Surgeons in NC?

[tahillia]

Hello, everyone! :hismiley:

I found b2g through lapbandtalk and I have been really encouraged by the number of North Carolinians who have undergone lap band surgery. I have been researching the band for a couple of years now but I have only recently begun actively looking for a surgeon. I am located in Raleigh, NC, but my parents live in Greensboro so I visit them every month or so. I have been looking for a surgeon in those places, but I have decided that location isn't as important as finding a spectacular surgeon with a reputation for great post-surgical care (the success of this surgery depends on that, so I figured that should be my focus). My search for this has led to me Dr. Voellinger who I plan on setting up a consultation with in the next few weeks (interestingly enough, after lurking these forums for a couple days and coming to "know" a few people who post, I went to Dr. Voellinger's website and saw Kim G and got even more excited! haha). I am also going to look into Dr. Maron of Raleigh, NC... has anyone heard anything about him?

Since it seems many of you have been banded by Dr. Voellinger, I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about your experiences with him. I can see that he has a great reputation, but I was hoping for people to elaborate :). Also, if you know any comparable surgeons closer to me would you mind listing them? Like I said, though, location isn't nearly important as the surgeon's competence.

I hope this finds all of you well. Thanks in advance for your help :nod: .

[Neal R.]

Hi and welcome. Not from NC but many are and you will get lots of support here and your questions answered. Great to have you here :)

[godloveshope2]

Hi just wanted to say welcome to B2G!!!! I am a patient of Dr. Voellinger. He and his staff are great!!!!. You can read my profile for some of the particulars of my experience with office.

I will be banded on June 5th. Good luck with your search.

[stac1982]

Hey! Welcome to B2G and the NC forum. This is a great site for support and knowledge. I was banded by Dr. V (Voellinger - it is just easier to say V!) just about 7 weeks ago. I love him and his staff. He seems to be a little stricter than some others surgeons, but I think it is because he truly cares about you and your weight loss. He is not one of those that just does the surgery takes your money and then never talks to you again. He has a pre-op program you must go through so he knows that you are ready from a nutritional, psychological and active stand point. They are all in his office, and always available if you need them. You can email anyone in the staff and almost always they get back to you that day. Everyone is so willing to help, even with the smallest problem. Dr. V is always willing to answer questions and is very honest with you about everything. I don't know about any other Drs in NC. Dr V was the first seminar we went to. We were planing on going to others, but after attending and hearing him talk about everything, I knew I didn't need to see anyone else. That was September, I had my first appointment at the end of October and was banded April 9th. If you have any other questions, feel free to post on PM me! Good luck with your decision!

[Shellster]

Hi and welcome!
:b2gwelcome3:
I too am a Dr. V groupie! I was banded a couple of weeks after Stacey on 4/23. I can only rave about him, the office staff and his overall program. I love the fact that everything is in one place. The "one-stop shop" thing is the best thing they ever thought of. The staff and Dr. V do truly seem to care about you and want to see you succeed. I love the fitness person (Annie) and Kim G is the best ever! I went to a seminar in November and kind of scheduled a lot of my stuff before I even met with him. I had made the decision that hell or high water - I was getting this surgery. I knew my insurance required a 3 month monitored program, so I went ahead. My appointment with him wasn't until February...and surgery was in April. So far so good!

I wish you luck and feel free to pm me if you have questions!

[Lovemylpband]

Hello and welcome to the site.

Dr.V also did my surgery. The staff is great. The support is great. And the one on one with Dr. V after the surgery is great. He is understanding and knows that we are in this together for life.

I go to the centers monthly support group and I encourage you to come check it out. It is open to everyone.

I have heard from many people that they wish they had used Dr.V.

It is a long distance for you, however you have to decide for yourself who the best Dr is and where you will get the best support.

Being so far away I would check out a few Dr.s and then decide for yourself. But be sure to look at the whole picture, which it looks like your doing...

