Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals

Was wondering what your experience was like--any comments about pre & post operativ---Thanks!

I've been researching the lap band for some time now. I'm a lower BMI but with ALL the troubles that a life time of being fat, constant dieting, or trying to keep off weight that was lost - can befall a person! That's a mouthful - but 'nough said - right?! I'm considering Dr. Kuri - Tijuanna, Dr. DelaGarza - Monterrey, Dr. Ariel Ortiz - Tijuanna, or Dr. Roberto Rumbaut (can't think where his facility is - at the moment Any help would be soooooo appreciated! Patti

has anyone heard of Dr. Ponce de leon?? in MX.. is he good, did you have good care befor and after??

I am scheduled for 12/19 and just wondered if anyone had Dr. Kim at celebration. He seems really good.

Banders, This is Francesca's husband. She has asked me to come on the board and give all of you an update. She had her band removed on Monday. There was a bad infection, so it's a damn good thing they caught this problem when they did. She isn't doing so well right now. She's been in a lot of pain since Monday, but they've been giving her heavy doses of morphine. So, she's been in one of three states since the operation: #1: Lucid (but literally moaning from the pain), #2: Completely zoned-out on morphine (but with much less pain), or #3: Asleep (knocked-out, really) on the medication. I just visited her during my lunch hour. She has been gettin…

Hi. Does anyone know Dr. Steeley in Clarksville, TN? If so, what is your opinion and how did things go for you and your surgery? Thanks

Hi all, Dr. Javier de la Garza did my surgery in July and I am totally satisfied. However, due to hurricane Rita I lost all the information regarding my surgery and I would like to get in touch with him. Can anyone give me his current email addy or phone number? If you'd rather not post here it's ok to PM me. Thanks, Holly

Hi ! Has anyone used this Dr. for lap-band surgery? He is in-network for United Health Care and has a nice web site, but I can find no mention of him on this board. Thanks.... Judy

:Bunny I just got off the phone with them. I ordered my info pack, with some papers to fill out, when I get that, I'll schedule my 1 on 1 consultation with the Dr., it costs $175. Seminars are optional. Then after the consultation, you schedule your surgery. The $10,500 is for cash/self pay & includes the surgery, tests, etc. & 1 yr of free fills/adjustments!!!:Bunny Hope this helps other people! Dr. Kenneth Chandler Decatur, AL (256)-301-4583 Huggs! Tracy;-)

I'm still doing my research on the doctors in Mexico, I've norrowed it down to 3 but I'm having problems finding informatin on one Doctor His name is Dr. J Ponce I can't find an office number or website for him ( he's listed at belighter.com) but I think that's a broker not truly his office or his persay site. The other doctors are Dr. Sanchez and dr. Joya does anyone have any info? I just want to finish making a an educated decision so I can Move on to to the next step securing financing. any hints on financing would be helpful too. Hopefully soon to be banded.

Have you heard anything about Dr. Stephen? He does the Lap Band for the total cost of $10,150! If you decide to call them up, would you PLEASE tell them you heard about him from ME? Ginger Westfall. I need all the help I can get!!!:ogre I don't knwo if it'll help me or not, but who knows! I set up a consult with him next Wednesday! I'm GONNA get the money SOME HOW!

Can anyone tell me about the surgical weightloss program at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston? I'm registered in mid-December for one of their information meetings on weight loss surgery, I know my insurance is accepted at this hospital, and should approve my surgery. But I'm wondering about details about this program - how long do things take (initial meeting through surgery), what other appointments or tests do they require, any comments on the psych meeting, which I think is pretty mandatory with all of the surgical programs? Really want to have Dr. Vernon be my doctor - can I choose? Basically, I'm a fairly anal person, and really like to know what to exp…

I am getting banded with Dr. Sanchez on the 17th of November. I am wondering if anyone is going to be there at the same time? I would love to meet some of you. We could be an inspiration to one another. I arrive on the the 16th and leave on the 19th. Thanks!

