Duke WLS patients---where's the forum?

Hi everyone---for those of you that are Duke patients...any idea what happened to the forum?  I went online and didn't see it. Thanks, Jennifer RNY scheduled for 6/25/08

They look like they have taken it down. They are going thru alot of changes over there since Beth has left. Maybe they are trying to keep false stuff from flying around. I will try to find out more. I know a girl that works in the office. Ken

Thanks Ken.....I remember reading all of your posts on that forum.  Looks like you're doing wonderful!!  Please let us know if you find out anything.

Hey Ken,   Phyllis from Oxford here.  I had surgery April 29 and feel great.  My aches and pains are gone, I lost a ton of water weight plus 16 more pounds since release.  Mary told me she did not like the forum, so I figured eventually it would be gone.  I did get excellent care on the 4th floor.  I have to figure out how to make one of those tape measures like everyone has.  I have not explored this sight much but guess I will soon.  Take care.  Hope you are feeling well and your knees are better.

Hi Jennifer...... I think they took it down because someone posting on the forum spoke with John and told him that he needed to read the forum because of all the posts about the problems eveyone was having with getting things done.  I see that you have your date, 6/25.  When did you get that?  I got my insurance approval 5/1.  Angela told me it would be 3 or 4 weeks before I could get my dates.  The she called me back later that day and told me that it might be the end of next week.  I don't think she even knew it was me that she had talked to earlier.  I surely hope that I don't have to wait until July!

They took it down because there were lots of complaints about what has been happening with everyone including myself.  There isn't false information going out except from the Duke WLS people themselves.  I guess they don't want people to talk to other people about what has been going on over at Duke and a lot of people are fed up so instead of making them look bad they took it right off.  Oh and another thing they also blocked me from signing in to check my status.  I guess Duke didn't like what people had to say which is the truth.  There are so many people getting the run around including myself.  I have been lied to on several occasions.  When they say they will call you back they don't.  It is a big mess over there and I am actually going else where for my surgery.

Hi!   I've just signed up for the Duke WLS and am interested in what is happening there.   What are the problems you've discovered?    Is it a problem with the Doctors and the surgery or is it a problem with a shortage of administrative people?   Do you know of anyone in the Cary/Apex area who has had the surgery recently that I could talk to?   I'd appreciate any information you can give me.   Thanks so much for your anticipated help!   

I actually live in Raleigh and my problem with them is that the whole office is so chaotic.  I attended the seminar back in September 2007 my first appointment was Jan. 10, 2008 and that is when they told me my insurance required a 6 month non-surgical weighloss attempt diet.  They should have checked my insurance way before my appointment.   Luckily I had been to my Doctors office enough times to get that paperwork completed.  The people at Duke have lied to me, they never return calls you literally have to stay on top of things.  They have lost some of my paper work.  They tell me they received my paperwork then said no they never did.  They used to have a message board on the Duke website but so many of us started to complain and I think that is why they took it off.  (my opinion only)  It is just very frustrating.  Have you gone to the seminar yet?

Yes, I went to the April 4th seminar but have not received the package of information and a date to speak with the doctor.   I've called over several times and also offered to go to Duke to pick up the package but was told to wait a few more days.   It looks like in order to get things done you have to be on top of everything.    Can you tell me what is in the package of information they should be sending me?

It is a patient manual they give you, that tells you all of the required tests that need to be done.  I actually received it at the seminar because I had already filled out my application on line and gave it to them right after the seminar at the same time I had to pay a $250 application fee.  It may take months before your first appointment.  It took 4 months for mine.  If you log onto to www.dukewls.org you can create a username and password to log on and they have the patient manual on there.  Please let me know if you have anything other questions and I will answer them as best as I can.  :)