I attended my first seminar today, but to tell you the truth, I have learned more on this site than all of the literature they gave me. The doctor (not the one who was scheduled to be there) came in and did a 30 min presentation, answered a few questions and scooted on out as quickly as he came in. Then a dietician came up and she was from New Jersey or New York and seemed quite rude and impatient. (not that all people from that area are, but she fit the profile!)

All in all, I am concerned that I might only be seen as a number and not a person. The funny thing is, the hospital is a Banner hospital and for those of you in the Phoenix area, you now how highly recommended Banner physicians and hospitals are. I guess I expected more.

I am wondering if anyone else out there has had the procedure at Banner Gateway in Gilbert, AZ and if they could let me know about their experiences with their surgery. My physician's name is Dr. Podkameni...has anyone heard of him? Thanks for any help...Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Sorry I am from NJ and can't help with a surgeon in your area. I had a wonderful caring surgeon and a great experience with my surgery. I am 3 weeks post op, 19 lbs down and feeling great.

I went to 3 different seminars until I found one I really liked. Hopefully you can find another that makes you feel comfortable.

Good Luck !

I attended my first seminar today, but to tell you the truth, I have learned more on this site than all of the literature they gave me. The doctor (not the one who was scheduled to be there) came in and did a 30 min presentation, answered a few questions and scooted on out as quickly as he came in. Then a dietician came up and she was from New Jersey or New York and seemed quite rude and impatient. (not that all people from that area are, but she fit the profile!)

All in all, I am concerned that I might only be seen as a number and not a person. The funny thing is, the hospital is a Banner hospital and for those of you in the Phoenix area, you now how highly recommended Banner physicians and hospitals are. I guess I expected more.

I am wondering if anyone else out there has had the procedure at Banner Gateway in Gilbert, AZ and if they could let me know about their experiences with their surgery. My physician's name is Dr. Podkameni...has anyone heard of him? Thanks for any help...Lisa

Lap bands require a lifetime of aftercare, do not go to a place where you don't feel especially good about your surgeon. You will have to deal with these people on an on-going basis. The purpose of a seminar is to sell you their services. If they are presenting you their best and that is not something you feel comfortable with, find a new doctor.

I'm in Phoenix as well and I can't say I am familiar with your doctor.

And btw, just because someone is from Banner doesn't mean anything. Banner is a mega huge company and they contract with anyone that can get through credentialing. I'm not saying Banner hospitals are bad, they are not. But they are a huge mega business just like anyone. They only time I suggest anyone is good merely because of the hospital they are affiliated with is when they are from Mayo. But Mayo does things much differently from pretty much any other hospital.

Does your insurance co contract with Mayo?

I am not in your area but I went to several seminars until I was comfortable with it. The last one I attended was conducted by the surgeon herself and it was about an hour. She was quite thorough and the thing I really liked was the fact that she stayed afterward as long as someone was there and still had questions. She works tirelessly and is very hands on before and after the surgery. I felt that follow up was so very important. Pre-Op, I called her office on purpose to ask questions and see how the staff reacted to me and what they were like. They too have been great and even post-op, I can call anytime and they are there to help me and could not be better to me. No matter which WLS you chose, I hope you find someone you are happy with. And I too feel that just because a hospital is corporate and huge doesn't necessarily mean they care. I actually went to a very small hospital and they were fantastic.

I'm in the 6 month pre-op diet program, and as part of our classes there was a class devoted to the Lap Band. Surprisingly enough, just like you latamblyn, I knew more about the surgery and after effects--info gathered mainly from this site--than the person giving the class. Even though my clinic is not doing Gastric Bypass, that's what they kept referring to and Lap Band is totally different. I even heard some people saying they would never do it because of the side effects, which were GB side effects, not LB side effects. In the end, it's up to us to educate ourselves. This site provides a wealth of Lap Band information.

Hi, I was banded at Tempe Surgical Center and I was very happy with them. My Dr. are at True Results in Scottsdale and I'm happy with them. The PA there does my fills and she is great. You can email me at lotsabirdsaz@msn.com if you like. Good luck.

Sherry

Find another surgeon/center. Especially in a large city like Phoenix (and it's environs) you have a choice. Use it.

You absolutely don't want to go with a practice that you're not loving. As others here have mentioned, you will need loads of aftercare. If the doctor and/or staff are not impressing you, look around for other options. This is too important.

xoxo