I am new to your forum and would like to get any refs or experiences of anyone who has had the proceedure in Upstate NY (Albany) or VT or Western Mass. I'm just learning about this technique and I would like to find a good doctor to speak to BUT i would love to find someone who has had a good experience.... Thanks, :Bunny Nic

I have multiple medical problems and my PCP suggested gastric bypass surgery. But with all the research I really want to go with the Lapband. So who do I go to get initial approval my PCP or do I select a doctor out of the yellow pages! In simpler terms "who gets to write the insurance company to plead my case!" Thanks Mel

Need all the info, I can get from all bariatric(lapband) surgeons & facilities in AL. Prices for private/self/pay, etc. Any info will be greatly appreaciated!!! Huggs! Tracy

Hi, I am considering going to Dr. Rumbaut in Mexico for my band. Does anyone know if he is Inamed certified? How do I find out? Also, Thanks for all your awesome posts! The support here is fantastic! Annie

I am monitoring a forum with patients banded by Dr. Acevez in Mexicali, Mexico. I do not see any info about him on this forum. Can Anyone help me with this?

Hi everyone!! While I appreciate everyones comments on competent & not so competent docs in Mexico, I was informed that 'beware' of people on the talk forums who promote certain surgeons for free refills or some type of reward from that particular surgeon or facility. If this is fact, it makes it difficult for some of us searching for a surgeon to weed out this type of information. It presents barriers in making decisions regarding surgeons in Mexico. I understand that complications can occur with anyone and any surgeon as it does in the US. I am hearing controversy regarding Dr. Huacuz. It is my understanding that there are several complaints regarding Dr. Huacuz. …

I live around Mckinney, Tx and looking for a Dr. who has done this surgery and has many successfull surgeries. If you have been to Dr. here and has been successfull no problems please let me in on this Dr. I had one Dr. in mind but he was an out-of-network Dr. for me and I am trying for an in network. If you have BCBS of Texas and had this surgery please referr me please. Cassie

When I lived in Southern California I went to a doctor that I believe is an internist and asthma/allergy specialist. I could barely walk from my bed to the bathroom without resting. I had just lost my job but COBRA'd excellent insurance. My insurance spent about 60K that year and a half. The doctor ordered an enormous amount of labs and test. All the regular blood work, plus a test on my serotonin level, dopamine level, Spect scans of my brain, Brain MRI, Knee MRI, sleep study etc etc. When I later moved to the Seattle area, I had the doctor in Southern California teleconference with my new doctor. In the conversation the doctor in Southern California mentioned he was…

Does anyone have any direct experience with the Barix Clinic in Groveport, Ohio? My insurance doesn't cover WLS and i am self paying for the Band. From what I understand, Barix has only been doing the Band since this summer. So whether you're one of the few who has gotten the Band there or you had gastric bypass I would like to hear about your experience with the clinic. Thanks I hope to be a loser soon!!!

$10,150 IS THE TOTAL PRICE I JUST GOT FROM DR STEPHENS OFFICE IN MESQUITE TEXAS! DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT HIM? IS HE GOOD AND REPETABLE?

I have decided to use Dr Salameh in Jackson. I heard great things about him and the price was reasonable. Any info would be greatly helpful. Jamie.

Just curious if anyone has used him.He was trained by S. Horgan in Chicago and Dr. Horgan has also been to Deer River.Margo is a surgeon out of Grand Rapids,Mn.I feel completely confident with my choice,just curious.By the way,I'm a newbie,so please bear with me.Thanks!

I have had no replies about Dr. Stephan. Is that a sign that I shouldn't use him? I would LOVE to go to Dr. Snow, but he's almost $5,000 more! Is it worth the extra $$$ for his reputation? PLEASE REPLY!!!

The planned (but not confirmed) date for my surgery, is coming fast, and I am still full of questions. :D I reserved my surgery for 11/11/05, in Monterrey, MX, with Dr Javier de la Garza, at the OCA hospital. Please help! I have questions about the surgery, etc., also. Thanks in Advance! Huggs! :banana Tracy:banana

Has anyone used Dr. Kuri in TJ? What was your experience?

