Hiatal hernia is not a contraindication. It helps if the surgeon knows about it beforehand since it is possible to repair it during the Lap Band surgery.

A fair number of our patients have a hiatal hernia which we repair at the time of surgery. You would probably want to have a recent upper GI study or endoscopy study to document the extent of the hernia. If it is rather large, such as having most of the stomach in the chest, that might be an issue.

Would the need for h. hernia repair help with the insurance battle or be more of a problem? I have Fed. B.C.B. Shield. I live closer to Little Rock, but like what I have read about the Texarkana clinic.

I don't think it would make a difference one way or the other.

Dr. Hekier, do you do surgeries, self-pay, with BMIs of around 35/36? How many LBs have you and your partner performed, and what is your percentage of complications?
Linda

Today at work when I mentioned this procedure a coworker told me there had been a recent death of a lady who had hers in L.R. Not sure
of the facts, but of course this is bothersome for someone just beginning to consider this option. Sure would like to know the facts other than she lived in the Pine Bluff area.
Of course, as with all surgical procedures, there's this risk.

Today we performed our 476th Lap Band! We are proud of our patient's accomplishments. Check out our seminar schedule on our website to come to our next seminar. We also encourage all prospective patients to come to our support groups to talk to our patients.

Jaybee, I should would appreciate if you could find out which surgeon and the details. Do you think you could do this for me? I am also considering the surgery, and haven't finalized on any doctors yet.
Linda

Since I'm researching as well, this is very interesting to me. I'll be asking questions for sure, and will let you know if I get any further nfo.
Actually this isn't the first time I've heard this from someone, but nobody had a name to give me.

I am from northeast Arkansas and was thinking about using Dr. William McAlexander. He works at St. Bernard's in Jonesboro and I figured that since he was close it would be another great point. I really liked his seminar on the tenth of July. He was wonderful and I was just wondering how everyone else from my home state was handling things and if anyone had every heard of him.

Hello Jaybee. I am from SW Arkansas. I have been banded for four months now. A hiatal hernia will not be a problem. I had one too. It was repaired at the same time I was banded. If you will notice there is a post from Dr. Heiker, two or three post previous to this one. He and his wife, Dr. Rachel Keilin, work as a team in Texarkana, TX. Precision Surgery is the name of their practice. Lap Band surgery isn't all they do. They have a great staff. I was well pleased with them. They have a free seminar in Texarkana, at Wadley hospital, once or twice a month. It is very informative. You can ask questions, talk to staff, or the doctors themselves. They give you an information packet, with prices, financing, and most everything you need to know. I don't know if that area is convienient for you or not. Other doctors may do the same in your area, I just know about these. I hope this info helped. I will be glad to help in any way possible.

Jaybee, go to noscales.com and scroll down to the dates for free seminars. There is also dates for support meetings in Texarkana, which you are welcome to attend. Those are the second Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at the YWCA on Magnolia St. right off St. Line Ave. (behind Legends Gym). Just had one this week. What part of Arkansas are you from? Hope this helps. Let me know if I can help any other way.

I'm from southeast Arkansas and am about 3 hrs. from Texarkana. I'm not sure this would be close enough for me. I'm 1 1/2 hrs. from L.R.

Approximately where in SE Ark? I was born and raised in the DeWitt/Stuttgart area, a little place called Crocketts Bluff.

Never heard of that town. I'm not that far east, and not originally here - just transplanted.