Anyone from the Akron OH area & have their surgery done by Dr. Zofrakis (Dr.Z)?

I am from the Akron Area. Actually Ravenna 20 minutes from akron. Have you already had your surgery? I'm getting mine done in Columbus. Good Luck!

I am near Ravenna. No I haven't done anything yet. I called my family doc, she has another patient that had the surgery & is trying to get me in touch w/her.

Why are you going to Columbus & not Akron or Cleveland?

I had researched different places. When I came across the Barix Treatment Centers, I really looked into it. Of the 50,000 of the surgerys that have been done, they have done 30,000 of them. 5000 just last year. I am paying all out of pocket and just felt comfortable with them. At my consultation they answered all my questions with ease. The surgeon actually worked with the lapband company prior to him working for the Barix Clinics.

Just yesterday,after I read your thread,I was looking up what they have to offer at the Cleveland Clinic.That is only 45-60 minutes from home.But, I want to find out more.

By the way, how close are you to Ravenna? I am about 10 minutes from there ,in Edinburg Twp.I am aslo about your age. I am 38.Keep in touch .Maybe I might just find a different to place to go. I haven't had anything scheduled yet.

I live in Windham, so I'm only about 40 minutes from you. I was checking into Dr Chylsta at Akron General...know anything about him?

Hi Onmywaytofit,

I went to the Cleveland Clinic and had nothing but positive experiences. I know that there are other hospitals in Cleveland that do the band and I thought I saw a commerical for Summa hospitals recently on TV.

Just adding some other options so you don't have to travel so far.

Today I scheduled my initial eval with Dr. Z for the end of January. I have met him before. He did my partner's gastric bypass 15 months ago. He seems very knowledgeable and skilled. My parter only has good things to says about him.

How did your surgery go? Any details to share? I am from Brimfield, pretty close to you. Hope your are in good health and things went as expected.

Well , I am officially a bandster. I am one of the many lucky people who are going to enjoy waking up every morning. I went through surgery on Wednesday with no complications. I was up and walking around within 1 hour after surgery. I have very little bruising. I have four very little holes in my belly and one slightly bigger one. Everything seems to be going fine. I have already lost the water weight that was added on during my stay at the clinic.

All in all , I think I'm doing great. I am on full liquids at this point and will move on to pureed foods in about 2 weeks.

I am looking forward to the future with my new band. Thanks to all who were rooting for me.:whoo:

Dr Z did my original band in 2009. I would have preferred Akron General Hospital, but at that time they had not done enough to qualify for , Medicare, so... Dr Z seems to have a lot of surgical skill, and he is pleasant, but I am not impressed with the overall support I got there. I've gone to the support meetings at General, liked them. Anyway, began having problems this spring and my GE guy said my band had slipped. Called Dr Z, of course, and was assured his bands do not slip; however, after a second upper GI series he admitted that it had "repositioned" itself. He gave me several options, and we agreed that he would remove the band and replace it. It turned out I also had a hiatal hernia. I am back on solid food now, and not barfing several times daily! YIPPEE! Also, the support seems to have improved. It was funny. I got home from the hospital after the reband and weighed myself. During the 3 days (he kept me in an extra day because I am elderly, a fall risk, and live alone) I had gained 10 pounds! They are gone now, along with a few others.

This is an update on my recent comments on Dr John Zografakis. The person in whom I had so liitle confidene doesn't seem to be there any more. YIPPEE! The other members of his staff seem competent and pleasant, and Dr Z himself sees more outgoing than he did previously. As I said before, he seems to be an excellent surgeon. AND I do not know why this is underlined. When I click on the underline symbol it doesn't turn it off, but I don't know why it decided to underline in the first place.