Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals

Has anyone heard of or had their surgery at the San Antonio Weight Loss Center with Dr. Jorge L. Rincon ? I live in Houston so going to San Antonio for Surgery at 12,000 sounds really good to me. It includes fills and post-op care for up to a year. I would like to go somewhere semi-close because I wouldn't have to leave my children for very long with their grandmother. Also, money is a factor and 12,000 isn't a bad price for having the surgery in the US. Then again, it isnt performed at a hospital, but an out patient surgery center... so... I don't know. anyone?

I am just starting on my research journey but would like input on doctors some of you might have used in San Antonio, TX. At this point I have met with a Dr. Patel that does lap band and gastric and thinks I need gastric but I know I don't want that. I have also met with people at True Results. I know that I won't be able to even think about doing the surgery until the earliest of Feb because of getting insurance approval, mind-set, etc. Please let me know who you used and why that doctor and support were your choice. Thank you very much for your time. Natalie in SATX

I'm looking to find a GREAT doctor in Austin Texas. Does anyone have any good or bad experiences in the area? I would appreciate any suggestions and please tell me why.

Hello everyone: I can not beleive i am saying this, but i actually found a protien drink that i like. Most of the ones that i have tried have tasted like booty. okay, i don't know what booty tastes like..but I am assuming that if booty had a flavor then protien drinks would be a good representation of the taste. ICK :smile:!!! Anyway, i bought nectar in the Fuzzy Navel flavor by Syntrax. It is actually good. Like some people recommended, i mix it with crystal light peach tea and it tastes like the peach tea or like an orange drink (not orange jouce). I can actually see myself drinking it. I actually have been drinking it. Now the thing is that if you order it y…

Hi there I just finished jumping through all the hoops from my insurance and have a consultation with Dr. Zane at Kaiser Harbor City. I would like to hear from people who have Kaiser and got lap band surgery or know anything about Dr. Zane. thanks for your help and support Jessica:thumbup:

Hello. I live in St. Louis and I am having my consultation with my surgeon tomorrow (I was just approved for surgery this week). My surgeon is part of the New Start Program at St. Alexius hospital -- has anyone had any experience with this program? Or had their surgery there?

PCM M.D. San Diego I am jumping through the lap band hoops..haha..I made a funny. ~Anyway~ I have a serious question. I am hoping that someone on here has had the Lap Band surgery in San Diego using Tricare Standard and can provide the name of a PCM to give me the referal that I need to UCSD for the initial consult. In a nutshell, if you can answer yes to the below questions and then still have an aswer for me, please respond: -Did you go through the lap band process?:smile2: -Do you have Tricare Standard?:crying: -Does your PCM know how to do the referal to Tricare in a timely manner? -Could you please tell me who your PCM was? Thank you, Mahalo, Gracias..et…

Anyone with Dr. Wisman?

Hi! This is my first post on this site. I was banded by Dr. Kurian at NYU on 9/2/2008. I am going to check out the support group meeting at NYU tonight. I'm hoping that I'll be able to learn about living with the band, what foods work and don't work, how to order food in restaurants, etc. Has anyone attended these meetings? Are they worthwhile? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Maria

I'm looking for anyone who has experiance with Dr. Artuso. I'm being banded by him and I just want to know how his previous paitents are doing.

I am thinking I may have to be a self pay and came across the lapband surgery for $6,500 with Dr Kelly in Mexico and was hoping I could here some reviews from some of you guys out there. The site I went to was mylapbandsurgery.com . I am totally nervous about the whole surgery in Mexico idea but it is waaayyy more affordable than here in the States. Please help to make me feel better about the whole surgery in Mexico idea. Thanks for any and all help. :drool:

For those that have gone through the program at the South San Francisco Kaiser....How long did the process take you? I went to the orientation 4 hour class back on Feb 26th. They told us it would be ATLEAST 32 weeks from that class until we got our next appointment. I had not heard anything from them so I called the bariactrics dept last week and was told that I missed an appointment July 21st....which I was NEVER notified that I was even scheduled for! :biggrin: So she rescheduled that appt with the Nutritionalist for Sept 12th. So I guess my question for those that have gone through Kaiser is what kind of time frame am I looking at after seeing the nutrition doctor? And…

Hello, I have been researching lap band surgery and have been in touch with The Bariatric Group in Dallas Texas, can anyone tell me anything about them? Thanks

anyone have any feedback. I've emailed back and forth with his coordinator Nina and have been impressed with her. Just wondering if anyone has any feed back on Dr. Aceves. thanks!

