VSG in Mississippi
i am looking to have the VSG. I live in Jackson, MS. Who is the best surgeon for this area? I know Birmingham AL and Oxford MS have excellent surgeons, but I would like to stay local if possible.
DR William Richards in Mobile AL, University Of Alabama Medical Center. I was self pay and could not afford any program here in Jackson. Dr Richards is head of the program, and has done many, many surgeries. Hospital is center of excellence In 2013 I paid $12,000 whi*****ludes BLISS insurance. Lowest cost here without BLISS was $15,000. You can watch his seminar on their site. Wonderful doctor!
SW 291, GW 150, CW 145
i am looking to have the VSG. I live in Jackson, MS. Who is the best surgeon for this area? I know Birmingham AL and Oxford MS have excellent surgeons, but I would like to stay local if possible.
Dr. William Richards in Mobile AL. I was self pay and could not afford any program around Jackson. He is at University Of Al Medical Center. Center of Excellence. Cost me $12,000 back in 2013 and that included BLISS. Lowest around here was $15,000 without BLISS insurance. You can see his seminar on the web site. He has done many, many surgeries and is head of their program. Went to him at the end of September and my surgery was Oct 24th. Only 5 days of pre-op diet. No problems afterwards.
SW 291 GW 150 CW 145
Not that Tupelo is any closer... but I am having my surgery done with Dr. Pinson at the NMMC Bariatric Clinic there. I started the process with my insurance (State Employees BCBS) back in September, so I am nearing my 6 month end of Active Health phone calls. YAY! I have completed my informational meeting, weight loss support group meeting, initial visit with Dr. Pinson, initial visit with the nutritionist, visit with Psychiatrist, and will have my last visit with Dr. Pinson on March 9th... at which time they will file for approval with insurance and we will schedule my surgery. It has been a great experience so far and I can hardly wait to get the surgery completed. Dr. Pinson and his staff are super nice and very helpful. I would totally recommend them... at least so far.
Good luck with your search!
I do not know anyone personally who has used these doctors... but there is Dr. Vick at UMMC there in Jackson. There's also Drs. Adkins, Carroll, Johnson, and Miller there at St. Dominic's. But again... I don't have any personal knowledge of these doctors. I live in Starkville... so I am familiar with the northern part of the state (Oxford and Tupelo).
I do not know anyone personally who has used these doctors... but there is Dr. Vick at UMMC there in Jackson. There's also Drs. Adkins, Carroll, Johnson, and Miller there at St. Dominic's. But again... I don't have any personal knowledge of these doctors. I live in Starkville... so I am familiar with the northern part of the state (Oxford and Tupelo).
I don't know about most of the doctors you list, but I can speak about my personal experience with Dr. Johnson. I had a consult with him, paid 300 freaking dollars (non refundable) and was he was a pure jerk. I asked him how many surgeries he had done, and he went on a spill about how he was 1 of only 2 surgeons in MS that had done a sabbatical on weight loss surgery, but when he finally answered my question, he had only done 75 surgeries. He also was very snarky. I went to him for help not for him to humiliate me about my weight and that is what he did. I called the program director at St Dominick and reported the consultation with him and told her their program (it was new there) would not go anywhere if people are humiliated by that doctor. She said well he only does that so you will be successful. I am successful and my doctor was compassionate and experienced. My doctor in AL consult was only $129 and no doctor in any program here was that price. Also, the program at St Dominick wanted all kinds of test done although I was self pay, on top of the $15,000 and up price tag. Just food for thought on the programs around here. If your insurance will pay, then you don't have to worry, but my BCBS of MS would not cover this surgery.
Wow! That is HORRIBLE! Like I stated before, I have no personal experience with any doctors in Jackson. I've only been to Dr. Pinson in Tupelo. He has been wonderful. I have the state employees insurance through BCBS and they will pay. I think in the end I will have paid about $3,000. It may be a little higher but only about $500 or so. Dr. Pinson has been super kind as well. I'm SO sorry that you had such an awful experience! So you've had your surgery... I'm jealous! LOL! I am almost ready to file and schedule mine. Hopefully in April!!! Yahooooo!
Wow! That is HORRIBLE! Like I stated before, I have no personal experience with any doctors in Jackson. I've only been to Dr. Pinson in Tupelo. He has been wonderful. I have the state employees insurance through BCBS and they will pay. I think in the end I will have paid about $3,000. It may be a little higher but only about $500 or so. Dr. Pinson has been super kind as well. I'm SO sorry that you had such an awful experience! So you've had your surgery... I'm jealous! LOL! I am almost ready to file and schedule mine. Hopefully in April!!! Yahooooo!
You are very lucky to have insurance that covers the surgery. I will be paying for the next few years, but it money well spent. I had surgery 18 months ago and haven't regretted 1 hour of it. I have lost more than I weigh than I weigh now. I weigh 145 and have lost 146 lbs. I weigh less than my husband now by about 5 lbs. We have been together 43 years and I have never been this size. I weighed 180 when I met him. If anyone is thinking about this surgery I would say do it, but be sure you are comfortable with the doctor. Ask him/her how many surgeries he/she has preformed. Although I had to eat the $300, I am glad I walked on that doctor. I always believe things happen for a reason and I think God knew I couldn't afford the more expensive program with an inexperienced doctor.
