Hey all! I was looking into 2 doctors in MN ( Minnesota) and was wondering if any of you know of these doctors. Dr. Thomas JOnes and Dr. Robert Wetherille, both of Park Nicollet Clinic in St. Louis Park... Did any of you have ur banding done in MN, if so... any referrals?:eek:

Hi ustchica! I haven't seen very many people from MN here.... I'm still in the process, but hope to be banded soon. My insurance co. denied my surgery, so I'm waiting to hear about my appeal. I'm going to Dr. Laguna at Fairview Southdale. I've met with him once and he seems really nice. It's a center of excellence, but I didn't know that when I went there the first time. I mainly picked them because my daughter lives near the hospital, and I knew I'd be going down there pretty often, so I'd have a chance to see her more often. I live an hour from Southdale otherwise, so it's really an effort to get down there more often, not to mention I HATE driving to the cities! Good luck in your journey!

I saw Dr. Laguna's name somewhere. I live near Fairview. Cool. I guess my next question would be, what kind of insurance do you have? What do you mean by center of excellence?

I am looking into banding through the Unity Hospital Bariatric program (Fridley) with either Dr. Jeffrey Baker or Dr. Frederick Johnson. I do think the overall program leans toward RNY more than banding based on the seminar I attended yesterday, but I will still continue pursuing banding as I think it's a better option for me.

At any rate, the nurse running the seminar said they have had no deaths in their lap band patients and they're also a Center of Excellence. I guess that means a high volume and certain other standards. They have pretty good statistics from what I have read, and happy patients, so that is encouraging to me.

I guess I'm not sure what center for excellence really means, but if they're excellent, I think the must be a good thing! The doctor (Dr. Benn) at the seminar I attended at Fairview, also seemed bent toward RNY, but Dr. Laguna seemed unfazed about it when I told him that was the only thing I was willing to consider. My supervisor had RNY done at Unity about 5 years ago - she looks amazing, however, I think she might be TOO skinny - at least in the arms and legs. Also, her hair is really thin. But she did have a good experience overall. Ustchica - is there a reason you're looking at Nicollet when you live by Fairview?

Hi everyone -

I am going with Dr. Weatherille at Park Nicollet - my date is scheduled for 2/14/08. I chose that clinic and him as the surgeon because he is doing all the banding for that group and has had a lot of experience with it. He doesn't push towards RNY the way other groups do, and truely believes in the band (fewer short and long term side effects). I've been very pleased by the whole process and they are very organized.

If you check out the Minnesota section there are several other people who have just gotten banded by Dr. Weatherille or who will be banded in the next couple of weeks.

Good luck with your decisions!

Anna

Oh yes - and as for a center of Excellence. My insurance (BCBS) listed all of the big programs in the twin cities as centers of excellence and would only pay for my surgery if it was done at one of these centers: Park Nicollet, HCMC, The U, Abbott and Unity. My understanding is that you have to show a certain number of procedures and a certain low percentage rate of complications to get the distinction.

Anna

I had bcbs of MN an went to mayo in rochester, it took about 6 months with a few doctor visits, and a 6 week psych thing. BCBS tol me mayo was highly respected and insured me in less than 2 weeks over the holidays. Mayo did all the paperwork, an they in't make me o a million things in rochester, since i was from mankato, they helped me find a psych there, and only made me visit when totally necessary, scheduling oc appointments all on same days, they are very accomidating, but expensive (my surgery was $28,000, but i din't have to pay a cent) well worth it to me.

I am looking into banding through the Unity Hospital Bariatric program (Fridley) with either Dr. Jeffrey Baker or Dr. Frederick Johnson. I do think the overall program leans toward RNY more than banding based on the seminar I attended yesterday, but I will still continue pursuing banding as I think it's a better option for me.

At any rate, the nurse running the seminar said they have had no deaths in their lap band patients and they're also a Center of Excellence. I guess that means a high volume and certain other standards. They have pretty good statistics from what I have read, and happy patients, so that is encouraging to me.

Rainy,

I am also going ot Unity. Everyone there seems nice. I had my first appt. on 1/14 and they told me I need to gain 10 more lbs. to get Medica to pay. So I am doing that now. It's harder than you think!!!

What do you have for insurance?

Christine

Rainy,

I am also going ot Unity. Everyone there seems nice. I had my first appt. on 1/14 and they told me I need to gain 10 more lbs. to get Medica to pay. So I am doing that now. It's harder than you think!!!

What do you have for insurance?

Christine

I have Medica too. I totally qualify as far as BMI is concerned but I have no co-morbidities so I have to do a 3 month supervised diet. It's tons of fun. But worth it!

They seem like a great group and I've heard good stuff about them. Have you decided on a surgeon yet?

ETA: My first impression was that they push RNY but I didn't get that at all from the nurse I met with. She said lap band might be a great option for me and that I don't have to be 100% sure until the actual surgery.