lap band in evansville indiana????

Has anyone had their band done in Evansville with Drs Burry, Haughn, or Throop?   Just curious about how many they have done.  I know I read an article in the paper last year about the first one being done in Evansville so they haven't been doing them long.  I'm just wondering if it's okay to do it here or if I should go to louisville, ky.  Input?

thanks

Hello!  I got mine done in Evansville.  Dr Haughn performs the procedure with Dr Burry assisting.  Please feel free to ask me anything!

Thanks.   Have you been happy with the care?  My current insurance does not cover, but my new insurance goes into effect August 1 and it will cover WLS.  I can't wait.  I know I had read on here where someone said to make sure your surgeon has done at least 25 bands so I was wondering how many they had done.  Do you have any idea?  Is there anything you have not been happy with or would change? 

Oh yeah, and what are their pre and post op routines as far as diet and fills, etc?

thanks again.

i am very pleased with the program.  they are VERY thorough (sp).  they have a dietician and an exercise specialist.  they make sure that you are fully educated BEFORE you go to surgery.

i went through the deaconess program, but haughn and berry also perform surgeries for the st mary's program.  you have to go to one support meeting at first.  you'll have to attend several dietician classes (very informative).  you'll have to lose 10% of your body weight before they will schedule the surgery.  of that 5% has to be lost before they submit your paperwork to insurance.  they do EVERYTHING as far as paperwork.  all you have to do is show up...lol

you'll also have to get labs done, ekg, and chest x-ray done.  some have to have an upper gi, but i didn't.  i don't believe you need your personal physicians approval or letter, but mine was all for it and sent over a letter anyway.  they say the process is anywhere from 3-6 months, but that all depends on YOU and how well you adhere to the program.  i wasn't all that compliant (with the diet) so it took me awhile. 

for example, my first meeting was in june of 07, i didn't get the surgery until march 08...lol. 

they've done more than 25 bands and as far as i know they haven't had any issues with the procedures.  i haven't had ANY problems so far. 

after surgery, you'll get a fill at six weeks post-op and then every 4 weeks or as needed.  i'm on my third fill, and i believe this will be my last for a LOOOOOONG time...;) 

i hope this answers your questions.

Denise-
I had surgery at St Mary's in Evansville with Dr. Haughn (Dr. Burry asst).  I asked Dr Haughn and he said before my surgery he had done over 50 here and at least 50 during his internship in TX.  I went to St Mary's and Deaconess for the orientations and I chose St Mary's because I felt like it was very accommodating for "big people".  When I went to the Deaconess orientation it was in the hospital auditorium (stadium seats-need I say more), the woman presenting had her child with her who was on the stage crawling around, and it just seemed cold to me.  The orientation at St Marys was held in the Bariatric Center--there was oversized chairs in the waiting room, we were all weighed in and received a packet to complete to get things started, the social worker gave the presentation, I felt it was very thorough.  They require a 6 month supervised program before they will submit your proposed surgery claim.  I felt very prepared mentally and physically.  The staff is very personable and helpful.  Dr Haughn does all the post op fills at the Bariatric Center too, not at his office, which is very nice.
I went to the orientation 10/07 and had surgery 5/9/08.  So far--all is good!!!  Down 34# pre-op and 33# post op.
Good luck!
Sherie

Thanks for the info Sheri.  I filled out the info on Deaconess' website, but maybe I should check into St Marys too.  My insurance will cover either.

Hi Denise,

Sounds like you've gotten some good feedback for a local surgical group.  If you do decide to look at a second group to do some "comparison shopping" though, I'd like to suggest looking at the Norton's Bariatric group in Louisville.  There are several of us on here that have used the surgeons in that group and I think as a whole we are pleased with our care.  Most of the surgeons are VERY experienced with hundreds of surgeries each under their belts. 

www.nortonhealthcare.com (type bariatrics into their search box to access)

Not trying to sway your opinion just wanted to throw out another option if you wanted.

Good luck!

Thanks for the input.  I have emailed both Deaconess and St Mary's for info.  I have thought about Louisville.  I was wondering about how often you have to go back for follow up visits since Louisville is a couple of hours away.