help, please with surgeon shopping

Hi everyone......I just found out that my insurance denial comes from my employers exclusion, and that appealing is next to pointless. .... i am now considering trying to raise the funds myself for the surgery. My original consult was at the BTC in Columbus (where I felt very comfortable) with Dr. Stelmack, but now that self pay seems inevitable, I am checking into some other options. I just found the websight for Midwest Ohio Surgical Assoc, but I didn't feel the sight gave much information....especially about the sugeons. The surgeons ARE listed here, but there is no information about them here either Did anyone use that facility, and can you give me any information? I would appreciate anyones imput, either with self pay experiences, or surgeon reccomendation. Nobody said this was going to be easy.....and Nobody was right! Thanks! L

L, Dr. Custer with MOSA is a weight loss surgery guru. He is among the best in the state in my opinion. I have worked with him a lot. Can't speak to their cash price, though. Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio

L, As they are one of only 2 places in the state that my husbands insurance covers, I checked them out as well... Alot of the people my husband works with have had the surgery there and said they liked the Doctors alot. Some were so so when it came to the hospital itself. I do know that they have an information session coming up on the 14th of April. I will be there but am checking out OSU also on Thursday. Sent my papers into OSU but may have a hard time getting accepted by them as you HAVE to have a 6 month recent supervised diet/exercise program by your Dr. So basically I am keep my options open still... I wish you the best of luck in your search for a Dr. and hospital.... Lori

I had mine done at OSU under Dr. Scott Melvin. He is Chief of Surgery at OSU and has done Laproscopic surgery for a long time and Lap RNY for the last five years. He was fantastic and I could not ask for better care anywhere. I would reccommend OSU and there doctors very highly. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

You can obtain a list of doctors and surgeons by state at the American Association of Bariatric Physicians and..darn, I forgot. Just do a web search of bariatric physicians. There are two associations. Good luck to you.

I wholeheartedly and strongly recommend Dr. Bradley Needleman at OSU. He's the head of bariatric surgery and teaches the laproscopic method to other surgeons. He is one of the most personable doctors I have ever met, and I think I'm a walking testimony to his great ability. Gail Garcia RNY 7/3/03 305/150/172