Familiar with Summa Bariatric Center - Akron?????

Is there anyone who had WLS through Summa Bariatric Center in Akron?  If so, which doctor?  Are you happy with them, the surgery, etc?  I would like to know more, if you care to share.  Thanx!

Hello! I'm still pre-op but I will be having a RNY at the end of November or beginning of December with Dr. Zografakis. I just finished up the 6 months of supervised dieting required by my insurance with Dr. Wells. I also see Dr. Perkins once a month for counceling/therapy. So far I'm pretty happy with everything and I haven't heard any complaints from anyone about ANY of the doctors in their practice.

If you type in the name of the doctor in the search bar at the top, you can get to their homepage and there is a lot of patient reviews that you can read through and look at other patient's profiles. If you have any questions feel free to ask! or come to one of the support groups (the next one is October 28th).  

Julie...Thanx so much for the reply.  Im glad to hear from someone who is going through Summa and especially with Dr. Z.  That is who my Primary Care suggested for my surgery.  I met with him already (very light hearted individual).  I did meet with Dr. Wells also.  I haven't heard of a Dr. Perkins.  I just met with Dr. Wells last week.  When did you start your sessions with Dr. Perkins?  Is this something I'll need to schedule?

Also, thanx for the heads-up regarding the "search" bar.  I will definitely use it.  Prior to surgery, do you have to be on a specialized diet?  Are you getting nervous?  If you don't mind me asking, who is your insurance carrier?  Sorry for all the questions?  Thanx!

Dr. Perkins is the name of the psychologist that will do your psych eval. After I had mine, she decided it would be beneficial for me to continue to see her for a couple months prior to having the surgery. She's super nice and very easy to talk to and has specialized in bariatric care issues for several years. The office pretty much schedules everything for you, so it'll show up on one of your "patient itenarary" papers you get in the mail.

As for the diet, I did the 6 months with Dr. Wells and it was basically just a low-calorie diet. I didn't really measure or count anything- I just tried to watch what I was eating. Basically whatever kind of diet I could do to lose weight. I only lost 11 lbs in my 6 months but my insurance company (Medical Mutual) only required that I didn't GAIN any weight during the supervised diet. I was approved by my insurance on Friday (they cover 100% of the surgery) and I'm suppose to find out my date on Monday. I have to do 6 weeks of optifast prior to the sugery so I'll be starting that within the next couple weeks.

As for being nervous... I think I'm more excited than anything. I've had those 6 months to question and doubt and research everything that I could and I feel well prepared and trust Dr. Z. I'm just ready to get the whole thing over with so I can start my new life!!!

I am scheduled for surgery with Dr Dan on the 20th. I can not say enough good things about this office. I feel completely prepared and felt like they were there everytime I needed anything. I also had to do 6 months with Dr Wells due to my insurance (cigna). The hardest part has been the 4 weeks of optifast but once you know why they require it, it makes sense.

I had gone to Barix and St V's previously to inquire about the surgery but just was not comfortable at all.

Good luck with your decision!

Speaking of Optifast.. what flavors/kinds to do "recommend" and which are the ones to stay away from? Did you get to try samples before you had to buy everything? I'm just nevous I'm going to have to buy my 6 weeks worth of Optifast at one time and then I'm going to get home and hate one of the flavors or something!! 

My first order was one of every flavor. I did not like the vanilla or the strawberry at all. Or the yogurt covered bar. I have stuck with the chocolate shakes, the peanut butter/chocolate bar and the tomato soup. I did get the chicken soup this last order but prefer the tomato. It was nice to get something different.

You can add seasoning and no sugar flavorings to the products. i added italian spices to the soup and added raspberrry flavoring to the shakes to change things up a bit.

Good luck w/ your Optifast!

Good luck with your progression Stixx!  I would appreciate it if you could keep with this thread and share your recovery and experience with me and others who are going through Summa.  What was your favorite Optifast flavor?

Thanx! And Best Wishes!

The chocolate peanut butter bar. Tastes like a regular granola to me...love it!

Today was pretesting, ekg and chest x-ray. Nothing too major just the normal round of questioning. I am more concerned about all the things I need to complete at home and work than with the surgery itself.

Good luck w/ your journey!

Dr Z is awesome and so is everyone in the office. You are treated with the utmost respect and given great care in the hospital. Dr Z wouldn't have it any other way.

Make sure you write down questions you may have so you don't forget any and you are always welcom to come to the monthly support group meetings.

I had my surgery on July 1st and feel great, down 78 lbs. You do not have to buy all of your Optifast at once, just get a couple weeks worth until you see what you like.

Good luck with your journey, you will have no regrets.