New and trying to pick a surgeon - HI

Hi all -  My name is Karen and I live in Bay City.  Am considering Dr. Cudjoe in Alma and Dr. Obeid at Hurley in Flint.  Any comments, thoughts, or alternative suggestions?  I am having the Lap-Band.  Thanks!!!

Are you aware there is a lapband forum too?  Not that there is anything wrong with the MI board, but I know there are some Lapbanders from MI on the lapband board. I had my surgery at Barix in Ypsilanti so I am of no help to you.  If there was a Barix close by I would recommend them tho.   Good Luck!

Thanks for your reply - I'll see you there!!!

 I am having the lapband with Dr. Kralovich at Hurley in flint, I thinnk Dr Obeid is doing a desk job or something because of a stroke/heart attack or some health issues of some kind. So far so good for me, I am waiting to hear back I have all my paperwork turned in and am just playing the waiting game now.  I think posting your question here is a good idea because you dont have to stick to the lapband board just because there are more rny people; on the michigan board.  I don't know why that lady would say that.  Post here what ever when ever you want.  I think this is the better place to post in relation to michign surgeans, don't let one person scare you the other way on these boards.  Good luck and take care - Patti

http://www.realizeband.com/dtcf/pages/mysuccess.htm this is the newest band out, but you can only get it at Barix with dr. schram !

Yes that is the newest  band.  Dr. Shcram is my sisters surgean and he placed the realize band on her in mid december of 2007.  I talked to him about it and he said that he will be training other surgeans this year on it but it takes time to get to them and the schedules.  He did say he prefers that band over the lapband. because he thinks there is less room for defects and problems preop but it is yet to be seen.  He will answer any questiions you have about it if you go to the orientation.  So far Hurley doesnt use it as far as I know.  He did say that the results are both the same with either  band and they both are good bands if that makes sense I feel like i am babbling.  Take care Patti

I wish you could see what i have seen the diffrence between the two. Hurley does not use them yet it will be some time before he trains the other doctors I know there are patients with realize band on the main lap band board but it hard to compare. But they are not the same. realize is much softer and wider lower pressure. less hunger. Good luck !

What have you seen that I should see?  I hope Hurley gets the band before they schedule me for surgery.  I would like to get the better band if I am going to do this.  Originally I was going through Dr. Schram but my pcp is the head medical directer for Hurley Bariatric Center and he wont have it any other way.  Dr. Minasian is my pcp and he has been wonderful from the get.  I was going to a pcp that did not support wls at all and I gave him the nick name " The Vetinarian" if that says anything.  If you can share with me what you have seen let me know.  Thanks, Patti

If your PCP is the Medical Director of the program at Hurley it would not be policial correct for him to send you anywhere but to his own program. What insurance do you have ? And what Dr. are you using at Hurley, Maybe your wait will only be a one or 2 months

I have bcbs of michigan ppo.  I am using Dr. Kralovich as my surgean at Hurley.  am sure i will have a schedule date in the next 2 to 3 weeks.  I Your right I understand the political correctness of it all.  Do you work in the medical field or are you just knowlegabel from experience?