Southern Surgical vs. ECU (Greenville)

Hello again, I'm back with another question. I live near Greenville and I am researching the two practices in the area that do WLS. I have been to the websites and read the bios of the docs. I am leaning toward Southern Surgical. I realize from also looking at everyone comments about the different docs that they are all very talented. Does anyone have a strong opinion about Southern Surgical or ECU?

Hello! My surgery is coming up in Feb. and I'm at Southern Surgical with Dr. Naziri. All of the doctors there are wonderful. Their staff is super helpful as well. I also love the support group. We meet the first Wednesday of each month. Everyone I have met has been so nice and supportive. Good luck in choosing. There are people here on the NC board that have used either practice and there's plenty of good things said about them both.

Oh Becky your lucky.. Dr. Nazari is HOT!!! LMAOOOOO good luck to you

Darcie

Congrats on making the decision to have WLS.  I have to give my vote to ECU (Dr. Chapman).  He has Lots of experience and his clinics typically run on time.  If waiting in a doctors office ticks you off, then Dr. C is your man.  The only time I have had to wait longer than 5 minutes was when he had an emergency surgery that took longer than expected and ran into his clinic schedule.  Dr. C has operated on my husband 4 times in 2 years for cancer/hernia related problems so I have the utmost confidence in his skill and bedside manner.  He is very  a straight forward, no bull kinda doc.  His staff is top notch, the support group meetings have been good, there is some differences in the diets between the 2 groups.  You may want to check out both and see which one you  think you can live with better.  I've lost 54 pounds since Oct. 4th.  I've had NO complications and feel wonderful.  You may also want to check out the difference in how the 2 practices handle their billing.  ECU will set you up on a payment plan, I don't know about SS.  If you want more info on ECU/Chapman, just PM me. Good luck in making your decision.  Alice

I am a product of Southern Surgical and Dr. MacDonald... Dr. M used to work with Dr. Chapman at ECU, but recently left to go private. I had surgery in October and the process was very easy.  I have heard both positive/negative from both practices, but I'll tell you why I chose SS.

Firstly-- TIME. Once I decided I was going to have WLS, I wanted it done. I work for ECU so I just assumed ECU would be my choice, but when I went to my primary doc to get a referral, he said that ECU had a waiting list of over a year and that if I went to SS, then more than likely I could be in and OUT in 4 months... and he was right. I scheduled orientation in May (was originally scheduled for late August, but called and got in earlier-- July 6) and had surgery on October 11. The staff is wonderful and the process was very smooth. As Becky said, there is a support group that meets the first Wednesday of the month at SS, so if you are close and want to "visit", please do.  We have specialists come in every month and there are people there that are considering surgery (like you), are about to have surgery and are YEARS out from having surgery.  It is a great place to ask questions and get answers from REAL people that have had the surgery. You also want to consider how things are handled at ECU and SS. I followed a very different pre-op and post-op diet than some of my friends that went to ECU. I think ultimately it's personal preference, but if I had my choice I'd go back again to SS and Dr. MacDonald.  Good luck as you pursue this life changing event! Feel free to PM me anytime you have questions. :) Melinda

Hey Mindy.  I hope all is well with you.  I wanted to comment on the time thing.  There was a point several years ago that there was a year long wait list, but that isn't true anymore.  When I got referred out to ECU/Dr. Chapman, I was seen within a month.  It is a common misconception around G-Vegas these days.  Just wanted to clarify. Take care. Ellen

My wife and I are both patients at Southern Surgical.  She's Postop (11/29/07) and I'm preop (03/08/08).  Our experience so far has been very good.  What drew us originally to SS was Dr. Macdonald's many, many accomplishments.  His reputation can't be ignored. The only downside I can see is (being a private practice) they seem a litte "overconcerned" about the financial side of things.  EVERYTHING has to be prepaid, from the education class, to any preop tests they perform, and finally your entire portion of co-insurance.  Even though I wasn't crazy about that policy, it's a small price to pay for what I feel is one of the best surgeons in the area.  Good luck to you!

Hello!
I had my RNY done by Dr. Mann who is one of the partners of Southern Surgical. All three doctors who perform RNY (McDonald, Naziri and Mann) are VERY good at what they do. I would of had any of the three do my surgery and I just LOVE Dr. Mann. He has a wonderful bedside (and puke bucket LOL) manner(sorry about that, I got sick off Morphine and he was right there to help out) Dr. Mann is friendly and answers any concerns you have and I also wanted to get to RNY done ASAP. I started doing tests in August and my insurance was approved in 5 days and I was on the table 9/18/07. Too me the Doctors at Southern surgical work as a team when you are in the hospital, what do I mean by that? Dr. Naziri saw me the first time out of bed walking my laps in the hospital and he asked how I was doing and wanted to know if I wanted to race him down the hall LOL even though he wasnt my doctor he still knew me and kept an eye on me that night including saying YES I could have that pesky catheter taken out because I threw a fit because it was sooo uncomfortable and I could use the bathroom on my own and he was on call that night and said yep take it out!! Dr. Mann checked on me everyday and knew I had been very sick off the morphine and told me that I would NOT be rushed out of the hospital till I was feeling ready to leave. He also over rode the nurse who wouldnt give me any more Fenagan because according to her I was only suppose to have it once every eight hours, for my nausua and said GIVE HER SOME NOW The office staff at the actual Southern Surgical office is AWESOME!!! I wish you the best of luck on your decision!!

Darcie
Dr. Mann Fan LOL

Southern Surgical is absolutely TOP NOTCH! I had Dr. MacDonald and he is easily the best surgeon I have ever encountered, and my father was a general surgeon who thought the world of him (my dad died several years ago). My dad felt he was absolutely a wonderful surgeon. I can't say enough good things about him, or the practice. I will be grateful to him all of my life!

Ya'll are GREAT! I'm so glad to know there are people nearby that have gone through or are going through this process. I spoke to my DH about the idea of WLS and he isn't real excited about the idea. He has issues with the fact it is having surgery that is "elective". The gastric bypass (i don't know the abbrv.) is what really scares him. I did tell him about the Lap Band and he wasn't as resistant. He just wishes I could lose without surgery. We have a lot more to talk about and I have more research and questions to ask. I'm going to take some time and not totally rush into this, I normally make a decision and take action..I don't like to wait. Thanks again and keep the info coming...