Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals

Hi, this is the first time I use bariatricpal and my first contribution. My name is Dr Jose A. Castaneda Cruz, a Mexican board certified surgeon with 6 years of experience in bariatric surgery. Please don't hesitate to look at my Mexico team, made of some the best bariatric surgeons in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, Mexico. Specialists in duodenal switch surgery, gastric bypass surgery, gastric banding, and metabolic surgery. We have recently published online a Nutrional Assessment and a Bariatric Surgery Assessment form to help new patients considering bariatric surgery in Mexico. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Dr Castaneda Cruz Bariatric S…

Bagloo, M.D also works out of Valley hospital NJ ( Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery Hello Everyone... I m new here but have enjoyed reading many thread topics today,,.. I have had many questions answered just by clicking away at this forum,.. Question? have any of you had the sleeve done at NY Presbyterian hospital in nyc? and if so who was your doc?,,

Hi there; I have enjoyed reading so much of the info on this site! I am choosing to go the sleeve route, but am having a difficult time finding a clear cut MD for this procedure. I have HealthNet; choices are Higa (fresno) Foster or Wetter (Burlingame) or Upadhyay (Oakland) Does anyone have any feedback or info? Thank you!! Newbie; F4Mom

Anyone local wanting to share expierences? My surgery is Nov 19.

Went to Sunday dinner with the family. All was great! Stuck to small portions and didn't overstuff myself. I did have a small piece of cake though hehe. Then all 10 of us got into a heated discussion about the ACA (I'm an insurance broker). I got so upset about the whole situation, I went "searching". Thank goodness I was full and was totally not able to eat anything. It was kind of bitter sweet though.

Have a really bad neck and lower back. I need to start tightening up. Any suggestions for home workouts?

Hi there, I am looking for a good surgeon at a good price. I want someone who has done lots of sleeves with good results. I am self pay, and am willing to consider anywhere in the US and Mexico. Price matters but anywhere under 15000 is OK. It is especially hard to figure out who has the good self pay prices in the US as the websites are not always easy to navigate and many say "contact us." I don't want to take the time to contact them if the cost is 30 000 dollars like it is here in Indianapolis!!! I am jumping all over the place researching right now and would love some help. Thanks for your time!

It's bitter sweet though. On one hand my band size went down a size but so did my cup size . I guess this is the price to pay. But if I go below a C that's where I draw the line!

Hello, Has anyone ever had a change if heart and decided they were not sure they wanted to have vsg ? I keep going back and forth, should I give it one more try loosing weight on my own ? I started going to see a dietician today and soon to see a physiatrist to talk about my food issues. Any feed back would be appreciated. Thanks Josie

First let me say, I don't know this doctor and never heard of him. On the front page today it says that Dr. Sheldon Randall has had his surgeon's license suspended. I guess a few patients have died in his care. He had performed over 6000 WLS in 30 years. ​According to Dr. George Blackburn (a very famous WL doctor) Dr. Randall's death rates is very low compared to how many surgeries he has done. ​I am not a professional at this, I am just reporting what I read. Maybe if you go to the Boston Globe's web site you can read the whole article. Dr. Blackburn, I had been under his care many many moons ago with a drug trial, which turned out to be Merdia. That drug wor…

I am just finding out that Tricare won't cover the sleeve through a civilian surgeon. Balboa in San Diego is the closest military hospital to me that does the procedure. It is 5 hours away from me but I guess that is doable. Does anyone have any experience with them, I would really love some help with this process. Who I need to talk to, what questions to ask, how much I can get done locally so I don't have to drive that far a bunch of times. Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me out.

Has anyone had surgery with Dr. Sloan or at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, In? Just curious because he will be my surgeon once I am approved for surgery.

