Question:
Dr. In Illinois and surrounding Chgo area

I would like to ask 2 questions? A great doctor in the Chicago or suburban area for LAP BAND and what insurance is good to have?    — HelpChicago (posted on March 17, 2008)

March 17, 2008
Hi Kan, You can go online to lapband.com and enter your zipcode for a list of bariatric surgeons in your area. As for whether a particular surgeon is great, I can't offer help there. I had lapband surgery in January and my insurance was Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield and they paid everything but the $100 copayment. Once you pick a surgeon, they can tell you what insurance plans are typically good to have. Many insurance plans have a list of requirements you must meet to have the surgery approved. In my case, I had diagnosed sleep apnea, a BMI of 58, high blood pressure, asthma and fluid in my legs. Best wishes on your journey, it was definitely worth it for me.
   — Bigwyfan1964

March 17, 2008
Although I had the rny, my surgeon is wonderful. I had my surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with Dr. Alexander Nagle; my insurance is Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I can't really speak for any other insurance or doctor. I just know that I was really taken care of. You can go on the internet and search for bariatric doctors and hospitals that is considered a center for excellence. You can search here on OH to find a bariatric surgeon too. Good luck to you. Darla
   — darla47

March 18, 2008
I live in Chicago and had my band in Evergreen Park @ Lil Company of Mary Hospital, which is an excellence center. I was under Dr Gerald Cahill whom I can highly recommend. Best of luck to ya and welcome to the loosers bench
   — bchicks42

March 19, 2008
My doctor is Christopher Joyce in Joliet, Illinois. My insurance is Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois HMO. Dr Joyce phone number is 815-723-8571. Hope this helps, good luck
   — savoy7658

March 19, 2008
I had Dr. Lutfi at Mercy Hospital in Chicago.. I had the medical card and they paid 100%. Mercy Hospital is considered a center of excellence for lap band.
   — willish

March 21, 2008
I had Dr. Ian Soriano from Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. He is from the Cleveland Clinic and came highly recommended. You can find their web site on the Riverside page.
   — Linda L.