Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals

Just wondering if anyone had, or knew anyone who had, any experiences with Dr. Peter Crookes. He is at USC University Hospital in Los Angeles. Thanks!

Tomorrow is the information meeting and was wondering if anyone had used the surgeons in Gainesville, GA.

I know he hasn't done many, found one person on here who has used him. I've heard he is a great bypass surgeon, but just wanting any feedback anyone can give me1

Specifically Norwalk or Stamford or Greenwich?

Does anyone know if this surgeon does the sleeve and costs? Thanks!

I have decided to cancel my surgery date in Mexico (Dr. Aceves) and instead stay in the US. While Dr. Aceves has a great reputation and I was comfortable with him as a surgeon I really was never personally comfortable with the idea of going to Mexico. Specifically about the sterilization practices. Since making the decision to not to go Mexico the uneasy feeling in my stomach has gone away and I feel more confident with my decision to have a VSG. After doing some research I've decided to go with Dr. Nicholson in Dallas and was hoping to hear from some of his patents. How are your results? How did you find him as a surgeon? Are you happy with your after c…

I was curious if it is possible to have the procedure done in the USA at a teaching hospital. As a private pay only person (my group insurance does not cover plus I am only BMI 31) I wondered if they offered it here in the USA at a bariatric teaching school. Those doctors are well supervised and you get two doctors for the price of one :eek:

Hi! I'm moving to Germany at the beginning of December and I wanted to get some information on this doctor because I'll be going in to get my referral as soon as we get there. We'll be living in the Wiesbaden/Darmstadt area, so if anyone has info on other doctors in the area that Tricare will cover, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

I had my banding 9 days ago and so far so good. Couple questions I do have are: Do any of you experience that it is hard to lay on your side?? I have been sleeping on my back since the surgery. I am also going back to work tomorrow, how long do they say not to carry anything over 10 pounds and be careful bending down. Thanks Cid

with Dr. Davidson. Would love to connect with some of his other patients.

So I was originally going to Dr. Almanza. I was nervous because of the mixed reviews but had some serious financial issues ot work through. I was finally able to get a loan but the company (surgeryloans) would not pay Almanza. They said they had had problems with him in the past but would not elaborate on that statement. Anyway I was left high and dry with no doctor one week before my scheduled date. I was ready to cry I called BeLiteWeight and they were very bad with calling me back when they said they would. When they did they could not do my surgery until later in the month and it would cost quite a lot more. I called alighterme.com though and Sandy Johnston…

I wanted to know if anyone has been seen by Dr. Robert Richards in Duluth, Ga at Gwinnett Medical Center

Dr. Krahn's office is located in San Bernardino. . .NOT Rancho Cucamonga.

Hi all I havent been on for a while. I am waiting until July to start banding process my Insurance BCBS considers this a pre-existing condition until July. So for now I am just doing my research and hoping to get some good suggestions or warnings about Surgeons in my area, who accept my insurance. Thanks, ChangeInAz

I am making the steps towards having the surgery but my main concern is finding a qualified, and reputable doctor in my area. I live on Long Island (Suffolk county) so if anyone know of any doctors that they have used please let me know. Thanks

Dr. Douglas Krahn did my lap-band surgery in April 2009, and I have enjoyed being his patient.His bedside manner is very comfortable, and he is dedicated to each patient to make the band work to the best of it's ability. I have lost 70 pounds since my surgery, and he has always been so good at guiding me in the right direction diet wise. I HIGHLY recomend him if you are considering having lap-band surgery in the Inland Empire. His staff is incredible, and I get excited when I have an appointment because I love seeing all his staff and meeting new fellow lap-banders.

Hello. I have an appointment with Dr. Joanne Williams at the Emory Bariatric Center in April, at which time I will be starting the 4 month physician/supervised diet. Does anyone have any experience with the center and/or this doctor? How much should I expect to pay for fills? Any information you can share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ok so i have been approved..yay for me lol...and the date is set for March 21, a little nervous, but now i have to give notice to my supervisor, my doctor said i would need a week off for recovery, seeing that i dont do heavy lifting at my job, im an administrative so im at my desk 90% of the time. so my question is how long of a recovery time will i need until i get back to work, assuming no complications arise? All advise welcome.

Does anyone know of any reasonable self pay vsg surgeons in minneapolis, MN?

