Hi all.

One of my patients suggested that I "formally" introduce myself here, as there are a number of comments about me, and it would make sense for me to answer the questions myself rather than have others answer them for me.

I have specialized in laparoscopic surgery since 1989, and have been doing bariatric surgery for the past 3 years. I do both LapBand and Lap Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. I've done about 130 of each procedure. I've always tried to be cost-effective, minimizing the use of expensive disposable instruments. After doing a number of procedures, I approached the administration at one of my hospitals and asked them to review my cases and come up with a package price for patients without insurance coverage who would be willing to pay cash up-front. Fortunately my complication rate is very low, and patients often are discharged from the hospital within a short time of their surgery. We are currently offering a package price for LapBand of $12500, and $11,000 for Lap RNY. This includes hospital, anesthesia, surgery, and 2 years of follow-up, including fills.

I also do fills for patients who have had there surgery done elsewhere, as well as take care of issues such as slippage, erosion, and port problems.

You may be asking, "What's the catch? Why is he so cheap?" Well, the fact is, my surgical fee is actually not cheap. I'm charging $5000 for the surgery and follow-up, which is actually somewhat more than most insurance companies pay. It is the hospital that is sacrificing their profit in exchange for increased surgical volume. Why am I willing to take care of patients of other surgeons? I just figure that it is good business. If you are happy with me, you will refer your friends or family.

Please visit my website if you have further questions. I've put together a LapBand FAQ, and would welcome other questions so that I can make it more comprehensive.

Sorry if this is long-winded.

Mark Pleatman MD

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

www.laparoscopy.com/pleatman

248-334-5444

Bumping for newbie

Welcome Dr Pleatman...It is a treat to have you on board. I love my surgeon, Dr Kwon in New York...but I have heard many great things about you. Now all we need is a chef on board to give us cooking advise...I dont know how to cook for beans....

TAKE CARE

How awsome to have a dr. on, Makes me more conifdent that this is the place to be refering anyone interested in WLS. Thank you for your time.

Hello Dr Pleatman. I just called and made my my first appointment to see on Aug. 22 in the afternoon. I do have a question how aggressive of a filler are you? Do you feel starting at 1 or 1.5 CC is the way to go or do you think a person should start off with maybe 3. cc in a 10.0 cc inamed band? I was just banded on July 6 2005 but can already eat anything I want. I dont but can. You are 4 hour drive one way for me but a good fill doctor is worth all the drive time it takes to get there.

Cheryl- Did you get your fill? How did it go & how much did you get?

I just got my second fill & feel the difference BIG TIME! I just LOVE it. I am at 1.5cc & can really tell a huge difference in how fast I get full.

Glad to see ya here!! Welcome to the board!

I have a family member in MI who needs fills - how much is a fill and does it include floroscopy?

Thanks!

Welcome to the board and I am glad you are here and reading postings about the bandsters and how they feel/act/think... however, I hate to be the doubting one in the group but I thought LBT had a rule against blatant promotion of a company/doctor/etc or something like that? The introduction sounded more like an advertisement to me and I thought that wasn't allowed? Someone correct me if I am wrong. Sorry to point this out.... don't all yell at me at once please, one at a time.

OK Jenna, I am gonna holler so put your muffs on your ears. LOL!!

No seriously LBT, as far as I know doesn't have anything in writing but it is understood that we do not endorse a particular entity. We also do not allow advertising either, hence the reason one particular thread was locked and the person was informed that it was not Kosher to advertise their services.

What Dr. Pleatman has done, in my opinion, did not fall into that category of blatantly advertising his services, with the one exception of listing what he charges for fills. But there again that was only done after he was asked. He did not come here to drum up business. He was asked to come and share what he felt comfortable sharing at no cost. I for one am glad that we have someone here that can shed some light on or confirm emergent situations that we might not be aware of.

I suggest you not use this forum to ask Dr. Pleatman questions which should be asked in Doctor / Patient relationship. That would almost qualify as a violation of the Privacy Laws in place now. I would suggest that if you have specific questions then you send him a Private Message or better still contact his office directly.

Welcome to the board and I am glad you are here and reading postings about the bandsters and how they feel/act/think... however, I hate to be the doubting one in the group but I thought LBT had a rule against blatant promotion of a company/doctor/etc or something like that? The introduction sounded more like an advertisement to me and I thought that wasn't allowed? Someone correct me if I am wrong. Sorry to point this out.... don't all yell at me at once please, one at a time.

Can we ask specific band mechanic questions though? I cant think of one off the top of my head, but I'm sure I'll wake up at 2:00 am some day with some burning mechanical question...

Okay, totally understand. I just was thinking it was more advertisement since it lists his costs of the band itself and talks about "why so cheap you ask?"... and "please visit my website and FAQ" reminded me of an infomercial.

I also think it is great to have a doctor here. And as I said in my first post, I think it is terrific he is taking an interest in his patients or other bandsters and taking it upon himself to learn how we "feel".

P.S. You know I had to be the doubting thomas in the group!

I'm lovin' it because now I know that I have a peritoneum and that my band is above it. Who knew?!!!

I googled Peritoneum and read up on it...it's the membrane that encases the cavity that is below the diaphragm and holds your stomach, etc. That's layman's terms, of course. I understand it well enough that I am happy with my band doc and the job he did. Goodness knows I could have slipped by now and I haven't.

I have a hunch Dr Pleatman is learning lots being here. If it makes him a better band doc and we get good feedback with questions, I'd say we have a good working relationship. I vote YES to Dr Pleatman!!

P.S. You know I had to be the doubting thomas in the group!

hehe, that's why we love you so much!!! I'm always happy when I see you posting!