- How
long have the doctors been in practice?
Dr. Classen has been
practice since 1985. Dr.
Davidson has been in practice since 1992. Please see their biography
- How
long have the doctors been doing gastric bypass? Village Surgical
Associates' program for Roux –En –Y gastric bypass began March 2002. As
of November 2007, Drs. Davidson and Classen have performed over 1000
procedures,
approximately 95% of these have been done laparoscopically.
At this time, only Drs. Davidson and Classen are performing gastric
bypass surgery.
- Do
I have to attend a seminar when I have been to another seminar for another
doctor? Yes.
We feel that you cannot have enough education and we need to make
sure that you are well versed regarding the risks, benefits and potential
complications for this procedure.
- What
should I do while I am waiting to attend the seminar?
First, make sure that your insurance will pay for this
procedure. Most insurance
companies will pay as long as it is “medically necessary”.
However there are some carriers who specifically EXCLUDE any
benefits for weight loss surgery. If
you are not sure, call you insurance companies customer support service, Second,
we will require that you have been morbidly obese for 5 years.
You will need to obtain a record that has your weight from more
than 5 years ago. This record
can be from your doctor, a weight loss center, your job or the hospital. Third,
you will need to obtain any medical
records such as a thyroid profile, recent blood-work, any cardiology
(heart) records, any pulmonary ( lung ) records and a letter from your
doctor recommending surgery.
- How
long does it take to get an appointment?
That is variable. It
may take from 2-4 weeks.
- Why
is it I can only have an appointment on certain days? Dr. Classen has
appointments on Monday and Wednesday afternoon and Tuesday Morning.
Dr Davidson sees his gastric bypass patients on Wednesday and
Thursday afternoons.
- Once
I am approved by my insurance company, how long does it take to get my
surgery scheduled? 2-4 weeks
- From
my first office visit, how long will it take to have surgery?
Depending on the number of consults and testing it is usually 2-3
months. See # 3 above. Your request will not
proceed until we receive from you those records.
You will need to obtain those records.
We cannot obtain those records for you.
- Is
there anything I can do to speed things up? See # 3.
Attend appointments when scheduled.
- What
questions do I ask when I call my insurance company?
Make sure your insurance company pays for weight reduction surgery.
Ask them to send you a copy of their policies for weight reduction
surgery and what requirements does a patient need to meet in order to be
approved.
- How
soon after surgery can I return to work?
Depending on the occupation, a patient may return to work 2-3 weeks
after laparoscopic surgery, and 3-6 weeks after open surgery.
- How
do I get to Village Surgical Associates?
See our map
- How
do I get to the Cape Fear Valley Education Center? This is the
"old" Village Drive Baptist Church. It is located on
Village Drive, 2 blocks west form the intersection of Owen and Village as
you go towards Ireland drive. If you are coming from the All
American Highway, you will turn right at the new Parking garage and
ER, go 2 blocks
and it will be on your right. The entrance is in the back of the
building.
- Which
hospitals do you use? All
patients are currently having surgery at Cape Fear Valley Hospital.
- If
I have had previous weight reduction surgery and now have regained weight
can I see you? This
will be considered on a case by case basis.
- When
are the education seminars? 3rd Wednesday of each month at Cape Fear
Valley Education Center on Village Drive
- When
are the support group meetings?3rd
Thursday of each month at Village Surgical Associates
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