Could you please tell me if you have had your procedure or checked into the Weight Loss Institute of Arizona? I am looking into them but would love to hear your experience with them if you have used them. Is there after surgery program good, did you receive good care, that kind of stuff. Thanks!

I am in Arizona too. I did research online mainly and decided to go w/Scottsdale Bariatric Center. Dr. Robin Blackstone was my surgeon and she is one of the top bariatric surgeons in the country. SBC is a Center of Excellence and has a great reputation. All of their surgeries are done at the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Hospital (which has a separate bariatric wing) or Piper Outpatient Center which is connected to the Hospital. I have been very happy w/their entire program and everyone I had appointments with there from Dr. Blackstone to the psychologists to the dieticians, to the insurance coordinators. If I had one gripe it is just that they are a very busy practice so many times appointments run late. But, everything else and awesome support groups really make up for it. They have support groups twice a month run by a psychologist.

OK, I'm starting to sound like an infomericial. I would just recommend you at least attend their seminar because it is a great education in all of the available weightloss surgeries (they do lapband/realize, RNY, and the sleeve) and what you can expect from each one. Even if you don't decide to go w/them, the seminar is well worth the time. Here is their website: www.scottsdalebariatric.com

The reason they are so busy is because they do not have a full time office staff. At the time I was looking at them Melissa was the only one that did the fills and she was training two 'people' in the office to do fills. I went somewhere where I got personal care from the doctor and he and only he does the fills and the follow up.

Thank you both for your response. I had looked into Scottsdale but I have TriCare and heard that they do not accept it. I have a friend whose mom had her surgery there. I will need to check into again and see if they do take TriCare.

I have attended WLIA's seminar and I was very impressed with what I heard. My only concern was that they were only located on the east side of the valley and I am on the west side. But.... they have just opened a clinic at Banner Estrella Hospital which is very close. Another good thing is that my insurance is with Banner, and they only approve WLS at Banner facilites!

I was looking into that one too, but also looking into Dr. Terry Simpson...anyone have info on him?