Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals

Hi Wanting to get recommendations on good experiences with drs in houston, tx:smile:

My friend had a consult yesterday with his PCP regarding Lapband. He is early 30's with a BMI of 39.5%. Has high blood pressure and long history of heart attacks in his family. Many dieing in their 40's. His PCP told him to walk 1 1/2 hrs a day, keep a food diary and that he would treat his high blood pressure with drugs. Said he was too young for the lap band. And this insurance covers this procedure!! -- Now, how does he proceed from here? Can he find a weight loss surgeon and have them file the paperwork with his insurance? Can he bypass his PCP, or does he have to have that referral?? He is in the Ft Walton Beach, Fla area. He is devestated.

I had my surgery one week ago today in Temple and we are planning on moving to Fort Worth in the next few months. I am looking for a good Dr. there to do my fills. Please let me know if anyone knows of any and what you thought of them. Thanks!!!

Hello all, I am considering using Dr. Merola and his team. Has anyone used him? Can anyone give me some advice?

My father is considering having LAPBAND surgery at King's Daughters hospital in Ashland, Ky. (I had mine in Georgetown, KY) Does anyone have any feedback on King's Daughters, or Dr. Tompkins and Dr. Wheeler????

I'm very new to this process, and am researching doctors in my area. My OBGYN recommended Dr. Mailapur at Huntsville Hospital. She says he's the "cat daddy" of lap band surgery. He has an info session every other Tuesday, and I think I'm going to attend the next one. Has anyone out there had any experience with him? Is there anything I should look out for?

My insurance pays for WLS, but I need to find a PCP in the Ft Walton Beach-Pensacola area who will refer me. Any idea??? I guess I could go further if needed.

I am just getting started. Is anyone going through David Oliak's program? What has been your experience as far as cost & timeframe? Any info/suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Getting Closer! I finally have my consult with Dr. Ren on Wednesday! I joined this board well over a year ago...but now, I think I can see the true beginning of my weight loss journey, so here I am again! Wow, this journey finally feels like it is moving along! 6 months medically supervised weight loss, then collecting all the documentation and finding out I actually need 2 years of dcoumentation of being overweight! The first information session over a year ago, then the psych exam, the nutritional assesment, the physical, and wow, 2 days from meeting with Dr. Ren herself! To me it is ironic that it is the day before Thanksgiving! Also, back in July or so, I calcula…

Hi, I have recently signed up for the lap baning in Brussels with Dr Bruyne and hope to have it done in Jan 2009. I have been told that I can have the surgery on Friday, travel back to the UK on Sunday and go to work on Monday. Does anyone know if this is correct? Also I would like an indication of how much weight people lost in their 1st few months. I have to loose 50% of my bodyweight is this achievable?

I'm getting banded on 12/29 and looking for people that have had their surgery done by a dr on the island.

Hello, I had my surgery in Oct. 07 with Dr. Wilson in Houston. Since then I've moved to Austin. First, I had to find a doctor to take over my treatment. Second, I had to find someone who accepts my insurance, BCBS-NJ. I found Dr. Patel, who takes other patients, but I am very disappointed and a little scared. His Austin office makes me feel like I'm in a back alley clinic. I need desperately to find a doctor who will 1.)take me and 2.) take my insurance. SW Bariatrics will take me if they review my info and accept me. In the meantime I'm an orphan. Any advice? :rolleyes2:

I was just wondering if anyone had the lap band done in Flint Mich? I am considering it and was wondering how the dr's were? I am thinking about either Hurley or McClaren any takers on info? any info will help thanks.:cursing:

I have been researching doctors in Mexico...while cost is the factor in choosing Mexico, I also am researching doctors because I am not going to setlle for the cheapest I find, if he does not meet certain criteria. I have just about decided to go with Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey. I found him at a website called Lap band surgery - Gastric Banding - Grupo Endro-Bariatrico Mexico . I have heard from his patient facilitator, and she gave me a price of $7900. On this forum, I noticed an ad for Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery, Mexico - The Bariatric Group for $6500. I went to their website, and clicked on their doctors tab, but did not find names for their doctors. Wel…

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone used Dr. Marc Neff as their surgeon? What were your experiences with him? Did u have any complications, etc.,? Thanks!

