the doc) wihtin 24 hours, if it's not an emergency, and immediately if it is.  For me, the 45 min drive from Fort Mill is absolutely worth it.   Check the write ups on the surgeon profile sites here, too. 

hi, i'm new to the area and am looking for a good doctor also, but i'm actually post-op by almost five months.  if you have any questions or anything just let me know. joe