Help Me Choose..HFH, Beaumont, or Harper

I need to decide what program to go to. I have Dr. Carlin at Henry Ford, or Dr. Krause at Beaumont, or Dr. Wood at Harper. Can you give some feedback on your experiences with these Dr's?

Hi Shug, Dr. Wood did my surgery at Harper and I am totally pleased with every aspect of my experience with him and his office/staff.  Although I've heard others say that their experience at Harper was less than the best, I had no complaints at all.  Good luck to you, both in making your decision and in your future surgery and new life! Karen

I had mine done at Beaumont by Dr Chengelis...him and his staff are wonderful!! Shannon

I can't comment on any of these doctors... or even any of the programs at the different hospitals. But thought I'd give you some things to think about when choosing... ** Your surgeon is only important on the surgery day.  Although this is VERY important, it's not the entire picture.  Pick a surgeon who has many years experience, has performed over 500 surgeries (most complications occur for a doctor in his first 200 surgeries) and also someone who you have a good report with and feel confident in. ** The bigger picture is the bariatric program you choose.  You'll be dealing with the staff and program a lot more than you'll ever be dealing with the surgeon.  Pick a program that has a comprehensive after-care program that includes support groups, nutritionists on call, excellent nursing staff, medical doctors on call, psychologist on staff and participates in support groups and even some type of exercise program would be a big plus too. When I was making my decision I actually decided to NOT use my first choice of surgeon because the program he was now with was brand new and just starting out.  He's a great surgeon and has been doing this for  years and years --- but his program wasn't developed enough to make me feel comfortable with the aftercare I'd receive.  So I picked the program I liked best and picked the best surgeon in that practice. Just another way to look at it... Pam

I went to Dr Krause at Beaumont 5 years ago and he saved my life.  Just make sure if you take medication they adjust it before you leave.  I was discharged with the same dose blood pressure medication and after 2 weeks I had lost 20 pounds and passed out.  Come to find out...the nurse never gave me Dr Krauses new orders.  I was fine after that and lost and kept pff 150 pounds.  I have only good things to say about  Dr Krause and Beaumont. Best of luck,                              Robin

Dr Krause is awesome. He and his office staff were wonderful. He is very informative and takes all the time you need for questions. He explains everything.  My treatment at Beaumont was great. I would not go anywhere but Beaumont. All the nurses were fantastic.  Feel free to PM me if you have any further questions. Dr Krause is an A+ in my book.

I went thought HFH with Dr. Genaw/Dr. Carlin's practice.  It was my first time at HFH and it was  GREAT!  I have nothing bad to say.  They both are very compentant dr.  Their program is very strict and they will tell you as it is.  They also are a center of excellence and have done/do many many surgeries with most of them lap.  They have their own wing in the hospital and each room is private.  They also provide dietician and psy support groups for lifetime before and after surgery.  They also have a yahoo message group for support for their patients only (you have to go to the intro meeting to have access to this site).  They also are huge on research and follow up of their patients.  Both dr's are staff surgerons of HFH and have been trained extensivly. 

Hi I went through Henry Ford. Dr Carlin was/is my surgeon. What can I say Dr. Carlin (in my biased opinion) is the best there is period! I love the team at Henry Ford. Dr. Carlin, (surgeon) Dr. Genaw, (surgeon), Dr. Eshelman (phych), Annette (nut), Tracy (exercise specialist), Wanda (nurse & insurance expert, If Sarge can't get you approved~ no one can). We have an online support group, and three in person support groups per month. They are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month and on the 2nd Thursdays of the month. The first one is with Annette our nut and friend. The one Thursday and the one on the fourth Tuesday of the month are run by Dr Eshleman our phych. The one on Thursday is a replase prevention group. For people that have lost a significant amount of weight or are further out from surgery. They truly care and it shows. They are a center of excellence and both surgeons have done many gastric by pass surgeries, and lap band surgeries as well. Both the surgeons and their teams are highly qualified d and highly skilled teams. Thy love their jobs and their patients. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. They have a centurion meeting every July to honor their patients who have lost 100 pounds or more, and /or have a normal b.m.i. Not only all of this they are the #1 hospital in the state of Michigan and among the top 20 across the entire nation :). Best wishes o making your final decision. God bless,

Annette

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am leaning toward HFH but they require a note from my PCP and I don't have a PCP. I don't see a internal med doc. Just my GYN. I do all OB care at HFH. And the only time I have seen a IM doc was when I had a really bad cough for 3 months. My GYN does all my care.  Beaumont requires a pre/post surgery package to be purchased. It is $600 plus $200 for psych eval. I don't have the money for that. Maybe I'm rushing things.

Side note on PCP note:  I needed one as well and like you, didn't have one.  It was my OB/GYN providing my care for everything, including obesity.  She wrote my note, and all was well. BTW...Dr. Taylor was my surgeon and Dr. Wood assisted.  My experience was good, no real complaints. Good luck with your decision!!