Leary About Having Surgery

I had Lap- Band surgery in November with Dr. Hodge at the Johnson City Medical Center. I have found him and his office very helpful. I don't know what kind of surgery you are having but he does the RNY and Band. There is a yahoo online group for Tri-Cities patients. Search yahoo groups for TriCities WLS Support Group. Or call his office about the next support group meeting at the JCMCH - his number is 975-0764. Good luck. I have done very well with the band and had no complications. Maybe you might think about the band instead of the RNY. But, make the right choice for you. Catherine

I had gastric bypass on 04/05/05 in Nashville. I had a lot of complications and I was in the hospital for 3 months. HOWEVER.... everybody is different and my complications were do to my body rejecting things... not necessarily the surgery or surgeon. Make sure that when you find a surgeon that you ask every question you can think of. My biggest mistake was thinking that I was "bothering" the surgeon by asking questions instead of remembering that this is his job!!!

Beth, when you call the surgeons office, ask them about their seminar and support groups in the area. They can tell you when and where. You will have to attend the seminar before you make your consult appointment. Best of luck. Kathy

I have been leary for a long time too, and I am still leary about the gastric bypass surgery. I guess I'm too much of a chicken. But I have an appointment to see Dr. Watson this week re. the lap band. My greatest concern now is distance.

My primary care Dr. is making me an appt. with Dr. Hodge for asap. He is with Dr. Watson in the same office. My advice is to ask as many questions as possible regardless of how stupid they may sound to you. I want to be completely informed before i make my final decision. Good luck at the dr. Beth

Beth, My pcp made the appointment for me. They send a packet of forms etc. that I must complete and return. When I talked with a lady in the office this week she said I would be required to have a psych. test, an upper GI, and would need to attend a meeting.

Do you know if the psych. test and the upper GI are included in the total cost or do these need to be paid for separately? I am already planning to attend the meetings. Beth

Beth, I don't know but I will ask when I go for my first appointment tomorrow and will let you know.

If you go to David Cantor in Kingsport for the psych test, it will cost you $100 and take about 45 minutes. The upper GI is a additional charge. You will need to attend a nutrition class, it is free, just need to make an appointment for it, it is held at the Johnson City mall You will also need to attend the pre-opt suppport group meeting, held the 2nd Friday of the month at Johnson City medical center on the 7th floor at 5 pm. in audtiorum room 2. After the pre-opt meeting, is the general meeting at 6 pm at the same location. Drs. Watson/Hodge office manager, Judy, attends these meetings as a rule, as an observer.

Thanks for the info. I figured it would be charged separately. It was wishful thinking that it would be all inclusive. Beth