That they love...OR that I should avoid?

I am going with the group out of Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA. Getting banded 1/9 with Dr Jiser. They seem to have a good pre and post op program.

I went to Dr. Robinson at Brigham and Women's Hospital. I had the option of going to Faulkner, too, as he's part of a larger group. I have Harvard Pilgrim and was able to go from my first info session through to surgery from Oct. 15th to Dec. 12th.

Dr. Robinson is a good dr. and I looked him up before surgery; however, he lacks personality. With that said, I'm not looking for a friend, I'm looking for a competent doctor. I love his secretary, Jennifer, and the Physican's Assistants I've come in contact with. I strongly suggest attending an information session at the hospitals you're considering and going from there. You'll have a chance to meet the doctors that way. Just know that Brigham and Women's is the same group as the Faulkner, so you won't waste time hitting both sessions!

Good luck! :eek:

I am a Physician Assistant x 25 years, and a pretty discerning patient. I "tested" three bariatric programs in the Boston area, before I arrived at the one that felt "great." I spent close to two years in one program being "medically managed (with weight loss medications)," and had that program embraced Lap-Bands and done a sufficient number of them to make me comfortable, I would have probably had surgery there (and I supect been a happy patient of that program).

Luck was on my side when I was accepted to the Tufts-New England Medical Center program. Hands down, my experience at T-NEMC far exceeded that of the others (and I do not work at T-NEMC). Every clinician that I have interacted with at Tufts-NEMC has been fantastic. Dr. Scott Shikora implanted a Lap-Band in me, and I was delighted with my experience as a patient of T-NEMC and Dr. Shikora.

The Obesity Consult Center at T-NEMC has to its credit lots of distinguishing attributes:

1. Twenty+ years in the business;

2. Several psychologists who have dedicated their professional career to weight management for years;

3. The program has its own in-house PhD exercise physiologist;

4. Lots of groups that are covered by your program fee;

5. Three surgeons that are the tops in their discipline; Dr. Shikora is at the top of the pyramid;

6. One of the highest volumes of laprascopic bariatric surgeries (Lap-Ban and gastric bypass) in New England;

7. A "Bariatric Fellowship" program, where surgeons who have completed their residency in surgery, may do a post-residency fellowship in bariatrics;

8. Tufts University has a world-renowned (graduate) School of Nutrition;

9. The hospital is highly committed to weight management.

I can not say enough about the T-NEMC program. I am disappointed that I spent the time that I did at two other programs.

:help:Has anyone used Dr. Donald Hess?????? Im in the researching stage and he was recommended by one of my doctors....

here is a site to check out docs in Massachusetts , keep in mind while they do show malpractice suits, no one knows the whole story other than the people involved, I have many docs in Boston and one of them has had 2 suits against them, however after 5 years I have never had an issue. Not everyone has the same experinces with a doc but its a good start for looking

Profiles of Massachusetts Physicians including Malpractice.

I too can't say enough about Dr. Randall at Lawrence Memorial in Medford, he is very caring and one of the best in the biz. I have been loosing slowly, he takes his time with the fills .. 1 cc at a time, but as my primary care doc said the other day, he has never had any major complications. I know several people myself both gastric and lap band and they are all doing excellent.

Well Im Glad Im Not The Only One Who Likes Him

I Must Say On A Somewhat Related Note I Got A Letter From New England Medical 3 Days Ago Saying " Our Records Indicate You Recently Cancelled Your Appointment For A Consultation .. Please Calk To Rescedule" Honestly I Dont Know If I Would Have Surgery Where They Cant Even Keep Their Records Straight. I Made And Broke That Appointment On June 2006 , And Had My Surgery With Dr Randall In Dec Of 2006, Id Say There A Bit Behind On Things. That And Like They Are Trying To Drum Up Business. I Did Have To Call Though And Advise Them My Appointment Was Over A Year And A Half Ago And I Wont Be Rescheduling.

I am going to Lahey Clinic in Burlington, so far they are terrific, very informative and they have a 0% death rate for bypass and banding so that was helpful. I attended a introduction meeting and there are two doctors who do this, on of them got up and gave a terrific talk then took questions and answers for about a half an hour, he was kind and funny and very very respectful. Then we went over all the other crieria for the surgery with his nurse practitioner. She was great also.

Have my all day consult on March 20th. They then chose to accept you into the program.

I recommend them and the hospital highly.

Hope this helps

Anyone been through the Lowell General Hospital Program?

Hi,

I read your post and couldn't help replying.

I was banded by Dr. Nepamashay at Lahey on 2/4/08. Absolutely no complications and I think that the Lahey program is great!

bonnie

From what I've been told, the Lowell General program operates out of an off-site building in Chelmsford and the same physicians there are the ones at Emerson in Concord. I've heard good things about the program at Emerson and if it's true that the docs also operate out of Lowell General, Chelmsford branch, then you should be in good hands. I was banded at Lahey, in Burlington and had a terrific experience there.

bonnie