Northern Ohio Opinions Needed

Hi, Everyone!

I have just started down this road and would love to hear from anyone who loved or disliked their surgeon/ hospital. I am undecided between St.Vincent's or the Cleveland Clinc and of course I am open to others in the area as well.

Thanks for the help!

I went to the Cleveland Clinic, Doctor and staff we're great.

I went to Summa Hospital in Akron and I highly recommend both of the surgeons at this facility. I don't have a single negative thing to say about their program. And from what I've heard from SEVERAL people- Summa has the best aftercare program in NE Ohio. Best advice though is to do surgical consults with a couple doctors and see which you feel most comfortable with and who offers what you need (type of surgery, open vs. laproscopic, etc). 

I went to St.Vincents in Dec. Everything was wonderful there. I even had to go back because of something I ate, and they were wonderful again. Very caring people. Dr. Ben-Meir is great. I live between Akron and Cleveland and decided to go to St. Vincents. He has been doing the surgery longer than anyone else in the area. Also, there is a fee of $350 at St. Vincents and the fee is $2000 at Akron General and Summa. This money goes for the running of the support groups, etc... Thats some big difference if you ask me... Goodluck with which ever you choose...

Hi!

I went to university hospital.  Dr. Khaitan.  She is great and the hospital was wonderful.  The staff were kind and understanding.   I would highly recommend them.  I had absolutely no problems after surgery


Mary

I had my lap band procedure done at Summa Akron City. I find their program to be comprehensive and patient centered. I have no complaints.

As you do your research I would recommend you consider their support network and comprehensiveness of their program. Most importantly I would recommend you evaluate the surgeon and bariatric center staff. I have heard of hospitals where you can not talk to a surgeon until you are almost ready for surgery. This is an absolute deal breaker for me. You MUST have a conversation early on with your surgeon; ideally an initial consult. You must be able to trust this person and know that he/she is there for you and not for the money. So, bottom line is the center must give you access to the surgeon and an open line to talk to him when you need to. I am lucky to have that option.

I went to UT medical center in Toledo. They took awesome care of me - the nurses were amazing. The dietician and insurance coordinators were great too.

 I want to second T.

I was schedualed for RNY surgery at St. Vincent when I first took the drive to Toledo.  Dr. Lane performs every major WLS - Nobody else in northern Ohio does - and can give an honest assessment of which you should get.

Make an appointment, if only for a consult.

Dr. Philip Schauer at the Cleveland Clinic performed my RNY. He has impeccable credentials. I was assigned to him because my history of blood clots and other co-morbidities put me at high risk.   I don't think I could have been in better hands.

Everything went fine. I have lost 73 lbs since surgery on 9/21

I haven't paid any kind of fees for support groups as mentioned at other hospitals in a previous post.

Good luck on whatever doc your pick.

cleveland clinic was wonderful!!