Dr. David Thomas

Not sure if Texas is different, but medicare has no requirements for supervised weight loss, 6 months or otherwise. They do cover the sleeve gastrectomy. The approval is fairly straightforward compared to some private insurances. Hope that helps some.

No, sorry. I don't know any surgeons outside of the U.S. If I were you, I would look into www.ifso.com (international federation for the surgery of obesity and metabolic disorders.) They could point you towards a few surgeons that are members.

I think you should consider a different type of weight loss surgery. Having done many bands, and taken many out, I would recommend the band in only limited situations.

Excellent post. Agree with you. Everything in moderation, and coffee isn't harmful. The sugar and cream that everyone adds can be, though.

Yes, I am a bariatric surgeon in San Antonio. Doctors generally don't share statistics on outcomes with their patients, except in a broad sense. We would be able to tell you statistical rates of complications, and if our complication rates are similar to the rates seen in large studies. I would guess that poor surgeons generally don't come out and say that they aren't any good. The best way to get an idea of a surgeon is to talk to hospital staff that have worked with the surgeons before (like nurses, for example.) If that isn't possible, then former patients are the next best thing. Just my opinion, though. Hope that helps.

Aurora Baycare Medical center in Greenbay has several. I personally know Dr. Geocaris and Dr. Mckenna. You might try either of those surgeons.