Question:
I need to know what doctor in michigan is the best ,

can i contact them myself or does my primary doctor have to do it. thanks for any help . Michelle    — michelle P. (posted on August 5, 1999)

August 5, 1999
Michelle I had to have my primary doctor make the appointment,because of my HMO. The doctor is from Detroit. Her name is Dr. Anna Ledgerwood. She did me surgery.I was really happy with her.
   — Barb S.

August 5, 1999
Hi Michelle, Your question is going to bring a lot of responses because most people that have gone through this surgery are very happy with their Doctors. There are Doctors in Grand Rapids (Dr. Scholten), Port Huron (Dr. Ali), Ann Arbor (Bariatric Treatment Center), Detroit (Cherry Hill), and I am sure I have missed some. May I suggest you go to the Association of Bariatric Surgeons web page to obtain the names and phone numbers in your area. I have not had the surgery yet but I have scheduled my consultation with Dr. Scholten. Since I live in the Lansing area, his office and the hospital he uses are geographically closer to me. He also participates with Blue Cross and Blue Care Network which will lower my out of pocket costs. Last but not least my research has shown that he is a very qualified physician and his patients swear by him. Sorry this is so long but picking a physician you can trust is so important. Bob Johnson
   — BOB J.

August 6, 1999
Hi - I went to the Bariatric Treatment Center in Ann Arbor, the hospital is in Addison. My RNY is 8/19 with Dr. Poplawski. So far everything is good, they did all the footwork for the insurance, and all they do is this surgery, so it is geared for us "queen size" people. I feel very comfortable.
   — Stephanie S.

August 6, 1999
Hi Michelle. If you go to the Bariatric Treatment Center(there's one in Ann Arbor) you do not need a referral from your family doctor unless your insurance company requires it. I'm not sure about a surgeon who is not part of the BTC.
   — Penny W.

August 8, 1999
I don't know if I answered you or not but here I go again. I live in Mich. too. I grew up in the downriver suburbs of Detroit. I live now in the Midland area but more of my family still live downriver. I chose Dr James Sapala as my surgeon. He has offices in Jackson and Livonia. I had surgery in Detroit at St. Johns Riverview Cherry Hill. I have had excellent results and would recommend Dr. Sapala to anyone. I was going to BTC but I had health problems that would require the possibility of ICU post-op and BTC doesn't have that capability.St. Johns is is big hospital with a floor devoted to the obese and their needs. They also have cardiologist, pulmonologists and specialists that may be needed. I did great and had no problem. I got out of the hosp.on the 3rd day post-op. I have lost 160# in 15 months. Dr. Sapala has a 1-800-290-6565 phone #. I hope I have helped you some. Anymore questions please let me know. I tried to E-mail someone back the other day and I didn't think it went thru, so if this is a repeat, Sorry, but I would rather answer you twice than not at all. God Bless!! Jan Terry
   — Jan T.