Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals

Hi! I was banded on 7/7/08 by Dr Fielding at NYU and have found out that he is dropping my insurance! I live in Westchester, NY and wondering if anyone has gone to Westchester Medical Center, or anywhere else in Westchester. I need to find a good Dr closer than the city because I will be starting a new job and will only have time to stay local. I appreciate any responses or suggestions for Dr in Westchester! Thanks! PM me or list it here. I'll look in both places. Barbara :seeya:

Hello everyone. I recently moved to So Cali (Northridge area) from Chicago and I'm looking to get lap band. I have no insurance so I will be paying out of pocket, which sucks, but I'm sick of being fat and dieting constantly with no results, so I'm ready to take the plunge. While price is somewhat a concern I'm more interested in finding a good surgeon and good post-op care. Any recommendations are very welcome. Thank you

Does anyone know any docotrs in Central FL that take Anthem BC/BS PPO?

Hi Everyine, I am looking for a facility in the Pacific Rim area such as Thailand, Plilipeans, Indonesia, ect. I am an American living/working in the Marshall Islands. I am interested around December. I have a price from Bumrungrad Hospital for 13,500.00 USD, but I am looking for something a little cheaper since I am a cash patient. Thanks, Robb

I have a very good friend who wants to start the lapband procedure. I would like to be able to recommend a surgeon in her area. Anyone know or have had the band done in Pasadena MD area? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I am planning on having Dr. K do my surgery. On his website it says he offers both the Lap and the Realize bands. Is there an advantage getting one over the other? Is it easier to find local (I'm in Vancouver, WA, a suburb of Portland) fills? Is one better than the other? Thanks, Michelle

Has anyone from Dallas/plano/richardson used the clinic TrueResults? Or anyone used Dr. Barker in Garland?

How are everyone doing?? Just trying to get the thread started....

Can anyone give me some names on a surgeon or medical center that does WLS in my area?Thank you,Rose:smile:

Hi, I am new here and considering lapband surgery. I love having found this board it has been so informative. I have just begun to research my options. My question is how did you pick your dr? I have signed up for 3 info sessions with different offices here in Denver. I hadn't heard of Dr. Kirschenbaum until reading these boards and that is one I hadn't considered. However, he doesn't do info sessions I take it. Also, he doesn't have the Center of Excellence rating on his website. How important is this? If I have to self pay he seems the cheapest, but then again when it comes to surgery I don't necessarily only want to be ruled by price. I went to Dr. Johnell'…

Hi group...i am newbie here...Just had my first fill in today i had surgery on the 5th of June...i hope this gets posted...If Leslie reads this Thanks girl...you made today easier !!!:biggrin2:

I hope I have posted this request in the right place :thumbup: Hello There Dr De Bruyne does Weight Loss Surgery for people in Europe - I want to ask if people could signMy Dr De Bruyne Guest Book - So that when I go onto my page It will remind me that I am not the only one who had the operation from him.... Some How knowing others have had success makes you feel better :thumbup: Thank you sooooo very much for taking the time. If you do add comments - Please! Please! Leave details of the Forum Name & Your User Name you come from, so others visiting my site who may be inspired by you will know where to go and who to ask for ......... :thumbup:

Hey there, I had my apt with my primary and he is sending me to DR. Marema in st. augustine, i made a post on here about that and someone said that he wants 5000 upfront and pays you back whatever is left over after the insurance has paid them...what doesnt make sense is i have a 20% copay and if his avg surgery price is 17000 that means i should only have to pay 3400 for my co-pay, and i've also read that he wants 995 on another post for office visits, doesnt make sense since my co-pay for specialist is 25 dollars a visit i'm so confused, i dont think its fair that i have to pay this extra when my insurance is specific in what it covers....and what i have to pay.... any …

Hello! I am just starting the process. Rec'd referral from PCM and attended the seminar. Any thoughts or experiences (good/bad)on the program or Dr. Rodriguez over there at S&W in Temple? Just curious while waiting to here from them.:wink2:

The surgeon I'm looking at works out of both Good Samaritan in San Jose and California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. Good Samaritan is *slightly* more convenient for me but not neither are particularly convenient. Both seem to have good credentials. I've been to neither nor do I know anyone in real life who has been to either. So... anyone have experience with one or both, not limited to WLS, and want to comment? If you were me, which would you choose?