Please feel free to PM me.

Keep us posted and good luck.

The band is the best thing I ever did for myself. If I had to do it again I would do it in a heart beat.

[cathy]

Hello and welcome. I'm in Cary and was banded by Dr Moran back in Feb. of this year. He just set up his own practice in Sept I believe.

I like him ok and think he is a competent surgeon. There have been some minor "annoyances", mostly with the office staff -some I think due to the newness of the office.

So far as after surgery support -- I'm not sure there really is much! I have been into the office 4 times since my surgery, 3 of which I got fills. Currently, I don't have an appointment. It is up to me if/when I feel I may need to come in. I don't know if this is the normal level of support or not - but it would seem like a monthly appointment for 6 months, or a followup appointment after x number of months, or something would be in order.

There are "support group" meetings that are getting started once a month - at the same time as the weekly seminars. I get the feeling that it is more for the purpose of having those that have been banded there for people interested in the surgery to question - but can't say for sure as I have never been. I may be completely wrong.

Anyway - - if you want more detailed information on my experience, just ask! I'm an open book!

[ginabobina]

I too was planning to go to multiple seminars but after attending Dr. V's, knew he was the one. I attended a seminar a couple years ago with a friend and did NOT like that doctor at all. He just did not seem to understand or empathize with what it is like to LIVE as a large person. He was very clinical but in a condescending way and was using scare tactics - like basically if you all don't get some surgery you're going to die, period.
Alrighty then! I didn't even think about the surgery for a long time after that. When I felt ready and felt like I had really come to the end of my own resources, I started researching more thoroughly and came to find Dr. V and the b2G boards around the same time. I have been very pleased with him and the staff thus far - you need patience with the process, regardless of your surgeon of course! But they are really great at SEB - so helpful and encouraging with real information and suggestions that are doable for where YOU are, not generalized mandates that are impossible to live up to. I don't have my exact date but it is looking like it will be mid-June and I can't wait!! Best of luck to you - I know a lot of people come to Dr. V from out of town and they are very accomodating - you can get all your evals on the same day as your consult with Dr. V to minimize your trips. Just keep doing your research and asking questions -this board is an awesome resource - use the search function to find threads about all sorts of things. Welcome to the crew!

[ladytonya]

I didn't end up being banded because my BMI was too high and BCBS wouldn't pay for it, but I have had WLS. I went to an information session where I live, in Asheville, and they wouldn't do it unless I lost a whole lost of weight. I was 457 and they required that you be under 400. I started looking around at the BCBS Bariatric Centers of Excellence and found Carolina Weight Loss Surgery in Concord, Dr. Roc Bauman. I drove from Asheville to Concord, 3 hours, and really liked him on the initial consultation. He sat and talked with my husband and I for 45 minutes and answered all of our questions. He was great so I went with him. I had my initial consult with him on September 14, 2006, and had my RNY on December 11. His aftercare for RNY is a one month, three month, six month, and one year followup and then yearly after that. He also requires monthly visits with his nutritionist for a year. They are very accommodating with the fact that I am coming from such a distance. My appointments with the Dr. and with the nutritionist are always approximately 45 minutes apart. They share a reception area so it makes scheduling very easy. Every time I have called either the doctor's office or the nutritionist, I have gotten a return phone call the same day. I had some recent problems with elevated liver enzymes and was having trouble getting my doctor here to do an ultrasound. Dr. B called me personally and told me to insist on an ultrasound because even if I was having no pain, that just meant there were no stones in my bile ducts. It didn't mean there were no stones. He said that if they wouldn't do one at my insistence then he would call up here himself, but he wanted me to fight for my care. I liked that. He does take your success very personal. When I mess up, I feel like he takes it as a personal insult that I am not respecting the surgery he did on me and I like that. Makes me feel like I matter where with a lot of doctor's offices you're just another patient, just another source of income. Most of the time I feel like Dr. B could care less about that part. Anyway, I love Dr. B and his staff! There are others on here that can answer more questions about the aftercare for being banded, I have no idea what that is since I didn't end up with the lapband. Good luck to you! Hope you find a doctor that is right for you and get the best possible result!

