My insurance (Aetna HMO) gave me one option for a surgeon in my area...GBMC Comprehensive Obesity Management Program (Baltimore, MD), David von Rueden, M.D. and Babak Moeinolmolki, MD. Their website isn't great. No patient pictures or testimonials. Just wanted to see if anyone knows anything about their practice? Thanks for the help!

Not sure about Baltimore. You should put your post in the Maryland section. I Know there are quite a few folks from the Baltimore area.

I'm in Frederick, MD, and am going to Dr. Barry Greene, w/Shady Grove Hospital. He came *highly* recommended & is supposed to be one of the best in the area. The Web site is www.advancedwls.com. Best of luck to you!

I am in Frederick (Urbana) also. Aetna does not have Dr. Greene on their list...I check.:-(

I have Aetna PPO and had my band on April 20 with Singh and Averbach at St Agnes. Not sure why they would contract with different hospitals for the PPO and HMO, but perhaps they got a better deal for HMO pts at GBMC. GBMC is a very fine hospital but I dont know those doc.

Hi,

I actually am seeing Dr. von Rueden. I just got my surgery date of July 12. I agree their website leaves a lot for the imagination but I've had several visits to their office. His staff is very friendly and helpful. The first time I met Dr. von Rueden, he came in the room and talked to me. He didn't make me feel less than a person because of my weight and spent a lot of time with me answering the long list of questions I had. The first step before even getting an appointment with them is going to the information session. They do about 30-45 minute presentation about the surgeries they offer and they even have people who have already had the surgery attend.

Most of my doctors are at GBMC and I've had great experiences there. I have had a few billing issues and the parking is challenging but if you don't care about that then you'll be ok.

Please let me know if you have any specific questions. I hope this helped.

Gail