I'm getting banded on the 20th by Dr. Morton. I haven't met him yet, I go on the 11th for my appt with him and I have read a few things about him on other sites, but just wondering if anyone here has any experience with him that they would like to share! Thanks!

Does anyone know of any doctors in the broward county area ? I have been lookng for some time know and havent found anyone.

Who was your surgeon and how did it go?

I was banded on August 8, 2008, weighing 365. I lost more than 40 pounds the first month, with no fills, eating carefully avoiding sugars and high glycemic carbohydrates, which I've always known are my down fall. I'm full of energy and feel wonderful when I've cut out the bad carbs. Always have. Now it's November 8, just three months hense. I've had two fills and spent considerable time upchucking bits of grape skins, or a piece of meat or whatever. After the second fill, I never know exactly when I'm going to get into real pain. I've eaten fast my entire life. If I eat just two grapes fast, or forget for only 30 seconds when eating, the pain will start and last…

:confused:I checked into using a facility close to home only to find that the Dr was in my network. But the facility wasn't. When I called the facility and asked if they took my insurance I was told "sure, we work with them all the time" Then my insurance rep called and said that the facility that I wanted to use charges $68K for an over night stay not counting the Dr fees. I couldn't believe it so I called the facility back. Sure enough, $68K for the facility $22K for the Dr fee, Since I had insurance. But get this, only $17,500 if I paid cash. Let's see my Momma didn't raise me a fool. 25% of $68K would be .,.,. let's see ..... About the cash price .. But th…

This is very disturbing to me. I guess just because a surgeon has a big reputation that doesn't mean they are ethical and take care of their patients or that they are even nice people! This is very sad. I know that complications happen. I believe that it says a lot about a surgeon in how they handle their complications. I think it's terrible that Ortiz ignored this woman. It appears that he could care less and he refuses to own up. Why can't these surgeons be stand up guys and just admit they made a mistake and fix it?! This poor lady doesn't deserve the treatment she received! Or didn't receive! Here is the link. http://www.katu.com/news/medicalalert/34222379.h…

Hi I am desperately trying to find a surgeon who is In-Network for an Anthem Blue Cross Ca PPO. I live in Ventura County but am willing to travel to the San Fernando Valley if necessary. I can not seem to find a contracted doctor. Blue Cross gave me a list of 30 some odd doctors and I have called 19 so far and have had no luck finding a doctor. Can anyone help me? Oh and Dr. Paya is not In-Network. :thumbup: I had to cancel my appointment.

Hello all, I am just curious to know if anyone has had their lapband done by Dr. Bessler in New York. If you had, how long did you have to wait for your surgery? Thanks.

Hey! Im Jewels. How are you all? I live in Philadelphia, and have just swithced insurance's so that I can get the lap band done. Ive been on the forum's for about 2 weeks now. Ive read alot of posts and do everyday. A little about me: Im 5'3 - 205 lbs - I have a lower BMI of 36.3. I have an appointment with Dr.Kowalski on Tuesday of this week. (11/17/08) I think I may have sleep apnea, but the receptionist told me that even if I dont my insurance (Keystone Health Plan East) is very easy to get an approval from and that she has seen people with bmi's of 35 get approved with no co morbid's. :thumbup: Which I do not have - I dont have the traditional co morbid's. The doc I h…

Hi! I am attending the informational seminar on 11/20 at the UTMB Medical Weight Loss Clinic. Has anyone used them? Thanks Devon :thumbup:

Hi, I live in New Haven and I am thinking about lap band surgery. I was wondering if anyone can recommend a local surgeon. I've already attended a seminar where Dr. Nadzam gave the presentation. I've read good things about Dr. Elmer Valin. Please share your experiences. Thanks.:grouphug:

