Anyone banded from Asheville, NC?

[artsy298 0]

I'm going to the info seminar next week in Asheville. Has anyone been banded there? If so do you have any recommendations as to which Dr is better?

thanks

[jbperry21 1]

I have been banded in Asheville. I can tell you which doctor not to use. Do no use Dr. Christopher Edwards. He's great as a surgeon, but outside of the surgery room he's the worst doctor I've ever had for anything. His bedside manner is horrible, he doesn't really seem to care or have any investment in how his patients are doing, he told me on multiple occasions that he hated the lapband and even said to the x-ray tech 'I tried to tell her to get the gastric bypass, but she didn't listen to me.' So, yeah, don't use Dr. Edwards.

I have a friend at church who has used Dr. Soosar and she really likes him. I think there's only one other Dr with the Mission Weight Management program right now, but I don't know what his name is.

[artsy298 0]

Thanks so much. My friend met someone banded by Dr Edwards. She is going with me to the seminar and she was planning on using him. The other Dr is Dr Bradshaw. I really don't want to have someone like that for a Dr. How are you doing with it? I've been reading all kinds of posts. Seems so different for everybody. I'm focused on just getting there at this point. All of the insurance stuff. I have Highmark Blue Shield and they require a 6 month Dr supervised diet and exercise program so it will be spring before I can even get banded. My 1st consult is set for Sept 22. How long did you have to wait?

[jbperry21 1]

I"m really frustrated honestly. I've had my band for over three months and I haven't lost any weight yet. I don't have proper restriction yet, but I'm going for my third fill on Friday. The other problem to me is that he's doing a fill on Friday when if there's a problem the only option I have is to go to the emergency room. Most doctors won't do fills on Friday for that specific reason because if you need to have some Fluid taken out you can call them and come in (if the fill is done during the first part of the week). When I have my appointments, it's like he has a script he follows on his little notepad. "So, how are you doing today? I see you haven't lost any weight. Are you hungry? How are you doing with eating?" There's not suggestions, no support, just me saying that I feel like I'm able to eat more than I should be and that I'd like a fill. Then he hems and haws about whether to give me and is really stingy with the amount he gives me. Which sucks, because the more often I go back, the more money out of pocket I have to pay. The first three months fills are covered but considering that you can't get a fill unitl 6 weeks after surgery (possibly, could be later depending on how you heal and all and if you're hungry or still losing weight) that means only one fill is covered.

I don't want you to think I hate this program or anything, because I don't. The program itself is wonderful. I had to do the six months thing as well. That's where I've lost the weight I've lost. I think I've lost maybe a pound or two after surgery. The support group meetings are great and you should plan on going to those before and after surgery (Every first Tuesday at 6pm). After I went to the initial meeting, I had to wait almost 2 months before I had my first appointment with the doctors office.

[BandedCG 0]

I am planning on getting banded in October or November of this year in Statesville, NC ---- Dr. Gary Robinson. I've met with him in an information session already and he seems very nice.

[artsy298 0]

I"m really frustrated honestly. I've had my band for over three months and I haven't lost any weight yet. I don't have proper restriction yet, but I'm going for my third fill on Friday. The other problem to me is that he's doing a fill on Friday when if there's a problem the only option I have is to go to the emergency room. Most doctors won't do fills on Friday for that specific reason because if you need to have some Fluid taken out you can call them and come in (if the fill is done during the first part of the week). When I have my appointments, it's like he has a script he follows on his little notepad. "So, how are you doing today? I see you haven't lost any weight. Are you hungry? How are you doing with eating?" There's not suggestions, no support, just me saying that I feel like I'm able to eat more than I should be and that I'd like a fill. Then he hems and haws about whether to give me and is really stingy with the amount he gives me. Which sucks, because the more often I go back, the more money out of pocket I have to pay. The first three months fills are covered but considering that you can't get a fill unitl 6 weeks after surgery (possibly, could be later depending on how you heal and all and if you're hungry or still losing weight) that means only one fill is covered.

I don't want you to think I hate this program or anything, because I don't. The program itself is wonderful. I had to do the six months thing as well. That's where I've lost the weight I've lost. I think I've lost maybe a pound or two after surgery. The support group meetings are great and you should plan on going to those before and after surgery (Every first Tuesday at 6pm). After I went to the initial meeting, I had to wait almost 2 months before I had my first appointment with the doctors office.

Wow, I am sooo glad you told me about this before I got any further. No way am I going to have him. I am so sorry your going through this. It's such a big decision to have surgery and then not to have a supportive doctor sucks. Is the person from your church losing? What kind of diet do they have you on now?

[jbperry21 1]

With my diet, well I'm just supposed to watch what I eat. But, the only thing I'm restricted on right now is soft bread, like sandwich bread or rolls or something. My doctor hasn't given me any help really at all. The lady from my church has lost weight, I think like 60 lbs or so since her pre-op diet. I'm not 100% sure how much though, but she looks really good though!

[SusieC 0]

Do all the doctors in this group require a 6 month diet beore they will see you? Or does it depend on the insurance that you have as to what the doctors do or don't do?:crying:

[jbperry21 1]

Do all the doctors in this group require a 6 month diet beore they will see you? Or does it depend on the insurance that you have as to what the doctors do or don't do?:Banane37:

It does depend on your insurance.

[SusieC 0]

It does depend on your insurance.

Anyone know what Tri Care makes one do?