Newbie Seeking Guidance

Dear Lisa, Thank you for the info about these docs. I know that Freedom may not be the same as Liberty, but did they make you diet for 6 months as an earlier poster mentioned?  What sort of hoops, if any did Oxford make you jump through? How much of the whoel enchilada did they cover versus you reaching into your pocket?

Any Oxford tips yo ucan give me so I don't walk into the minefield unprepared?

Thanks,

Joe

Hello Joe! I just recently took this step and it was the best move I could make. Dr. Garber (he is or will be my surgeon) and he is great at what he does. Dr. Gadaleta was my first choice, but when I read about Dr. Garber and was able to make an appt... well the rest is history. I really only know of one person who used Dr. Gadaleta, but he is supposed to be a very good surgeon. I do not have your insurance but, yes, CALL FIRST. And then call again. Make sure they answer all of your questions. As for Mercy hospital, I have lots of questions myself. I was planning on posting a question about it actually. Well, welcome and the best of luck to you. It is very exciting and life changing. Not to be taken lightly (no pun intended). Keep us posted!

Dear Lauren, Thanks for the endorsement! Please let me know if yo find out more about Mercy. Thanks, Joe

Hiya Joe!!!

Well, I won't be very helpful in responding to this post, but WELCOME to OH!!!  Good luck in your search!  Congrats to your g/f!!!

Dear Cheri, Thank you for the warm and friendly welcome! --Joe

I have Oxford Freedom and highly recommend Dr. Marina Kurian.  The only problem is she works out of NY.  Dr. Kurian has been a gastric bypass doctor for many many years and performed lots of different type of weight loss surgeries.  She is Al Roker (weather man) former patient.  Just to give you an idea how long of experience she has.  Oxford freedom approves surgery very quickly if you have a BMI over 40.  Period that's it.  You do one physc visit, see a nutrionist once and then they submit for approval.  With the seminar and all of the appts you should be good to go in just over a month.  It moves very quickly.  When I had the surgery done I already thought and research about it for over a year so I already made my decision.   The only exception was at the last week before surgery I switched from Lap band to RNY.  Best decision I ever made.  Good luck.

Good morning and thank you for the recommendation. I am a 37, so we'll have to see what Oxford says. Then again, I have comorbidities which might tip the odds in my favor! Sincerely, Joe

Then your PCP will probably have to write a report and I'm sure you have documented history of being obese.  Anything from a Chiro, Physicaly Therapy doctor you name it will help render a yes decision from Oxford.  I hope Oxford approves.  Good Luck. 

Hi Joe, You wrote: 3. Can anyone please share their opinions concerning the following docs:

    Dr. Alan Geiss
    Dr. Dominick Gadaleta
    Dr. Lester Cooperstone Dr. Geiss ONLY does Lap Bands. Dr. Gadaleta/ Dr. Gelman are supposed to be good but only one of the 2 does it laproscopically. Dr. Cooperstone ONLY does open, and my PCP whom I love was not too keen on him. I met with him anyway but found him to be very abrupt and snide....plus I only wanted it done Laproscopically. That was a huge concern of mine. My PCP gave me 3 names: 1) Dr. Roslin in NYC 2) Dr. Fielding in NYC 3) Dr. Garber in New Hyde Park. I went with Dr. Garber and I LOVE HIM!. Check out his profile. His partner, Dr. Spencer Holover, accepts Oxford. They are both amazing surgeons. Good luck! -Karen

HI Karen... Thanks for giving me the rundown! I will check out their site. Sincerely, Joe