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.

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 am also on Optifast - day 6 of 14 before Lapband surgery on Jan.19. I too have no energy and I'm freezing cold all the time (I was always too hot before!). Hunger isn't as bad as these other symptoms, but it is a struggle. I am eating diet jello or cucumber slices or drinking clear broth (very low calorie - e.g., 1 g carb, 1 g protien, 0g fat, about 15 cal) when the urge to eat more comes up. I have the most trouble when I'm sitting watching TV so I am trying to keep busy in other ways. Computer surfing, reading books, tidying the house...anything that uses fairly little energy but keeps my mind and hands busy.

Hi Mandy,

The calendar for his office says yes---Actually it's Jan. 21 at 7.  I haven't been back since I stopped exercising at FastTrack last spring...found that I really could do it at home since I have enough equipment and DVDs to start my own gym!  I should hit a support group--I was thinking about the one up here at West Chester Med Center but have never made it there.

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).