Hello! Has anyone had experience with Dr. Robert Hagood? His office is in Dallas and he also does some surgery from the Richardson Surgery Center. Any info would be helpful...Thank YOU!

Any bandsters from France here? Who was your surgeon or fill dr? I'm going in 2 weeks and my dr wants me to have a dr that I can call if I have problems. Thanks for any info. Celeste

Doctors will tell you how many surgeries they’ve done, but don’t/won’t talk about the problematic ones. I’ve met with two doctors. Doc #1 didn’t inspire confidence, Doc #2 made a much better impression. I was planning to work with Doc #2 until I talked with a nutritionist affiliated with a local university hospital that is nationally recognized. Apparently the university has an agreement with Doc #2’s facility where the university handles their problem cases. Whoah, wait a minute… BIG RED FLAG!!! Does anyone know where to find real facts? This website is great but almost everything you hear about is good and there are very few people who work in medicine. I don’t really…

Hi, I live in Mesquite, Texas (a 'burb of Dallas). I'm investigating the entire lapband process. I've been referred to Dr. Richard Anderson at the Surgery Center of Dallas. Has anyone used him? Can anyone tell me anything about him? I admit, I'm not thrilled at the concept of "going under the knife," even if it is a minor procedure. Obviously, I'm morbidly obese or I wouldn't be considering this. I'm also disabled, but it has nothing to do with weight -- I have a number of genetic illnesses that make life difficult in the first place. The extra weight only adds to the problems. I'd love to hear some recommendations for doctors in the Dallas area. I've heard abou…

I talked to a rep from Barix clinic. She stated they have a contract w/my insurance Co Paramount of Toledo. The insurance Co has told me that they do not pay for WLS surgery. Barix just started doing lapband surgery. Dr. Schramm reportedly has done 80 lapbands in 6 mos. I have set up a consultation....no fee. She said they would send a referral to insurance co. Any feedback from members on this clinic and physician (good, bad and indifferent) will be greatly appreciated. Also is ther anyplace on this site or another that I can get info on how patients have rated this facility or physician? Thanks sandy

any suggetions on Doctors in boston metro?

Well I have joing the club of the loosers yeaaaa , I had my band on 9/30/05 by Dr Sanchez and had a wonderful experience anyone wanting to know about a good Md in monterrey email me with any questions I am 19 days post op and lost 10 pounds not sure if this is good or not IO was hoping for a bit more loss but I'll take this Ramona

Hello all, I can tell you now that I had a really hard time locating a Dr. in the Houston and surrounding areas that would accept a Mexico patient. Most of not all of the Dr.'s here either will not accept us or they want you to "join" their organization which is an additional "X" amount of dollars on top of the Dr. visit. I found a lovely doctor. Dr. Farrari. His number is (713) 864-5487. I really don't know how many openings he has but I'm just glad that I was one of them! Thanks and happy losing! Cyndi

I know a lot of people have had the procedure done in Mexico because they were denied by their health insurer here, or because they had to self-pay and it’s significantly less expensive down there. Forgive me if the answer is here and I just haven’t found it, but do you have to go through a process to be eligible for the procedure in Mexico? What is involved? I’ve been skimming some of the information here and it seems like you just tell them you want it, they give you a physical, and then they just schedule the surgery. Is there more to it? I’m researching this as an option as I am a borderline case and may be denied by healthnet. Also, I live in Los Angeles…

Hello! Has anyone used him? Anyone hear of him? I have chosen him as my surgeon and just wanted any addtl info I can get.... thanks

Could someone PM/email me the email address for Dr. Martinez from Obesity Control Center? Greatly appreciated!

