Mercy center for weight reduction

I am here in the des moines area and I so far have been going through the mercy center for weight reduction for the bariatric program. They seem to have a good program but everyone I work with here at BCBS thats had it done said they have gone to Dr. Eibes. Other than seeing Velda's story and her struggle I would like to know if anyone else has had their surgery done at the Mercy center for weight reduction and I would like to know if their experience was good and how it went. I am torn because I am thinking of possibly changing to the Methodist program because I have heard more good things about Dr. Eibes and I haven't really heard anything about Dr. Smolik or cahalan other than Velda's story. And to be honest it kind of scares me. So if anyone has had their procedure done by Dr. Smolik or Cahalan or know someone who has please let me know. I'd love to hear about it.

I can't give you any information on Mercy because Dr. Eibes did my surgery and I don't know anyone who had it at Mercy. That's not to say it's a good program though. One thing that I think would be helpful to you is to find out statistics from each surgeon. I know Dr. Eibes's stats are listed on his page here at OH. I would also suggest sitting in on an informational meeting at both places. That would give you some more information so you can make a more informed decision. Just my opinion. Best of luck to you! Carrie

Thank you for your opinion. I had planned to go to Dr. Eibes informational meeting on the 4th just to see how I felt about him compared to Smolik.

Sheena Dr. Smolick is my surgeon. I wouldnt have it anyother way. Mercy's program is more strict I believe then Dr. Eibes. There is strict after care. There is strict requirements for surgery. One thing that Mercy demands is that you pay for the computer program so you have a way to connect with the surgeons, and a whole array of information. They also want to make that you can afford the cost of this surgery, so they make you pay for the first two months of protein upfront. They have class after class that they want you to come to so that you are fully aware of how things work. Whereas, Dr. Eibes is more about leaving that kind of thing up to you. Not that is bad, its just more of an independent study type of thing I believe. Anyway thats the impression that I get from his patients profiles and my husband who is going to have a lap band by him. There is a option to search Mercy Capitol surgeons patients profiles. CLick on the find a bariatric surgeron and keep going until you find Dr. Smolick click on RNY scroll down and there we are. Just my humble opinion, dont substitue it for your own expierence Amanda

Thank you for your input. I know you have an upcoming surgery so I am excited to here how things go for you after you have the surgery. Especially since Smolik is my surgeon too! Congratulations!

Dr. Smolik is GREAT. Read my profile. He did my surgery. I have no problems at all. He is really nice and took great care of me. I'm almost 2 years out now and have lost 173 pounds. I started at 337 and now am 164. I'm 5'10 so 164 is good for me. I'm very happy and I love the Mercy program. It seems like a lot of stuff that you have to do to get thought there progam but after it is done you understand why. good luck

Thank you for the information and I have read your profile. I must have missed the MD portion. But thank you for your response. and Congratulations on your successful WLS. I only hope I am as fortunate.

I too had Smolik, I chose the Mercy program due to the follow up care/program as well as they were considered a center of excellence by my insurance provider which meant a lot to me. Lots of hoops to jump thru but well worth it to determine they are right for you and you are right for their program. It is a huge decision, so all I can tell you is over educate yourself on the Dr's, the programs etc. Good luck to you!

Thank you lisa, this really helps me to feel more comfortable with my decision. And I have been consuming myself with educating myself about the surgery and the clinic. But everyone is different and I just wanted to hear from an actual person who had a personal experience with the same MD i am going with. I am still learning how to get around on this site. So the only way so far I know how to get to anyone's blog is when they post on the board. So it is hard for me to find people on the site who haven't posted a message. I'll get it some day

I guess that it depends also on how you would like it done. i was looking to have my surgery Laproscopic and not open. I went to Dr. Eibes seminar and was told that they preferred to do it open but they could probably do it lap for me. So I went through the process of filling out the paperwork and my psych evaluation all of my weight info from the doctor and I waited. It took about 2 to 3 weeks to get approved and i also have BCBS, called them to let them know and they said that they would not be able to help me they would not do the surgery lap for me. So here I was starting over again, i talked to my case worker from the insurance company and she said that Dr. Eibes was not a center of excellence and that they suggested that I go to one that is. Off to Mercy I went and I'm glad I did, I felt like they looked me over with a fine tooth comb not like what Dr. Eibes program was doing at the time but that was August of last year when I started my process of my surgery. So maybe they have changed but just like Lisa said Mercy had a lot of hoops to go through but I have never felt better about my decision. I had my surgery Oct 30th and am down 90 pds, that is in just 6 months almost. So look into and get the information to make you feel like you are going to the right place. But I would recommend Mercy!!!!!!