Help Please. Need New Dr -Quick

I'm so frustrated and I need help. 

I'm having pain, pain and more pain on my left side and the Drs can't seem to figure out what the problem is, so I've done my research and think I've found the problem.  I think I may have an internal hernia that needs fixed.  I contacted my original WLS in Florida and they told me that the tests probably won't find it, it can only be found by exploratory surgery and I need to only go to a Bariatric Center of Excellence. 

Of course the local Drs in Asheville are not a Center of Exc ellence.  They recommended Duke but that's at least 4-5 hours away.  Anyone have advice about Duke?  I've been in pain for a month now and just want my normal life back.

Thanks! 

I haven't gone to him but Dr. Roc Bauman who alot of ppl here have used in at a Center of Excellence and located in Concord NC which is just east of Charlotte and close to I85.   Here is his website with all his info.

http://www.lgbsurgery.com/

Hope this helps you. 

Pam

I also located a clinic in HIckory that quite a few ppl here have used but i am not sure if they are a Center of Excellence Clinic.  Here is their website also.

http://www.hickorysurgical.com/

 

Marcy,

I'm so sorry to hear that you are experiencing so much pain. I had my surgery through DukeWLS 18 months ago and my husband just had his earlier this month. They have been experiencing some serious growing pains and admistrative issues, but they are top notch technically and are getting their administrative house in order. Duke performs their surgeries at Durham Regional HOspital which is now a part of Duke University Health. However, I've found listings for Frye Regional which is in Hickory and shouldn't be too far from you.

Frye Regional Medical Center 420 N. Center St. Hickory, NC 28601

Hickory Surgical Clinic 415 N. Center St., Suite 102 Hickory, NC 28601 (828) 327-9178

Dr. Leland J. Cook Dr. Montgomery H. Cox

There are several different designations for COE, the strictest being the ASBS Designation recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Here's a link to their list of COE's:  http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.as p?listpage=2 

Some insurance programs also have their own designations of COEs, such as BCBSNC. Here's a link to a list of facilities that they recognize as a COE: http://www.bcbsnc.com/apps/coe/public/bariatric.action?zipCo de=null 

Good Luck!

At my first appointment, Dr. Jon Pirrello told me about internal hernias and the new technique he had brought with him when he came to NC two years ago.  He and Dr. Bauman presented a paper on it at the last conference.  Jon's new office won't open till Feb., but if Dr. Bauman can get you in, you could go to him. 

I would love to have any info that you have from your Dr regarding Internal hernias.  I'm just assuming that I have one because of what I've read, but who knows...  My primary care Dr basically has given up on me and I'm too far and too out of touch with my original WLS (who I loved).  I'm going to look at the website for Dr. Bauman right now. 

Thanks everyone for the great input - keep it coming.  It's the only thing getting me through this right now.  I am so tired/frustrated with all of this.  

Here are some links for their presentation:
http://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(08)00824-1/abstract
http://www.gastro.theclinics.com/article/PIIS088985530400132 3/citing

I love love love my bariatric surgeon.  Dr. K. is the bomb in my opinion.  Whomever you choose I do hope that you get this resolved SOON.

I live in Clyde. I chose the Hickory Clinic because they are surgery of center of Excellence. I would seriously also look at Dr. Bauman.

Hickory is only 1 hour 15 minutes maybe from Asheville.

Tamara

As Barb told you HIckory is a COE... Dr. Hata is the new doc there, who did his internship at Duke.  I would strongly recommend starting with Hickory.  Dr. Hata is awesome - I strongly recommend him.  I know my profile says Dr. Cox, but I used Dr. Hata and can't figure out how to change the name.

They accept BCBS of NC.  Just give them a call and see if you can get in with them.

Shelia