I’m a little obsessive compulsive and usually over research anything I’m doing (as you’ll see by the length of this, sorry). I’ve been toying with the idea of LB for awhile, but didn’t start researching this until Sept. So I signed up for informational seminars at 3 different Pittsburgh Hospitals. They’re all about the same distance from me (Cranberry) 40-50 min. and they all had what I considered to be equally (between the 3) good and a few bad reviews and information about them online. I thought I’d share my (and DH went to the first 2) perspective here in case anyone else starting off in Pittsburgh could benefit…again, this is just what I think. UPMC St. Margaret (Pi…

I WAS BANDED ON 03/03/08. MY SURGEON WAS DR. KURIAN. I INITIALLY WANTED DR. REN BUT SHE DIDN'T ACCEPT MY INSURANCE (HIP-MEDICAID) AND DR. KURIAN DID. BUT AFTER MEETING HER DR. KURAIN, I WAS AND AM GLAD TO HAVE HER. SHE IS SO MUCH MORE THEN A SURGEON... SHE BECOMES UR FRIEND:smile2:. MY PROGRESS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY WELL. I HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 60 LBS. AND I COULDN'T BE ANY HAPPIER. SO IF UR THINKING ABOUT GETTING BANDED AND NOT SURE WAT SURGEON TO HAVE. FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I RECOMMEND DR. KURIAN AS UR SURGOEN.. TRUST ME U WILL NEVER REGRET IT!.:Dancing_sorry: NOTE: THE OTHER SURGEONS THAT WORK IN NYU ARE ALSO GREAT. I HAVE GOTTEN GREAT FEED BACK FROM PATIENT I M…

Has anyone had lap band surgery in Port Charlotte and do you have any advice on doctors in the area? I was set to go to a seminar with Dr. Matthew Bagan on April 10th and was could not find it by the directions I was given. I was so disappointed I wanted to cry. I have BCBS of Alabama but am thinking of going with self pay just to avoid all of the waiting and dead ends I am likely to hit with the insurance company. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hello Everyone, My PCM will give me the referral but I have to find the provider first and then call my PCM who will then put the referral in. I meet the critera for Tricare approval but I admit it's a bit of a stretch of the imagination (my cholesterol is perfect, bp is great, no diabetes...etc). My PCM feels sure I can be approved though because Tricare has been known to be very liberal with covering WLS. I also have a close friend who I NEVER would have thought would qualify and she was banded back in August. Like I said, Tricare is pretty liberal with the coverage of WLS. If anyone out there is military and in the Tampa area, who did you find that Tr…

Email me, we are getting together on the 23rd for dinner with all the girls and families of people having surgery on the 24th.

So, who had thier surgery with Dr Groves and what do you think of the aftercare?

Does anyone know of Dr Dillemans and has anyone had their band fitted at the AZ Sint Jan? Thank You

I live and work in the Middle East and I want to get Lapband surgery somewhere close by. I am looking for a good, reliable, affordable reccomendation on a surgeon somewhere in the Middle East, Asia or Europe. My husband thinks we should go back to the States for the surgery but it will cost several thousand more to do it in the States than somewhere aboard. But this is also my body and I only have one so I want an outstanding surgeon not just a cheap one. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Has anyone used Dr. Marsden in the DFW area of TX? Thanks.

Hello, Has anyone had experience with Dr. Viglianco at Synergy in Buff/Wmsvl? He used to be in Ohio.

Has anyone used him for their banding? Any references?

Hey everyone, new to this site so bear with me! :thumbup: I live in the Cleveland area and I'm looking for a surgeon. I got some paperwork from the bariatrics office at the Cleveland Clinic (main campus). The clinic has been very good to my family for other issues in the past which is why it's my first choice. I don't really know any better though so I'm hoping to get some suggestions from these forums. Anyone have experience with the clinic? Any specific doctor you recommend? Any other doctor or location in the cleveland/akron area you'd recommend over the clinic? thanks!

