Mt Carmel West vs. OSU

Hi, I need some help. My insurance will only pay for WLS if I have it done at Mt Carmel west or at OSU in Columbus. I have done all of my reasearch for Dr Barbara at Barix Clinic. I really want Dr Barbara but I would have to pay 100% for it. (Can't afford it) So I have to go with option two. Has anyone had there surgery there or do you know of anyone who did? Does anyone have any info on the two different places? I am lost all over again. Pleas HELP. Thanks Lisa Johnson

Forgot to mention that my insurance will be changing affetive Jan 1 2005. from Cigna HMO , to UHC PPO . The bad thing is Cinga will pay 100%, but UHC will only pay 80%. So I have to try to ruch through and pray for a miracle Lisa Johnson

When I started last June I intially started going through BTC as well (I also have Cigna) but found out it wouldn't be covered there. My mother emailed her surgeon from there (Dr. Chobin) and asked for some referrals for OSU and Mt. Carmel. She gave me a list of about 5 names but I only remember Needleman (OSU) and Price (Mt. Carmel). I called OSU first and I do remember that they require a 38 week weight loss program before you can even see the surgeon and at the time they told me that it would not likely be covered by insurance. Cigna requires a 6-month medically supervised diet and that 38 week program might be able to be used for that. I eventually went through Dr. Price and met with him in April. I have all my tests done and all my medical records in but I wasn't told ahead of time about the 6-month thing so I'm playing catch up right now (4 more months to go!). Mt. Carmel didn't require a 38 week program...they do require that you go to at least 1 support group meeting with their group, 1 informative seminar type, you need all your medical records for the past like 6 years or more and all the testing and such. If you have questions on anything specific let me know! Sounds like your path has been similar to mine! *lol* Maybe I can help you not run into the road blocks I've been through. :/

great post since I am researching and will have to go through probably mount carmel myself!!! Good luck with finding someone and I will keep my fingers crossed for ya. I am a little worried about it myself since my insurance will only cover 50% of the surgery. I dont really have the money to do this but I am gonna try to find a way.

Ok, some of the information that Esther gave you about OSU is wrong. Sorry. I work at OSU and my husband and myself both had our gastic bypass there. They do not require a 38 week program. In order to get all the right information you need to call them directly. They will send you and application, which you fill out and send back in. They decided, based on that information if you are going to be a good candidate or not. If you are then they submit to your insurance company. At that time, you are pretty much mandadted by what your insurance company says. OSU does require a pyschiatric and nutritional evaluation. They do also require a 4 week pre-op teaching class that will go over your diet specifically. Most of the hoop jumping you will experience will be from your insurance company. PLEASE give the Bariatric Program Director a call. Her name is Shannon Surber, MPH. Her number is 614-293-7912. She will be more than happy to talk to you and give you the information you need. And feel free to use my name when you call. I do a lot of volunteer work with the department and they know me well. We also have information meetings that you can come to, meet Dr. Needleman, pick up and application and have your questions answered. The next one is August 5th. I will just so happen to be there. Shannon can give you all the information, and directions when you call. Sorry, but I am so directionally challenged that I am lucky to find my way home sometimes! Make sure you do all your research thoroughly. We focus primarily on Laproscopic procedures. Mt. Carmel does not always do this. I wish you the best in your journey! Please feel free to email me anytime. I have a profile here on OH. Valerie Curry, RN Lap RNY 07/10/2003 268/172/145

OSU is wonderful and I had doctor Needleman who is just fantastic! I give them 2 thumbs up! Karie -96 pounds

Valerie, I'm waiting on a consult date with Dr. Needleman. I would love to meet him. You mentioned he will be attending a support group meeting on August 5th. Where is it located and what time do they meet? I would also like to meet you. I'm toying between the Lap RNY and the Lap Band procedures. When I started the WLS process I was weighing 274, but since hired a personal trainor along with my ongoing six day a week cardio program (I've always exercised or have been in training for kickbox competitions). I have not weighed less than 220 for some time even with all of the exercise as well as low carbohydrate and high protien diets for the past ten years. I'm also fortunate enough not to have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholestral. I've lost 14 pounds since June and my trainor is convinced that I will loose another 25 + by October. She doesn't believe the WLS will assist me in loosing any faster and doesn't believe I should go that route. You look good! Do you have excess loose skin?

Hi! I had to come out of my usual lurker mode for this. I work with a lady who had open wls at Mt. Carmel West with Dr. Price just this past February. I have just this week been accepted into the OSU program (yay me!!). I chose OSU based upon the things I heard and witnessed from the lady I work with. I just felt that OSU provides much more thorough information for post-surgery life (those 4 weeks of nutrition classes). Yes, they do seem to have hoops to jump through before you're even accepted, but it is so worth it for the preparation. Several of us at work were discussing the changes that OSU would like you to begin making BEFORE surgery (they have a checklist that it appears a nutritionist or dietician checks off items that you've accomplished, ie: has cut out all sugars, all caffeine, carbonated beverages). The theory being that this will prepare you ahead of time. I brought this up during the discussion at work and someone ask the one lady who had the surgery at Mt. Carmel, "Did you have that information?" She said, "No, I had nothing like that." It just strengthened by decision about OSU's program (I begin my nutrition classes Aug 18. and my first support group meeting the first Wed of Aug.) Not to "dis" Mt. Carmel's program or Dr. Price. The lady at work has indeed lost 90 lbs. since February, but she has had a mighty difficult time of it. Finally, after 5 months she seems to be eating as OSU would instruct from the beginning. How much easier it could have been with a little more fore knowledge of what to expect and how best to prepare.

I am having my surgery at OSU on 8/27/04. Valerie was right, lap is the preferred procedure. In my case it will be open, I am right under the weight limit - but had a prior surgery on my abdomen and this is the direction they wanted me to go. I have chronicled most of the steps for OSU in my profile, in case you want to take a quick look. These are some of the things that I especially like about OSU. Obviously the reputation, but the formality of the program. The support with pre and post op. I actually went to the information seminar and thought it was really wonderful. At the last nutrition class, a nurse from the "bariatric" floor comes over and talks to the class. They go over expectations and answer questions. How cool is that?! I hope that helps you with your research. -Anne

Hi Lisa, I would recommend OSU: Dr Bradley Needleman. Dr Needleman was wonderful. At my initial consult I took my Husband and Mother and Dr Needleman sat down, leaned back, and propped his foot up on the table stool and spend a lengthy period of time answering all of our questions, and explaining the process to us in terms we could understand. He was very personable and never once did he look at his watch or give us the feeling he was more interested in wrapping this up and moving on to the next person. This same personal attention was given to me in the surgery room, after surgery, and at my 2 and 6 week check ups. I also have heard from many OSU patients as well as other WLS patients that Dr Needleman has an excellent reputation for being successful with the laproscopic surgeries where other Doctors won't even try. I had Laproscopic Rouen Y (sp?). I have to tell you that my little incisions were sealed and healed before I left the hospital 2 mornings after the surgery. (Don't miss understand I was not fully healed. But compared to gallbladder surgery incisions I did not have stiches showing or any areas that were pulled apart and still seaping fluid.) In fact I didn't even have any bandages or gauze on the incisions as there was no need. I also did not have to have any drainage tubes as many people mention on this site and I give the credit for that to Dr Needlbman not my body. Like another response you received I know two people at my job who went to Dr Price of Mt Carmel West. They both liked him, but I have found that the OSU wellness program is far more educating and beneficial to the success of their patients then these two women have spoken to me about their experiences. I wish you the best and hope you have no complications. You are on your way to a healthier, happier you!!!' Jenny 5/3/2004 338/275/135