Info about Utah Drs???

Hi, I've finally decided to have surgery. (I'm 48, 5'5" and 285 lbs, with gallbladder problems, asthma, arthritis, and HBP.) I'm in the process of getting insurance approval and I need to pick a surgeon. Can I have opinions on Utah surgeons, good or bad, so I'll have a little more information to decide with. Thanks so much. Kimberly

Hi Kimberly!!! I have picked Dr. Simper. He is at RMAP, it is at St.Marks Hospital. They have a class that you can go to and find out more about it. There is also a support group at St Marks that you can go to. RMAP is really good about helping with the paperwork for the insurance approval. Good Luck with everything! Jenn

Thanks for the info. I'll let you know what I decide. Keep your fingers crossed!

I will second the above about Dr. Simper and RMAP. I am very impressed with the amount of research time RMAP spends to make bariatric surgery better. They are very professional and very caring. Travis

Thanks for the info. I'll let you know what I decide. Keep your fingers crossed!

I'm going with Dr. Christina Richards. She's at SL Regional Hospital - or the old Holy Cross Hospital for those of us who are old! I really like her, and love Jolene, the program coordinator. Lots of education, support groups, etc. My surgery is a week from today. Eck! Sherry

Thanks for the info. Good luck on your surgery. I'll pray for you. I'll let you know what I decide and when my surgery gets scheduled. Kimberly

Hi Kimberly, I had my surgery on August 16th by Dr. LeGrand Belnap. I was sent to him to have my gallbladder removed and he talked me into having the RNY done. I am so thrilled. I'm already down 42 lbs. He is actually a big time transplant doctor and got into doing the WLS because in order to do some transplants you can not be over 50 lbs overweight. He had to get his patients weight down quickly so that he could save their lives with the transplants. He is somewhat eccentric and I have no idea when he sleeps. However, he is the doctor they call when other surgeons mess up WLS. I would say he is probably the most skilled in this surgery. Because he is such a busy doctor, he doesn't have the support groups and stuff that some other WLS doctors do. When you have an appointment with him it's best to bring a drink and a book because you will probably have to wait on him. He does his surgery at St. Marks or if you need an IHC hospital at LDS. I had mine done at LDS and they were wonderful -- private room and all. Good luck to you. Keep me posted. We are exactly the same age and almost the same stats. I'm 5'6 and weighed 287 prior to WLS. Terri

Thanks for the information. I have looked at Dr. Belnap's website and I plan on calling his office for more info. Sounds like you are doing well, I hope I can be as successful. I'll let you know what I decide and when my surgery gets scheduled. Thanks again for the info. Kimberly

I also went to Dr. Simper. He's a no-nonsense kind of doctor, but very experienced to lap RNY. I have not had any problems. Eileen