Dr. Sharma was my MD for "vertical banding" surgery--also known as stapling. I had no complaints regarding the phusician. However, my overall hospital experience was a nightmare. Following open abdominal surgery for the gastroplasty, there was no room in the ICU's and I had to stay in the Recovery Room on a stretcher all night. That would not have been too band, but the 1 nurse had 6 patients (normal ICU ratio is 1 nurse to 2 pt) There weren't any curtains between stretchers, so no privacy---the patient to my one side was in DT's (alcohol withdrawl, not lucid, screaming) and the person on my other side was shackled to the stretcher with hand cuffs. The next day I was transferred to med-surg unit, my room-mate had constant company of at least 4 adults/children. I was finally given a bath basin and toiletries on day 3 when I was heading out the door to go home. Bath basin only cost me $30.
Would I recommend "Shands----NO WAY, unless yyou are a trauma pt and have a room reservation!

Hi there! Both my sister and I are trying to find a doctor in the Tampa Bay area that accepts Medipass. I don't just want to settle for any doctor. I want to make sure this doctor has good reviews and really knows their stuff. My sister is bigger than I am but she has been that way most of her life. She has Medipass but as for me... I'm out of luck because I don't have any health insurance or medicade. I will be paying out of pocket but would maybe like to see if they offer a payment plan. Please help me out and let me know if you know of any doctors in the Tampa area or maybe 50 miles away. Thanks and goodluck to everyone!

Dr. Hoddinott did my BPD\DS on 7/6/2011 at MRMC in Ocala. I found him to be straight forward and sincere. My surgery went well with no problems. The worst I can say about my hospital stay is the chairs in my room were about 3" to low. My weight at surgery was 303lbs today it was 245.2lbs. So far so good. ;)

The first meeting of

The Journey WLSSG -Naples, FL

will be tonight at 7pm @ 5582 Jonquil Circle, Apt 104, Naples, FL 34109.

Feel free to call for directions 239-330-0467.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Fondly,
Liza

It's about Sept, 2011.  I have started the process with Novus just recently.  I was wondering who now ran the support groups that they currently offer?  It matters to me.  Does Novus only have the support group once a month at St Lukes?  If not, who runs the other support groups.  I want to feel comfortable when I go is all.  I don't particularly want to call Novus and ask this either.  I just wondered if anyone already knew the current answer to this delima I'm facing.  Thank you all and I hope to hear back from at least someone who is familiar with what they are currently doing.  It's a popular support group from what I gather.