Questions for patients of Dr. C...

Yes, I know, another Dr. Curry post, LOL. Anyhow, my husband and I both plan to schedule consults with Dr. C after he gets oriented into his new facility in April. My question is what is his procedure? Both my husband and I have been researching the lap-band for quite some time and believe we are very educated with the process and are both eager to undergo the procedure. So in your experience, how long was the process and what was involved? We both will be self-pay patients so insurance coverage is not an issue.

I can only speak from my experience, but it took about 3 months for me. Dr. Curry will determine what tests you may need, in my case I needed an Upper GI, psych. evaluation and my medical records. Then it depends on your insurance company. Mine was pretty quick, but I know some make you "jump through hoops", or take forever to decide. Tracy is great with handling those insurance people!! Unless they change their policy with the move, you will need to attend at least 2 support groups before surgery and meet with Erin, the dietician. I wish you and your husband all the best! You have made a great choice with Dr. Curry and his team! BTW, 2 months post-op today and down 30 lbs.!!! Email me if there is anything else I can help you with!

I am a self pay patient. I had a consult with Dr. Curry, but went with another surgeon based solely on price. Dr. Curry is fabulous, and I wish he had been my surgeon. Self pay is a different story than insurance...You basically choose your date. I submitted my medical history , sleep apnea results and psych eval. I was scheduled for my preop testing. The Dr. didn't order any further testing than those and the preop ones. I chose my date, and everything went off without a hitch...Best of luck!! Theresa 333/301/under 200 One week till my first fill

I too was a self pay. My first visit with Dr. C was on 1/26/06. My surgery was on 3/6/06. I had already researched the surgery. I had already made up my mind, that if none of my tests were standing in my way, it was full steam ahead. This was by far the best thing I have ever done for myself. In short, I had no complications with the process and it was less than 60 days from my initial consult. Good Luck.

Thanks so much for the replies. Theresa, if you don't mind my asking, what was your self-pay cost (you can e-mail me the info if you don't want to post it). I am so frustrated because I had decided on Barix because their self-pay cost is $14,900 and that includes 30 days of post-op coverage in the event of complications. I love that security and their cost, and the Groveport location is only two hours from me. BUT that location currently only has one surgeon and thus a lengthy waiting period. I can't even get an appointment until their June schedule opens up. Ugh! Sooooo.... I then contacted Dr. Curry and found his price to be quite a bit higher (although I'm hoping he'll work with me on price as I am a self-pay), but would still pay the higher costs given his outstanding reputation and close proximity to where I work. The problem is, his new office isn't even taking calls for appointments until April 1. I am just so unbelievably frustrated. I know I should be patient, but I had hoped that since I would be shelling out the money myself I would get through the process quicker. It seems like I'm getting nowhere fast. I've been considering and researching this procedure for a very long time and now that I am 100% committed to doing it, I want to expedite the process. It just seems like my journey will never begin, given that I can't so much as even get a consult appointment.

I paid $16,500 with Dr. C through Deaconess. Not sure if there will be a price change or not. But the $16,500 included everything I needed, including a year of follow up care & fills. The fact that it included a year was very appealing to me, because I personally don't feel that I would be comfortable with follow up of any less than a year. I too can't make my next appointment with Dr. ****il after 4/1/06, but I believe it is because of his contract with Deaconess. I am sure that once we are able to make appointments on 4/1/06 at the new facility, it will proceed much smoother. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions. [email protected].