ellis hospital or albany med?

hello!!! i'm  a newbie hoping to have much needed surgery.  i'm just doing some doctor and hospital research.  it's a hard decision to make on narrowing down who you want to do the surgery, so any advice or feedback on these two hospitals and the docs and their staff would be great.  thank you soo much!!!!

Albany Medical Center is what I am going thru. There times I hate it....times I love it. If you do go to AMC....go to Albany Clinical Nut. and not Lindstrom.....(personal admonition)

OMGoodness that's almost like asking which child is your favorite. Personally I choose Ellis Hospital. But that was only because they were the best fit for me. May I suggest that you make an appointment with each and then decide which is the best fit for you.

I would research both places & ask them a lot of questions!!! God knows AMC would've been much more convenient for me but I was a lot more comfortable & at ease with the drs & staff at Ellis!! I have absolutley nothing bad to say about my experiences there both pre & post op!!!! I had great nurses & was treated really well at Ellis & I would never be nervous having to go back there!! Make sure you check out both & decide what you like/dislike about both programs... this is a huge decision to make!! Good Luck!!! Cece

I just posted this maybe it will help you?

Both are centers of excellence both have great reputations choice would be a personal one, interview both!!! IMHO!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello, welcome and thank you for the topic, we discuss topics over and over its fine it helps newbies and old timers so we can pay it forward!

You have received some great info already here is some things I have on choosing a surgeon (interview a few IMHO) then pick!
How To Choose A Bariatric Surgeon
by C. Kenneth Mitchell, JR., M.D., F.A.C.S.
http://www.beyondchange-obesity.com/medicalMatters/howToChooseASurgeon.html


When you're looking for a Bariatric surgeon/points to ponder:
http://www.amylhwilliams.com/questionsforsurgeon.html good link also

1) Check out info on this site: http://www.nydoctorprofile.com/ (*search under his name & look for any malpractice suits, payouts etc. You can ask about that).

2) Is he board-certified by the American Board of Surgery?
www.absurgery.org
American College of Surgeons?
http://web3.facs.org/acsdir/public/Detail.cfm?CHKDGTS=00299031800

3) Is he a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons? http://www.asbs.org/html/about/membersearch2.html

4) What is the mortality rate (is the number of deaths) of the surgeon, the success rate (those losing > 50% of their excess wt at 5 yrs out)? Complication rates (wound infections, hernias, strictures, leaks, reoperation etc)? Average length of time in hospital.

5) The surgeon you find should be well experienced in the area of weight loss surgery (BARIATRICS). It's clear that the more experienced the surgeon, the lower the risk of mortality. Ideally, you would prefer to find a surgeon who has performed at least 100 of these procedures. (I say over 500!). I also recommend a surgeon who dedictes his practice to WLS, not one who does a case a week....

6) What you are looking for doesn't stop with numbers and statistics -- you will also need a multidisciplinary team one that includes: Surgeon, nutritionist, exercise physiologists, psychological support & support groups, that can be utilized pre- and post-operatively.

7) Look for a center or hospital that offers educational seminars to those who are just beginning the process so you can learn more about the actual procedure, the benefits, and the risks.

8) Is the hospital a Bariatric Center of Excellence? http://www.asbs.org/html/about/coe.html or http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate.aspx
http://www.facs.org/viewing/cqi/bscn/fullapproval.html

9) The preparation, both physical and mental, comes next, and is as crucial to the entire process as the actual procedure. Look to a surgeon that requires clearance from (what is indicated w/ your particular medical status) various doctors (psych/endocrine/hemotology/pulmonary/cardiology/nutrition etc). No this is not @ hoops this is making sure your health status is optimized before surgery. Preop smoking cessation, preop wt loss..etc.

10) What procedures does he do? Open or Lap? What is his follow up plan? Recovery time?

Education is a tremendously important part of the preoperative process & there is no question that there are major risks associated with the operation. However, those risks can be minimized by having a thorough preoperative workup so there aren't surprises during the procedure, and by making sure the surgeon is experienced and qualified. This is a courageous step for people to take, and it's not just about weight changing -- it's about life changing. SO take your time, find the right surgeon/surgical program for you for your life and your health and success long-term! WLS is a decision many of us make, but should not be made impulsively (*the average time one thinks about and has WLS is 2 yrs!) as we as MO people can feel quite desperate and see this as a last resort and can sometimes go with whoever is telling us they will perform, that may not be in our best interest!
EDUCATION IS KEY, AS IS A COMMITMENT & dedication to a healthy diet and exercise regimen, continual follow-up with doctors to monitor progress, and commitment to a new life.

Ask him all these questions or any others think of or you think of, if HE isn't right, find someone who is! After all you're putting your life in his hands and needing someone to care for you for life!!! Be an educated consumer of your own health! HUGS!

I would advise you as the others before to check them both out before deciding, but because you asked for feedback I'll tell you the experience my husband and I had with both. Please don't flame, this is my experience, yours may have been different! A few years ago (2003) my husband decided to have the surgery because his medical problems had increased and his weight was in the 500s. At that point in time Ellis wasn't doing lap so he decided on Albany Med. He spent almost a year getting through the info session, all the testing and the pre-op diet to lose the necessary 10%. During one of his  sessions he was told that the surgeon wouldn't do his surgery if he could not get records from a previous surgery from the 80s - which he couldn't. The way Albany Med did it back then (don't know if it's still the same or not) you don't meet with the surgeon until after you have done everything including lose the weight and you only meet him once just before surgery. My husband did everything and couldn't even get in to see the surgeon to discuss with him about his previous surgery.  Because of this he had to start over again. Due to worsening health and insurance issues, he still hadn't had the surgery last year when we heard Ellis now did RNY lap. We were able to get the info session quickly, meeting one of the surgeons right at the session. I had been debating to have the surgery myself and this program impressed me enough to at least meet with the surgeon privately and discuss it. We got an appointment with the surgeon before we had to have any testing and he spent a lot of time with us answering all our questions and I decided to have the surgery, too. He had no problem doing my husband's surgery without records from the previous surgery - he could see how important it was to my husband's health to get this surgery done. They set up all the testing appts except psych (though they gave us the name of 2 psychologists that work with them) and handled everything with our insurance company.  Everyone was very nice, they were very supportive the whole time we went through the pre-op experience. In fact, during the pre-op period my husband had a health problem worsen and had another doctor say he should put off the surgery, but Dr. Clarke knew my husband needed the surgery in order for the other health issue to really get better and not only didn't postpone the surgery, he gave my husband special help before the surgery. During the surgery itself, Dr. Clarke was great. My surgery went great - no problem. He knew my husband's surgery may take extra time, so he scheduled my husband as his only surgery that day. My hubby was on the table for 7 1/2 hours, but it was done lap and my hubby was home 2 days later. Dr. Clarke even had them call from the OR to let me know how it was going and that it was going to be a few more hours so I didn't worry - as much, anyway. :-)  The nurses in the hospital were busy, but I never waited for more than a few minutes when I called for them, and my needs were met. Post-op the office has been there for our questions. I would definitely recommend the Ellis Bariatric Center.

Welcome "newbie".  Well i just wanted to post my personal opinion.  As the last person nicely posted, I waited forever to go with Albany Med, and in the end was going with Ellis.  I understand personally why you have to lose the 10%.  but it was the way the whole group itself was towards it.  I personally didnt take well to Lindstrom at all.   In the final end end, i had to move to LI., so never went with either.  But meeting Dr. Clarke @ Ellis, was much more pleasant.  The Nut was really nice and understanding.  And not to mention it didnt take long at all for an appt. But those are just my experiences with both.

 

Good luck to you

Betsy

Hi Pammy,

Hi I am from Eagle Bridge, graduated from Cambridge.  I had surgery 11/28/07 at Albany medical Center.  I loved the AMC program, they are extremely thurough.  I was very well informed and prepared for the surgery and recovery.  I personally have had no problems with Jen Lindstrom.  Initially she was very standoffish but all of my visits since that time with her have been great.  Good luck and if you have any questions let me kow. Crystal

I am so glad that not everyone has had the same problems  that I've had with Dr. Lindstrom. She is (not for long though)  my PCP through their office right off of exit 5.. Now this is only what has happened to me so please keep that in mind... My 3rd week postop I had severe FULL BODY HIVES from an allergic reaction to Nexium. Dr. Clarke's office recommended I contact her as well because they were so bad. Her exact words were... "They put you on the medication let them treat you".. Now here I was covered in hives from head to toe with my legs turning a beautiful shade of purple and as my PCP she REFUSED to treat me. IMO that's against all of the ethical oaths she took as a dr. Oh don't get me wrong, she did have her secretary call me about 3 hours later to say that I wasn't going to be seen by my surgeon to go to the ER.. I guess her conscience kicked in.. But she still didn't offer to see me. I pray each and every day that I don't get sick before May 5th (which is my first appointment with my new PCP) so that I don't have to see her. I'd probably tell her off. I hope everyone has much better luck with her than I.. :)