Has anyone been banded by Dr. St. Laurent or Dr. Speigal in Houston, if do what was your experience and would you recommend them

I found Dr. G after wasting 2 months at Dr. Holsaeter's office. They could not get my insurance approval after 2 months, and it was approved after about 12 days with dr. G's office. Dr. Gornichec is extremely thorough. He makes sure you are completely prepared for this. And he has a great bed side manner. Another thing, that doesn't affect his ability to do lapband surgery, but I thought I would add, is that he is very handsome. I am so glad that I had the surgery and would do it all over again, and have been completely satisfied with every aspect of this journey. Would highly recommend Dr G to anyone considering this surgery. (And Babtist Hospital as well. Eve…

I am getting banded on March 18th by Dr. Hamad. I am nervous/excited. Reading and trying to start to incorporate some of the lifestyle changes. Rachael

I am thinking of going then but am travelling alone. Wondering if anyone else is planning on going at that time? Thanks, Groove

im having sleeve done in 2 weeks was wondering f anyone has used Dr. Kimm

anyone know who is considered to be among "the best" VSG surgeons in the U.S. -- in terms of number of sleeves performed, success with patients, low complications? it's pretty clear from researching who is among the best in Mexico, but was just wondering about anyone who stands out in the U.S. thanks.

looking to see if any one uses DR. Pham?

I went to the required informational class today in Asheville, NC to find out about gastric surgery. There is only 1 main hospital close to me. The people were nice and informed us well. They talked about insurance requiring a 4-6 month wait period. I asked about self pay, they said their is still a 4 month wait with classes and all these extra tests etc. Then I was told the cost JUST FOR THE HOSPITAL it would cost between $25,000-$30,000! This does NOT include the surgeon. ARE YOU SERIOUS! This is a greedy hospital system. They say they want to help with the epidemic, but make it unafforadable to regular people. It is a rich persons surgery. I could buy a new c…

I was cleared for my surgical consult today at Cedars (after my 6-month waiting period, etc.). Yay! I went to an informational seminar last year with Dr. Burch and loved him, but I note that Dr. Cunneen is more experienced. I've read the reviews of Dr. Cunneen and the one of Dr. Burch, but was wondering if anyone can explain why you chose one over the other, or if it was more of a timing issue? I have a consult scheduled with Dr. Cunneen because Dr. Burch is booked for a month! But I'm on the waiting list for a quicker appointment.... Thanks in advance, Angie

I am going Teusday the 15th will have surgerey the 16th will fly home Saturday . Is anyone else going to be at Hospital Angeles ?

just wondering if there is anyone out there that is a patient of DR. Pham?

My husband and I started researching lap band after lifetime(s) of being overweight, losing weight and gaining more, etc. Went for consultation and he qualifies but insurance won't cover me since my BMI is "only" 37 without any comorbidity. I have been considering going to Mexico or Costa Rica - but I am concerned about getting quality follow up care after I return to the US. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced (ie self-pay) surgeon in the US who would accept me as a patient?

I am so excited. My husbands insurance is going to start paying for the sleeve Jan. 1st. Now i am trying to decide on a doctor. I have been to Dr Nick's semiar and support groups for a couple of months now. Now a friend of the family told be about Dr Barker also. How did anyone decided on which doctor to go to? Both seem to be on the our insurance plan(UHC). I have been reading all these forums for weeks now, i really want to do this right away. Any help would be greatly appreciated. :biggrin0:

I was just sleeved on 3/15. My surgeon and his staff have been fantastic. I would highly recommend their team to anyone. He is affiliated with Jupiter Medical Center in Jupiter, Florida. Jupiter is just north of West Palm Beach.

If anybody here has been to Dr. Long or had their surgery performed by him, I would appreciate hearing how your experience was. I am going to a seminar with him on Saturday. Thanks!!

First of all: they were simply great. Dr. Valsamidis is super professional and has got great experience. He studied and worked in Danemark and Scandivia. The nurses speak English and are ready to help you whenever you need them. The clinic is in Glyfada, it's an area in the south of Athens, next to the sea. If you take a taxi it takes you like 20 minutes to the city centre and costs about 11-14 Euros. The hospital is clean, you have a 2-bed room with your own bathroom. The shower has a hairdryer but no shampoo, so take you own with you (I felt so good when I took a shower the day after surgery). There was another (sleeved) girl in the room with me the first day but t…

I'm scheduled for March 8, 2011 now and would love to hear experiences with the Scottsdale Bariatric Hospital and Dr. Blackstone. I read somewhere that Dr. Blackstone offers a massage on the 2nd day post-op. Does she still do this?

