Question about Weight Loss Surgeons!!

I posted this to the main board and had a good response, but I would like some local input... What was the determining factor for choosing your surgeon?? I am deciding whether or not I should go through with this regardless of my family's support. Before I start calling different places, I want to know what those who have been through the process have determined was the deciding factor in choosing a surgeon/ hospital. Thank you!! Gretchen [White Rabbit]

Hi Gretchen, I am still pre-op - waiting for insurance approval currently. I selected OSU for my surgery. First, they are in network and so are the surgeons. This was not my prime consideration, but it was in there. Second, I wanted to make certain that I was not a 20 minute ambulance ride from emergency care, in case something drastic were to happen. If I were going to a stand alone center, I personally would be more nervous about the what-ifs. OSU requires you to go through several paces and hoops in order to be accepted for surgery. A key component to this is the 4 week nutrition class that you are required to take before surgery. I just have alot of faith in a setting like OSU - and therefore am happy with my decision. There are a group of surgeons at OSU, and in my case, I am having open RNY because of my BMI. So, my surgeon choice was based upon that, plus the Bariatric Program also "assigned" me to a physician, I'm sure that I could have more say, but I am very happy with the choices. In a nutshell, I need to know that I can get aftercare nutritional support, surgical support or whatever else might come down the road. They have all of this at OSU. Hope that helps, -Anne

Gretchen, I contacted my PCP for suggestions. One was local but did not accept our insurance. The other was with Barix. I made the appointment and really liked him, but, their insurance department refuses to submit because they say I don't have the requirements met-yet when I read the notes I see that I do. Anyway, I then met up with another surgeon by posting my woes on the board and I REALLY like him and feel he's the guy I needed to go to in the first place. As far as family, I talked with them and told them that I felt this was the last resort and I didn't want to go through what my mother did (wheelchair bound for 2 years then died of a massive heart attack) and I didn't want to put them through it either. Finally they understood but I also told them I was going to do it with or without them because I refused to allow this to be repeated with me. They finally understood. Now we are in the process of fighting insurance so it may never happen! Beth

Hi Gretchen, I am going to have my surgery at University Hospital of Cleveland. Dr. Stellato its great. They have Support group meeting on the first Monday of each month but junes is the second because of the holiday. I am haveing surgery on june 24th. I would check them out. Pattie

The surgeon had to be in my insurance network, as there is no out of network benefit to cover WLS, and private pay was out of the question. Luckily, there are two surgeons who do the RNY laparoscopically in network, as well as several others who do it open. My surgeon is the head of the department of endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery at a major teaching hospital. I really wanted to have the surgery laparoscopically because I needed to be back at work in short order. I was very fortunate that I have the finest surgeons and hospitals in my insurance network. Sue

i started with st vincents and have not looked back. i did all the research there is to do. depending on the type of person you are, you need to figure out if you want the open or the lap surgeries. you may call me and i will tell you about it all as you can see i can't type . My name is Nicole 440 832 0845.

Hi Gretchen, I chose Dr. Hallowell at University Hospital in Cleveland. He is a Qual Choice(my insurance) doc and UH is owned by Qual Choice. I selected him on reccommndations from people I work with who had him do their surgeries. He has been known to be able to get insurance companies to cover plastic surgery after weight loss. I also looked up his qualifications and experience,etc. on-line. I compared the hoops I had to jump through with several other programs and I thought the UH program worked the best for me. We have a local support group in Medina at Cool Beans on the Square, second Tuesday of the month at 7:30PM. There are several programs and surgeons represented. You are welcome. Hope to see you some time! Alice