Dr. Mark Pleatman?

First and foremost...thank you all for helping me!  I've been lurking for a while and I can't believe what a great group I stumbled on(:
okay, for my question...
I was totally comfortable with my choice (once I changed my mind from the RNY to VSG) to use Dr. Pleatman from Michigan until my husband checked into a different surgeon and found out the cost is double elsewhere...which means I should be happy but now I'm concerned, is there something I'm missing?  Dr. Pleatman's price is $11,700 on self pay all inclusive, does this sound right?  Has anyone used Dr. Pleatman?  The other price with Dr. Foote was 20-25k? 

I was a private pay with Foote and my surgery was around $16,000 for him, the hospital and anesthesia.  Both the hospital and anesthetist had reduced rates if you pay in advance.  All my labs were covered by insurance.  I looked into Pleatman.  He is a good surgeon but I was really impressed with Foote and a big reason I went with him was because of the hospital.  Spectrum blogett campus is wonderful.  I think you would be fine with Pleatman though.

Good Luck!
Carole

I hate to open up this can of worms again but..............

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/MI/a,messageboard/action,r eplies/board_id,4824/cat_id,4424/topic_id,3731188/

and

http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-miedce/case_no-2:2007 cv13290/case_id-223076/

This doesn't provide anything concrete, it just means you really need to do your homework.  Maybe contact the other member directly?

Brenda,

Just to comment on this posting, if you go back that posting it has been removed off the boards.  The only way you can access it now is by your own posts.  The person that made that posting joined the day they posted, do you still keep in touch with that person?  For some reason or another it was taken off, so I do not think they were credible on what they posted.  If you can prove it otherwise I would like the information since I am planning on having him as my surgeon.

I have spoke to several of his patients and have not found any reasons to be concerned.

I'm not trying to stir up anything but I have looked into this extensively and cannot find anymore on it.  Thanks.

Hi,
I couldn't find anything either, except that there was actually a court case. 

Every site that I looked at advertising malpractice information for doctors involved joining and paying a fee.

Does anyone know if there is somewhere you can find results of malpractice suits? 

I don't keep in touch with that person (I'm assuming it's a female?) but did kind of feel sorry for her because it seemed she really was trying to reach out and let people know what happened. 

I wonder if you just outright asked the doc about it what he would say?

I'm assuming that OH pulled the post to avoid potential slander litigation.  I don't know if in their TOS it's allowed to post those kinds of things about a surgeon.

I would advise you to just do your own research and go with who you are comfortable with.  There are many people on this site that can rattle off every statistic about their doc, like fatalities, etc. so maybe they could help you with how to obtain that information.  Best of luck to you!!

There is no way to really tell if she was crediable or not. My brother is a malpractice lawyer and he says that since most of these people are suing for damages and the doctors are not being prosecuted then there is no public records because no criminal charges are being brought against them. Also most doctors settle out of court to avoid possible media attention. The lady that posted that was probably angry and upset. Anyone would be too. We all do impulsive things when we are upset .  I always read messages where people say bad things to others about not being signed up on OH long enough too. Whats that about? What difference does it make whether she signed up that day or twenty years ago?  She just wanted to speeak her mind. That said... I agree whole heartedly with Brenda. Do your OWN research!!!! OH is full of people with OPINIONS and not all of them are good ones.

During Dr. Pleatman's information session he said that he was able to offer the cash price he does because one of the hospitals he operates out of negotiated a good package price.

Paula

Dr. Pleatman did my Band to VSG revision last month.  I am very impressed with his knowledge, skill and caring.  I chose him because he has a LOT of experience and great recommendations.  I did my research.  I am an RN and I can tell you that ALL doctors get sued.  This IS serious business having abdominal surgery especially when you are obese.  In Dr. Pleatman's consent forms he goes over all of the possible problems as a result of the procedure.  Scares the c**p out of you!  And it should.  Some outcomes are not perfect but I will tell you that one of my nurses told me, unsolicited, that he is the 'best'.  She also told me that she doesn't see his patients again because they just don't have the problems of their other surgeons.  Now, she did temper that by adding "not to say they don't have problems, after all I am not here 24/7, every day of the year."  Could he have made a mistake with this poster in question.  Sure.  It is an unfortunate risk in a very difficult profession.  Does that mean he is a bad surgeon or negligent?  No, it does not.  Keep doing research, email him or call him direct.  He is very good about responding. 

When you are self-pay, as I was, you go to Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital where they indeed have given him a 'rate' for bringing his patients there.  It is the older of the three hospitals he practices out of.  Not a great reputation but I found it to be adequate.  The hospital I work at doesn't give 'deals' like POH.  They would charge a cash cliet the same as what they BILL insurance.  Now, we all know insurance companies don't often PAY that billed amount, it is less.  So I imagine POH lets Dr. Pleatman's cash patients pay what the insurance company would PAY.  It is actually better for them because they don't have to do any billing...just collect the money!!  For instance, I was told that cash pay for my VSG here in town would be $28,000.  Paleeease.  There is no way my insurance company would give them that much money.  Email me if you decide to go there, I can give you some tips!

Thanks everyone for all your help.  I really appreciate it. 

I noticed that you are in Te****eh, Canada.

I'm curious as to why you are doing self-pay and not trying to get OHIP coverage? Wanted to let you know too about the Windsor & Essex County support group in your area.

Dawn :)