Hi Everyone! I'm looking for a great surgeon in the Southern California area. Can you recommend one and perhaps give a little background info? (Or tell me who to avoid.) Were they your doctor? Have you already been banded? What insurance did you have? What was your experience like? Did they have a good bedside manner? Was their office kind and efficient? Any information you could give about your good -- and bad -- experiences would be appreciated. I have TriCare, so if you know of any good surgeons who take this insurance, that would be especially appreciated. Thank you! And best wished to everyone! Kristen

Hey guys I cannot get my insurance to wrok with me It is an exclusion on my policy only way to have the surgery is to pay for it myself was wanting to know if anyone has used Dr. Aceves and how much their total cost was for the surgery total! and if they recommend him or should I stay and have the surgery in Louisiana where the cost are high my life is worth a lot so I want to make the right decision, Would be really nervous to travel to another country to have surgery. I just want to make the right decision, but I have to have this surgery and I am tired of waiting. Thanks

I feel silly but all of the sudden two days before surgery and 10 min after reading some horror stories in here I really need some better info on this guy!

Has anyone used Utmb Bariatric Surgery Clinic? Dr Gomez? If so could I get some feed back?? Please an Thanks.

Hello everyone I am new to the forum I need to loose 60 lbs Does anyone have a recommendation for a Dr. In South Florida

Rocky moumtain assc physicans...i think they do the bait and switch method..private pay quote...only estimate...when I got my insurance bills..surgery cost....32000 plus 5500 surgeon fees plus 1400 anest fee!!!!! 38900..... Gonna cost me 6000 after insurance.. The advertise it is 15900 which includes everything!!!! Not even Rip off big time!! Why would my surgery with insurance cost twice as much as someone with no insurance???? I had 45 minute surgery, no gallbladder removal, 3 hours late...1pm turned out to be 4pm Tossed me out 6 the next night. Could not even get in to see doctor post surgery until Nov.26.. 2 months after surgery... Haven't call since.

What makes one doc in Mx charge 6800 for all inclusive sleeve surgery meanwhile many others do same thing for 4800 and less? All have drivers come get you from airport. You and a guest have accommodations etc, what's the difference? This is the only thing that scares me about Mx.

I just wanted to know has any have their surgery at University of Chicago. It seems its not in the hospital building but in the new building that was built a few years ago. I just want to know what it is like.

I am meeting with him this week. I was wondering if anyone has any info on him. Thanks! Joe

I'm meeting with a post-op bariatric team on April 18th. Have any of you already done that, and, if so, how did it go?

I posted this under "My story" but maybe this will save someone searching for a surgeon some misery if they read this here first. Unfortunately, I have Dr Milton Owens as my Dr at Chapman Medical Center in Orange, CA. He NEVER remembers who I am OR my history, he is rude and downright mean. I also think he is a sadist who wants to make me suffer for asking legitimate questions about my healthcare. He is dismissive, arrogant etc. Some examples of screwed up things he has said/done: ~Once I cheated (post op) and ate doritos and I was very afraid that I would tear something or who knows what. I called to ask for advice (i.e. to throw up, slam Water...whatever) He said "I…

Hi I had a lapband - got to goal and now under goal but I have raging hunger again - I am on diet pills from doc to maintain. He want to do another band but I am wworried I will have same results. A friend told me about sleeve she is in TX I can go there but may want to stay in FL so I am looking for a place near Tampa - anyone know or know how to find out? Paula in FL

Has anyone had their surgery done at Froedtert in Milwaukee? If so, what was your experience like?

What kind of vitamins is everyone taking? I know many surgeons have different suggestions. Is anyone taking celebrate or bariatric advantage? Thoughts? Oops! Just realized I posted in the wrong area. Sorry.

I have my surgery booked with Dr. Kahlil Shillingford for 6/11/2013, but I found a Dr. Thomas Borland who is much closer to me. Dr. Shillingford's office is 12-13 hour drive one way, but Dr. Borland 6 hours one way. Can any of you tell me if you have used either doctor and your experiences?

Has anyone had a VSG with Dr. Roslin in the last few months? Can you tell me what to expect? Pre op exams? How many office visits? Experience at Lenox Hill? Around how much the total cost would be for self pay?

