I am in the Chicagoland area and and starting to look for a weight loss practice. There are tons of advertisements for the WISH center. Anyone have any experience with them? I took the online seminar friday and they seem to have a good program going with lots of follow-up group meetings and they want everyone that is operated on to be totally educated about the process and the after surgery routine. They also seem to have good success with insurance companies. But I want to know about bedside manner and the competence of the doctors. They have stat for bariatric surgery but it says stats pending for lapband. Any info, or other surgeon suggestions would be great~Mandy

Mandy~ I just wanted to wish you luck on getting your band and finding a good Dr. Just do lots of research every little bit helps!

Mandy,

I am getting my band done through the Wish Center in Illinois. I have my first consultation on April 12th. I have researched them quite thoroughly, and am pleased with what I've found. I've contacted several people who've had their surgery there, and they love it. They all say how great they are before, during and after. The WC even has their own bariatric wing at the hospital. They really stress education and there's a mandatory 10-15 hours of computer education on the band. That said, they have more experience with RNY than banding. I am still confident in their surgeons (I am using Dr. Salvino, the founder and head surgeon there).

The price is also great, at $10,700, which includes everything except fills. Fills are a modest $105 + $70 if ultrasound is needed. These are self-pay prices.

If you'd like me to let you know how my first consulation went, please feel free to e-mail me after the 12th.

Oh... the first appointment is very long - 6 hrs! They do all the pre-op testing on that day, then you must go on an 8 week diet and exercise program. You must follow the program and log everything, or they will not do surgery on you.

Elizabeth