Impressed with Bariatric Surgery Center of KC/Shawnee Mission

After already going through the entire program with Solutions for Life in Wichita, and then LivLite in Junction City.......I am SO VERY IMPRESSED with what I experienced with Dr Hoehn and Dr. Hitch****s group in Shawnee Mission!!!!   I wish this was where I'd started in the first place!!!!  It will definitely be worth the time and inconvenience of the drive.  I'm CONVINCED I've made the right decision this time!!!  (They make Solutions for Life look like a joke)

I was very pleased with Dr. Hoehns program. I feel great and would recommend going through the KC Baratric Program to anyone. I'm glad you liked them. Dr. Sabapathy (sp??) is WONDERFUL! I've even been seeing him for follow up care. I think you have to tackle the mental stuff head on before you can become successful physically. I know that you'll do great!

Oh, BTW, I drive about 2 hours to get there and I wouldn't change Dr.'s for anything!

Does anyone have a number to contact the KC clinic at?  I'm post op and moving to the area, so I'll need a new dr for follow up care.  Thanks!

Darrah the # 913 6772508 ask for  Pat the office  manager or Becky the receptionist these are great christian people I feel the y would do anything to help some one.PLEASE  PM if you anyother  ?? the office is right off I35 . Paul

Hi Jeannee, what problems did you have with LivLite in Juction City?  I have been looking at 3 different places and that was one of them.  Just got their packet today in fact.  Thanks smilingone

Well if you are looking into RNY....they only perform open and not lap.  THAT is NOT what I wanted.  I am wanting the lapband...and they haven't offered it until now.  They have been waiting on their Band surgeon to arrive and he is due to be there Aug. 1.  However, he is just finishing up his residency.  They assured me that he has spent the entire last year specializing in bariatric surgery and that he has performed over 250 surgeries, all with good outcomes.  BUT, when I asked how many of those surgeries were actually LAPBAND, well he's only performed 10 or 11 !!!!!   According to the manufacturer of the band, ANYTHING less than 100 surgeries is considered INEXPERIENCED.  Now...I'm not trying to slam their doctor.  But my own personal view of the matter is that I don't want to be "practice."  This is my life, my body, and I want the most experienced surgeon, and the best possible aftercare available.   When I first began this journey, I really wanted to have my surgery done here in Wichita, where I live.  I thought the convenience of being able to seek care locally was very important.  But after going through Wichita's program....then moving on to Junction City, and finally ending up in KC....I've been able to see alot of differences in the programs.  Now I'm glad I didn't have it done here!  I hate the drive to KC....but it's definitely worth it and I would encourage ANYONE that is looking into Wichita or Junction City to look at KC too, and see for yourself.

Good for you.. Dr. Hoehn and their team are great. I was orginally going with a Dr. Opie but after the care he gave my husband with his gallbladder, no way. Then I went to the seminar and what a difference. you actually see a Dr. spending his time with a bunch of people free of charge answering any questions they have and right there tells you that you are in the right place. I hope you can get all your appointments in and have a great day for changing the rest of your life.
Janelle

I have gone to the seminar for Solutions for Life for the Lap Band, but I'm thinking of Dr. Hoehn.  I live in Hutch, I don't mind driving.  What were the differences between the two?  Thanks, Jan

Experience, experience, experience....especially if you are wanting the Lap Band.  The doctor's in Wichita are well experienced with Gastric Bypass....but they didn't do their first LapBands until June.  According to the manufacturer of the band, any surgeon with under 150 surgeries is considered inexperienced.  Now, I'm not saying that every doctor didn't have to start somewhere....or that the doctor's in wichita aren't completely competent to do the job.  But, I just have this one body...and I am not comfortable being "practice".   Now the other BIG difference between Wichita and KC is the program itself.  Solutions for Life has so many additional charges that they don't tell you about upfront.  They charge for a physical with Dr. Early before you can see the surgeon.  They charge you a rediculous $250 administrative fee. (I have yet to figure out what that was really for.)  They charge you for your pre-op classes...they charge you for the educational material.  They charge you for your post op classes....they make you purchase their pre-op diet....etc. etc. etc.  It all adds up to well over $1000-1500 out of pocket that isn't included on any of your insurance.  In my opinion....they are a cash cow.  There have been none of those rediculous charges through Dr. Hoehn's program.  Everything has been included in the price of the surgery....as it should be.  Of course, there are charges for the nut and psych evals....but that is with all the programs.  Just do your homework and make the decision that is best for you.  If you haven't been to KC's seminar, I would strongly suggest it before making any decisions.  Good luck! Jeanne