LivLite Program/Henry Ford Bi County

I found out from my insurance I need to go to a "Center of Excellence" for my surgery. When I went to the Henry Ford web site it came up as the LivLite program...has anyone gone through this program? If so how was your experience and which doctor did you have? Thanks!

Hi Jami, I went thru Dr. Arthur Carlin at Henry Ford Hospital. There is also Dr. Genaw. I LOVED Dr. Carlin!!! He is one of the best surgeons in the field, and he is passionate about his work. What I love most about him is he is compassionate and really takes time to talk to you...you know, looks you right in the eye. I like that. And he is so excited and proud to see you come in on your followup appts. with all your changes! I swear he as excited as I am! When I went thru Henry Ford, it was just Henry Ford, but maybe it has merged with them. All I know is bariatrics have their own wing, larger beds, chairs, and rooms, etc. It's beautiful and the nurses are wonderful. I have not had any problems whatsoever pertaining to the surgery. Hope this helps. Best of luck to you! Theresa

Thank you so much Theresa!

From what I know Spectrum Bariatrics in Grand Rapids and Hurley in Flint are the only ones in Michigan that are a "Center of Excellence" I could be wrong but I checked a couple sites and those are the only two I find. Unless they have recently obtained that accredidation. I would check on it if I were you. I know I have Medicare and I have to use a Center of Excellence.. this is the site I found through them that list the Centers of Excellence. Hope this helps... http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.asp#TopOfPage You may have to copy and paste the link, I am not sure how it works on this board. Hope this helps some. Shawn M.

Thanks Shawn! Here is the list I got from my insurance; Harper University, Henry Ford, Hurley, Munson Medical Center, Mercy (Muskegon) and Spectrum Health (Grand Rapids)....Maybe some of these are newly certified who know lol

Hi Jami I am in the same position as you. I have Medicare Insurance and the only hospitals right now that is "Center of Excellence" is in Flint and Grand Rapids. I have called every hospital in Metro Detroit and none of them are near compleation. I am going threw the Cori Center at Harper Hospital and have been waiting since Feb to get my surgery. I even thought of going to Flint for the surgery but it wouldn't be until the end of August for the appointment to see the Dr. and then another two weeks before the surgery so were talking mid to end Sept. So, I guess I will just be patient and wait until Harper Hospital gets their accrediation.

" the only hospitals right now that is "Center of Excellence" is in Flint and Grand Rapids. I have called every hospital in Metro Detroit and none of them are near compleation." Hi Kathy, I just wanted to let you know that this is not a true statement. How long ago did you make these phone calls to every hospital in the Metro Detroit area? I'm not trying to be mean, but perhaps you should redo your research on this because you're passing on misinformation. Best wishes as you continue on you journey. God bless you, Annette

Hi Jami, Henry Ford Detroit (main campus) is a center of excellence~in fact they are #1 in the state of Michigan, and amoung the the top 20 hospitals in the nation. I had my surgrey at Henry ford with Dr Arthur Carlin. He is an incredible surgeon and person. Henry Ford has a great bariatric program. Their before, during, and after care is unbeatable! I have had more than one person tell me they wished they had gone there, because after they had surgery, their Dr. seemed to just forget about them. It is not like that at Henry Ford Detroit. They truely love and care for their patients. I could tell you more, but this is getting long enough. If you want to know more details send me an E-mail, and I will get back with you. I had my surgery on 11-17-05. I have lost a total of 185 pound's and went from a size 30/32 to a size 12. I feel great! God bless you, Annette

Hi Jami, I went through Henry Ford Bi-County with Dr. Marshall and Dr. Pesta. They were/are affiliated with Livlite, but it was just announced at support group tonight that as of the end of July Livlite is no longer going to be part of the bariatrics program at Bi-County. My experience with Livlite was not the best, but I wouldn't trade in Dr. Marshall for the world. His before/after care is the best and he really follows your progress and is available to you anytime day or night. Hope this helps answer your question. Shari

Shari, Was anything announced about future support group meetings? Is anything going to be sent out via mail to the patients that used Liv-Lite? I wanted to attend this evening support group, but today was my birthday and my hubby had other plans. Michelle