Hello - I have decided to move forward with lap band surgery and am scheduled for my consult with two doctors: Dr. Kirshenbaum and Dr. Chae. I'm having a hard time making a decision. Dr. C requires an overnight stay at the hospital and Dr. K is outpatient. I have had nothing but positive experiences at Sky Ridge Medical center, although my experience with Dr. C's scheduling is not stellar. Dr. C teaches other docs the procedure and to achieve Excellence ratings, but all the comments I've read about Dr. K are thoroughly positive and glowing. The cost difference between the two is about $5,000 - probably because of the costs of staying overnight at the hospital. I'll pay the difference if it's necessary or will make a big difference - although I'm always a bit concerned about staph infections, MRSA etc. from being in the hospital. Egads, I am completely confused. Is there anyone out there who can lend me their insight and wisdom? Thanks.

I've never read anything but positive things about Dr. K, plus he has package deals that include fills I think. Either that or the fill prices are greatly reduced for his patients. Sometimes I wish I would have gone to Denver myself.

I don't know anything about the other doc.

Good luck on your decision.

Did you investigate Dr. Michael Snyder of Denver Bariatrics? I'm just curious. I have my band surgery scheduled for December 11th. An overnight stay isn't required. Instead, patients are monitored and meet milestones prior to leaving the hospital. If an overnight stay is needed, patients stay overnight.

Good luck with your decision.

If you are recovering well and have no issues post op (ie severe nausea, and so on) AND you have someone at home to help you, there's no real reason to stay in the hospital. My doc requires a post op barium swallow test to make sure we can get liquids down. Other than that, he keeps some in and sends some home. I've gone home the same day for my gallbladder surgery, and both times for my lap band surgery (1st surgery my liver was too fatty) and I was fine.

So unless you have had prior surgeries and KNOW you'll have issues, don't base your decision on the overnight stay.

I was just banded on Nov 5th by Dr. K. I flew all the way to CO from NC just to have him do my surgery. I picked Dr. K for his low cost, but also for his aftercare. He offers free fills for 3mos, and $15 fills from then on. Not to mention how wonderful of a person he truly is. Very nice man, and he even impressed my mom! I've got nothing but wonderful things to say about him.

Did you investigate Dr. Michael Snyder of Denver Bariatrics? I'm just curious. I have my band surgery scheduled for December 11th. An overnight stay isn't required. Instead, patients are monitored and meet milestones prior to leaving the hospital. If an overnight stay is needed, patients stay overnight.

Good luck with your decision.

I was banded by Dr. Snyder in June. He's awesome. I had surgery at 1pm and was home by 530pm.

I didn't meet either Dr. Chae or Dr. K. I did talk to a gal named Natalie on the phone at Dr. K's and must've caught her on a bad day as I was totally turned off by her rudeness so didn't investigate further. But I have heard from many others that have gone to Dr. K and they have absolutely wonderful things to say about his office. Everyone is entitled to a bad day and I must've hit her's. I think it comes down to which dr. fits your personality and needs best. Talk to them both and make your decision from there.