a first timer

Hi everyone, My name is Jules and I am searching to find out about weight loss surgery.  Probably the lapband   I have been to 3 different information meeting but I just don't get a good feel yet.
I went to see Dr. Curry and he was ok, but not what I am looking for.
I went to Dr. Smith but I don't think he has a program and I know I need a lot of support
Then I went to see Dr. Sonnanstine, I think I liked him but I was not impressed with the hospital.  My family doesn't like St. Luke and thik I should go to a better hospital.  I went in through the emergency room and felt the area was dirty.  Alot of cigarette butz and paper (trash laying around)  the offices seemed small and cramped and not at all a feeling of comfortable.  It didn't have a professional feeling. know what i mean?

I would love to have opinions if you can give me some.  I want to go some place where I can get support and feel a good connection.  HELP!!
Thank you

First off...welcome to the board! Have you considered Norton's? I went to a couple seminars and theirs was the most informative. Dr Larson was the Dr who spoke that night. I think they take turn...perhaps going to a couple and seeing how they explain things in an open forum might give you a little more insight. I personally liked him, but just not who I felt was a good match for me and what I wanted. My first choice was Dr Rodriguez, but then I started to talk with people and see who they recommended. that is how I chose Dr Allen. You have to just research them and pick who you wuld feel best suits you!

Hi Jules, welcome to the board!

I am very familiar with St. Luke and Dr. Sonnanstine.  Let me give you some insight.  Dr. Sonnanstine is very compassionate as well as protective of his patients.  No matter the hospital ( and I am familair with many)  it really depends on your doctor and his demands.  He is on staff at the hospital and not an outside contractor.  His O.R. staff is hand picked by him and I can tell you he is very anal about who works beside him.  The staff on the 4th floor where his patients go after surgery are trained in bariatrics and treat all of his patients with great respect. 
As for the appearance of the hospital.  Well if it's paper and cigarette butts out side the ER..I can tell you it's not the staff putting them there. Remember the folks standing out there smoking are under stress as they have someone dear to them inside the ER..  I enter that way and know there are ashtrays as well as trash cans.  It is swept daily.  His office is certainly cramped and has the feeling of a dungeon, this space was part of the emergency room before he started....he started out with maybe 4 staff members and to be honest I have sense lost count as his practice has grown so quickly.  The hospital is now building him his own space that you will see if you drive around the hospital.  It's going to be awesome.  Please don't let the appearance of a small growing hospital full you.  Dr. Sonnanstine is an incredibly gifted and talented surgeon with a big heart for his patients.  If you are tatking gastric banding, you should know that Dr. Sonnanstine is on staff with Ethicon where the new "realize band" is made.  He teaches surgeons around the world how to place and use that band. His staff dietician as well as mental health team also teaches other professionals at Ethicon.  That says a lot to me. He specializes in laparoscopic surgeries priding himself in not using an open procedure unless it is absolutely necessary which is very rare.  If you check his stats you will see that.
I have watched him work and grow for 4 yrs now.  He has yet to disappoint me.  And I can assure you , I am hard to impress..lol

Please feel free to contact me personally.  I would be happy to talk to you one on one.

Brenda

I was in  the same boat as you.  I saw a doc in Dayton, OH who I was going to go with until I had a blood vlot in my lung.  I was told I had to wait 6 months for surgery because of the risk but the Dayton Doc said no problem.  I said no, I saw a doc at Good Sam but after working there and seeing what goes on behind the scenes and the fact that they caused my clot .  I will never be a patient there again.  They had a shot at killing me and I am not giving them another.  I to saw Dr. Curry at Deacones Hospital.  He was okay, then I met Dr. Tom, I loved St. Luke so much I went back when I had to have my gallbladder removed.  If it wasn't for them when I suffered a stroke there fast call to the stroke team saved my life.  I have informed my family even though I live in western Cincinnati if I need to go to the hospital its St. Luke.  Have no fear its a great hospital .  Check out the ER at Good Sam and University.  discusting.

Welcome and best of luck to you first of all!
I know you are probably too far away, but I used King's Daughters Medical Center in Ashland KY with Dr. Tompkins.  I HIGHLY recommend him - or his associates - Wheeler and Smith!

Leslie

I am also going to the norton's group. I am seeing Dr. Tanner he is very nice and makes you feel welcome and not rushed. The staff there is very nice as well. If I were you I would check it out. You want someone who your feel comfortable with and like.

As far as St Luke goes, its a great hospital and its growing. I'm having my lapband surgery done there on the 28th by Dr. Dwayne Smith. He's awesome. My sister also used him as her surgeon for her rny 5 years ago. Don't judge a book by its cover. There are other hospitals in the area I wouldn't go to for nothing. But don't judge the doctors by the way the outside of the er looks, the staff there are not allowed to smoke on hospital premises.

Thank you all for your responses.  This is a great site for research.  I have been reading at work, but must be careful about posting.  This is the first chance I have had.   I want to stay near the cincy -N. ky area.  I will probably use Dr. Sonnanstine