Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals

Dr. Beckstedt is da bomb. Not only an excellent surgeon, but a friendly guy who looks you in the eye when he talks to you and always has words of encouragement to offer. His wife has had band surgery and he knows what we all go through in real life. There are two other excellent surgeons who do banding in central Wyoming, but I wouldn't take anything for Dr. B's bedside manner.

Dr. Woodman or Dr. Weaver? Would like to hear about your experiences with either dr.

After reviewing my insurance statments, and receiving a call from NYU accounts - it seems that they are refering to Dr. Christine Ren, as Dr. Christine Fielding - Just curious! Makes no difference, but it was something I did not know!

Hi, I am starting my search for my WLS Doctor. I am definetly doing it in Mexico since I am self pay. I live in Tx so I am going to drive to save airfare money. Does anyone have any recommendations or for that matter horror stories for doctors in Monterrey or any other Mexican towns close to the TX border. I am leaning toward Juarez because my mom lives close to there and she is keeping my kids while I am gone but I will go somewhere else for a good Dr.

I located this dr. by doing research. He is from Kings daugthers Hospital and I decided to change my last Dr. for Dr. S and you know what he is very good and very careful. He told me that I had 7 ccs in my band and that my old Dr. said I had 5 ccs in the band, he actually showed me the fill in the syringe while it was still attached to me sort to speak, it blew my mind what I was looking at. In the past my old dr. would put in a 0.25 cc and then I would be over filled and then he would take it out and then re fill me again sounds like a gas can right lol . But there was one time when my old Dr. ordered me a GI for tightness and another Dr. took care of me and he extracted…

Has anyone had their sleeve done with Dr. Nick? Has anyone traveled from another state to do it? How long of a pre op program do you have to go through? Any infor would be appreciated. Thanks, Judy

Hello, Has anyone here had the VSG performed at Kaiser Richmond in California? I went to an orientation last week and they mentioned that they now perform this surgery. Thanks! Lee

IS ANYONE BEING SLEEVED AUGUST 25TH? DR ALMANZA PLEASE LET ME KNOW!:thumbup:

I would not have changed a thing from pre admittion to discharge. Dr Grandia is an excellent surgeon and I think he did a wonderful job.

I had a fill on 8/26. Since then, I've lost about 5-6 lbs. I have an appointment for a fill on 10/1, and I'm trying to decide whether or not I should keep it or cancel it. Up until this week, I would have said my restriction was fine. I was eating noticeably smaller portions. I've upped my exercise adn Protein consumption in the last few weeks, too. However this week, I've noticed there are times when I am freaking starving. Not only that, but I've been able to eat more this week than previously. Not that I'm overeating, but eating more per meal than I did probably a week ago. There are times though when I feel pretty tight, especially in the mornings. Dep…

I am beginning my journey - first seminar tomorrow! - and would like to know if there is anyone here who was banded at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania by Dr. Ali. Any thoughts? Recommendations? Would you refer someone to Dr. Ali and Hamot? Thank you for this site and for all your help!

Ugh .. When I had my 1st surgical consult in Feb. I just made the BMI cut off and it was felt witht he pre-op diet loss I would be fine. Well since then I think I have gained about 10-12 pounds. You would think knowing the consequences I would get it right off but it's just not happening. I almost feel like I am self sabotaging this whole thing. I still have 2 months until band time so it can be done.. just wonder how strict that cut off is.

Has anyone had the procedure performed by Dr Denham? Any feedback is appreciated.

I will be banned on the 17th and am nervous as heck and can't wait.

Im looking for information on Dr. Manuel Joseph Ramírez Kubicek im planning on going to DR. and get the lap band done on August 26 buti cant find any information on the doctor. Can someone please direct me in the right direction. thanks Mell

Anyone get sleeved in Detroit? I'm going to a education class at Henry Ford Hospital.

I am just starting the process with Dr Lutrell. So far, I have been EXTREMELY impressedwith the organization and level of service I have received. However, its early. I still have to do my 3 month nutrition program for insurance approval. I would like to hear abouit some experiences.

Hi everyone, Surprised to see that I'm not finding very many reviews online for Dr. Mccloskey... I was referred to her by my PCP and attended her seminar. I'm only on month 2 of my 6th month diet, and I have the surgeon consult in August, so I haven't formally met her yet. Can anyone provide reviews/experiences? Thanks!

Anyone have Dr. Enochs in Raleigh, NC?

I was banded on May 18th, 2009 by this Dr's partner, Dr Peter Liao. They are The Best! Wonderful practice, friendly, informative & they take care of everything. Plus they have been doing it for a long time.

I would like comments on True Results in Scottsdale Arizona. I am waitting for Aetna Approval and want to know if you were satified with this clinic. I need to lose 70lbs and want to know about after the surgery if they work with you or not.