[jttaurus]

Tahilla - Welcome to the board. You will find almost all of the ladies here are for dr V. I had dr bauman and I don't like him. I love his partner dr pirrello, but wouldn't recommend dr b. (this is my opinion).

I was originally lap band, dr bauman was the only on my insurance at the time, I did check into dr v but he was in the process of changing his affliations or something and the only band dr option was dr b. I opted for RNY because the band research stressed me out, the mere fact of the maintence and the 'liquid' diet periods were too much for me. So I opted for RNY but stuck with these ladies, they wouldn't let me leave when I was ready to do RNY and they won't let you down either.

Only you know what's best for you and which dr best fits your need. Having had SERIOUS complications from RNY i wouldn't repick dr bauman, never, again. I do love dr pirrello and his care. Concord is a major hike too. I've heard nothing bad at about dr b during the time of my surgery. All the people I know who had them didn't have the complications I had. I really was home free 10 months before the complications hit. Ofocurse, all the references I had didn't have any complications. So, to set the record straight I didn't like my after complication care I got, but you get the hint here. I refuse to post anything to scare you, so I won't go into details of my complications.

Anyways, I don't think dr v's would be a mistake, especially since the ladies here seem partial to dr v. Including Mrs Sabre. She makes me envious because she's been so happy with her care. She made her liquid diet look like a cake walk as did Staci.

Good Luck and you know in your heart who the best person/surgery will be.

[tahillia]

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome and for thoroughly answering all of my questions. You all are great :).

It's good to hear people's personal experiences. I can only go on surgical statistics for so long before I have to wonder what it's really like to have someone as a surgeon. I will give SEB a call and register for the June seminar. I will continue to look at surgeons, but I have a feeling I'll end up using him. I may even go to Dr. Moran's seminar that's coming up to get a feel for him, too.

For those of you who were banded by Dr. V- What was the pre-op diet like? Two weeks of liquids? Two weeks of liquids only is so daunting, but I'll do whatever it takes!

Thank you again for all of your help!

[godloveshope2]

I am currently on a 2 week preop full liquid diet. I am on day 4. YUM! YUM! It was required by Dr. Voellinger.

[Kim G]

Hello - finally getting my nightly update here on b2g and wanted to just let you know. That yes I do work for Dr V. When I researched the band I went to 2 different seminars, the first one here in Concord Dr Bauman. I took my sister (who is an RN) and my husband. Now mind you my sister works at Northeast where Dr B does his surgery. We walked out of the seminar and I told her that if I had to have him do my surgery I wouldn't be having it. Him and I are just too different. I am not saying that you wouldn't be in great hands from a surgical standpoint...personally him and I just didn't see the same thing for my future. So it was off to seminar #2 - Presbyterian that is where I met 4 surgeons. When Dr V started talking my hubby leaned over and said that is the one you are going w/ isn't. That was that....the packet was mailed, the test were done and June 05 I was banded. Never looked backed and 100 pounds later I am very happy. I started working for him when he opened his own private practice which I was completely honored that he called me. So now I don't only work for a GREAT man, surgeon but I have job that I love (Yes it drives me crazy sometimes but I just remind myself I was in all the patients shoes once, that is why I work so much from go in an hour early everyday and so on). Just go w/ your gut feelings you will know who is right for you.

Now who is right for you...well that is truly up to you. The most important thing is to make sure you feel good w/ your surgeon. Whoever it is. Something a lot of offices lack is after care, so ask. That is somehting I didn't think about pre-op. What do they do after a fill? Have you call the office to ask to come in for another one? Should you really make that choice? Do they have staff on site to support you when you need it or can they send you someplace for support? Do they have a good support group? These are all things I didn't personally think about but thanks goodness I had at the time lapband talk and I had a great support system at home. So I owe my WL to not only Dr V for doing my surgery but to my family here and home family.

