Lap-Band to VSG Drs in MN (xpost to MB and MN forum)

Does anyone know of any good ones?  My sister had the band in March '10.  Has never found enough restriction.  Everytime she thought she had, it caused her problems like not being able to even swallow saliva.  She is now with unfilled band due to other issues as well.  Her UGI showed esophageal dilation. 

She is considering revision to VSG.  However, the surgeon that did her band does not do VSG.  She changed jobs since then and has insurance but no bariatric coverage.  Are there any good surgeons with reasonable fees for cash-paying patients?  She lives in Eagin, MN.

Any info would be helpful.  Thanks.

Khem

Your sister is lucky. There are several good bariatric surgeons in the Twin Cities. Here are a few-
http://www.umphysicians.org/Clinics/weight-loss-surgery-center/meet-our-team/index.htm

And a few more-
http://www.allina.com/ahs/united.nsf/page/bariatric

I'm sure there are more. I don't know if they all do revisions. She'll have to check them out. I had Dr. Ikramuddin and surgery at Abbott. I had a great experience.  

Khem,
I had my surgery in Fridley MN, at Unity Hospital, about 40 minutes from Eagan. Thay have an awesome Bariatric Center of excellence there! The team there is top notch and I can't say enough good things about them. I'm not sure what they charge for self pay but it's worth giving them a call.

Here's their phone number, and I wish your Sister all the best!

763-236-2045

Heidi

Edited to add: Wert, my husband had his hip surgery done at Abbott...beautiful hospital and great care there!

Thanks to you both.  I sent this info to her.  Hopefully, she can find something out soon .

Khem,

I went through UMN Physicians and had a good experience, although the clinic can get a bit hectic. I was insured so am not sure about self-pay options and how much it would be. They do perform sleeves although not as many as other procedures. BUT Dr Ik and the others truly are leaders in the bariatric field so I would trust them with revisions. I know they work on some tricky cases. I have had no complications at all. I'd recommend that she set up a few consultations with a few different surgeons around the area to see what they say.