looking for recommendation of a DS surgeon in the midwest region
Hi Chienpoo,
I don't have any personal experience, but I live in ND as well and I am finding it difficult to locate anyone nearby that is qualified to do DS that has any significant information online verifying that they are any good/their level experience. I have a few names I've come up with like: Schlosser (who had a heart attack and I believe is no longer practicing? Maybe someone else can confirm this?), Buchwald (who I have read no longer does DS?), Ikramuddin (who I haven't heard a lot about), Kellogg (very little info about him or the application process on the Mayo site), Rupp and Kelly (also not a ton of info about them online that I could find.) This is just my personal research so far so if I'm wrong about a few things I'm sorry. I have looked into surgeons elsewhere, (California, NJ, Chicago, etc.) but I don't think I will be able to afford to commute further than Minneapolis if I have to travel back and forth more than once. It seems like I keep hearing about people flying to well known surgeons on the East and West coasts and so I'm really uncertain about the level of experience of the MN surgeons... especially after looking on other sites that list suggested surgeons, none of the MN docs made the lists I found other than Schlosser, but he didn't do laparoscopic. Hopefully someone will chime in who is familiar with at least a few of the ones near us.Meanwhile my search continues! 
Kara
This is such a huge fustration. I am finding that surgeons in our region all want to push bypass and sleeve as the option for us. I believe if i am going to be on alifetime of vitamins, i should be able to be on it without the constant fear of weight gain as with bypass. I tried Dr. Ikramuddin, and i got a slap in my face telling me that since i am seeking revision, i should get initial surgery to remove the band , wait six months and than get a sleeve. How is that helpful??? Anyway i call the Minneapolis Bariatric surgeons to seek out Dr. Schlosse for this revision, but as you stated she is no longer working and has be out for about 7 years. I looked on their site and i am not sure they have a surgeaon that does DS. keeping my fingers crossed.
Dr. Prachand at U of C was my doctor. I was a crapband-DS revision. He is the most INCREDIBLE doctor. He is calm, patient, understanding and never once did I feel judged or like a number. Even to this day (almost 5 years later) HE personally checks in with me to make sure I am doing well.
His partner Dr. Alverdy in the same clinic is also a wonderful man but he wasn't my doctor.
If you would like any additional information about him PLEASE do not hesitate to message me.
