Lap-Band in St. Pete or Clearwater FL?

First I would like to thank-you for taking the time to read my post! For quite some time now I've been researching the Lap-Band to see if it could be right for me. My insurance will not cover this so the money is coming out of my own pocket. I've been to a couple informational seminars, one is St. Pete the other in Clearwater. Each had good informantion about the procedure, but I had heard that some patients from St. Pete had some complaints about the follow-up care and decided to go to the Clearwater drs. Of course that came from the people putting on the seminar. They never said any names of hospitals or drs. but I know who they were talking about. So, to get to my question....has anyone had there surgery at Morton Plant or Palms of Pasadena, and could you tell me what you thought of your before, during and after care follow ups? Thanks so much, Cyndi

I received the Gatric Bypass from Dr.Rehnke/Palms of Pasadena at St.Pete General (5/10/06) because that's where my EX-Primary said I had to go even though my insurance covered the Palm. But Dr.R did an awesome job there also. I have very high regards to Dr.Rehnke and his staff in the office. Very kind & attentative to all my concerns & needs. They also have two Support Meeting monthly open to both procedures, the Bypass, Moderated by Dr.Lindsay (Jan. 20th at 230 PM) & Lap Banding, Moderated by Dr.Baum (Jan. 31st at 6:30 PM the Palms of Pasadena Hospital Nutritionist will be the Featured Speaker at this meeting). I saw Dr. R Pre-Op for the Insurance require 6 month diet and have been seeing him monthly or more as required ever since. He is always on Stand-By via his answering service and does respond personally if called. Dr.R does the Lap Bands on Tuesdays & Bypasses on Fridays at the Palms plus other surgeries at St.Pete General & St.Anthony's in St. Petersburg. His brother is also a Plastic Surgeon, if you'll be needing one.

Hi Cyndi, Congrats on your decision! I'm in the same boat, having to self-pay cos insurance won't cover. Nuts, isn't it! Unfortunately, I can't offer much help on doctors in St. Pete. I am using Dr. Rosenthal at Cleveland Clinic in Weston. People come from all over the country for him to do their surgery. I sat next to a woman from Tennessee at orientation! Whoever you pick, make sure they have plenty of laproscopy experience! Good luck, Meg

hey cyndi! like mike, i too had gastric bypass w/dr. rehnke at palms of pasadena hospital. i wouldn't switch docs even if they paid me. the office staff is....ok, but dr rehnke is worth it!