Dr. McDowell??

Has anyone had Dr. McDowell in Nashville as their surgeon? If so, did you like/dislike him? Thanks for any input! Cherri

Hi Cherri, I have never heard of him, someone may have had him, but I've been on this board for over 2 years, and I don't recall ever hearing anything or anyone having him? He may be new to our area. Sorry can't help you out more. I wish you luck and success in getting the surgery. May God travel with you on this Journey. Kathy

Thanks Kathy! I think he is pretty new. I appreciate your input though. God Bless! Cherri

Cherri, I saw in your profile that you were interested in consulting with Dr. Spaw about the DS. Have you changed your mind about your surgery type? I know that Dr. McDowell is now in the same office as Dr. Spaw but I have never met him. I've heard good things about him from other people and there are a couple of his patients in our support group. They are very pleased with him. I wish you luck on your journey. Susan

Susan, I did speak with Dr. Spaw about the DS and he said that he is very particular about who he does the DS on. He said usually it's people who weigh over 500 lbs and/or have severe comorbitities. I don't fall in that range. Also, I just found out last week that Dr. Spaw is not in my insurance network, but Dr. McDowell is. Thanks for the luck! God Bless! Cherri

Good morning Cheri, Yes I have met Dr Mcdowell ..he held a seminar at Baptist Hospital in Nashville in March of this year... he has been doing gastric surgery for the past year and a half or so.. maybe 2 years. Very nice ,very caring , easy to talk to man he does Lap RNYS and Lap-Band I have seen some posts about him on here and also Dr Spaw , they all seemed to like him and Dr Spaw too.. Im now going thru Centennial hospital and Dr Dyer (very experienced) in Nashville because my insurance said the Dr and hospital both had to be on" center of excellence".. got home from gall bladder operation from Dr dyer and centennial just last Saturday,( Will have lap band in Oct or Nov after I heal) everything went well, and Dr Dyer and Centennial were excellent. The DS is an extreme operation and yes, usually reserved for the most serious weight loss cases, there can be many complications on that type of surgery. Do your homework check out the DS forum .. if that is what you want, ask lots of questions and also a good question to ask your surgeon "How many RNYS or lap bands ( or whatever) have you performed? " and " how many have had complications? good luck on your journey whatever you decide ..Arianna

Dr. McDowell is my surgeon....waiting to finish insurance requirement of 6 month doctor supervised diet before I can have surgery. My research on him is really positive. I have been to one of his seminars and have met with him. I feel very comfortable in his ability and his genuine concern for our well-being. Best of luck to you! Michelle

Hi Cherri, I've been in touch with Dr. McDowell's office since last fall and have been trying to go through his office since he is covered under my insurance. I have yet to have an appointment with Dr. McDowell but from what I can remember from his seminar, he will not operate on anyone who he feels will lose the weight, and then have problems later down the line. He wants to make sure his patients lose the weight and keep it off! He will even give you "the talk" if you are not following the dietary guidelines after surgery. He turns away many patients from what I understand but that is because he wants to make sure that the patients are going to be healthy in the long run. I am waiting for my new insurance company, Horizon BCBS out of NJ to give me the yea or nay on the surgery and the only complaint with his office is that they have switched patient reps lately and they are not that easy to get in touch with. Also, they lost part of my paper work that I had to re-fax to them when they transferred patient reps. But otherwise, I'm looking forward to working with them. Good luck! -Alyssa

Hi, I was interested in having the DS with Dr Spaw too but he isn't in my insurance network. I have Blue Care medicaid so I will be seeing either Dr. McDowell or the other doctor in the practice Dr. Lynch. I will be attending a seminar with the group tomorrow afternoon. I will post again when I get home and give you my impression of whatever doctor does the seminar. I wish you the best. Blessings, Karen