Hi, I am currently seeing Dr. Bali at Thomas Memorial Hospital in WV for my required 6 months of visits pre LAP-BAND® and only have one left. I work at Charleston Area Medical Center and have BCBS insurance. I am worried about problems with my insurance paying for the surgery since it is not a CAMC doc. Has anyone else had this concern or problem? I absolutely love Dr. Bali and his staff they are wonderful. I hate the thoughts of having to see a different doctor and starting all over. :thumbup:

if u r located in the san fernando valley and are looking for an AWESOME surgeon...dr. paya is it!!!!!!!!!!! him...his staff and his after care have been a 10+....i can't say enough good things about dr. paya....he has offices in glendale...west hills and beverly hills...i am one of his many very sucessful patients...if u have any questions....please feel free to message...he has never under filled or over filled me...i credit his fills to my fast and rapid weight loss...not all the credit....i get some too....lol.....he is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have chosen Dr. Korman and his team to do my lap band surgery. Has anyone had any experiences with him or his team. Good or bad??? Please Share!!

I had to get totally unfilled a few weeks ago because I was having Gerd and stabbing pains in my ribs. It was like a gall bladder attack. Since then I've gained about 7 pounds, and I'm always hungry. That said, I'm still tight in the morning, though I'm supposedly empty. Should I get filled or leave myself alone?

Ok, so in a previous post I asked about Dr. Umbach, here in Las Vegas. I think a better question might be, does anyone have ANY information they would like to share about ANY sleeve surgeon, here in Las Vegas? I'm trying to do independent research to see if I might be able to find someone here in town that could do my sleeve. I have no qualms about going to MX (been there, done that, would go again), but, due to the amount of time required in travel/stay in MX, and other concerns (I'd like to stay closer to home), I'm hoping that I might get lucky and find someone here. Clearly experience and cost are very important factors, when considering staying here in the States.…

I was bannded August 11th, 2009. My surgeon was Dr. Fortier from Long Priarie MN. I am so happy with the results from him and his staff. I have lost 80 lbs since then and I have 30 more to go. I love the fact that he does not use the realize band that only holds 5cc. The band he uses holds 14cc. I know 4 others that went else were and had the realize band and have been having troubles, cant keep food down, gets stuck no matter what they do. Dr. Fortier is the best thing that has happen to my life. I am no longer boarderline diabetic, my bp and cholesterol is back to normal, no more hip and back pain. Thank-you Dr. Fortier for being there for me.

hello all, I am curently in the research/ jumping through hoops for the insurance stage. I have chosed Dr. Teng for the sleeve. All of the apts I have had with him or his staff have been excelent, they answer questions and help in any way that they can. I was just wondering if anyone else has had surgery with him as I can not find any info on him in the internet. But I do know he had good stats never had a leak or a death and a lot of precedures done, and he has been given a center of excelcnce award. Thanks

I really like Dr. Suggs. I had my surgery 6/2/08 and have lost about 85 lbs. He is very personable and doesn't act all high and mighty like a lot of doctors do.

:smile: Dr. Schwartz banded me on May 26,2009 at TMC Hospital in Tucson Arizona, just want to give him a shout out on this website for helping me out and changing my life, Thank you very much Doc.

I see these two huge threads on Dr. Kirchenbaum, so I'm guessing lots of you have been banded in Denver. I live in rural Kansas, three hours away from Denver, so that is where I'll be having my surgery. The surgeon I'm looking into right now is Dr. Dave Meliniczek. I have an initial visit with him this week. He flies out to my rural town every few months, so I could potentially do some follow up here. Not enough reason to choose him for the surgery, but it would be a nice benefit. Dr. Melniczek is fairly young and new to the business, so that is a concern to me. I'm wondering if anyone here has been banded by him and what your experiences have been. If I w…

There are lots of folks who have used Dr K but an alternative is Dr Brown also in Denver. He is great and his nurses are wonderful. He charges $9,900 and free fills for 6 months (I think). He operates at the same place as Dr K. and has done 1000 lap bands. The nurses go to your surgery also so they really know where your port is and how you did in surgery- very helpful. I have had great service from them and they are very aggessive with fills. No .02 cc's here. I have great restriction after 2 fills. I called two weeks after the first fill and asked for more and they booked me right in. My partner also got banded by Dr. Brown and has had the same great experience…

I adore Dr. Thomas R Brown from CBSI in Denver. He's like Mr. Bean in a way. Dry humor, smiling eyes. I really felt at ease. He just sort of casually sauntered in and started explaining things. He answered all of my questions like we had been friends for years. No nonsense, no little rays of sunshine, just honest to goodness truth. But sadly, that is as far as the good times roll. I had some complications after surgery. At only 2 1/2 months out, my port stitches came loose and Dr. Brown refused to fix it for free. This should have been covered!!! It was less than 90 days out from surgery and typically any complications (surgical errors) are remedied by the MD at no cha…

I am working thru my insurance requirements and hope to begin the insurance approval process in a couple of months. I am curious about other Bakersfield patients experiences with the lap band and how happy they were with Dr. Irani. Thanks!