Ok so I have $6500 cash. I am super nervous about going to Mexico to get the lap band surgery. Ok I am more than super nervous....I am MEGA nervous and my family thinks I am crazy for even considering getting it done in Mexico. I have no insurance and can't get a loan. So my chances of having it done here in the US is slim to none. I am curious as to if anyone out there in lapband world know any doctors in the US that will take $6500 as a down payment and let me make payments directly to them? Better yet where in the US can I get the lapband surgery for CHEAP? Help:cry_smile:

I did have a consult with Dr. Simpson because he did Janean Ford's (local news person) band, but he didn't seem very outgoing or reassuring at all. Anyone know of someone who is caring and understanding? Also, could anyone tell me how much the band is in AZ? Thanks for any help on this. :thumbup:

Approved this week for lapband by BCBS/MN -- having a consult w/Dr. Norbert Richardson at the New Start program at St. Alexius in St. Louis -- anyone have any experience with him?

Hi Everyone, I am considering my lap-band in India at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi. Has anyone had thiers done there? Thier cost is only 6,200.00 USD, compared to other facilities in Thailand, Phileapeans, and Malaysa which varied from 9,500.00 to 14,000 USD. I am a U.S. citizen from Chicago Il, But I am out in the Pacific on a job assignment between Hawaii and Guam. I am also a self-pay. I am looking to do this in either March 09 or June 09 depending on vacation schedules. I am about 100 lbs over weight, and have been big all of my life.:wink_smile: Thanks, Robb

Okay, so I pretty much missed my mark on the Labor Day Challenge, but I'm up for another one if anyone else is! How about Halloween, which is just over 8 weeks away (or 58 days...). I'd like to at least loose 10 lbs. by then. That is just barely over a pound a week. I think it is doable! Sheryl Starting Weight: 220.5 Challenge Goal: 210 Current Weight: 220.5 Pounds to Go: 10.5

My lapband surgery is scheduled for November 5. I was wondering if anyone has any comments about the quality of care at this hospital?

Today is my 1-year Bandiversary and I couldn't be more pleased with my results so far. As of today, I am officially 100 pounds down! I'm so excited I could scream!! My hard work over this past month has paid off. I feel better than I have felt in 10 years. When I look back where I was a year ago, I am just amazed at the difference. A year ago I got winded just walking to my car and now I can run almost 1.5 miles straight! I'm starting to tear up as I type this because I am just so happy. You guys have been a tremendous help, through the losing spurts and the awful plateaus. Thanks for the support everyone! Couldn't have done without ya'll.

I am in the Atlanta, Georgia area. I've seen True Results in Atlanta and at this point plan to do my surgery through them. They originally wanted to send me to their Dallas facility to have Dr. Benevides do my surgery because I have a high BMI (62.5). They even made it attractive to go to Dallas. They said they would pay for the flight and hotel. My insurance covers the surgery. They didn't even have supervised weight loss visit requirements. I have the insurance approval and have done all of the tests, cardiac, sleep study, chest x-ray, etc. My surgery was supposed to be in early October. I had even started the pre-op diet. Then I get a call from TR today. They said th…

