Sugarbear

Jaybee, I think you are right. Didn't realize you were that far away. I would want to be closer to my doc too. I am sure there is someone closer. Just do your homework and research on the doctor you choose. Good Luck.

__________________
Sugarbear;-)
Dr. Keilin 3/7/07 Precision Surgery/Texarkana, TX

ouachita

LOL!! Don't feel bad, not many people have. :)

I have to echo Sugarbear's advice, especially the research part. As close to you geographically as possible AND still meet your qualifications criteria is a definite plus. The last thing you want is to have an unexpected serious problem crop up (unlikely but possible) and be too far away from your surgeon for comfort.


I can't remember where I read it (may have been somewhere on this forum), but when I was researching surgeons I came across a recommendation that you should choose a surgeon who is board certified for bariatric surgery and has performed at least 100 lap band procedures.


Narrow your choices down to a few good choices and attend their seminars, check their records, and talk to their patients if you can. Ask hard questions. Don't be shy about asking what their percentages of rates of infections, slippages, erosions, etc are so you can compare that to the averages. Keep in mind that not even the best surgeon is going to have a perfect record and some surgeons may be willing to take on higher risk patients than others which may skew their numbers. After you have found surgeons that seem to match your qualifications criteria, then you can look at more subjective factors like is the surgeon nice, or friendly, or whatever personality traits you find attractive.

That approach works for me but your criteria and mileage may vary.

vipertireswife

Lisa Dr Heiker did my banding on 7/25/07 in Texarkana. The staff at his office is fanastic. Everything is going great. I would definately recommend him and his staff. Vicki:clap2:

Sugarbear

Anyone on this thread that is banded by Dr. Hekier or Keilin can also join us at the Texarkana Bandsters thread, located in the Texas forum.
I would also recomend Dr. Keilin and Dr. Hekier, and their staff at Precision Surgery, in Texarkana, TX.

__________________
Sugarbear;-)
Dr. Keilin 3/7/07 Precision Surgery/Texarkana, TX

Terri-ific

I am in Conway and was banded 2 years ago. I used Dr. Welborn and think he and his staff are GREAT! I would be happy to answer any questions about a "two year old band," my experiences, or anything anyone else needs to know! Terri

__________________
Banded 07/01/05
Dr. Wellborn -- Little Rock, AR
:flypig:





231/170/135 :clap2:

Takin' it one day at a time!!!
Getting rid of the weight the same way I gained it!

drdmom85

Hello Arkansans!!! I am from central arkansas and had the Lap Band done on Jan 06 by Wellborn. I worked at a local hospital and was very intent on getting someone with longterm care of the Lap Band. Plus I wanted someone with good technique and references. It is a plus that I have a support group to meet with on a monthly basis. Dr Wellborn has been doing lapbands in central ar longer than anyother. I also took that into consideration. I am down 80plus pounds and still trying to lose more. I have decided that I must go slowly due to lack of exercise ability. I have some back problems that keep me from doing longer workouts etc.

arkie

My name is Sherry, I am 52 and have a date of 10-10-2007. I live in Nevada County , Arkansas.
I will be having the band done using Dr. Hekier from Texarkana Texas.
I am exited, nervous, and dreading it all rolled into one.I am not looking forward to the two week pre-surgery diet.I don't like Slim Fast.
How did everyone get past the hungar? :hungry: What did you do when you have to cook for the family and are used to tasting to see if its seasoned enough and done and all the other things a mom does while cooking? I plan on either taking a walk while they eat and then throwing away left overs when they are done.
I have Blue Cross and have heard about how hard it is to get pre-approved so I was surprised to hear it had been approved on the first try.
I was a little upset with my medical doctor, he didn't write a letter for me, he said my medical records would speak for themself. I did have a letter from the Plumalogist that said he felt like the benefits out-weighed the risk. I have COPD.
Thanks for listening. 17 more days to banding...

bandster_1007

<p>Hey you guys. i am new to this forum and my band date is scheduled for 10/18 with dr. wellborn. so far they have been awesome!! i can call or e-mail at any time with a question and they are right there to answer. Dr. Wellborn was one of the first 50 doctors to begin doing the band in the u.s. if i understand that correctly. i'm a self pay and it will cost $16,275. Dr. Wellborn also has done over 900 lab bands and he has had one death (it was not band related and the percentage for that is like .0011) and he has only had to remove 1 band and that is because the patient was getting their fills with an unauthorized person and it caused her band to erode because they did not know what they were doing and that person kept it too tight. i thought that those stats were kind of frightening until i looked at others. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>this has been the easiest process that i have ever been thru. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>i live in pulaski county, but i grew up in prairie county.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>i look forward to meeting you guys.</p>

lindata

arkie- what's copd?
terri - oh, good, a long-term bandster. i would be VERY interested in anything you can tell me about life two years into this.
ouachitaman, are you still there? how are you doing?

it's nice to see more and more people from AR on this thread. it was a bit sparse before!

i can't believe I'm actually going to do this. it seems a bit surreal. i didn't think i could do it - they said my bmi was too low - but apparently my PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) qualifies as being a comorbidity. so I'm getting it done on nov 2. eek
i'm sure i'll be posting like crazy in the next month. i'm seeing my doctor in two weeks. any thoughts on anything i should ask him? i'm the type that has 100 questions after the fact when it's too late to ask.

Linda

lindata

[quote=arkie;571876]I am exited, nervous, and dreading it all rolled into one.

EXACTLY!

arkie

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease in which the lung is damaged, making it hard to breathe.
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema is the two I have.

ouachita

[quote=lindata;579752] Sorry I haven't been around lindata but I've been mucho busy. Congrats on the date!! By all means keep us posted on your progress.

Hey everybody! Good luck to you all.

Arkie, I'm over in Ouachita County. We're practically neighbors!

lindata

Arkie, I know it's only ONE day later, but how did it go?
Linda

arkie

I am on day 3 and doing fine, thanks for asking.
I am still swollen and it really seems to be getting worse.
I am up to 40 ounces of water but still not getting rid of the gas.
I really think I would feel pretty good if only the swollen tummy would go away.
As far as eating, I am still on liquids,
I have emailed my doctors office about the swelling and will share the information with everyone.
Oh, my start weight was 236, 1st week after being on slimfast I was disapointed since I had only lost 6 pounds. The morning I checked in at the hospital I had lost another 7 pounds, down to 223. Totally surprised.:clap2:
I am going to get out of the house today and check into work and see how far behind I have gotten.

SGACX

Hey all! I have decided that I am going to start this journey and go to a seminar! I am excited, but scared to get my hopes up. I live in Conway and I have so many questions! I
am hoping I can get my insurance approved with BC of California. How does that work? Does the surgeon take care of trying to get it approved? What is the cost of the Lap Band? The fills?

I am looking at Dr. Welborn, he has had over 850 surgeries that focus on Bariatric Surgery. I haven't looked into anyone else. Does anyone have suggestions?

Thanks!