Hello, my name is Jennifer and I just got a date for surgery today! I'll be Lapbanding it up on March 23rd! I had a date before, back in 2007, but due to financial issues I canceled. No canceling this time! Unfortunately, I'll be in Vegas the week before and will be on the pre-op diet, so no yummy buffets for me, lol. And, since I'll be in Vegas the week before, my husband won't be able to get more time off of work to help me in Colorado, so I'm trying to think of someone to come with me, or a way I can do this on my own (ha!). Anyhow, I'm super excited.

Hello everyone. Has anyone had any experience with Northeast Bariatric Center in Hazleton, PA? I live very close to Hazleton, and would love to go there for my surgery in case of any problems, etc, I would be so close. Has anyone had any experiences here, with Dr. Bono? Thanks all!

I'm 54, female, 66", bmi 42. I scheduled my surgery for the first week in April with Dr. Mario Almanza for the plication sleeve, Jerusalem hospital in Tijuana. I am waiting on my passport or else I would of made the appointment sooner. My first question is obvious, anyone have this done at this place and with this doctor? Does anyone have any tips, do's and don'ts? I will be bringing my 30 year old daughter with me and I'd like some advice on what she'll be expected to do and where she'll be while I'm at the hospital? She will be going to the recovery house with me, is this a private house or a group place with other patients sharing? Is there food for everyone or just li…

Hi All, I have Kaiser through my employer. I will be a lap-band revision. I am curious if anyone has experience with Kaiser in Southern California - specifically San Diego? I have thought that I would be self pay, but I have an appointment to explore my options with Kaiser. Any Kaiser approvals out there that can give me an idea what I am in for? Thanks! Lara

Has anyone ever heard or know Dr. Bengt Pehrsson? He is in Arcadia and Anaheim both in Southern Cailf. If I do get approved after my 6 month "diet program" My ins will assign this surgeon to me for the lapband. Lets hear some rave reviews on this surgeon!!LOL!! Please??:clap2: Thanks again for all of the wonderful advice and info from the members. You guys are so inspirational and have helped me so much through this learning phase of being a pre-bander:) Hopefilly a full fleged bandee in May or June 2007...What a great year that will be!!:biggrin1: Janie

Lap band surgery date of 2/21/2011 Dr Evanston is my doctor. I am getting excited. Are there any others who have had surgery at the Carmel Hospital?

Hi all, i am looking to get my surgery through 'beliteweight' in detorit, they have a couple of doctors, i believe that their main surgeon is Dr.Webber however. Anyways i was wondering if anyone has gotten their surgery through this group ?? any input on your expierences would be great too!!! ANd i am open for suggestions for doctors in the northeast who are well reputed and inexpensive(i have no insurance!) thanks for all of your help! Lauren

I attended his seminar recently and found him and his staff very friendly and helpful. Their presentation was excellent. I went to another clinic once before and left quite confused and feeling rushed. So I put off the surgery. Now I'm considering Dr. Gorjala. Has anyone else had him?

Reminder:There is a support group this Saturday at 10:00.It will be held at the Bariatric Institute.Let us pack the house and band together for support.Hope to see you there.

Has anyone had this type of surgery with Dr. Malley? Thanks, Tina

I really think Dr. Baker is one of the best out there! His bed side manner and his knowledge of the Lap Band procedure are top knotch!

Is it true that dr Aceves has never had a leak? I find that difficult to believe. What is the cost with him for a sleeve if anyone knows. I was planning on going to Dr Umbach in Vegas but after reading so much positive things on dr Aceves i may reconsider. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I've read alot of your posts where you've had 2, 3 or more night stays in the hospital. My doctor only does a 1 night. Just wanted to see if there were others that only stayed one night at the hospital and did you feel it was too soon to go home. What was your experience? Thanks Michelle

I had my surgery w/Dr Bell yesterday and he was very good to me; everything went well and today I have very little pain and am feeling really good... I would definatley recommend Dr. Bell to anyone thinking of having surgery with him!