Lap Band at Cleveland Clinic

Has anyone out there gotten Lap Banded at the Cleveland Clinic? If so, how  was the experience?
Thanks,
Em

Hi, Dr Chand is my surgeon as well, though I'm having the RNY done on the 20th of this month. At the support group tonight, there were several people who are extremely happy with their lapbands done at Cleveland Clinic.

I like their whole program, and have been working with them to prepare and get through all the requirements for my insurance since April '08.

I like it there too. Their program seems very comprehensive.

I had my RNY at Cleveland and would reccomend it highly.  Their program is very thorough and I appreciated that.

Hi -I got my lap band at CC in May 2007 - and Dr. Chand was my doc.  Because CC is world renowned for top medical care I wouldn't consider anywhere else - I live about 9 0 minutes away - and they do bariatric surgery right in my town - but I wanted the best I could get.  I loved Dr. Chand - he was very kind, professional and I think I did a great job.  The bariatric unit could stand for some improvement - I haven't been there in a while but you usually have to wait forever and they won't (don't) coordinate your appts., which means several trips up there and having to take off work etc.  I didn't think my post op care was too great either - it was adequate, but not CC standards.  No one offered to help me get up, walk around, or directed me as to what I should be doing.  I just kinda laid there for a day and then was told to go home.  They just seemed understaffed and not as "coordinated" as the rest of the CC.  I think the CC caters more toward the RNY and most of thier instructions and nurses training comes from a RNY standpoint.  In fact I had to remind the nurses several times when they were giving me instructions that I had lap band, not RNY.  They have one standard booklet with pre and post op instructions and questions -and it covers all the surgeries.  The financial coordinator is extremely hard to get a hold of - and she never returns your call.  My surgery was delayed 6 months because she (they) failed to even turn in my information to my insurance.  When I finally called my insurance company to ask what was going on they said they were still waiting to hear from CC.  And they way over charged me for a fill - which at the time I was now self  pay - and I had to fight with the insurance and them to get it paid.  (the bill was over $2000.00 for a fill. - it was taken care of  finally).  So, overall, I loved my doctor, was glad I was at CC incase anything else went wrong I knew I was in the right place, but I wouldn't rate the overall bariatric unit high.  The bariatric offfice staff needs more training on dealing with patientsand insurance matters and scheduling,  and the nursing staff on the post op floor needs more training on bariatric care.  And if they offer lap band, then they should be aware of what surgery that patient has and give individualized instructions for that surgery- not just generic bariatric instructions.  I would still probably go there again though - and realize this has been almost 2 years ago - so things may have improved -although I know the finance person still is hard to get a hold of and doesn't return calls....I am 18 months out and have lost around 75lbs total... Good Luck!  Anne

Thanks for your response! Hopefully they've gotten their poop together.....Em

 I think it's very important to do your homework and determine if what they offer for their program is good enough for your needs.  I know living by CC is very close and yes they are world class hospital but do they have a world class WLS program? As you know this isn't just something you go in and have your surgery, go home and be happy.  

So I would ask them some questions;
How many surgeries have you done
What long term results are you seeing
What is your after care program and how long is it
If you are doing a lapband are fills free
- how often can I come in for a fill
- can I come in on Saturday
Is anyone on your staff a patient or have they been through WLS?
These are just a few I can think of.

I am in the pretesting phase of the lapband and decided to move my surgery to another surgeon.  I just didn't have much luck with where I started with because I didn't do enough research and decided to go to the 'closest location'. I had one instance where I called up with a question and the admin didn't know what a 'fill' was.  I met with the dietitian who weighed 100lbs wet and never had a weight problem.  I wasn't sure how she could posible relate to someone who has had bad eating habits their whole life.  The after care was only 1 year and fills were $200+ each time which would be out of pocket.  I found a program that is 2 years in length and the fills are included.  Now I will be driving 2 hours to this location but I feel my chances for long term succcess are much greater and I have never been a lucky person.

Just my thoughts.

Very good advice, Fred. I had my surgery at Summa Akron City. They have a very good program and excellent staff. I am lucky to have insurance cover my surgery and fills. I notice that my fills are quite pricey for what they do. They bill insurance a $200 clinic charge and then a $250 surgeon fee. I know the negotiated charge is less. It just seems excessive to those on self pay. Lap band is a different story than RNY. You go in monthly for these fills. So, you need to trust and be able to relate to the bariatric staff.