Bariatric Treatment Centers - Belvedere, IL

HI. I've been reading a book called "Complications." I'm a former RN and now a lawyer who is considering this surgery. I've always disliked teaching hospitals for care becuase the way medicine is taught there is so much risk that the person who does your surgery is the first time that person has EVER done that procedure, etc. This book is interesting but it talks about, among other things, that studies have shown that the best way to ensure safe outcomes during surgery is to have surgical centers that perform nothing but that type of surgery...like hernia repairs. Thus, there are few complications, the surgeons are better trained and the surgery goes better all the way around. This has made me wonder if surgical centers (like the one I mentioned above) would be better for this type of surgery. Anybody with experience with them? I will have to be self-paying because of my insurance's exclusion. This BTC quotes a flat rate and I've read great things about the center but I'm not sure....would really like the input of other!!! I live in a suburb of Milwaukee and am also going to talk to Dr. Wallace and Dr. Engestrand (sp?). I don't think Froedert is for me (too many interns,residents ready to make mistakes on you as they learn) and I don't know enough about Elmbrook (where I think Dr. E operates)....I didn't have my kids here in Wisconsin so I really don't know much about the hospitals. Any insights would be really appreciated!

Ann- I've read that book as well. I had Lap. RNY-GB done seven and a half months ago by two surgeons who are both surgical professors with the University of Wisconsin, and I've lost about 180 lbs. I've had no complications that could be caused by surgeon error, and if my memory serves me correctly there was a Junior Surgical resident and a Med. STUDENT assisting with my procedure. I looked at BTC, and honestly, the thought of "mass production" surgery freaked me out. Plus, too, they also don't do laporoscopic RNY, which is something to consider. My point is this... teaching hospitals are teaching hospitals because they have faculty there to pass on their skills to the new physicians. Also, they are usually at the forefront of the medical world because of that. If it were me, I'd take FMLH/MCOW or UW over BTC or some small hospital any day of the week. Good luck. Josh

Ann I had surgery 8 years ago at BTC in Michigan I have been in the medical field a long time, that is why I choose a speciality facility. BTC has performed 22,000 surgeries over the last 11 years. The have hospitals in six states. Think about the future if you move the chances are very good that there will be a BTC within travel distance. Just to add I weighed 400 lbs on the day of surgery I wanted my life in the hands of bariatric specialists!! 8 years later I have lost over 200 lbs and kept it off. BTC offers supports group, life time aftercare at no cost, most of their centers have a reconstructive program (excess skin removal). Surgeons come and go in this field BTC has an 11+ years of proven experience. Don't end up like some out there trying to find someone to answer questions or give them care because their surgeon is no longer around.

HI Ann, I have been looking into the surgery for almost a year now. I decided to go with BTC. This is the only surgery that they do. The office staff was very helpfull. They answered my questions right away. I did check into a hospital in Madison, WI. They were not as helpfull. They just sent out some forms and asked me to send them back in. It took a month to get an answer back after calling every week. I was not happy. With the BTC office I came in and they sat down with me to take the information and enter it into the system. I am getting all my paperwork together for the insurance to approve the surgery. Best of Luck!! Jackie

Hi jackie, I will be having surgery with Dr. Engstrand at Elmbrook Hospital on June 3. I have only seen Dr. Engstrand once but he is very nice and the hospital is great. They have called twice this week to set all my testing and dietician visit and they will call just before I go for my surgery. i have heard good things about the hospital and since I am self pay the doctor and hospital are working with me to set a package deal. Denise

Hi, Ann Just wanted to let you know that I am working on getting the surgery (hopefully before the end of the year). I am from Sheboygan Wisconsin and I have to travel to Milwaukee for this. I have met with Dr Parmod Kumar. This surgery is all he does, he can also handle hernia and the skin removal later on if needed but basically he does this surgery. Very nice person, knows his stuff!! He works through ST LUKES in Milwaukee. Maybe you can call his office and talk to his nurses, they are very helpfull also. 414-529-1944 This is his office phone number. His office is actually located in Franklin WI

Ann, I had my surgery done at BTC in Belvedere in November 2003. My surgeon was Dr. Boe and he is great. I really liked all of the staff and felt very comfortable there. Being that bariatric treatment is all that they do, they do that very well. Feel free to email me if you have specific questions or want more info. -Jennifer 221/163/115 [email protected]

Thank you all for the follow up and information. I really appreciate it. I go tomorrow for my consult at BTC and will follow up after my consult. Thank you a million times over! Ann