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Hey everyone, I am on a desperate search for a Fat/Plus Size friendly ob gyn near Cleveland. I had an amazing one in NC before I moved up here, however since being here, I've only had 1 visit, for a routine exam, and the doctor was horribly mean and demeaning to me, berating me about how overweight I was before even telling me her name or asking how my day was. Imagine getting undressed in front of someone after that, it has literally scarred me, by far worst experience of my life in terms of weight or doctors.
Before this experience, I never even considered finding a special doctor for my ob gyn appointments, maybe that was just naive, but since this visit, I am terrified of having a repeat visit. Has anyone found a plus size friendly ob gyn in or around Cleveland? I just want to be treated like a human being. :(
Did you ever end up getting approved?
I'm from Massillon and am having surgery at Summa with Dr. Dan on March 7. Small world!
Dr Sonnastine and Dr Rana are both amazing and very caring. I am sure you will like them and Ohio Health.
Hi Danial, I'm scheduled for surgery up here in Akron (Summa Health) at the end of March, but will be moving to Columbus and looking for followup care with the Ohio Health team. Please let me know your thoughts on their physicians and your experience.
5'4" 49yrs at surgery date
SW - 206 CW - 128
M1 - 20lb M2 - 9 lb M3 - 7 lb M4 - 7 lb M5 - 7 lb M6 - 6 lb M7 - 4 lb M8 - 1 lb M9 - 2 lb M10 - 4 lb M11 - 0lb M12 - 3lb M13 - 0 lb M14 - 2 lb M15 - 0 lb M16 - 3 lb
Congratulations! I just attended the seminar with Dr. Rana. I have turned in all of the paperwork and am just waiting for my 1st consult.
Well, I had my first consult w/ the surgeon Jan. 19th 2017, here in Youngstown, OH, and Dr. Woodruff has accepted me as a patient. Yippee! However, I requested a 2nd consult w/ him because instead of the 90minute session I was told it would be, it was roughly 20 & never got to ask my grocery list length of questions. I was a bit miffed 
about that and I felt although he's congenial, he's a bit aloof too [it's not like he had another for two more hours I was informed by a staff member]. I sought out reviews of him on google & OH.com and this seems to be his "M.O.", but he does good work so I've read [no current reviews though on this site. had to Google for a few recent. [sadly not everyone gives a review. even searched YouTube. Zilch.], I've exhausted my other options and this is the best fit for me anyway. The staff member obliged & bariatric nurse obliged & said, "of course they'll set the appt." Since he's only in the office on Thursday mornings, I'll be seeing him Thursday, Feb. 16th @ 8AM.
I've since booked the other doctors [these I'll be meeting for the first time] and all will take place during mornings in February and March . Except the support group meetings. Those are on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month @ 6-ish PM. Looking forward to it. Cheers. 
I reside in Ohio, so it's only fitting that I post this here as well.
Hello! Okay, first here are my basic stats:
Age: 47
Height: 5' 5.5" [I'm clinging to that half part. LOL!
Highest Weight: 440s
Current Weight: 395 [as of my most recent weigh in on 19 January 2017].
I've finally, FINALLY been able to meet with my new bariatric surgeon, Dr. Robert Woodruff. He's with St. Elizabeth's & St. Joseph's Surgical Weight Loss Center (SWLC) in Youngstown, Ohio but performs the procedures @ St. Joe's in Warren, OH [I've not been to that facility].
Our initial 7:45AM consult was brief but still good. Still I requested a 2nd consult with him so I can really sit w/ him and ask my 'grocery list' length of questions. Downside is that he's only in the office on Thursday mornings. I'll find a way to make it happen. That being said, Dr. Robert Woodruff seemed knowledgeable, energetic and engaging and a tad in a hurry. He also appears a bit younger than me but in actuality I think he's in his late 40s too. No qualms about it. Youthful, unjaded exuberance is always welcomed in my book! What procedure will I have? Originally when I began researching and speaking w/ drs & patients over the yrs., I opted for RNY/ Bypass. But by 2012, my preference swayed more to the Gastric Sleeve. Now since speaking with my surgeon, the pendulum seems to be heading back towards the Gastric Bypass again. So I told him to write Gastric Bypass on my chart.... but do it in pencil. smh. LOL! I'm undecided. Stay tuned. I have NINE (9)months, in accordance w/ CARE SOURCE Insurance [every ins. is different], to decide & they cover just about everything- no copays. Zilch! Thank heavens. 
Besides, I've been in this shell for 41 years and began researching & interviewing/ Q & A with patients & drs in NYC and Ohio and all over the globe since 1996; ultimately longing for WLS for 20 years and could not obtain it for one unfortunate reason/ cir****tance or another. So I can handle 9 months. I have a lot I need to accomplish within that time so it's ideal. Also, I'll be requesting an extended consultation w/ with Dr. Woodruff around the 1st or 2nd Thursday in February because our first consult was too brief [barely 20 mins. I have a grocery list of one-on-one questions I need to ask him and I informed his office. They said no problem. Of course not, there shouldn't be. It's called patients rights.
I'm thrilled, but have to rein in the emotions a bit. This will not be just "a long time coming", not just a journey, but an odyssey for me. Anyways, there you have it. Please wish me success, and the same to you.
Toodles. Jen 
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has support meetings the 1st. and 3rd. Wednesdays of each month. The meetings are held in the auditorium located at the Martha Morehouse Pavilion 2050 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH 43221. Great bunch of people!
