Best Lap band surgeons??

I am getting more and more confused on who to use for the Lap band should I get approved. I would love to hear from people who have had it and who they used! I am considering Dr. Deol in Sterling Hgts., Dr. Bhesiana in Port Huron and Dr.'s at MMPC in Grand Rapids. Also Dr. Michael Wood in Warren. Thanks so much! Cheryl

I had RNY done by Dr. Foote at MMPC and he is awesome!! My mother also had Dr. Foote and two of her friends went with Dr. Baker. If you are having doubts about whom to choose, call their offices and set up an appointment to meet with the surgeon and base your decision upon that. Only you can make the choice that is right for you no matter how many people give you their opinions. Good luck and I pray for all the best for you as you choose your surgeon. Holly

Dr. Wood has an excellent reputation! He even invented the mini pouch. I think he is the best surgeon out there! Set up a consultation and see for yourself. Also, read his references, they are impeccable! Good luck and take your time finding the right surgeon for you. Janet

Thanks Janet, I think I may call him but I saw my pcp today and I think I am leaning toward going to Port Huron and Dr. Bhesania. He has done over 800 lap band surgeries. How many has Dr. Wood done do you know?

Cheryl, I had the lap band in 2003, in Port Huron by Dr. Anthony Boutt. he was wonderful. However, it didn't work for me. AT ALL!! I lost 23 Lbs and I gained 40 with in a years time. Yes I did have my fills done. also, I couldn't lay on the side that my port was in because it was painful for the whole time I had it in. when I would eat, you could hear the food going down like a funnel that has water being poured into it and going into a bottle it was loud gurgling and very embarrassing.. I stopped dating because every time I drank or eat this happened. when I would bend down to put on my shoes the port would rub on my bottom rib cage and that was not a pleasant feeling. so much for sit ups!! also, there were so many nights that I would pray to God that I could get this thing out. I could feel how tight it was and how it squeezed my stomach. if I could of I would have ripped it out. I just had it removed on November 17th, I had the roux-n-y done by Dr.Pesta in warren @ Bi-County and I have never felt so amazing in my life.. I have lost 63 lbs in 14 weeks and I came out of surgery and I already felt amazing because I knew immediately that that darn lap band was gone. Oh and I vomited all the time with it because nothing short of mush would stay down. I couldn't eat any form of beef (steaks, roasts, pork) no carrots, broccoli and that was just a small amount of problems I had. and yes, MANY times I called them and I was told repeatedly at Dr. appointments that "this isn't meant for everybody"!!! I wasted 2 1/2 years of my life on something that might or might not work.. so sad.. I am not going to tell you what to do but this is my personal experience and I have talked to MANY others that have had the same situation. I know with the Liv-Lite group, that they take out allot of lap-bands and do the gastric by-pass. I went with the lap-band because I didn't want the big scar.. vanity.. well I have the big scar and the laparoscopic scars.. so much for vanity!! I have double the scars but I am loosing and feeling amazing!! Best of luck to you and you have to do what is right for you.. God Bless!! Cheryl

Cheryl, Sounds like you had too much restriction to me. Maybe you needed a a little less fill. Sorry to hear you had such a bad time of it. I hope the RNY continues to work for you. Mary

Chery G. I had my surgery with Dr Genaw out of Henry Ford Detroit. Dr Genaw is a good caring Doctor. He and the program at Henry Ford are rated one of the best in the state. Being that Henry Ford is a HAP hospital and HAP does not pay for the band , most of his patients are RNY. Thus the support is geared more toward the RNYs. I belong to their on-line support group. I and and one other lap bander are the only banders to be active there. While they don't understand all the issues associated with the band they are a good group of supportive people. I enjoy my friendships with them. I don't thnk Dr. Wood does the Lap Band. I could be wrong though. Good luck with your choice and much sucess with your weight loss. Mary