HI I LIVE IN CONNECTICUT WHERE THERE IS MORE MONEY THAN THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH, AND I REALLY NEED TO HAVE THE LAP BAND SURGERY. I CAN'T HAVE THE BYPASS BECAUSE OF A HEART CONDITION AND MY BMI IS 46.3, I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, HIGH CHOLESTEROL, AND MY HEART DOCTOR SAYS I WILL NOT SEE MY KIDS GRADUATE. I AM GETTING REALLY SCARED. I HAVE TRIED EVERY DIET, EXERCISE, AND PILL OUT THERE AND I CAN'T LOSE THE WEIGHT. I GAINED 100 LBS. WITH EACH ONE OF MY KIDS AND CAN'T SHAKE IT. I CAN'T DO ALOT WITH MY KIDS, AND I AM JUST REALLY TIRED. I HAVE THE HUSKY A COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK INSURANCE THROUGH THE STATE AND CAN'T FIND A DOCTOR. PLEASE TELL ME THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE T…

Well it turns out that I'm going to be using TLCEdge and doing self pay. I won't be financially ready to lay out the money until mid January however, so I'm wondering how long beforehand to start the overall process? Also, at what point did you actually have to pay? Two weeks out, that day, etc? :girl_hug: Thank you!!

I have had 3 slippages with in 9 months during first year. Have just had bandiversary #1. Dr. has referred me to Dr. Mark Watson for possible correction of new band. I am now on medicare b/c of birthday in June. Anyone know of him??? thanks so much. dianne.f

Hi! Was just wondering if anyone has gotten the procedure done through Kaiser, and if you could share your experience with me! Thank you so much! Meg:thumbup:

I am thinking about using this Dr. and wondered if anyone has used him and what they thought. I appreciate any help.

Just checking for my fellow bandsters on the 24th! I have uptownmami278 and myself. Anyone else? We'd like to meet up the evening before for dinner if possible. We'll Celebrate and motivate each other!:thumbup:

Hey all. I'm new to this site. I've been here for about a good week. I'm looking into getting the lab band surgery. Specifically the "REALIZEBand". I'm going to a seminar here in Raleigh next month of Dr. Keith Mitchell. He practices in Pinehurst,NC. Anyone familiar with him? I would love to find anyone from the Raleigh area to talk to. Let me know.

Hi NYUers: First background, I met with Dr. Fielding in April and he made me feel like I'd be nuts NOT to get a lap band. I felt so confident and relaxed with him and wanted to chat with him all day. He is a star! Since then I've obedientlly jumped through every hoop Cigna asked for and eventually was told in three separate letters (3 appeals) that the LB is not covered because it is considered in the "experimental" stage. Wow one long experiement huh. I used Obesitylaw.com they were great and did all they could for me. Question: My next step is paying out of pocket and or getting financing. Has anyone paid out of pocket here? Are the prices the same for …

Hello My name is Darion, from Charlotte NC. I am scheduled to start my journey on tomorrow. I have a seminar with Dr Voellinger. Keep your fingers crossed. I have UHC- choice. I already know that lap- band is cover, all but $3000.00. If anyone can advise if I will be billed this amount or will I have to pay this before I am able to have the surgery? I am too embrassed to ask a co- worker who has had this procedure.

Does anyone know of Lap Band doctor's in Little Rock, Arkansas? Terastarscifi

Well, looking around it seems like we are one of the only groups with no posts. So, I thought that we could all introduce ourselves... My name is Michelle, I am 26 and was banded May 23,08 by Dr. Fielding. So far since beigining my pre-op diet on May 9th, I am down 51 lbs with a long way still to go. I could not be happier with my choice of surgeon and actually like going in for my post op and fill visits. Although I do think they need a larger office, lol. I was thinking of going on NYU's WLS patients cruise in August. I am not sure if it's an annual thing, but has anyone else out there attended before?

Can ya'll give me some feedback on the doctors at Emory University Hospital?

moved here a while ago and need a doc here for a few visits I saw one who was going to charge me 600 for all care I will need but I thought that was pretty steep anyone have any referrals?

Can anyone help me - I am looking for reasonalbe self-pay surgery in the DFW area - costs for self-pay seem to vary alot.:tongue2:

Just wondering if anyone used or is using Dr. McDaniel at Citizens Bariatric in Victoria Texas? Just wanted a little insight on him. Also was wondering what his Pre-op diet consisted of? Any information would be helpful. I am still in the process of getting insurance approval..