I'm already welling up with tears at the thought of this incredible man. He has completely changed my life. I am so lucky that my mom found him off the internet and that everything has been so amazing. From the first time I met Dr. Lopes in his office I knew that he was the perfect surgeon for me. His knowledge, professionalism, and you can truly feel how much he cares about his patients. This entire process, while there were some hiccups, has really been completely smooth. My mind was completely at ease the morning of surgery and when Dr. Lopes met with my mother and I he turned to my mother and said the absolute sweetest thing "Don't worry I'll take good care of h…

I am 1 month post-op and have only lost 10lbs need some encouraging stories from local vsg bros and sisters. Please share with me your weightloss and surgery date!!!!

Who had surgery with Dr. Trace Curry and what was your experience? Have you had any problems with your lapband? If so, what was it and how quickly was it taken care of?

I'm researching the sleeve and have been to a seminar that Dr. Tanner spoke at and really liked him. Just curious if anyone has been to him? Kim

I'm waiting to see if my insurance will deny my first appeal. If so we'll be changing our provider at the first opportunity we get. We are also looking at a possible move across Florida with my husband's job. So with that being said, who's the Best in Florida? Best Surgeon? Best Aftercare?

I am in the beginning stages of this process and was wondering if anyone has gone to Dr. John Angstad from NY Bariatric Group?

Hello, I'm brand new to all of this and would love to hear from anyone who got sleeved in the Greenville/Spartanburg, SC area, thanks! Jessica

Hello, I am new and wanted to say hi to everyone. I am going through the process of deciding what to do , and with who?? Anyone have any suggestions? I have been looking into local surgeons in the south florida area. Anyone have there surgery done down here? Any surgeons I should avoid or definetly consider? Any help would be great!!!!

It says on the paper we can have sugar free popsicles. ..can we have sugar free fudge popsicles???

Has anyone had gastric done at johns hopkins? My doc is sending me there and I was wondering which doctor is good

Has anyone used Titus Duncan in Atlanta?

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Hey thought I'd start a thread I've noticed a few of you today. I had my surgery last year but I see several people in process right now and one newly sleeved! Tell your stories Perhaps we can follow each others progress in this thread?

My surgeon is not on this site's list. Is there a way to add him? He used to practice in Texas, which is on here, but he is now in New York, which is not. Any one?

Anyone share this great surgeon

Wonderful. Great surgeon. Great hospital. Great nurses. Loved the whole experience. Sleeved 9/26/13

Anyone have any experiences with Dr Keith Kim at Celebration Hospital in the Orlando area? I do not have a date yet but I am close. Pulmonary is the last clearance I am waiting on. So hopefully in Sept. Any info is greatly appreciated!!

Has anyone had surgery with Dr Nick? I am scheduled on May 21st (Tuesday) at Victory Medical in Plano...just wondering if anyone can give me some feedback about their experience. Pain after surgery? Does he require a cath during surgery? Does he come in to see us during our stay in the hospital? What have you experienced with his office (friendliness, how are they about returning calls, etc...) Any information would be helpful! I am getting so nervous, thinking of backing out!!!! Help!!

I need a good doctor in Maryland ,any ideas ?

I have scheduled an appointment for a general informational seminar to meet with a surgical group in 2 weeks - Baptist with Dr. Spaw. As of right now it looks like insurance may not work out for me which stinks Has anyone done a self pay with Dr. Spaw for a VSG? If so, could you share how much it was ( I have left a message wi the medical group and haven't heard back plus I would just like some info from folks who have been there, done that. Also, if not, do you have anyone else that you've done VSG self pay with in this area? Thanks in advance! Melissa

Has anyone dealt with Dr. Peter LaPorte at Fountain Valley Hospital in Fountain Valley, CA

Looking for any other of Dr Fusco's patients who have the pleated band! I had Lap-Band surgery with gastric pleating on 12/12/11. Jacki