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has been to the Bajanor Obesity Center in TJ for the lap band? If so, could you give some info about the facilities and the dr's etc etc etc....I am still in the research stage of my journey, but have got the money saved and am ready to go! Thanks in advance for your input and support! islandmom

If anyone is interested in having a lap band placed in East Texas, I would highly recommend Dr. Querry. She is in Marshall, TX. This is located about 30 minutes from Shreveport, LA and 30 minutes from Longview, TX. About 1hr 25 min from Tyler. Anyway, she placed my band 3/11/05 and I have lost 60 plus pounds and feel wonderful. She will also do fills for patients that were not banded by her. Just wanted to let everyone know about my wonderful experience.

Hi, I live in Mesquite, Texas (a 'burb of Dallas). I'm investigating the entire lapband process. I've been referred to Dr. Richard Anderson at the Surgery Center of Dallas. Has anyone used him? Can anyone tell me anything about him? I admit, I'm not thrilled at the concept of "going under the knife," even if it is a minor procedure. Obviously, I'm morbidly obese or I wouldn't be considering this. I'm also disabled, but it has nothing to do with weight -- I have a number of genetic illnesses that make life difficult in the first place. The extra weight only adds to the problems. I'd love to hear some recommendations for doctors in the Dallas area. I've heard abou…

Does anyone here have any experience with healthnet insurance and/or the lap-band program at UCLA? They have a great website, (http://www.uclabariatrics.mednet.ucla.edu) but when I read their requirements, it looks pretty dim for me. Did anyone get banded there? *bummed*

Okay, I am new here. I was banded in August 2004 in Mexico by Dr. Lopez. I had believed that after a year of research that I had found a great doctor. Now I am not so sure. I have read the thread that so many of you have responded to about the puncture of a patients stomach. I just got back from Dr. Lopez's office last week. I went and received a fill. This time they found that my port has shifted and is not laying flat. Does this happen often? Is this a kinda normal thing? With everything I have read tonight (it is 2 in the morning here in CA) I am very worried. Maybe it is my own imagination, but my port is pertruding a bit more than usual tonight and it fe…

I am researching a local surgeon - Dr. Thomas Eubanks in Portland, Oregon. Has anyone had him do their surgery and if so, do you have any comments?

I would like to take this opportunity to plug my rockin doctor, Dr. Franco Favretti, who is located in Italy. He is fantastic, very accomodating, straight forward, a really lovely person. It doesn't hurt that he was the one (with his partner) who designed the laproscopic proceedure for installing the Band. It seems that most Doctors know him which is helpful in dealing with Doctors for Fills. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and most of the Drs I called to get a fill had someone mention to me on the phone that since they didn't do the surgery they would want to send me in for XRays during the first fill..."but Dr. Favretti did my surgery" I would say...and ....(pause…

Hello, all! I am getting ready to schedule my surgery for sometime in October. I started my "journey" (actually feels a lot like the road to Hell!) in May, 2005. It took a long time for my insurance company to finally deny me for surgery. I will be going to the Mid-West Institute of Bariatric Surgery (Lenexa, Ks.) next week to make my appt. with Dr. Jessie Lopez. Does anyone have any experience with this Doctor or his office? So far, I have had a lot of trouble getting them to return my phone calls when I was trying to make the appt. I will be paying for the surgery on my own---it seems like a LOT of money! BTW-I am 215lbs., 5'4', hoping to get to 130.

Dr. Querry is the best Dr. in the world. (my opinion of course). If you are looking for a compasionate, well trained, surgeon you will not find a better one. Dr. Querry Marshall, TX 903-938-7200 She will assist you with your surgery needs as well as your fills.

Hi everyone! I'm (pending financing) ready to schedule my lap band surgery in Mexico sometime soon. My only issue is finding a close physician for fills and follow up if needed. I've called a few and got discouraged because they all said no to mexican band fills. I need some help! If anyone has any helpful information, I'd greatly appreciate it!

I am new at this site and have been reading alot but have not heard anything about hurley medical hospital. has anyone gone there, any recommendations. HURLEY HOSPITAL IS IN MIICHIGAN.