I actually posted the below in the hospitals area as well but thought I'd see if anyone here had any thoughts one way or the other as far as where I should go. I'd be seeing Dr. Shayani at Day One or Dr. Prachand at U of C. Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Spice

Just thought I'd toss this out because I really need to make a decision. I've been approved for lap band surgery at both the University of Chicago Hospital and Day One Health (an outpatient facility).

UC pros: in a world class hospital; program is a 'center of excellence'; really liked the surgeon (who performs all 3 bariatric procedures laparoscopically);

UC cons: co$$$$t (about double that of Day One); will have residents assisting/working on me as it's a teaching hospital; only 3 months of "free" fills; doc has only done around 50-70 lap bands

Day One pros: significantly lower cost; surgeon has performed over 700 surgeries and I liked him okay; "free" fills for a year; surgeon and FT anesthesiologist will be working on me

Day One cons: Facility not equipped like a full hospital should anything go wrong; doc only specializes in lap band and is associated with Inamed so obviously has a bias towards pushing lap band; no overnight stay (and monitoring) - just sorta in and out.

Anyone out there have any advice? I've gotta decide pretty quick.

Thanks,

Spice

I would say experience trumps U of C center of excellance and a yr of free fills I have never heard anyone offering that.Most only 90 days of free fills.Only one person has stayed the night in my support group(we had the option where I was banded) everyone else felt well enough to go home. Like my Hubby said you always sleep and feel better when you are at home. I would also advise like Jack said ask questions on back up plans and then make your disicion.Let us know what you do. Good Luck

Thanks Jack and Karri. Some good thoughts. I will be paying out of pocket so there's not particularly pressure to go to one place over another. I suppose I am leaning more towards Day One...I'll update with my decision. I appreciate your input. Spice

I actually went to the day one seminar w/ Dr Galvani, and wasn't impressed. All the things you said in your post are true, and I really didn't get that warm and fuzzy feeling. I felt like it was a assembly line of lap bands, in and out, bye bye. The after care sounds like the most important to me, and I don't feel that from them, this is all IMO, and I know you said the cost is cheaper, but it's your life and well being, can't put a price tag on that can you? I have an appt. to see a Dr. Woody Denham he's out of Evanston and Highland Park. He comes highly recommended. I wish you luck, I know it's been hard for me too.

yeah. it's funny - i've read some not so great things about dr. galvani at day one but i've also read some excellent things about dr. shayani and he's who i'd be going to see.

when i scheduled my appointment with dr. shayani, i had already been to northwestern's seminar and u of c's seminar and i explained this to them. i didn't particularly want to sit through another seminar and they didn't seem to think i had to so i avoided the seemingly not-so-great day one seminar.

my meeting with dr. shayani was pretty good but so was my meeting with u of c.

thanks for your thoughts.

My initial thought is U of C. I think that overnight stay is important. That is just my 2 cents though.

Joe

My initial thought is to use U of C, as I think that the overnight stay is important. Just my two cents, though!

Joe

My initial thought is to use U of C, as the overnight stay is important. That is my two cents, though.

Joe

My initial thought is to use U of C, as the overnight stay is important. That is my two cents, though.

I dont know Im too late to give my opinion, but Dr Shayani did my surgery at Day One. I would have like to stayed overnight "just in case" but I was a self pay, and Day One was my best option. I did my research on Dr Shayani before I had the surgery and he is one of the most experienced Lapband Dr's out there. And the one year of free fills? I got banded 6 months ago and have had 4 fills, that is a major plus. My follow up with Dr Shayani is more than I could have asked for. I have his personal email, anytime I have quesions or think there is a problem, I email him. He returns the emails personally and in a timely manner. Good luck!

Well - I've ultimately decided to go with Dr. Shayani at Day One. I feel comfortable with him and I really like how experienced he is with the Lap Band System. Plus, paying out of pocket - U of C was just too, too much. I feel pretty good about my decision and will be banded in less than a week! Kinda crazy...

I Dont Think You Will Be Sorry About Your Decision To Go With Dr Shayani. Good Luck On Your Surgery.

:wink2: Can anyone help me find Dr. Shayani???? He's no longer with Day One Health or Loyola Hospital. He's one of the approved in network surgeons with my insurance (BCBS-PPO) and I need to start the process to get the lap band. I've heard some really good things in this thread about Dr. Shayani and I want the most experienced lap band surgeon I can find (that's also covered by my insurance) because I cannot afford to do this without my insurance. I desparately need this surgery for my health and to reverse my type 2 diabetes.

Can anyone out there help me find him please? If you have a contact number or know where his office is located or the hospital he is currently affiliated with please let me know ASAP. You can send me a private message if you'd like but please help me.

Thanks,

Lynn:confused2:

I don't know where he is but my insurance approval letter also said I was approved for Dr Shayami at Day One Health. I used Dr Meyer for my surgery there and everything has been covered. He is great, very nice and very accommodating. I have the same BCBSIL-PPO. The staff at Day One has been great and I would highly recommend them. I couldn't afford to be self pay and I had to use insurance. Day One helped me get covered. Good luck.

Thanks Lori, I have Empire BCBS PPO and DayOne Health is not on their in network facilities.

I'm having no luck at all finding Dr. Shayani, it's like he has completely vanished! One of his patients from another thread sent me an email address for him but it is a closed account so my email bounced back.

I really need to start the process right away and finding a good surgeon as well as a facility that is covered by my insurance are the first steps.

Lori did you get the 1 yr of free fills offer that is given to self-pay patients by Day One Health even though you went through your insurance?

I'm just curious. I wonder if they are accepted by my insurance?

If anyone else has a phone # or address for Dr. Shayani's most recent office or the hospital he's currently attending please, please share with me, I beg you. If you know how or where I should search to try and locate him, please advise.

Thanks so much:confused2:

Yes I do have a year of free fills. I've already had 2 this month. They are great. They really helped me get it covered by the insurance. Good luck, and if you have any other questions, let me know.