Memphis Area

I'm new to this and I'm just browsing.  Was just wondering were there any people on here from the Memphis area.If so, add me as a friend.  I live out in Arlington and my doctor is George Woodman.  Anyone else ever used him?? 

Jay

Hi Jay,
I live in Memphis.  My doctor is Dr. Virginia Weaver.  I was contemplating using Dr. Woodman, but heard so much negative about his bedside manner.  How do you like him? 

I will figure how to add you as a friend.  What surgery are you having?

Khem

 He is most definitely a no nonsense dude but I like that.  Having the Lap Band....What about you??

Jay

I want the vertical sleeve gastrectomy.  I started going to Dr. Woodman at first.  I went to the seminar and the initial visit.  Haven't met him yet.  Just heard so much about his personality that I changed to Dr. Weaver.  My insurance requires 6 month wait so I prolly won't have surgery till January .    i just didn't want him to hurt my feelings.  I am kinda sensitive about my weight anyway.  Is he as bad as people say?  

What made you choose the band?

Khem  

 I chose the band because it seemed to be less invasive and had a minimal recovery time.  He is not that bad really but when I was in the waiting room this guy was telling me that he had this woman crying one time because he was being blunt with her.  I should be having surgery in about 2-4 weeks.  My insurance does not cover it so I'm paying for it myself.

Jay

I really wish I could self-pay so that I could have it done this year; but that is not a reasonable option for me right now.  I wanted the Lap-Band at first, but then when I learned about the sleeve, I changed my mind.  It is a little scary (I never envisioned myself "volunteering' for any surgery, especially one like this) but I want something that I can do and be done with.  Did you ever consider that one?

 I did consider the sleeve at first but I changed my mind when I found out the lap band was a little cheaper.  Plus the lap-band seemed to have more information out there.


Jay

I felt the same as you initially.  Then, I found out that the sleeve is actually not new.  It's just that it has not been used in the US as a stand alone weight loss procedure.  It was initially used in other countries as the first of a two-part procedure, the duodenal switch, for extremely obese people with BMI >50.  It was discovered that many people did well with that first part (the gastrectomy) and did not need the second procedure.  Also, full and partial gastrectomies have been done for years on  patients with ulcers, stomach cancer, etc., with no problems. 

i have researched both band and sleeve and the weight loss over a two-year period is similar.  So either way, hope we both reach goal.  By the time I am 35 (again!) I just want to be somewhere near my goal weight.

By the way, I do hear he is a good surgeon.  He just is hard on his wt loss surgery patients.  Many people are like you and appreciate his matter-of-fact style.  I could deal with that, but i already know I am "slim challenged" (LOL); don't need him to tell me. 

But then I work at St. Francis where Dr. Weaver does surgery so it is cheaper for me to do it there.

 Oh well you can't beat that.  Hope all goes well for you.  If you are on facebook here is my link www.facebook.com/jaysmaname