Kalamazoo Area!!!

Has anyone on here been through Borgess for their surgery? I go next week to see Dr. Verseman, the Nutrionist and the nut doctor all in the same week. Is there possibly another website similiar to this one people from Michigan would post things? I am hoping to have the RNY. Things seem to be moving fast. I was curious from others how things worked through Borgess. Becky

Hi Becky! I'm in Portage/Kalamazoo and had my surgery done at Borgess last December; my surgeon was Dr. Alan Saber. I personally was very unhappy with Borgess although I think the world of Saber. Several nurses got in trouble by Saber for the care issues I had and I've known several people who've had gastric bypass at Borgess since and were treated very well. I'm hoping that because of what happened to me, things have changed and others will continue to get good care now. As to other sites, I promise you that this is THE BEST SITE you can find. Everyone here is WONDERFUL beyond compare!!!! Best of wishes in your upcoming surgery! I'll be happy to answer any questions you have about KSMU. Sheryl In the Zoo

Thanks for the information Sheryl. I have had other procedures done at Borgess and had trouble with a nurse or two. Nothing to case complications. I am very comfortable with having the procedue there. I was hoping to find someone with information on Dr. Verseman and going through the process with him. If you friend went through there can you please as them how long it took once they meet the surgeon to actual surgery date, if they went through there. I would appreciate any other information you can help me with. Becky

Becky - it's to my understanding that Verseman is pretty new - at least at KSMU/Borgess. Everyone that I know who's been through the pgrm (about 6 of us) all had Saber. I know that for most of us with Saber it was really fast - just a few months at the most. When I went I had all my work done (I had transfered from Barix Centers to KSMU) so mine was really fast. Sheryl In the Zoo

Hello! I also live in Kalamazoo and was wondering about the surgery through Borgess. My mother in law had her WLS three and a half years ago, but went throught Barix Clinics (then called Bariatric Center). She was happy with her results, but had other issues. I'm hoping to start the whole ball rolling soon! What would be my first step? I would love to hear from you gals in this area! Thanks, Erin

Erin, I just left an obnoxiously long post to the Kalamazoo question that Becky posted. Let me know if you have any more specific questions. Michelle

Wow Michelle! Thanks for the info! I did send you a e-mail to see if maybe we can talk on the phone! I really appreciate everything ! Erin

Hey Becky I just had surgery with Dr. Verseman on June 12th. I am 40 lbs down now. I really like him. I also saw Jen Emmerich (psyc)...kind of touchy feelly for me, but she was nice and approved quickly. I also saw the nut Joyce. She is great and was very helpful. I had a really good experience. I stuck to the pre-op and post-op diet to the letter and was able to move off the liquid diet 1 week after surgery to mushy foods. I think I did so well because I stuck to the diet to the letter. The hospital stay was fine...I was there 2 days. I did feel a bit lost in the hospital because they have had so few of Verseman's patients that I was getting conflicting info from the nurses as compared to what Joyce Ross (nut) had told me to do as far as eating. I reported it and Verseman and Joyce were prompt to update the nursing staff. There really is so little to it after surgery. Just get up and walk!!! Get your protein in! The only thing I hated was the drain. At my 1st week check-up I told Verseman if he didn't take it out I wasn't leaving his office. Gwen his nurse is really nice and helpful! She was my major contact. I did have a bout of depression after surgery and Verseman and Jen Emmerich were quick to get me in the day after I called to talk me through what I was feeling. I appreciated that. I first went to the Borgess seminar in February and had my surgery by June 12th. I am a teacher so I have MESSA so I didn't have to jump through very many hoops. I guess different kinds of insurance require more pre-op hoops. Lets seeee......It's the best thing I have ever done and I am glad Verseman did it. I have met some of Dr. Saber's patients and they seemed happy, but Dr. Verseman seems really up to date on things. One other cool thing that he did was call my regular doctor and talk to him at length about how my regular doctor should follow up with me over the years. My Dr. said he was really impressed because Dr. V spent a half an hour on the phone educating him (a rareity with surgeons I guess). My Dr. is just now starting to get more WLS patients and he found Dr.V's info very helpful. I feel confident that my Dr. can now answer questions and follow my health without me having to run to Dr. V the rest of my life. My Dr. also sends his patients to the surgical practice that Dr. V belongs to. My Dr. said that they went out of their way to recruit him so he must have been good. What else...I don't know. I am just throwing things out there. I like Borgess. I had both of my children there and had good experiences so I guess I wasn't worried with the care I'd get after surgery. Other than what I mentioned above it was good. They do give WLS patients private rooms for the most part. That was nice. I was also terrified right before surgery...shaking, crying and begging my husband to let me go home. When Dr. V found out I was upset he came in and held my hand, looked me in the eye and told me that I was going to be fine...then they gave me drugs to calm me down Anyway...if you have specific questions you can email me. Email me and I can give you my phone number in case you want to call. Let me know how it goes or if you need anything. Sorry this rambles so much...I'm just trying to throw it all out there. Take care, Michelle

Oh yeh...I had a lap RNY -m