Shesha #1

[Shesha]

Hi there,

I am considering Dr. Kirshenbaum in Aurora, CO (www.lapbandrockies.com) I know that there are a few of you in LBT that went to him. I am interested in knowing your thoughts on him and if you have had any complications. I am just a little leary since the price is so low, there is little on the internet about him, and I will be traveling from WI to have this done. Any information you could provide would be much apppreciated...

Thanks!
Sheila:)

[VABandster]

Sheila,

I am actually having my surgery w/Dr.Kirshenbaum next week!! I'm flying in from VA (my sister lives 20 min. from his office, so I'll stay w/her). He seems very nice on the phone and his staff has been very helpful so far. I can let you know more when I get back on the 17th!

I know one person on the list had to have a port replaced, but it sounds like it may have been a manufacturer defect not a Dr. defect...but she's still doing well.

Stay tuned and I'll keep you posted!

Kirsten (banding 12/15)

[kwhenrykerr]

What are his cost?

[VABandster]

He charges $9950 for the entire surgery, plus pre-op consults w/the nutritionist, and post op follow up and fills for 3 mos. Then the fills after that are only $15 each.

[Shesha]

Hey Kristin!

Thanks for the info. I wish you well.

Yes, please tell me how it goes. I have a consult with him on 12/19 and my banding is (right now) scheduled for 2/8. Let's just hope the weather cooperates!

[marjon9]

I had a phone consult with Dr. Kirshenbaum a few days ago and I'm scheduled for surgery 1/16. He is very personable and helpful on the phone. He said he has done 60 Lap Bands now over the last couple years. That is not a very large number but he is also a very experienced laparoscopic surgeon in general so I feel OK about it.

I was also concerned about his low price, but as a self pay I have to go that direction. He says he wants to give people an alternative to Mexico, and I don't have any reason to doubt his motives. Personally I think that there are many excellent Mexican doctors, many people have had great experiences with them. But I still wanted to get the surgery done in the U.S. because I hear it is a little easier to get aftercare that way. At this price, $9950, it's pretty much the same as Mexico. He says that his patients so far have had no complications.

I also had a phone consult with the nutritionist. She seemed quite knowledgable, too.

So, I'm heading to Colorado in January! I'll let y'all know how it goes.

Mark

[DrewsLou]

I was banded by Dr K in May and can't say enough good things about him. He is a great doctor and I think he truly cares about his patients and their success.

Good luck to you all!

Peace.

[VABandster]

Mark, where are you traveling from?? I am coming from VA to Dr. K, but fortunately my sister lives only 20 min from him so I am staying with her and she'll be there for me!

I chose Dr. K for the exact same reasons you did! I have had nothing but good interactions w/the office so far, so I'm looking forward to my surgery in 6 days!!!

I'll keep you all posted and let you know how it goes!

[sea]

Mary C Vernon MD in Lawrence, Kansas? Favorably mentioned in this month's Men Health's magazine

[MS_mom_1965]

Does Dr K stitch the band to the stomach to prevent slippage?

[DrewsLou]

MS_Mom... yes he does.

[marjon9]

Kirsten, I'm traveling from Maryland. Still looking to see if I can find fill docs in this area.

[VABandster]

No Way!!! Where in MD??? I live in Northern VA (near Dulles Airport)....

I know there is a Dr. in Frederick MD That does fills for Mexican patients, so I'm sure she'd do yours as well....if that's anywhere near you I can PM you w/her contact info.

Dr. K may also be able to refer you to someone. I'm going to have him do at least my first fill.....and then decide if I want to keep going back to CO (which is easy for me b/c my sister lives there, so she is happy anytime I visit), or find someone closer to home. I guess it will also depend on how many fills I have to have too.....

I'm leaving on Wednesday and will be back on Sunday and will let you know how it all goes!

[VABandster]

Ok guys....I'm heading out to CO Tomorrow!!! I can't wait! Wish me luck and I'll post as soon as I can after I'm done on Friday!

[marjon9]

Can't wait to hear about it. Good luck!

[Shesha]

Hey Kristin!

I can't wait to hear about it either!

[Shesha]

Hi there!

Well I had my phone consult with Dr. Kirshenbaum last night. He seems like a very nice and intelligent man. He went through the whold procedure with me. He even told me where all my incisions will be ("Ok, now feel your ribs, then go down and over and that's where you will have a 10mm incision where I put this..." etc. I am sure I looked quite comical poking around on my belly). He answered all the questions that I had and thensome. When I asked about complications with any patients, he told me he has only had one... a patient that had a leaky port. I already knew that was Drews Lou from reading the boards, even though he obviously didn't mention names. I found his honesty quite reassuring...

[VABandster]

Shesha,

Glad you had a good conversation w/Dr. K....he's a really nice man and you will definitely feel safe in his hands.

[Shesha]

Hey Krisitin,

Thanks! How are you feeling. Is the pain going away??

Sheila

[VABandster]

Sheila,

Hey there, I'm doing pretty good! The pain hasn't gone away completely yet, but I can tell it's slowly getting there...I think another day or two and i'll be feeling back to normal! (I hope!)