Surgeons around Knoxville?

Well, I thought I had already picked out my surgeon, but later heard from a friend that she's heard alot of bad things about him and another Dr. I was scheduled to go to Dr. Boyce's seminar, but decided to cancel once she told me this. She also said this about Dr. Colquit. I've never met either, but was curious as to what your experiences are with either, or if you recommend another surgeon in the area. I'd be willing to travel maybe to Nashville for outstanding care. I'm really nervous about the surgery, and would like this to be a good experience for me, instead of having a bunch of complications.
Thank you so much for any replies.

I'm a Clinton girl work in Oak Ridge

Trust me, you want Dr. Boyce. and not only b/c he's my surgeon. ask any medical professional in this area who they would recommend and you will get Dr. Boyce. He's the doctors' doctor...he did general surgery before moving to bariatrics and has an excellent reputation.

Good luck in your journey! PM if you want to know anymore neighbor!

I've heard good things about Dr. Boyce. He seems qualified and is now even doing the DS. My problem with him is the $3000 program fee he charges above what insurance pays. I have TennCare so that wasn't an option for me. Why even take TennCare if he is going to do that? I don't know any TennCare patients who can afford $3000. When I first checked him out, he was only charging $500 but he didn't take my form of TennCare. I'm sure there are other surgeons out there who also charge some sort of extra fee, but in my mind, their efforts seem to be more about the money and less about helping people in need. I decided to go farther away for surgery. I found an excellent surgeon in Johnson City. It is about 2 hours away from me. I was willing to go as far as Nashville if I hadn't found Dr. Hodge. I wanted someone trustworthy. I realize that TennCare pays next to nothing compared to what surgery actually costs. Yet, at Dr Hodge's practice I was asked for nothing extra. They have gone out of their way to help me and their other patients be successful. I have the phone numbers and emails for all the support staff. They are accessible at all times. The surgery coordinater is a patient herself. She runs the support group meetings and she gives out her email and private phone number to patients. On surgery day, she visits you and tells you what to expect and when you are taken to surgery prep, she stays with you until you are taken to surgery. The dietician also helps with the support group meetings and gives out her office number and machine and her email. They have always been very prompt about getting back to me when I've had questions. They hold your hand through the whole process. The insurance coordinator gave me a sheet with exactly what would be required of me to get approval. I was approved on the first attempt. She held my hand through the whole process and has become a good friend. I can't say enough good about them. Dr. Hodge and his partner, are very professional. Not too talkative except with answering all questions. They are both very qualified and skilled and they are general surgeons and not just bariatric surgeons. It is a center of excellence also. I was concerned at first about going that far away for surgery but things have gone very well.

I have no personal knowledge of Dr. Colquitt but I have heard bad things. I heard he has a high mortality rate but that he isn't honest with his patients about the actual number. I have no real evidence that this is true but it is what I heard from a nurse who encountered some fatalities who were his patients.
Whatever you decide to do, research very well all aspects.
I wish you the best.

Karen

Karen,
  I am extremely upset that you would pass along information that you have "heard" without any facts.  I know you prefaced this by saying you have no personal knowledge, but then you go ahead and give out hearsay information.   I am an RN and I did do a lot of research before my surgery.  Nowhere did I find what you are referring to. 

Most of us like our surgeons, just as you spoke so well of yours.  I understand this.  So, I hope you can understand  why I want to come to the defense of my surgeon.  Dr. Ray is my surgeon,Dr. Colquitt's partner, but with the RnY they assist each other.  My office is not much different then yours.  Home numbers, holding of hands, the surgery coordinator being a patient herself and she  even goes INTO surgery with you, etc, etc.. and I will add, Dr. Ray, himself, called me at home twice after my discharge to check on me.   Wouldn't you be upset if I came on this board and made the statement you made about my surgeon's office, about YOUR surgeon, without a shred of evidence?

  Now, if you or anyone can produce records/facts/research that supports your degradation of my surgeon's office, I would be very interested in the material.  I  want to make sure that newbies coming here are not given wrong information nor that I am leading other prospective patients to dangerous outcomes.  

  I know my care has been impeccable and nurses can be very very bad patients lol. 

I do agree everyone needs to research, not only all forms of weight loss surgeries but their surgeons also.. with FACTS, please.
I wish everyone the best,
Jane

I'm sorry you are offended but my information came from a source I trust. Dr, Colquitt doesn't have a good reputation around our local hospital because some of the fatalities were treated there. I'm glad you had a good experience at his office Thank God for that. I hope everyone will research their surgeon well before making a decision.
Karen

I guess I should add to what karen said, yes Dr. Boyce's office charges a $3000 program fee. Many insurance companies will pay, Cigna did not so i did have to pay it....i worked two jobs to pay it, too.

This is steep for many (it was for me!) but it was worth it. I, too, was told not to go to the other surgeon.......

Hey, I haven't had surgery yet but Dr. Boyce is going to be my surgeon.  I have a good friend that works in the operating room with Dr. Boyce and he told me that Dr. Boyce was the best of the best!!!  He said that he would trust Dr. Boyce to do any surgery on him or his family.  That says alot considering he works side by side with him.  I'm totally confident in my decision for a surgeon. 

Angie

I am scheduled for RNY with Dr Williams (same office as Dr Boyce) on May 27th....I go for pre-op tomorrow.  The office, insurance folks, nurses, and Dr. Williams, Nutritionist have all been wonderful.  I am on medicare, they don't pay the $3000.00 program fee, but there are several types of financing available for that fee and what you get for that fee is WELL worth it!!!

I am closer to Johnson City or these other places being in Morristown, but I have full confidence in the staff at Parkwest to get me through this. (along with my sister to hold my hand) .  Best of luck to each person with their choice of staff to help them and God Bless.

Jamie

Thank you all for the replies. The friend who gave me that advice actually went to Dr. Husted, who is now in KY. Only a couple of hours away. I faxed in patient info today, and am waiting to hear back from the office if my insurance will approve it or not. I don't believe there would be any way for me to afford the $3,000 for Dr. Boyces program. Even with financing, I just couldn't do it. I'm a newly single mom, and was laid off a few months ago, so yep, not happening for me right now, lol.

The program fee at Dr. Colquitt's is $750.00

Just FYI--