I am frustrated. i went to a weight loss seminar at the bariatric center at SkyRidge Medical Center in LoneTree (Denver), Colorado on August 20th. They had us leave our contact information and we were told we would be contacted to set up a consultation with Dr. Frank Chae. I wait a month. No call. I write a thread on this forum asking if anyone had waited that long. One person answered saying they thought he was out of town or something. So I call the office and leave a voicemail (my only option of course) asking to be contacted to set up an appointment. i wait another MONTH. NO CALL. I have left another message this morning, practically begging someone to just …

Hi all, I am in the beginning stages of learning about lap-bands. Does anyone know any surgeons here in Bend that you would refer? I'm also wondering about the costs. I think there was a doctor in Klamath Falls that did them for less than $10k? Has anyone used him? Thanks soo much!

Hi, Please help - if you self paid in San Diego can you tell me how much you paid and you doctors name, please. I would love to find a doctor close to my home with a good reputation that I can afford. Thanks, Justine11dod

Hi, Just starting my lapband journey and I am looking for a surgeon in Minneapolis. Any suggestions? Or any I need to stay away from. Thanks

I don't have a regular doctor and am looking for anyone that can help me with an Orlando reference. My biggest fear is going to a doctor that doesnt support the lap band. Anyone know of or have a name of a doctor in the Orlando/Daytona area that I should go to? This is a great forum by the way. Thank you in advance! :cool2:

Has anyone had surgery by Dr Oldham or Dr Weiss in the Kentucky area? How was your experience?

Can anyone give me the name of a low cost , but good surgeon in the eastern part of the US? I dont want to go to Mexico, Thanks

Doctors Haag and Fiallo . They are part of Pioneer Valley Surgical Associates (Pioneer Valley Surgical Associates, P. C.) This group has one of the largest experiences with gastric banding in new england. The entire surgical fee is 12,500 including 1 year of fills. Great availability 24/7 great office staff, you always talk to a real person when you call.

:smile2: Omg I love my doctor so much! I was going to interview at least 2 doctors, but decided that there was no one else to meet after meeting Dr. John Feng of Crystal Springs Surgical Center in San Mateo, CA. My first meeting lasted over 2 hours and he explained soooo much to me in detail. My husband totally got along with him after meeting at the hospital on the day of surgery and get this.......he calls back within a matter of hours. I know he's very busy these days as everyone seems to want to get banded or get other bariatric surgery before the holidays, but he actually calls to check in and see if you just want to chat.....seriously, who does that?! :tt…

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone has any experience with lapband in any of the Worcester area hospitals? I have read a lot about Boston hospitals but I rarely drive into Boston and the traffic makes so nervous. I did a search and found some old threads, any one recent? What hospital, who was your doctor, good experience? I also love the idea of fills and after care being so close to home, I live about 10 min, from UMASS/Memorial. But the best care is my top priority so I will drive to Boston if I have to. Thanks!!

Just wondering if any NYU patients who have Cigna PPO have had this happen - I went to the information session in Feb 08 - began my 6 month med. supervised weight loss program in April 08, had psych exam and nutritional assesment , completed my 6 months med supervised weight loss, submitted dr.'s note. and two years of medical history. I have a 41 bmi and 2 co-morbidities. Now NYU is saying I need letters from the dr.s from 07 and 06 saying that they recommended lapband. I didn't even know about lapband until late 07. Has anyone had this happen? Because I don't have these letters I can't get appt with the surgeon - Dr. Ren. Any thoughts?

Ok well after tons of research I found a few good DOC. Dr. Wizman (954-969-1355) he charges $500 program fee witch includes first fill. He dose offer Floro at added cost. The fee also includes support groups but no Phycologist or Nutritionist. Dr.Larson (561-649-0243) lake worth. He also charges $500 program fee but dosent include any fills and he dosent offer Floro. $135 fill cost plus $150 doc fee. If you see him and don't get filled its $100. The program fee dose include phy and nutri. There are free support groups open to the public every 3rd monday of the month. Next meeting 11/17 6:30pm at JFK. I hope this info truly helps anyone out.oh and check out lapband.com for…