Hi, my name is Joan. I'am looking for a wonderful doctor who performs the Lap Band surgery in Michigan. I have had a bad experience with the office manager at Dr.Deols office in Troy Michigan. Any recommendations out there? Thank you for your time, Joan

I heard of a dr Gould in Muskegan, but that is on the other side of the state. I'm going to try him soon. My doctor said they help you out alot in getting things in for ins. I was going to go to Traverse City but I heard it is really hard to get banded by them.
Julie

I don't know who your insurance will pay for you to be banded by. I would suggest you start there. Call your insurance company and get a list (in writing) of who they will pay for you to be banded by. Then you can come here and ask, or I would suggest going to obesityhelp.com and doing a search for that doctors' name. Most docs have a page on OH that has patient reviews. It's very helpful.

I have researched a few in the SE Michigan area, here's a little of what I've found.

Dr. Deol is very good, but she also has an $800 mandatory support group fee that is not covered by insurance.

Mark Pleatman in W. Bloomfield is also good, but he has a $1500 office follow-up fee that isn't covered by insurance.

The Hurley Bariatric Group in Flint are all quite good, their office has one of the lowest mortality rates in the country for any WLS. They've only had two mortalities in over 2000 surgeries, and those were earlier on in their program and were RNY's that went into it quite ill.

U of M hasn't banded anyone yet (or hadn't as of February).

Port Huron has a FANTASTIC program, their surgeons are top-notch and the follow-up care is very good.

There are a number of bariatric programs like CORI and such, I don't know much info about them, they have always been very RNY biased and my insurance doesn't pay for them, so I didn't do much research on them.

Hope this helps!

Dr. Cudjoe and Dr. Smith in Alma michigan, they are working on becoming a bariatric center, and just got an award for being the best in michigan. Check em out, call their office for information and to see when a seminar is. their number is 989-463-6699, ask for Tammy the bariatric coordinator. I highly highly highly recommend them, they saved my life and are the nicest guys you will EVER meet.

~Hotpink~

I had my band done by Dr. Bacal at Oakwood in Dearborn. I had an excellent experience from start to finish. Terri, the bariatric coordinator there is awesome. She is so helpful in answering any questions and getting you through the whole process. I would recommend them to anyone and everyone. They have a monthly seminar with people who are interested in the surgery. Here is the link to their website.
http://www.oakwood.org/?id=170&sid=1

I totally endorse Drs. Boutt & Bhesania at Port Huron Hospital.

They have done over 1500 Lapbands and have been awarded the Center of Excellence.

Check out the website at http://www.porthuronhospital.org/OPa...geID=OTH000037

They also have a great group of nurses, insurance specialists, and dieticians who work very closely with you. Oh, and they even have a law firm retained to help with any legal issues.

I had my surgery there and have been very please. In fact, I now work there in the OR's with both doctors! :biggrin1:

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions!

I looked for you yesterday when I had my surgery and even asked if anyone knew you, but no luck. But the experience with Dr. Bhesania was fantastic and the staff there is just wonderful. I couldn't have gone to a better place,in my estimation.
Judy

Hee hee heee!!!

I saw you!

What name did you use to ask for me? My real name is Deb and the only ones that would know me are those in the actual Operating Room. I think I saw you in post-op, too. I was running around there like a madwoman looking for a portable monitor for the Lap Band room. The one there was on the fritz (or so they thought) and wanted a back-up.

Anyway, glad your experience was pleasant.

I endorse the Lap Band Center of Michigan in Port Huron also. Dr. Boutt is my HERO!!! I love that man!
I had a seminar with Dr. Deol first and there were several questions about fee's in the seminar and nobody said a word about the $800 manditory support group fee prior to surgery. I found out on here the day before my consult so I called up Rebecca in the office and she was snotty about it and told me that yes there is an $800 support group fee, plus 200 for dietician, 150 for psych eval because you have to use their people PLUS $250 for the consult. I said "what if I had got there for my consult and found out about all these hidden fee's and knew I couldn't afford it, would I get my $250 consult fee back?" she said "nope, nonrefundable... and the fee's AREN'T hidden!!!" So I told her I wouldn't be coming there. I went to Port Huron and the ONLY fee I have ever paid was $100 for consult fee and $50 hospital fee. Everything else was totally covered and I've never been happier!

Only name I knew was demmemoon...and of course that didn't ring a bell with anyone.. I told Sandi, the nurse who prepped me, that you had recently started work there and that you had had the lap band the end of March. She didn't have a clue. Oh well, at least I got in and out of there and back to my room before Iknew what hit me!!

I'm all for Dr Boutt and the staff in Port Huron... The tiniest question- they answered...... Anything I needed before / after surgery - they did it.... Support groups- they got em,......... experience- plenty, ...kindness, professionalism,... personality, ......- they have it ALL!!! Port Huron hospital... WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!:first: :clap2:

I couldn't agree more with what everyone says about Port Huron. It is a wonderful facility with terrific staff. I was very, VERY well taken care of. When you have a problem, you can call and they get back to you asap. They'll answer all your questions and are there for you all through the process.
I HIGHLY recommend Port Huron Lap Band Center of Excellence!!!:amen: