Dr. William Graber's patients???

Trying to locate anyone that has had surgery done by Dr Willian Graber in the New Hartford, NY area. I have an appointment with him in Sept. and was wondering what he is like and how your experience with him was. I am from the Binghamton area, and there are no surgeons here that participate with my insurance co. (MVP) that do the WLS anymore due to the insurance hike in NY and Calif. What really stinks is that I had a schedule date all set up...but now no surgeon.

Hey Bonnie - There are a number of us around; we also have a YahooGroups discussion group (since our obesityhelp board disappeared, and nobody's ever figured out how to make it come back). http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Faxton-StLukesWLS We also have an online chat every Monday night at 7:30pm, information in the group files area in the Yahoo groups how to get into it. My experience with Dr Graber was very positive - you can look at my profile to see my journey, even though I haven't updated it as much as some have. I'm down about 100 lbs, would like to lose about another 60 or so, and I'm about 16 months out now... (surgery end of Feb 2004). Welcome & hope to talk more to you soon - ....Nick

Thank you for the info, and I'll try the website and the chat room. Congrats on your wieght loss!

I had surgery 2 years ago this July 11th. Like I was told before I saw him, if your looking for warm and fuzzy he's not your guy. He is very upfront and does not pull any punches. I would do this again in a heartbeat. Not to say that there were no rough spots, there was but with a good doctor and a great support group those things are dealable. If you every have any questions feel free to email and ask, no question is a stupid question. The more you ask the more informed you are to go into this journey. Betty Jo - [email protected] Lap RNY 7/11/03 399.5/206/150

Bonnie, Before you commit to Dr Graber, check out Dr. Kenneth Graniero. He's w/ the Mohawk Valley Obesity Surgery Center @ St Elizabeth's Medical Center. His office does participate with MVP. He's a wonderful man and an EXCELLENT surgeon! He did my surgery on May 5, 2005 and I'm EXTREMELY pleased w/ him and his staff! I've lost 93 lbs so far! Not to badmouth Dr Graber because I've never met the man but I have a friend that works in the surgery dept @ Faxton-St Luke's Healthcare and I happen to know that he has a problem with leaks. Alot of his patients have to go back for repairs. I hope this helps with your problem. Take care and have a happy weight loss journey! Barb 342/248/hoping for 160

Thanks so much for the info. I got the phone # for Dr. Graniero, and I'll give them a call. Does he do the RNY lap or open? This is all so frustrating, being so close to getting it done, and now no surgeon. And to start all over...I can't even get an appointment with anyone for months. I am all approved by the ins co. and have all my tests and documentation in order, but they still say I have to go thru orientations again and all that. I have been there, done all the tests, done all the waiting. Now I have to do it all again, and it's just really depressing me. Thanks for the info again..maybe I'll have better luck with him.

Bonnie, He does both lap and open. I had mine done open. I'm so sorry to hear about all the problems your going through. I understand your frustrations! Prior to my surgery I was denied by my former ins 3x! I changed my ins and was approved w/in a week! I started the process in Dec 04 and ended up not having surgery until May. When you meet w/ Dr G ask him if he'll accept the test results that you've already done. Keep your chin up. Things will work out for you in the end! Remember what you're working for...a brand new you! If you need anything you can email me at [email protected]. Barb

Double check any Dr that you choose, I know of patients of Dr Graniero, that now come to Dr Grabers support group because they are not satisified with the follow up care and support from their Dr. Also know that going in for this surgery there is possibilitys of leaks and other complications, not many of Dr Grabers patients have had this problem. Some have went back in for other issues, but that is something that can happen with any Dr as result of this or any other type of surgery. Also some patients that have to go back in are because they may have done something that they were not supposed to do and as result they have incurred other problems. If you have issues with what you have heard about problems with Dr grabers patients call his office and ask. They will be up front with you and answer your questions first hand. Betty Jo Lap RNY 7/11/03 399.5/206/150 239 inches gone