Well......we thought we had made our choice of Dr. Ortiz, but now they want us to consider Dr. Martinez for our (my husband and I) surgery next month. I'm unable to find much information about his as the main surgeon, so can anyone provide some insight? We need to get our plane tickets booked for next month, but don't want to do it (they aren't refundable) if we're not sure. Please help! Thanks :thumbup:

Hi everyone. Thank you ahead of time for any responses to my thread! I am wondering if anyone has any comments on Dr. Davtyan both positive and negative since I am considering him as my doctor for the procedure(if the insurance gets approved).

Hi, Well, after researching for the past 45 days, I think my husband and I have finally gotten everything in order and have narrowed down our surgeon choices. We are Self Pay, so for the two of us, cost was a big factor. However, our health is even more important (which is why we're doing this), so we've given a thought to this. Anyway, I could go on and on, but I'll try and get right to the point. We would like any advice/suggestions/opinions that anyone could give us on whether to select Dr. Ortiz or Dr. Aceves. We originally had Dr. Rumba in running, but then I read some recent posts and got scared off. Your help would be GREATLY appreciated! We'd like to…

Long story short: I had planned to go with Dr. Liu. Pros: He comes highly recommended, has done 1200+ procedures and has great outcomes. Cons: Office staff, no support groups, psych evals, or nutri-counseling. Office in LA, and I'm in Riverside. Today I received word from my insurance that I was denied. I won't know why until I receive the letter, but I suspect it's because he is not contracted with UHC--or with any insurance for that matter. The insurance reps I spoke with last week suggested it would be a problem. I decided to look at physicians in my area. I found one. Dr. Coon. Pros: His reviews are great. Everyone seems to love him as a person, n…

What are you eating? I am now allowed to eat regular foods and am struggling with getting my protein in. I would like to hear from NYU bandsters as to what you are eating. Is anyone doing red meat? I have found that I can eat it - I guess because there is no restriction - only tried this once with a small piece and am not anxious to do so again right now anyway. I am not really a breakfast person. The only breakfast foods I enjoyed prior to surgery were fried eggs, bacon, toast, muffins and bagels. Eggs any other way I don't like, not a cereal, oatmeal or cream of wheat person. Any ideas? Lunch is usually tuna but there is only so much tuna one can eat.Can you guys ple…

Looking for anyone who has had their lap band surgery done by Dr. Martinez at the obesity control center in tj.

Hello, I saw that this was about Doctors and Hospitals so I thought that I would see if you all could help me. I am more than interested in having the Lap Band surgery done. Woould any of you know if there are any really good Dr's in Greenville NC that has done this a bit ? Thanks Bleste

Hi, I'm very new to the site, so I was wondering if anyone is from Melbourne? Thankyouuu

going to talk to my family doc tomorrow about get this done but i really don't know where to go after that... if anyone has any info about any doctors in the South Jersey area i could talk to about getting this done would be great.... thanks.

If anyone is wanting details on my experience I am still more than happy to share everything. I did great having my band replaced there despite it being my 6th abdominal surgery and I recommend Dr. Covarrubias and Bajanor Obesity Clinic. I know some people are still curious about there and my old posts I'm sure are in archives but feel free to PM me. April

Has anybody had a lap band placed by Dr. Robert Marvin in Houston,TX He is with Obesity Surgery Speciality.

Does anyone know of Dr Collin E Brathwaite? Would like to hear something about lapband. Thanks

A+ for Dr. Alberto Aceves and his staff in Calexico, Mexico. I had my surgery with Dr. Aceves on August the 30th and everything was wonderful. When I arrived the patient coordinator Yolonda had all of my pre-op test lined up and ready. Then after all of my test were complete I met with Dr. Aceves and he explained everything about the surgery the before and after and answered any question I had. Then from there it was to the "Lucerna" the hotel where I stayed the night before the surgery. The hotel was very nice and had 3 restaurants there I had my "last supper", so to speak. Later on Dr. Campos came in and showed the band and went into detail about the band and the surger…