I am new to this forum and was wondering if anyone could give me any information on a couple of doctor's. The first doctor is James Bradley Ray (goes by Brad Ray) out of Bloomington IN. The second doctor(s) is out of Loyola University Chicago. You can actually choose from 2 doctor's there. one is Dr Vafa Shayani and the other is Dr. Sharfi Sarker. I am in the beginning stages and trying to find the right doctor. I actually have a consult set up with each, but would like input from people that have already used one or the other. Thanks for your help!!

Hi Connie,

I am also a newbie here. I am in Indiana also, but I am an out of pocket patient and have been looking to find someone that is not sky high. I talked to a Dr. Pleatman's office yesterday and they were very pleasant to speak to. His cost total and with 2 yrs of fill is $12,500 about the best I have come across. Curious to know if you have any more info to share.. Good luck..

sinderella,

I am new to this whole process. I really am just waiting at this point to make sure IPA will cover it. I am debating between this two doctors since they will both take IPA. I have been reading thru posts and they offer alot of information - things I wasn't even aware of pertaining to the surgery. $12,500 seems to be pretty reasonable, but I don't know Dr Pleatman's history. Hopefully other's have used him and can give you some input regarding Dr Pleatman. Best of luck to you!

I am looking at docs in Chicago area. I went to MIBC seminar in Chicago and liked the staff there, they only do bands. Of course, they probably have a vested interest in them (the cynic in me). Their cost is in the $15k range, includes one year of fills. The upside is that they do lots of them since that is all they do there. Anyone w/ any feedback on MIBC would be great to hear from.

Hello-

I had my surgery at MIBC and my insurance (Aetna) paid -but only after appeals-

My experience has been great- I have enjoyed the staff their- and my surgery went on without a hitch- I would recommend it to anyone-

I LOVE MY BAND!!!!

Best Luck to you all- keep on researching.

Hi Connie,

I am new to the board also....I haven't had my surgery yet (waiting for insurance approval...) I am a patient of Dr Shayani from Loyola Hospital....He is very much to the point on things, explains everything to you, etc. I was pretty impressed with him. A friend who had the surgery recommended Dr Shayani to me. Before you leave his office, they give you a list of the pre-tests (Pulmonary Function Test, Psychologist consult, etc) and if you decide to have them done at Loyola, they can set up the appointments for you before you leave the surgeon's office that day.

Hope that info helps.

in peoria, illinois which is 3 hours from chicago...the peoria surgical group with dr rossi, dr marshall, dr debord..phone number is 309-624-9810...ipa=illinois public aid??

Pally

I am going with MIBC too! I like that they specialize in only the band. Dr & staff are very knowledgable and have great personalities (that makes a big difference to me)

Not sure you still need this informaiton, but if so Dr. Shayani at Loyola University in Maywood is your man. I can not stop singing his praises or that of his staff. Not only did he do my surgery, but he also does my fills/adjustments. Personally, I rather like having my physician being apart of my ongoing transition. Good luck.

Howdy! I'm getting by band by the MIBC (renamed day One health) in chicago too on 10/26 by Dr Jonathan Myers.

I have a family member who works there so i was able to get some insider information on the center and staff before going there.

The staff has been so wonderful and helpful.

I even love their new website. It helped give a little more info to my aprehnsive hubby.

http://www.dayonehealth.com

Sonia

Someone just told me that Dr. Horgan is no longer in Chicago....is that true? He did my band but not my aftercare, I didn't care for the way I was treated after surgery by him or his staff. ~Mandy

I did hear that Dr. Horgan did leave.

Yes Dr. Horgan left (no word until after he was gone) and I am not sure who took his place. I am going there Wednesday for a fill, so I guess I will find out what is going on. I wonder who left with him. I really did not like anyone there which is the reason I am going back now for a fill. Hopefully it is better.

I didn't care for him or the staff at MIBC. I had surgery at UIC and they were great there. But he only does fills at MIBC and he refused to bill my insurance company. I found a doctor that is closer, more compassionate and he works with my insurance company. Someone in my current doctors office told me that Horgan moved to CA. Seems strange to just pack up and move and not warn your patients or offer them a referral to another band surgeon for their continued aftercare. This news makes me so much more confident in my decision to change doctors. I would be pissed if I called to see him and he was gone with no word at all. ~Mandy

I am pissed, Mandy. I have tried calling different band Dr.s, but none were in my insurance group. I tried to go to the ones in Joliet, (I live in Peotone) but the 3 I checked were not in my group. I just did not like the aftercare I received there, and they would not bill my insurance company and would not write out the correct procedures they did so i could even mail it in myself. I hope I like the new group better. (Can't be much worse) I went to the old website and it said I do not have access to the site. What Dr. do you go to Mandy that you like so much? I will try to see if he/she is in my network. Thanks!

I see Dr. Brian Lahmann and Dr. Joyce at Silver Cross Hospital. I love the entire group there, they are all very caring and sweet. ~Mandy