Bariatric Treatment Centers

Has anyone heard about them? I got a imformation booklet about them in the mail and they look pretty good. They've got centers all over the country, and one close to me in Philly. I'm still in the learning process, but this place looks really safe, and it seems that their staff is very well educated, and some of them have also gone through the surgery themselves. Just thought I'd ask and see if anyone had their surgery with them, and can share any thoughts. Thanks, ~Cara

Sorry, I don't have first hand knowledge -- some people I;ve known have used with them fine results, and others I've heard some horror stories from. Just be extremely cautious if they don't send you for a myriad of medical testing before-hand. It is important to have various medical exams (heart, endoscopy, blood, psych, etc.) before surgery is approved. If they don't do that - run, don't talk to the nearest exit! Good luck.

Cara, My fiancee had his surgery on December 1, 2003 and had a wonderful experience at their Langhorne, PA facility. The staff there are so professional and have an excellent bedside manner. I've never been to a medical facility and been treated so well as a family member. I'm awaiting approval for my surgery and hopefully will have it there as well. Dr. Kascmarski operated on my fiancee and is absolutely wonderful! My fiancee has had no problems with eating or infection; it's almost as if he never had the surgery done; but, he's down 75 lbs already. Go and make an appointment. It does take awhile for the insurance approval process (I've been waiting since 1/16/04),but don't get discouraged! We wish you the best of luck! Tish

Trish, Thank you very much for sharing your experiences, I really appreciate it! Best of luck to you and your fiancee on your weight loss journey. ~Cara P.S. I am worried about the insurance part. I haven't even made a final decision yet and I'm stressing about it, haha.

Cara, I went to the Langhorne facility and it was very nice, and I went through all the preop testing, was approved by my insurance, but the snag was, they do not accept my insurance. I have Blue Cross of NJ and they do not accept anything from them. You have to pay up front and then get reimbursed from BC. They offered me a deal that if I paid a huge sum of money, they would operate. Since I did not have the money, I went to another surgeon - Dr. Robert Brolin in Monmouth Junction. I went there in Oct, and had my surgery Nov 13. It is another option for you. Good luck. Carolyn

Hi Carolyn, Thanks for posting. I tried to see what kinds of insurance they accept, but I can't seem to find where I can locate that. I saw a list of insurance companies that some patients had for their surgery through them and I didn't see my carrier on there. I've got HealthNet and it's fitting that I didn't see them on the list...they are a pain in the arse to deal with. I've read a bit about Dr. Brolin on here and he seems like a good surgeon. I'm shocked that BC wasn't accepted. They seem to be such a common isurance for alot of people. How much is the upfront cost, Im guessing its pretty steep? Probably more then an expensive car, haha. Thanks for the information! ~Cara

Cara, I had my original consultation in January 2003 and I asked right away if there would be a problem with my insurance since I had Blue Cross of NJ. They assured me there would be no problem. I got approved in May and then the run around began. I kept calling them to schedule the surgery and they kept telling me that they were in negotiations with BC/BS to become a participating member and were not scheduling anyone with that insurance until after they were accepted. Needless to say by August I was getting quite aggrevated. That is when they offered me the "deal" of paying them $25,000 up front and then getting reimbursed from the insurance company. They offered no payment plan, that was it $25000 or nothing. I called Dr. Brolin's office in Sept, had my consultation Oct 3rd. I told them the story of the BTC and they were shocked. Dr. Brolin's office could not believe they charged so much! Dr. Brolin's fee is $12,000, but he asks for $2500 before surgery and then bills your insurance company. I found the staff at Dr. Brolin's office to be quite helpful and everyone there was so nice. Good luck with your journey. Be sure to ask right up front what they accept and what is expected of you. Carolyn

Dear Cara, your insurance company should be able to tell you if they are a provider for your healthcare plan along with a list of doc's as well. it you choose to go out of network to a hospital not within your health care system then they usually do not pay but 80% of the bill. Also I had spoke with Brolins office and they wanted $3,000 up front since I was not in the right healthcare system for them. I have also heard he only does open surgery and I want the laprscopic. So if i were you i would ask your insurance at which hospital within your healthcare does bariatric surgery and which surgeons they can reffer you to. They should have list of who you go to. Start there and research the doc's get the names and put their names on here and ask if anyone else had their surgery done by them. good luck! joycelyn

Joycelyn, I think you have been misinformed. Dr. Brolin's fee up front is $2,500.00 which is refundable upon payment from the insurance company. Also, I had Laporascopic RnY performed by Dr. Brolin on 11/13/04. He's definitley one of the best... Lisa

Carolyn... I had surgery on November 13 by Dr. Brolin too!! My surgery was at 8:30am...so I am guessing yours was right after mine! He is a wonderful surgeon - I wouldn't have had the surgery with anyone else after I met him. Wow!! I have a surgery sister!! Lisa 279/215/who knows where I will get to!!