Cleveland Clinic Naples

I am preparing for the sleeve procedure and would like to know if anyone has heard of Dr. Liberman. He was working with Cleveland Clinic of Naples but they were bought out by Physicans Regional Medical Center. Fortunately for me, I do not have to drive to Weston for the surgery since my insurance will pay any doctor that is FDA approved. I have met the doctors in Weston and they are both wonderful but I would prefer to have the surgery close to home in case there are any complications and also follow-ups would be easier. Less time take away from work. Also, what is your opinion on the sleeve vs the gastric bypass? The only reason I am swaying more towards the sleeve is due to the nution absorbtion, less complicated as well. The gastric bypass from what I have read does not absorb any nutrients. I will my surgery soon, I'm only waiting now on the sleep apnea study which I have another 4 weeks to go after they put that darn thing on my face to sleep at night and to see how I do. I've already seen the pulmonist, endocrinologist and tomorrow the cardiologist .. whew!

Jeanene, I had the sleeve with Dr. Liberman. He is extremely competent and an outstanding surgeon. I selected the sleeve for the same reasons you are considering it. I am older (63) so RNY was frightening to me and Liberman did not want to risk such an aggressive procedure with the potential of issues due to malabsorption at my age. The other reason I selected the sleeve is that I need to take celebrex for my arthritis and you can't take those types of drugs with RNY or other bypass surgeries since they can cause ulcers and also don't get properly absorbed. A good reason for the sleeve. You should come to our support group at Physicians Regional. It is on the 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Physicians Dining Room at 5:30 PM. Contact Betsy Opt, the hospital nut. Opyt, Betsy [[email protected]] She runs the meetings and can provide some details. If you need to speak with me directly, PM me and I will share my phone number. Also visit the VSG area here on this site. There is a link to FAQs that Nan put up which is very informative. There are a number of physicians and medical professionals on that OH forum who also selected the sleeve for the reasons I did and a number of other reasons. I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you at the support group meeting.

That's funny that you should mention the meetings. I was at the last one to hear from someone who had the sleeve procedure and they told me that the only person who had it was not there that evening .. I bet that was you. I will be at the next meeting and I look forward to meeting you. By that time I will have a picture posted so you will know who I am (for the time being). When did you have the sleeve? You look wonderful for being 63 .. I find that hard to believe!!! Well maybe someday you will grow up .. NOT. Thanks again!! I look forward to meeting you.

HI I live in Naples as well and choose to go to Dr Rosenthal @ CC-Weston. While I agree that Dr Liberman is a good Dr. I feel that Dr Rosenthal has had more experience and has more surgeries under his belt - so to speak. I would do my homework and leave out the distance factor - there are patients that have gone cross country to have the "right" dr take care of them . Use this forum to educate yourself and find out more about each Dr and the various types of wls available to you. Don't hesitate to contact each dr and have a list of questions to pose to them during your interview of them - that's right - you're the one who has to be comfortable and hire the right professional to do the job. Join us @ our monthly meetings @ the Old CC--Naples now Physician's Regional Medical Center on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Good luck on whatever decision you elect. Barbi