Anyone a patient at Grand Health Partners in Grand Rapids?

 Hell All!

I am starting the WLS process and attended a surgical seminar at Grand Health Partners in GR last night. It was very encouraging and I was extremely impressed by the staff, surgeons, and facilities. 

I'm most like going for the duodenal switch, although I will discuss the RNY. 

Any advice or experience with GHP? Thanks! I believe Dr. Foote and Kemmeter are the only surgeons who perform the DS in the practice. 

I had the DS with Dr. Kemmeter 2 years ago.  I highly recommend him, and the DS, as my experience with both have been the very best.

You are correct, that Kemmeter & Foote are the only surgeons at GHP that perform the DS (they are the only two surgeons in Michigan who perform the DS lap; there are two others on the east side of the state the perform the DS open).  Dr. Foote is very partial to the VSG.  Had Kemmeter not had the qualifications that he did, I would have gone to California for my DS; he is the only surgeon in the mid-west that I can fully endorse.

There are several area DSers getting together at my home on Feb 6, and you would be welcome to attend.  Even if you don't make this event, I would HIGHLY recommend that you interact with post-op DSers prior to your surgery, as there are so few of us and very often lumped together with people who had RnY, and our post-op needs and experiences are vastly different.  Simply send me a PM via OH with your name & email address, if you are interested in more details of the DS party at my home.

If you haven't already, learn all you can about the DS at DSFacts.com, and spend some time on the DS Forum here on OH.

I had the DS one year ago with Dr. Kemmeter and it brought about great change in my life.  It cleared up my health issues (diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea) and I now have a very positive outlook on life. 

In about 10 months I lost 145 pounds and have now stayed at my current weight for the last 2 months.

 Dr. Kemmeter is an excellent surgeon, but look to the duodenal switch forum here on OH for help and support after surgery. The nutritionists at GHP are not quite as knowledgeable as they could be about how we need to eat and the vitamins we need to take. 

Good luck on your WLS journey! 

 Thanks so much for the responses! They have been very helpful. It has been a crazy 48 hours for me and my wife. We went to the orientation on Thursday fully convinced that I would be pursuing an RNY. However, after hearing the presentation, researching the DS, and reading these boards (dsfacts.com and duodenalswitch.com) endlessly,  I'm 100% convinced that I'm going for the DS.

If you don't mind my asking, how long was your process? I have a real time-crunch, unfortunately. My wife is due with our baby on April 1st. We have to travel back to Texas at the end of May and then my summer is packed at work and I can't take off. So, unless this happens fast, I may not be able to get it done until the fall. That is a really depressing thought. 

My insurance has approved me already and I just need GHP to help me out with scheduling, etc. I called them yesterday to schedule my first appointment, but they said they couldn't until they processed my paperwork. That was a little frustrating.

I pursued WLS on & off for 15 years, and finally "gave in" to the fact that I would have to have RnY.... I knew too many people with it who were not happy with their results & post-op lifestyle, but I was finally desperate enough 2 years ago that I had to give into living that post-life.  I had no idea the DS existed.... and when I found it, I couldn't get WLS fast enough!  The quality of my post-op life is SO much better than I could have ever even imagined!

The time frame for me was about 2 months from orientation to the OR table.  Some things that made it go faster for me were finding out what GHP (MMPC at the time) would require and get those done ahead of time.  For a woman, a yearly pap, etc... is required, but I don't know what / if there is a requirement in that area for a man.  A sleep study.  Some people have to have a scope for ulcers & esophagus scaring.  I can't think of what else, but I would call and ask.  While they aren't the most friendly, well organized, patient focused practice around (and Larry is dead on about never listening to the nutritionists there for DS post-life), getting to Dr. Kemmeter is WORTH going through all of it.  If you can't get an answer to the basic questions of what type of tests you will need to provide them documentation on pre-op, ask for the practice manager, Kim.  Also tell her that you need to fast-track this.  She can help.

It also took me a bit longer to get scheduled because Dr. Kemmeter had done the recent orientation, and whomever went to that orientation wanted him.

If it doesn't happen fast, don't worry too much about it.  You will be recovering from a MAJOR surgery, and your body will require time to heal.  Your jam packed schedule may not allow for you to give yourself the best recovery possible.

Oh, and if you would be offended by dealing with a religious fanatic, when they schedule you psych eval, tell them you will not deal with Scott and get them to schedule you will someone else.

Once my insurance had me approved or surgery I think it took about 1 month until surgery.  It just depends on how far out Dr. Kemmeter is booked.

Good Luck

 That would be awesome if it only took a month! I'm not holding out much hope, but I'm definitely crossing my fingers!

Can't tell you anything about the DS because it wasn't available when I had my surgery 5 1/2 years ago with Dr. Foote. I had lap RNY and have been very happy; no complications at all. I didn't have a choice of surgery, but I was happy to get what I got and lost 180 pounds. At the time, Foote, Kemmeter and Baker were with MMPC; they broke off and started GHP last year.

Foote is very good, I know people who had Kemmeter who are very happy. As for timeframe, depends on how fast the office puts through your insurance. Don't want to discourage you, but it took me more than a year.

I attended an Orientation at GHP on January 25th, Dr. Foote was in charge of the Orientation.

I'm also curious how long until everything is done, as I can't wait to be on my way with losing weight and getting healthy.

I received a phone call the day after the Orientation from GHP, and they scheduled me to come in on Feb. 18th for a history/physical.

I just called a few days ago and set up my Psych Evaluation for next week. My insurance requires I get one on my own, and then one at GHP's.

I'm really hoping to have surgery by March or April at the latest.

I have decided on DS.

 UGH! I'm so frustrated right now. GHP called this morning and can't see me in for almost a month! This is going to ruin my chance to get my surgery for quite some time. 

I asked if there was a cancellation waiting list, and she said there was not. So, if someone cancels I have to call in and find out. This is not how I was hoping to start my week.