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!!!!!!

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.

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