Pre-op diet - each doc is different...I can only speak of Dr V's....it's 2 weeks of liquids. Protein drinks/shakes, cream soups, sf jello, sf popcicles...horrible? Not really well worth it...does it get old yes. :) But again it's so worth it.

Good Luck and can't wait to get know you better. Also try to join us June 23rd for our B2G NC Family get together.

[wavydaby]

Hey there and welcome.
Im a Dr Bauman pt, but I have heard wonderful things about Dr V.
Congrats on taking the first step in a very rewarding journey!

[Angela C]

Hi there and welcome! I am a patient of Dr. Moran, banded on 5-17. I call Dr. Moran the "Tony Soprano" of surgeons--all business and good at what he does, but there's not really any nurturing or lightheartedness involved. He'll spend as much time with you as you need and is very encouraging when you ask questions, but YOU have to ask. I have had the feeling more than once that I'm just part of a machine there. My decision was based most on convenience of location, so I'm fine with him. However, if you're seeking a more thorough support system, you might want to choose someone else.

I agree with Cathy that a lot of this may be due to the relative newness of his practice. His primary nurse though, is lovely and helpful--responds to emails within the day and always has a hug. Good luck with your choice!

[JudyBellyBand]

:yo: HI and I want to add a note to your thread even if it's a little late. It is my exsperance that lapband WLS sucess happens not becase of the surgery but souly on the follow-up and timely care you are provided. When you talk to your potenial Doctor what you want to be SURE OF is timly appoinments and effective fill managment program. That means you need the ability to get a fill apointment within a week but not more than 10 days after you know you are eating differently. You also need to see up-front what your doctor's exspected time after surgery for geting you to a substainable level of restriction so you are losing 2 lb a week. For the VG or AP bands, this should be after second fill somewhere at 10 weeks after surgery. But the bottom line is support. Therefore, I would highly recomend that you don't consider having it at Duke WLS.

I wish you well. It is a wonderful technology and you should keep asking questions.

[cathy]

Tahillia - - did you get my message?

[Halo]

I just received approval from insurance today for my surgery. Dr. V. will be doing it some time in July. I am so confident and excited! Dr. V. and his office staff work very hard to make this a good experience. I have had no problems. I have researched bariatric surgery for 5 years and this is where I finally decided to put my life in anothers hands.

[Neal R.]

Great news Halo!!! Let us know when you have a date :)

[stac1982]

Congrats Halo!!!

[ginabobina]

About the pre op liquid diet - it is 2 weeks, all liquids and try to keep it around 1000 calories per day. I am on day 3 today and it hasn't been nearly as bad as i thought it would be. I am keeping my eyes on the prize - surgery is 6/18! By the time you go through everything to get to this point, you're so excited - the liquids are just the last step nearing the finish line. When I first heard about the liquids 6 months ago I was totally stressed out about it - now I'm just so excited to be this close to surgery I will do whatever it takes! Best of luck!

[ladytonya]

My last two weeks before surgery were a food fest! I am SO glad Dr. Bauman doesn't require pre-op liquid diet! His only requirement was to not gain any weight and that I somehow managed to do. Of course, my surgery was in December so I had Thanksgiving and several Christmas parties in that few weeks before surgery. I totally pigged out at Thanksgiving! It was great! Of course, I wouldn't recommend it and I am very lucky that I didn't gain weight. I know why some surgeons require the pre-op liquid diet but I was so glad mine did not! It made me enjoy my pre-surgery weeks so much more. Sorry if I'm gloating, but I'm just in that kind of mood today. 6 more lbs. and I will have lost 150 in 6 months! Yeah, me!

[ladytonya]

Oops! The original reason I posted, congrats on the surgery dates and insurance approvals for all that have them!