HELP FINDING A SURGEON--PLEASE!

Denise - I had my first support group meeting with Dr. Greene in November and had surgery in July. We submitted my paperwork to insurance in March, but they denied it. Two months later they gave me approval. Received the approval in late May and was scheduled for surgery in mid-July. I started with all the preop testing probably in January and finished it by the time we submitted in March. The most difficult part was the preop diet, but it really did help. I lost 23 pounds before surgery which combined with the walking I was doing, I think made things go pretty smoothly. I think if you let them know you're puffy they're fine with it. I had that too and it didn't cause any problems. Good luck, Lynn

I haven't had surgery yet but (insurance issues) but Dr. Schweitzer is my doctor. What impressed me was that he was one of the first to regularly do RNY laproscopically and has tons of experience with it. His office staff has also really been on top of getting paper work in etc. I can't say I love driving to bayview - its kind of a pain to park there - but you can go to the office in hunt valley for follow ups.

Denise, Congratulations on your decision to seek WLS. I just wanted to let you know that my surgeon was the best! Dr. Christina Li at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. I first saw Dr. Li on 6/8 and she scheduled my surgery for 7/1. I was able to complete all the required exams (psych evaluation, lab work, CXR, sleep study and cardiac evaluation) in that time period. Her staff is wonderful and they worked to get the insurance approved and it was approved with only one letter. There was a $150 fee for the nutritionist for one year (most insurance companies don't pay for this). The surgery went well and I am now on the losing side. No problems, no difficulties at all. I wish you well with your decision. Karen

Denise, My doctor was Andrew Averbach through St. Agnes they too have an entire program. I am very pleased not only with my doctor but all of the great staff that work in the office. There are 2 support group meetings a month that anyone can attend up at St. Agnes. I am not sure about a program fee. I paid out of pocket for my nutritional counselling and my psych eval but that was my choice to use their staff other than that I paid my co pay for my initial consultation. Good luck with your research and on your WL journey. Denise

Denise, Dr. Roe is also a wonderful surgeon. The program fee helps the office pay for the administrative costs (our support group, etc.) I have found that many surgeon's have a much higher program fee than the $500.00. As far as Dr. Roe's surgical experience, he is top notch. His bedside manner is incredible, and he cares about each and every one of his patients. If you haven't met with him already, I would ask that you come to one of our support groups, you will see first hand, his dedication, and love for what he does. Our next group is this coming Wednesday, at GBMC from 7 to 8 pm. Another thing for you to think about....the biggest risk for us unergoing this surgery, being obese, is the anesthesia, and not the surgery itself. The benefit of having an open procedure vs. lap, is the amount of time you are under anesthetic. The open procedure is much faster, and with that said......you have less risk of being "under" longer that needed. It's just something for you to think about, and something else for you to consider so you may make an informed decision. I had this surgery 16 months ago, very successful, no complications what so ever, and Dr. Roe also repaired a very large hernia that I had, and gave me a tummy tuck at the same time! The man is awesome, and if I had this to do all over again, Dr. Roe would be my only choice in surgeons. Like you, before my surgery, I researched my butt off to get as much information as I could, such as lap vs open, surgical comptence, etc....well, my mother works in the medical community for a large group of doctors and surgeons, after I had picked Dr. Roe, she was out to get the scoop on him. She was told time after time, that I could not be in better hands than with Dr. Roe. She was so pleasantly surprised that she didn't hear one negative thing. With that said, he is very respected in the surgical community. Please join us at our support group, you will see that his aftercare program is also top notch! Cheryl Bosley 316/158/150??

Thanks Cheryl. It always makes me feel better to know someone's mother is okay with a medical choice. Mom knows best!! I keep having people tell me only the super obese get it done open, but I surely like the idea of getting in and out of that surgical room faster. And I will definitely be joining you Wed. Is it the 10th? Can you tell me exactly where I am supposed to go for the meeting--like a room or pavillion? I am juggling child care like crazy trying to do support groups and informational sessions with these surgeons. I am missing Dr. Roe's power point presentation next Thursday (my daughter's good friend's birthday party--on Thursday--go figure!) which I am very bummed about. I'll just have to wait until the 25th. I can't wait to meet everyone. And congrats on your weight loss!! You are doing phenominally well. It gives me such hope. I am around 308 right now (5'7") and I never dreamed I get below 200, but now I think it is possible. See you soon! Denise

Hi Denise, The best way I can tell you how to get there, is to go into the main entrance, you bear to the right when the driveway splits, and follow it until it ends at the parking garage. Park there on the ground floor, and walk over to the Physicians Pavillion right next to the parking garage. As soon as you enter, the conference rooms will be on the right. If you'd like, email me privately, and I will be glad to give you my cell phone number, I can wait for you outside before the group begins. Oh, there are two physicians pavillions, make sure you enter the 2nd one on the left. Oh, as far as waiting to go to the power point presentation, couldn't you arrive at the birthday party late? or just send a gift? I'm sure that they would understand. Just a thought. If you have any other questions about the group, please feel free to email me. [email protected] Cheryl Bosley

I forgot, yes, the support group is on the 10th.

Please take the time to research a Dr.Mark Kligman. It will be worth your time. You can read about him on this site.

Hi Hope.. =) Dr. Kligman is my surgeon as well. I also run a yahoo group called Kligman Krew if you want to join to learn more about him feel free: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/kligmankrew/join My profile is pretty detailed as well. Good Luck in this journey regardless of who you pick!!