I had my surgery with Dr Contreras in June 08 and everything about it was top notch from start to finish. When I was researching surgeons, which I did extensively, when it was all said and done he was my first choice. He was the only one willing to do a consult on the phone with me before I ever committed to using him. He spent about 45 minutes on the phone with me explaining exactly what he does and why he does it. It was reassuring to me that I could speak with him direcly and not a coordinator. I flew in to San Diego the morning of surgery and was met by the driver who was professional and curteous. He drove me to the hospital which is about 10-15 minutes over the …

Does anyone know how I would go about finding a reputable and experienced VSG surgeon in the Denver, CO area? I currently have a lapband, but am considering revision to a vertical sleeve. My band surgeon is very new at doing VSG I believe, because in the past he has always said he only did Band or RNY (as does his website), but today he told me he does VSG but only recently. I don't know if I should stick with him or if I should look for someone more experienced, and how to even begin looking? Thanks!

Hey guys! Anyone know of a lap band doctor in the Houston area (Willowbrook or Gallaria) that accepts Assurant Health Insurance? Im in need of an unfill and moved from Fort Worth. Thanks so much!!!!! Shaelyn

I am getting banded by Dr. Ku? Anyone else?

Hi just trying to get info on this Doctor. any info would be great... thanks so much:eek:

Hi there Can anyone recommend a LapBand medical practitioner in the Pretoria are in South Africa? I suppose I would be willing to drive through to Johannesburg if needed, but would prefer someone close by. Looking forward to hearing who you recommend! Kind regards L

Has anyone had their surgery done at this hospital. What was your experience like?

I was banded by Dr McBride March 20, 2007. She and her staff are just beyond wonderful. They will do whatever is needed to insure that you have success. And Dr McBride care and concern are not just a show. On April 29, 2009, I was getting ready to go in for surgery to have the upper left lobe of my lung removed. Needless to say, scared to death does not even come close to how I was feeling. Dr McBride came down to pre op to see how I was doing and to offer words of compassion and encouragement. She held my hand and tried to calm me down. She is just such a wonderful person. She really, really does care about her patients.

Share your surgeon with me please :thumbup: I have been reasearching the last week or so emailing and calling. I am looking for a surgeon who has done at least 200 Sleeves. If you love your surgeon please tell me about him or her. How many sleeves/leaks/deaths. Price? What does that price include? How has your aftercare been? And any other info you want to include. :001_cool:

Each person must make their own healthcare decisions. If you do not feel you are being served by a particular doctor or set of healthcare practitioners, it is your right as a medical consumer to change them. If it means changing jobs, then again, it is your decision, it is your health that determines what decision you will make. You can always get another job, can you get another life? For less than the cost of a new car, you can have the surgery that saves your life and/or makes it worth living going forward. It all comes down to what you want to do? Do you want to control your life, your health, your destiny? Research everything, discuss everything, go to surgic…

Has anyone had the sleeve done in FL? I'm trying to find a good surgeon. Its either this or Mexicali. I live in Miami and the one place that does it here isn't the best when it comes to answering phone calls and getting back to me. I don't like that. So if anyone has had a surgeon in FL and it was a good experience please let me know. Thanks!

Hey guys, I am starting to look at booking my flight and I'm having trouble with getting my e-mails answered by them, so I decided to just consult other Aceves sleevers. First off, can someone clarify the day/time I will be arriving and leaving? My surgery's on the 9th of August, so I understand I need to arrive on the 8th to get the labwork done, but how early? The earliest arrival time for San Diego that I can find from my city is 11:10 am. Am I going to have to fly in on the 7th and spend the night at the hotel? Also, along the same lines, what day and what time should I schedule my returning flight, if my surgery's on the 9th? Would that be the 12th? Do they want yo…

I live in the Somerset Ky. area and one day I decided to call a Bariatric Center in Hazard Ky. that I saw advertised on tv. I was informed that there was a Bariatric Center in Somerset with a new doctor, Dr. John Husted and I was told that I should attend a seminar to find out more about bariatric surgery. I called the local Hospital and acquired the information on the seminar and attended. I received a packet with information about the doctor, the Bariatric Center, surgery information, and an application to fill out for Dr. Husted's office. That started me on my journey for Bariatric surgery. I received an appointment with the doctor and I really was very pleased with th…

Hi all, I am new to this forum. I am scheduled with Dr. A on the 14th. I am a little nervous, but more anxious. I'll be going down by myself. Any tips, on anything during my stay in Mexicalli, and then how to deal with the travel home. It's a 7-8 hour trip for me......

I'm starting to consider a band to sleeve revision and have heard only wonderful things about Dr. Aceves. Can anyone else provide me with personal experience regarding other surgeons? I'll be self-pay, and will probably head to Mexico/ San Diego Boarder area due to location and cost but am open to learning about other options. My band surgeon was Dr. Otiz, however I'm not really clear on how many revisions, or sleeves for that matter, that he has done. Has anyone had any experience with him with a sleeve? (All the threads about him seem to go unanswered, but I thought I'd try again). Thanks in advance for all of your input!

I had my initial meeting with the doctor and dietitian in June and went to my my first LapBand support group. Last month I read Weight Loss Surgery for dummies. I'm excited and think that there is light at the end of the tunne.