For those of you who had Pender or Chapman....

Hello to all: Yes I am still alive it has been so crazy.  But anyway, I got a question. My dad is pursuing WLS, and his DR referred him to Dr Pender or Dr Chapman. Do they make you do the 6 month pre-op diet before they start anything with your surgery, and which one would you recommend over the other.  Any advice would be wonderful. One more question, Southern Surgical (where I went) Charges $200, to start the process, do these DR's do the same or not?  I would really love for him to have Dr. Nazari, but whatever is cheaper for him to start with would be better for him right now. 

Thanks,
  Danielle

I had Dr. Chapman.  The 6 month diet is per insurance companies, not doctors.  Whether or not he has to do that diet is purely up to his carrier.  Drs Chapman and Pender do not charge an upfront fee like Southern Surgical because they are not a "private practice".  They are part of ECU's medical school, the Brody School of Medicine.

It is my opinion that any of the doctors practicing at ECU or Southern Surgical are very good.  That being said, Dr. Chapman is my preference.  He did mine and I have been very happy with him.  He is very experienced and highly regarded nationally in his field.  He was a bit gruff at my initial visit, but since then I don't think I've had a better cheerleader.  I knew when I moved here that I wanted either him or Dr. MacDonald, but MacDonald had just left ECU to go with SS. I opted to stay with the hospital crew rather than private practice, for a variety of reasons, which I'm not going into here.

In any event, I know that whomever you choose, you are in good hands.

Take care.
Ellen

Hey Danielle,

The only thing that I would add is that a out-of poket fee ("processing fee") seems to be standard across the board, the amount however is not. I just researched surgeons for my self and I found this fee to range anywhere from- $ 150 to $400.

God Luck to your Dad!

I have Doctor Pender and I really like him.  He is also no nonsence and serious but is Also cheerfull when you follow the rules.  They strongly believe in what they are doing as a long term health benefit and not a profit.  They also strongly believe that their group of Doctors and scientist at the school will find a cure for Diabitis.  They get really excited when you talk to them about this.  They do not charge a fee to start.  I have NCBCBS and they did not require a 6 month diet.  Either man is a good choice!

I'll echo what has already been said and will add that you can't go wrong with any of them.  I work here at ECU Med School and know that there is no fee for the information session.  The med school will also setup a payment plan for any out of pocket costs incurred. 

Personally, I chose Dr. Chapman because he has operated on my husband for cancer/hernia related problems now 5 times and we have always been very pleased with him and the practice.  He is definately a NO NONSENSE doc who shoots from the hip and you know where you stand with him but he is VERY nice and compassionate.  He has operated on me twice now, in 10/07 for the gastric bypass and then again in May for colon cancer.  I've had some complications related to that surgery, not by any fault of Dr. C, but he has done everything he can to fix the problem.  I was one of those few that actually had one of the complications that they always tell you is possible. Anyway, I would highly recommend him or Dr. Pender. 

Best of luck to your Dad! 

Alice