Vanderbilt Hospital

Hey everyone! I'm thinking about having my surgery at Vandy in Nashville. Anyone who has had bariatric surgery at Vandy, can you tell me what pre op tests you had to go thru? Also, is there a weight restriction before they will perform the surgery? I have a BMI of 61. I was going to have surgery in Evansville, IN but the doctor won't perform it unless I have a BMI of 57. Any help would be appreciated. Cherri

Hi Cherri. I am in the process of having surgery through Vanderbilt. I have completed all of the tests and I am now waiting on insurance approval. I do not recall hearing of a weight restriction. Although, you need to be prepared to have open surgery instead of the lap. I believe that once your BMI gets over a certain number, they will do the open. My BMI was 50.1. I am not sure what the restriction is for Lap and open but just letting you know so it will not be a surprise if they do say they have to do open. As far as tests go, you have to undergo several: A sleep study, lots of blood work, an EKG, a gall bladder ultra sound and a psych visit. I believe there may be one or two more but these are the standards. Vandy is very particular on how they do their process. Once you are approved through your insurance, you have to have two nutritionist visits before surgery and then two after to make sure you are prepared and educated. They have a seminar you have to go through first before setting up an appointment with them. Here is their website if you haven't checked it out already: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/root/vumc.php?site=bariatric&doc=4202 Tehy normally do not have long wait times for thier appointments. If you have any other questions, let me know. Good luck with whatever decision you make and on your journey to weight loss. Misty

Vandy is the best place in the world to have surgery. Both hubby and I had WLS there in March of this year. We had absolutely no complaints. We were so impressed with the care we received we took them a sandwich tray from Subway to show our appreciation. The tests that Misty referred to are the same ones we had to take. The only difference is we have to visit the nutritionist 3 times post-op instead of 2. I don't know who you are using for a surgeon, but Dr. Torquati is awesome. I needed him on a couple of ocassions and after paging him, I got a call back within 10 minutes both times. I just cannot say enough about him or the Vandy staff. You won't be disappointed. Good luck and God bless!

Vanderbilt Hospital Bariatric Surgery Team is FANTASTIC My surgery was at Vandy one month ago yesterday, April 17th (The day that changed my life) They take each patient as they are and work with them through the process. Based on the comorbidities of the patient the tests needed are determined. I had a heart echo, gall bladder ultrasound, pulmonary tests, and basic cbc blood work. The orientation gives you a lot of information. Your first meeting is with the Nurse Practicioner who does a complete overview and makes recommendations for tests etc. Dr. William O. Richards is just wonderful. He is a dedicated Christian who very honenstly discusses the surgical proceedure. Christian and Jody, his nurse practioners, are awesome. They work with you before and after the surgery. Jennifer Ginnings is the one who manages the Center for Bariatric Surgery. She will help you with insurance and every step of the way. If your insurance requires a six month supervised diet, they have a great dietian, Molly, who will help you prepare for the surgery and 2 follow up visits to see that everything is going well. I can't say enough good about Vanderbilt!

I had lapband surgery at Vanderbilt in March.....Dr. Melvin is wonderful, compassionate and caring.....his staff is great, but hard to reach by phone....they gave me their email addresses and after that any question I had was answered normally within 2 hours...sometimes less.....they kept me updated on my insurance approval status via email and telephone......my hospital stay was great also....I was a 23 hours and hold, which means I spend the night and go home, but it was considered outpatient......They didn't have any rooms available so I stayed on the outpatient floor, but my mother was allowed to stay with me....they did everything in their power to make my mother and I comfortable and happy....I had wonderful nurses and couldn't have been more pleased.....I hope your experience will be as great as mine.....and the best part, after my insurance approved my entire surgery and doctors fees were covered in full except for 25.00! Can you believe that.....CIGNA made me jump through their hoops, but they paid very well.