Dr. Joel Bauer out of Mt Sinai in NYC is a highly regarded colorectal surgeon. I didn't go there (I had my surgeries in Philly) but I have heard excellent things about him. He is very experienced with the j pouch procedure.

I've had surgery with Dr. Bauer. Darned good surgeon and he takes calls and answers e-mails.

Thanks! It would be an 8 hour one way trip... but I don't think he takes Fidelis Insurance from what I looked up...

Would you consider a drive of this length if you had it to do over? Just wondering. Really no way to put a price on your digestive system - but I also have no idea how many trips this will entail.

I had my surgeries performed at Mount Sinai by the Bauer/Gorfine group which is known as Manhattan Surgical Associates. Drs. Bauer and Gorfine are excellent surgeons and Mount Sinai is an excellent facility. I had 4 bowel surgeries there and I live in Connecticut. I would be inclined to go there as opposed to any place here even though I live 10 minutes from Yale New Haven Hospital and it's a pretty good facility. My GI is at Yale but if I needed a surgery I would go back to Dr. Gorfine or Dr. Bauer.

I went 1,000 miles from home to make sure the right hands were inside my belly. I think it matters a great deal who your surgeon is. You'll be inconvenienced for a couple of weeks, and live with his work for the rest of your life. Heck, my brother is traveling 3,000 miles to consult with a surgeon here (not GI) next month. I guess it runs in the family. All that being said, it's easier if you have family/friends nearby.

I had my colectomy and J pouch done at Mt Sinai about 20 years ago by Dr Adrian Greenstein and Dr Hyman. I felt I was in good hands with them, but the nursing staff was from hell. I kid you not. I could tell you stories, but I'd rather not....

Post-op care is very important, as well. Like I said, it was 20 years ago so maybe the staffing issues have changed for the better. I would highly recommend looking into it/researching it somehow.

That being said, which ever hospital you choose, distance does have it's challenges. But, I agree, the most important consideration is who you trust and have the most confidence in.

As someone who has had extremely bad experiences with pittsburgh hospitals - both of the major ones, and two of the "top" colorectal surgeons in pittsburgh, i highly recommend you call cleveland clinic yourself and check on their insurance coverage. You might be surprised. Cleveland clinic seems to take a lot of different insurances from all over the country.

Thanks for the input -
After much research on reviews, consideration of convenience, insurance coverage options (which are few since it's Fidelis NY Catholic Health Care for low income families)- my husband and I decided to meet with Dr. Brian Butler in Buffalo. He has great reviews and the other surgeons in his group are recommended (though not participating in Fidelis.

This is still a 2 hour one way trip, but will be easier for my 4 year old and husband.

Anyone have experience with this Dr? It seems that I cannot go outside of NYS and NYC is not an option, Rochester has only one Dr in my insurnace who is actually an LPN...

When you meet with Dr. Butler, ask if he can put you in contact with any of his former j-pouch patients so you can talk about their experiences.