Has anyone used Dr. Stephen Wohlgemuth? He is with Norfolk Surgical Group here in Norfolk Virginia. Any feed back would be helpful. Thanks jbsdarlin

I am 23 and weigh over 300lbs, and my parents have recently offered to pay for a lapband procedure(which is wonderful cuz hubby and I are poor college students paying off medical bills from his 2 knee surgeries last year). They want to have it done quickly and I am looking at where to get the best price cuz there is no way my insurance would cover WLS. I am looking to know people's experiences with Dr.K and have read several pages of the posts below mine, and am feeling very encouraged. Please tell me about your experiences with Dr.K. I need all the info I can get!!!:scared2:

I just sent in my paperwork on Tuesday, so I am very new to this whole process. I have chosen Dr. Stanish as my surgeon...anyone else have him? -Sandi

Just wanted to know if anyone has had Dr. LOUIS BALSAMA for their surgery? Does he have his own nutritionist & psychological program like west jersey hospital does? THAT REQUIRES you to GO or you CAN NOT GET THE SURGERY IN THEIR HOPITAL. I just might look into having him as my surgent. I just was just told by another Dr.'s office that I started out with that they wont do my surgery unless I use their "new beginnings Program" and pay 1,700.00 out of pocket. Why would I do that when I don't have to. I am using a my own nutritionist that my INSURANCE PAYS FOR and my own psych. that my INSURANCE PAYS FOR. I just wanted know if anyone has ever been to Dr. LOUIS BALSAM…

Help me understand this.... If a doctor has his/her own practice but performs the actual surgery in a hospital, can he/she be considered a "center of excellence"? Or is it the hospital that would be considered a "center of excellence"?

Hi everyone, I have heard that my surgeon is leaving and where I live in Rural KS I need to have a new one. Dr. Kirshenbaum is probably the closest to me. Is he young old aggressive in his fills, what about follow up care? Does he consult with you on the phone or e-mail? Is he easy to talk to about every aspect of weight loss. TOM to hunger to cravings overfills. If anyone can help, we don't have much for choice out here:thumbdown: Thanks for your help. Kerry from KS

As I continue to do my research it looks like the closest doctor to me is Dr. Krahn. He has a seminar on the 28th of August. I am guessing this in my next best step. If anyone has any pro's or con's on this doctor or WesternBariatric it would be greatly appreciated!

Has anyone had Dr White, Omaha, NE? I have spoke with several of his patients that had by-pass surgery but no one with lap band.

Hi, Does anyone have any experience with Dr. White in Omaha?

I am being banded by Dr. Kirshenbaum in less than 3 weeks, and am just curious how much his previous patients have lost and how long it took them. Any replies would be appreciated. Thanks!!

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations of doctors in Northern California?

Does anyone here know good or bad about this Dr... I know one girl who had the rny and she is fine - he does lapband too - I am thinking lapband due to the non-invaseness issue - dumping etc... but gosh reading on these boards has me nervouse about a band - slippage - stuff going on with your egsophush (sp) etc. 5'3 240 52 and sick of being fat - seems like after about 3 yrs people are having problems w/the band. Help!!

Hi everyone! I am looking for a good lap-band doctor in Northern California. My insurance company recommended Dr. Poselt and UCSF and someone told me that the doctor at Southbay Bariatrics is pretty good. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!:wink_smile:

For anyone that had the Lap band surgery, where did you have it, and what was the self pay cost? I am not really to excited about Mexico but would like other options. The hospital near me is 16,000 and I really can't afford that much. Thanks!

I am self pay and trying to find someone in the kc area that will compete price wise with the dallas and denver docs. Thanks Big B

Hi everybody! I'm new to this site as of today, but for the past few weeks I've been finding out all kinds of valuable info here. Thanks! I haven't been banded yet but have been working w/ my primary since January trying to get things together for the insurance company. I have friends that have had bypass but don't know anyone personally that has been banded. Does anyone know of a good surgeon in East Tennessee? I've found a few that my insurance covers but don't have much info on any of them.

Dr. Balder in conway, sc. Anyone? lol Going to be banded april 10th. Need some buddies..heh

If anyone is looking for a surgeon in southern Wi/northern Illinois I recommend Dr. Blumofe in Beloit, WI. I was just banded by her on June 23. She has a great support team working with her too. Dr. Blumofe has a fantastic bedside manner. When I meet with her it's like she's talking with an old friend. Medically Dr. Blumofe started her own lap band focus in January 2008. She does most of the lap band surgeries on Mondays. That way she has all week to be available if there are any concerns (her partner surgerons know nothing about lap band). Dr. Blumofe works out of the Beloit Medical Clinic and does her surgeries at the Beloit Memorial Hospital. As far as insuran…

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and wondered if anyone has had any information on Lap Band doctors in the Tulsa or Oklahoma City, Ok area. I live in Tulsa but would have the procedure in OKC if need be. Thanks!

