Any good surgeons to perform gastric bypass in MD?

Wow, you guys are awesome !! I leave to go get my son and come back to find all these responses ! THANKS SOOOO MUCH ! I'm looking in to the ones that are close to me distance wise.. What a support group! BTW, my name is Chad (obviously) and I'm 29, one son whom I love greatly and I'm 6'1" and 440lbs. I've been trying to get this surgery for about three years now and each time I gt 3/4 of the way done, I get railroaded due to losing my insurance, getting sick or some other unforseeable occurance. I live in Calvert County MD and currently I am unfortuantely unemployed due to having two ruptured discs on L4 and L5 of my lower spine, I am paying for my insurance out of pocket. So it's going to be costly, but hopefully worth it. I can't wait to get the ball rolling again.. Thanks again, Chad

Have you started the 6-month diet or 3-month multidisciplinary regimen to fulfill Aetna's requirements? Actually, I haven't, but since it's required, I think I will go to my Doc and get on it officially next week. Thanks for the heads up !

I'm going to Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Dr. Alex Gandsas. He has been rated very highly by everyone on here, and my PCP recommended him. My impression of him when I had my consult was very good, and his staff is terrific, especially Nancy Lum, the nutritionist!

I am only in the beginning stages of this whole process but. . . I have been researching for a couple of years. I had a consult set up at the end of 2004. I received a call from the surgeon's office letting me know the surgeon was no longer doing gastric bypass due to the cost of malpractice insurance. I continued to keep my eyes and ears open, I attended a seminar in Pikesville with Dr. Mark kligman. I was very impressed. I called and had my first appointment with Dr. Kligman. Still, I am impressed with his straight forwardness, total knowledge concerning gastric bypass surgery and comittment to his patients. I also feel confident that he is working in one of the best hospitals (University of Maryland), he is the director of the Weight Loss center and studied in Miama as a trauma surgeon. If all goes well I plan to have Dr. Kligman do my operation, even though it is around 3 hours from my home. Good luck in your search!

Chad Hi, Congratulations on the start of your journey. As you have read we are all partial to our surgeon's. Since your insurance company has the 6 month requirement, you have a great opportunity to attend the various programs and find the one that fits. I wanted a strong pre- and post- op program and my choice was Dr. Gandsas at Sinai. He is head of the Div of Laparscopic surgery and not only did my GBP but my gall bladder and assisted with a long named surgery (which was basically removing a 17cm mass with my ovaries and fallapian tubes). I am very lucky to not be in Chemo and living a healthy lifestyle. Which while looking great is always a plus, the reason for this risk of surgery is to get our health back and continue to live healthy. Most programs have websites, check them out. Best wishes with your journey. Lisa

Hi Chad! I recommend Dr. Von Rueden at GBMC in Towson, MD. He is wonderful and his staff are first-rate. He also has a wonderful preop and postop support program. His number is 443-849-3779. I'm sure he accepts Aetna. Good luck!