Hello Virginians!

Hello Virginians!



New to the Va forums but been trolling the OH site for a month or more now.


Recently I discovered that my insurance company does cover weight loss surgery.... so I thought I would explore it more.


I am 5' 8'' male at 250ish BMI of 38 with Diabetes, Diabetic neuropathy, and severe chronic heartburn (just now taking the meds for that).


Does anyone know of any surgeons in the Norfolk, Va, area I could contact? Furthermore, I am in need of a PCP who is experienced with WLS patients. My current one admitted that he doesn't agree with the surgery in general and doesn't have any patients who have had the surgery. I need a new PCP anyway because he is far away in Virginia Beach... and I don't like to travel that far! lol.


Anywhose, any help would be appreciated!

WELCOME!

There are a few in the area.  I used Dr Thomas Clark in Hamtpon.  He is wonderful!
Does your indurance require that you use a specific doctor?

I went to this seminar in Newport News held at the Weight Loss Surgery Center of Hampton Roads.I was referred there by the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital site.

I went to the seminar and liked the presentation that they gave allot.... but then this $750 program fee was announced that is not covered by insurence and that seems like allot considering I wont be using most of what is on offer with it.

I am left with the impression.... having gone through the Norfolk General Hospital site... that the Weight Loss Surgery Center of Hampton Roads is the only group currently doing this surgery.... so I may have to go ahead and pay for the program fee.... which is allot to someone on my budget in this economic environment.

To your question... I think my insurance will require that I go through someone within their family of surgeons... but Sentara owns everything down here so I expect any legit office will be part of that.  I have United Healthcare insurance.

Additionally, I am looking for a primary care physican in Norfolk that has worked with and sympathic to WLS, considering that my current doctor doesn't seem to know much about it he said.

Drachenfire,  It is going to be hard to find a surgeon who does not have program fees.  Majority of the surgeons do.  Some maybe less then $750 and some may be more.  Mine was a total of of $1000.  $750 was the surgeon fee, $250 was the Nut fee, then I had to buy the OptiFast diet system for the 2 week pre op diet to shrink my liver.

It was a lot that I did not have, but worth every penny and I would pay it again in a heart beat for this surgery.

Welcome!  I am in Nova so I can't help on the dr. issues but wanted to say Welcome!

Doctor Glen Moore and staff are awesome. They are in Chesapeak. There is 3 surgeons total in that office and all three come with high creditials. They are a Center of Excellence.
http://www.tidewatersurgical.com/doctors.shtml there is the link to them if you want to read up on them. Good Luck!

Headed to the website now! Thanks!!! 

Hi and welcome, 
Curious about the name, is it in rememberance of the best roller coaster that use to be on the east coast?

Thanks for your welcome!

Aye, Drachenfire is inspired by the Drachen Fire rollercoster at Busch Gardens! I have alowas loved the name and took it as my handle in most forums! haha! I miss the ride too... but there were issues with it like allot of whiplash.

Hey there, I had Dr. Thomas Clark in Hampton he answered all questions and did my surgery in Jan. 08 and he also did my daughters surgery in April 03 . He was there for us both.
Tomygirl