NC Intro Thread...

[jordansmom 0]

I live in Lake Lure and I'm thinking about lap band at mission How was your experience with the dr and surgery?

[Kathy1991 0]

Hello all,

I live in Cary, NC. I am in the preliminary stages of getting my band and have the barium swallow on Monday (I'm terrified). I will be banded at Duke University and have my clinical on Oct. 4th. I'm very excited about the entire process.

I have two children, a 9 year old boy and an 11 year old girl. I have been married for 16 years and tomorrow is our anniversary.

I will be glad to be able to cross my legs w/o one falling off the other (HA). I am hoping for better vital signs also. Wouldn't it be nice to not have 'high sugar levels and high BP'. I realize some of this is up to me, band or no band, but I am certain the weight loss will only benefit me.

Thanks!

Kathy

[gordonfamily3 0]

Welcome....

I know medcost as a general rule covers bariatric surgery. It iwll depend on your employer if they carry the rider for WLS. Just call them and ask if they cover CPT code 43770 (which is the lap band.)

We are having Charlotte area get together on Saturday off Speedway Blvd at Texas Land and Cattle. It's at 11:30 if you would like to join us please go to Band2gether.net (b2g) Lap-band Support Forums - Powered by vBulletin under USA and then NC you will find more info.

Again welcome!!!!!

[Jaimee21005 0]

hello everyone! my name is Jaimee.. and im starting the journey for weight lose surgery! is there anyone that lives in or around jacksonville, nc?!

[judybellyband 6]

Jaimee,

Having looked at were you are located, I am sorry but I am unaware of any qualified (+100 lap bariatic operations) surgeon in your area. You might want to consider flying into Charlotte (I would), either driving to Dr. Moran or Dr.Enochs in the Raleigh area, or consider your family who might be in another city. I wish you well in your discovery process and keep us posted.

[Jaimee21005 0]

so does that mean the surgeron im going to isnt qualified? i dont have many options i have active duty military insurance.. and they dont work well with u. what should i do!?

[Marissa 0]

Hi everyone!

Just want to introduce myself, I'm Marissa - 26 years old, from Concord. I was banded on Nov. 20, 2007 (two weeks tomorrow!) by Dr. Pirrello. I've been a member of LBT for quite a while now, I just never scrolled down far enough to see the NC forum! Silly me.

I've been married to my wonderful husband, Dave, for 2 years. We have a furbaby named Bella ... she's our baby! We have no children right now, we're waiting until Dave is done with school (prob. 1.5 years) and until I'm at my goal weight.

That's all for now. Hope everyone is having a fabulous day!

[gordonfamily3 0]

Welcome....It's fun to see and meet new people. Although I am not on here much it's great to see others getting banded and for those living close to us. If you ever want to meet up for lunch feel free to let me know....

We also have a support group that meets the 2nd saturday of each month at the office of Southeast Bariatrics. It's a pretty central location for everyone and it's free place to meet. Some of us go out to lunch after wards.... feel free to join us anytime.

[pincham2brn 0]

I have not had my band yet but I am getting a little scared. I was doing a endosleeve trial with my band doctor for three months. I didn't get the device and didn't lose any wait but the nurse said that others without the device lost 30 lbs and that diet and exercise works. She made me feel like a failure for wanting to get the band so I held off. I am in limbo right now. Can anyone give me any advice. Does anyone regret having the band?!?!

Please help?!?!?

__________________

[sunsett 2]

WOW Pincham, I am so sorry to hear that Dr Dr is not supportive to you and the band. I have found that the main reason for that is that the Dr's just don't understand what the band is! They think they do, they think there so smart but they really don't know!

My PCP thought that a fill ment another surgery! And he is a respected interest! He admitted to me that Dr's and the medical community just don't know what it really is!

It is hard to see from a picture or on the web.

I am thrilled I have the band. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I did have trouble with it in the beging, I had a leak, but ever since then everything is 100% perfect.

Please feel free to aks me anything you'd like, you can PM me or post it on here.

Just like the media, we tend to hear the horrible stuff not the good stuff. There is so much good with the band.

[SHEILA IN NC 6]

HI. MY NAME IS SHEILA. I'M VERY NEW TO THIS POSTING AND WONDER IF I'M DOING THIS RIGHT!:help: LOL. ALSO WOULD LIKE SOME HELP IN SETTING UP STATS AS WELL AS A GRAPH. CAN ANYONE HELP ME??

[nubeginnings 0]

Hi Jaimee, I live in Jacksonville and was banded in Mexico. The closest bariatric surgeons that I know of are in Wilmington, Greenville, and the Chapel Hill area. Living in Jax I'm used to driving for what I want (good shopping, furniture, etc) so I went for the surgery knowing that I would have to drive for my fills.

[SHEILA IN NC 6]

There is a Doctor here in Statesville also. His name is Dr Robinson and he does the surgery at Davis Hospital. Hope that helps someone!!!

[sunsett 2]

Welcome Sheila,

Dr Voellinger is in Charlotte. He has a fantastic success rate of his patients. He has a wonderful staff.

I can not say enough good things about him

Let me know if you'd like more info on him I can help you get into a seminar if your interested.

[rivi23 0]

Hi I am Cari. I live in Fletcher (near Asheville) and am going through the process of getting the lapband. I am on month four, lost 4 pounds (need to lose 15) and am getting more and more nervous about my next appointment. They said this is where I get pre apporval? I don't even know what that means. I know my insurance covers the procedure (state employee's BCBC plan) and I have a ton of co morbidities with a BMI of 49, so it would behoove them to approve it, but I am just so nervous.

I am 31, been heavy since I was 12 and I really want this. I lose weight, gain it back double, and I just don't know how I am going to live a healthy life unless I do something drastic like this. As I read more and more insurance horror stories I get more and more nervous. I have a big week in 2 weeks. I am going to the support group on the 8th at Mission, have my sleep study on the 10th, and my 4th month appointment on the 11th. They told me once I get preapproval they will schedule my surgery. Oh I hope I get it. This waiting is killing me. I will be working with Dr. Alan Bradshaw I believe. I love the staff at Mission (well the nutritionist is kind of loopy) but every one else is great.

Anyone here get it done at Mission, or in the process?? I would love to talk?