Help with hospital selection

I live on South of Boston. It takes me about an hour to get into the city! I also commute daily to work in Boston. I had my by-pass at Brigham and Women's with Dr. Lautz. I have nothing but good things to say about the program. I liked the person who suggested going to support group meetings to get a feel for the program. I find the support group really helpful even post op!

Ellen - I just had lap band surgery last month at Emerson Hospital. The Drs at Emerson are the same as Saints Memorial. Dr. Shen did my surgery. The program is fairly new at Emerson so the wait wasn't long at all. I attended an informational meeting in November, met with their dietician, mental health person, nurse, and had all my cardio, gastric and other pre-op testing done in December. They have monthly support meetings the last Wednesday of the month. Tonight there were about 25 people in attendance. I would highly recommend the Emerson program and their support staff. Leslie 250/214/140ish

Thank you all for your suggestions and thoughts. This website is awesome and you are all so supportive. I have already taken several of your suggestions and when I return from vacation I will continue to follow through. I definitely plan to attend the info sessions and support group sessions at both Saints Memorial and NEMC. I do have the benefit of a friend *****cently had the lapband surgery. We work together and have the same insurance so that helps a bit but I still called Harvard Pilgrim myself as recommended. She had no trouble getting approved by them and when I spoke to the benefits person at Harvard she was encouraging. However, my friend had the surgery in NH, but due to some issues with the care provided at that hospital I won't go there for any kind of treatment thus my thoughts to head to Mass. I am heading off to Belize tomorrow with my son and his family. I'm very excited and hopefully will return tanned and rested. Smile lots everyone, again thanks.

Have a great time in Belize! I thought of this post last night and have one more thought. No matter where you decide to go or who you see. Make sure you are comfortable with the surgeon! If you don't feel comfortable go see someone else!

I live in Salem NH and I am heading to the info night at Saints on Tuesday to start the process of looking into the Lap Band surgery. I have heard and read great things about there staff there. My orthopedic doc was the one who suggested Lap band for me and got me the numbers for the weight managment center at Saints.