Does anyone know of a Lapband Dr in Sterling Heights Michigan. I would like to know because I will be back in MIchigan from July 1, 2008 until August 4, 3008. I would be just in case I needed to see.

I'm new here and would appreciate any feedback at all on this. I'm looking for a fill dr. I live in Southern Illinois. I can't find anyone within 200 miles of me that will fill a band not placed by them. Let me know. Janet

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:rolleyes2:Has anyone in Buffalo NY had the lap band done witrh this doctor? I'm thinking of having him do mine .

I have an appointment with Dr. Geiss on May 2nd. I asked if there is anything i could do to move the process along, they told me i could get my cardio clearence, and make my appointment for my psych and nutrional evaluation. I plan on going on a cruise in October and I am hoping that i will be able to have the procedure done with enough time that I will be feeling better and maybe even have lost a few pounds. Has anyone used him, and how was your experience. I appreciate any input. Sue Cardio apt 4/3/08 Consult 5/2/08

Has anyone used Dr. Cottam? He used to be in Las Vegas and is now in Salt Lake City . . . . he seems very well-qualified, but it would be nice to hear from someone who has had experience with him.

Sorry, but I have to vent a bit...I saw the surgeon on May 15th. Set July 1st as a surgery date. Went from pre-op tests already and have been on the pre-surgical liquid diet for one week now...my insurance company has no record of a request for authorization for surgery. I know that there is only one person doing insurance submissions at NYU, but I am one week away and still have no idea if this going forward. I've read many posts about how people find out the insurance company denied coverage the day before surgery. I am so nervous about getting denied. (More nervous about getting denied than the surgery). This is making me CRAZY.

Does anyone have any doctors in NJ that they would recommend? I have already gone to 2 info seminars by 2 different doctors but I am still looking to talk to a few others. If anyone has any info that would be great. thanks!!!

hey everyone I am new, but wanted to put this out there in hopes that SOMEONE will read this who has, or knows SOMETHING about doctors in Massachusetts. I am looking for a place that I can get this surgary done that is NOTHING like what I have been dealing with. One hospital wants 750 bucks just to fill the paperwork out and the other started making me FAKE appointments because they dont think I need the surgary (I put my full story in the intros if interested in knowing more). I live in Maine as I am a nanny but "live" in Massachusetts, so thats where I want to get it done! If ANYONE knows any good doctors, or places or anything it would be helpful. Im hoping to find…

Has anyone used Dr. Rutledge in Chattanooga? He was recommended by a few people I know who have had bypass surgery, but I don't personally know anyone who has used him for the band. I'm finished w/ my 6 mos of "paperwork" for the insurance company and the next step is for me to make an appointment with the surgeon of my choice and start that process. I am trying to decide between him and Dr. Colquitt who is in Maryville. Any info you guys have would be greatly appreciated! :biggrin2:

i just met with him he really seems great. anyone here ever been through the surgery with him

Has anyone ever used Dr. DiMarco for Lapband?

I submitted my information to this website Weight loss surgery information on lap band gastric bypass morbid obesity minimally invasive surgery for treatment of morbid obesity for those who are 75lbs or more over weight in southern California. It looks legit, has anyone gone here , also I am going to call them in an hour to set up in appt What questions should I ask ? Please help I am lost lost in that department! Thank you Marisol

I finally heard from the hospital and surgeon's office as to what this is going to cost me since I am self pay. $15,000 for the hospital and $13,000 for the surgeon. And I won't even be spending the night in the hospital. That sounds completely outrageous to me since I've heard a lot of you saying it was around $15,000 total. So my question is this...are there any good surgeons in the DFW area that will only cost me around $15.000 total? I really appreciate your help! Kendra in Dallas

I'm considering Dr. Nusbaum in NJ. ANyone familiar with him or have any experience with him?

I'm considering getting banded. A friend used Dr. Nussbaum for gastric bypass and loved him. I went to the information seminar and liked him too. Then my allergist told me not to go to St. B's that she has a great doc in the city with lower complications. Did anyone use Dr. Nussbaum and can someone give me a clue how to research a surgeon? Thanks! Carol Anne