Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids

Hi All, In my search for a "Center of Excellence" to be covered by Blue Care Network, someone reccomended Spectrum. Said they were a patient there years ago. Anyone had their surgery there? How was it? how was the stay? Any Surgeon reccomendations? Strong support and follow through? I am just starting my search in that area. Thanks, Tina

I had my lap RNY done at Spectrum Blodgett. I went through MMPC which is a Center Of Excellence. Dr. Foote was my surgeon. I can't be more happy about the treatment I received in the hospital and by the MMPC doctors. They were very caring and very professional. Blodgett has it's own floor just for bariatric patients. I know there's been quite a few that have gone through MMPC and Blodgett and I haven't heard anything bad about them. As a matter of fact, the nurses at Blodgett remarked to me about how much better prepared the MMPC patients were than those going through another doctor. We all seemed to know what to expect and the others didn't. I recommend Dr. Foote & Blodgett to anyone that asks.

HI TINA...I ALSO HAD MY LAP RNY AT SPECTRUM BLODGETT AND DR FOOTE WAS MY SURGEON. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND DR FOOTE AND SPECTRUM FOR SURGERY..COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER DR OR BETTER CARE THAN WHAT I HAD THERE!!!!! THEY GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR YOU!!!! GOOD LUCK AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU DECIDE ON. HUGS JUDY

Hi Tina, I also had my surgery at Spectrum & was very happy with how things turned out. By coincidence I had Dr. Foote too. he is the best. Good luck, Nan

I also had my surgery at Spectrum with Dr Foote and Dr Vanderkolk for a revision. I spent almost the the whole summer at spectrum and was treated wonderfuly and the nurses are great and the floor is accomadating to wls patients only. Tricia

Tina, Dr. Vanderkolk did my surgery. He is partner with Dr. Scholten. They use Spectrum. I was very pleased with Dr. Vanderkolk. I checked him and MMPC out before I decided. I liked that Dr. Vanderkolk did not push any products so it saved alot compared to MMPC. There is limited after support but since Grand Rapids is 2 1/2 hours away that was fine. I believe MMPC requires more visits. I have always used this site for support plus local meetings. The hospital was wonderful, has a seperate wing of the hospital just for these type of surgery-thus everything is geared to the larger patient. They even had places for family to stay that was very cheap and nice. I had my surgery 2 1/2 years ago, have had wonderful results. Good luck let me know if you have any other questions. donna

MMPC doesn't require that you come to their support group meetings. I use this site and also have started a group in Big Rapids. I liked the fact that MMPC had us use their products because it took the guesswork out of knowing whether or not I had too many or too little calories, fat & protein. It was only a month's worth (2 weeks before & 2 weeks after) but I never had to ask anyone else what to do after surgery like we have had questions here. Since you've already had the surgery, this wouldn't be a problem anyway so it's a non-issue. MMPC does have you come in at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year and then once a year after that. I don't think that's too bad. I find out everything I need to do and what my diet entails at these visits. They do try to schedule 2 or 3 areas in one visit (exercise physiologist, dietitian, PA or surgeon). The MMPC office is but a phone call away, even in the middle of the night. I really like the support they have given and continue to give me. Give them a call and see what they can do for you.

Oops, I made the wrong reply when I put that you'd already had the surgery. I just went back and reread your post. Sorry.

Thanks for this posting...I also have BCN and just found out today that I cannot see the Dr I wanted but they told me I could go to Spectrum, which is good because your post allowed me to find out about Dr. Foote being a Dr there and he does the DS surgery that I want. I will be calling Dr. Foote right now!

Good doctor, Dr. Foote, he did my surgery two years ago. I'm very pleased with my results. Spectrum Blodgett is very good, the bariatric floor is great, the nurses are very caring (although very pesky), the equipment is all made for larger people (bigger beds, bigger chairs, etc.). MMPC has great before and after care. You don't have to go to their support group meetings; I did at first but now work nights and can't get away. Good luck with your surgery. Eileen lap rny 6-29-04 347/176/170