CHOOSING A BARIATRIC SURGEON

I realize many people come to this website for support and help in deciding if they want to have the bariatric surgery, and maybe help in choosing a Dr. PLEASE, choose your Dr. well!  Last week I saw my oncologist, and while waiting in his office, met a woman, who 6 yrs. ago, had RNY surgery, in Salisbury, Md. Though she's lost over 400 lbs., she's been very sick, ever since. She is now scheduled, in Baltimore, to have it corrected, as it wasn't done properly!  Her Dr., is no longer permitted to do any bariatric surgery, other than the lapband, in the State of Maryland!  HELLO, THIS SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING!  BUT, is now doing surgeries, in De.!  Also, any Dr. *****quires an upfront fee ($2500.), uncovered by ins. and payable the first Dr. office appt. to cover use in a particular gym. You can state you have your own gym, and will be told "that's okay, but you still have to pay the fee".  This Dr. is NOT looking out for you, but his own pocket!  There are also websites, in each state, that you can check to see if ANYONE has a criminal record, cases against them, or pending cases.  7 yrs. ago, I went to the same Dr., for general surgery, and for that reason, and that reason, alone, when I had my lapband, 6/16/09, I went to Baltimore, a decision I will never regret!  PLEASE, THIS IS YOUR LIFE & YOUR FUTURE, CHOOSE WISLELY!!!
Ginger  

Very good advice to all those considering WLS, and any other surgery for that matter. 

wise advice...

I agree 100% I did my homework and attended every single surgeons seminar in Maryland. I investigated the deaths and the surgeries they had all done etc. My surgeon never lost a patient and had done close to 1000 of the RNY surgeries AND was a trauma surgeon for many years so I knew right away I was in the best of hands. It is SO IMPORTANT to do your research. That poor lady I feel so bad for her. I wish her the best this time around. (((Hugs)))

wow that is so sad. I hope that she is able to get back her health! I went to a center of excellence. that is also a good way to go. I would never pay an upfront fee. That is just wrong! Thanks for the post.

well we paid a program fee but it covers the NUT and the psych evals and support from before the surgery to one year after surgery...

your insurance doesn't cover that? at johns, they were just charged separately as they were done.

it would have covered the psych stuff (partially) but not the NUT and the NUT and Psych are in DVRs office.   it's a package deal.

gotcha. at the time, my insurance covered each visit. not so sure now though. i worked at a different company and didnt realize it then but had kick ass insurance. now i pay for everything now. sucks.

we paid ONE 20 dollar co pay (first visit) and the program fee.   that's it.  no more paying for office visits till our  TWO YEAR check up.