Weight Loss Surgeons & Hospitals

My surgery date is May 9. It is with Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. I have talked to several people that has had him do their surgery and have heard good things. He is in The hospital is located on the Eagle Pass Texas/Piedras Negras Mexico border. The clinic is about 1 mile over into Mexico border. Has anyone ever heard of him and what do you know about him? Here is his website: Dr. Guillermo Alvarez: Gastric Sleeve (VSG) & Lap-Band® Thanks!

First -WOW this place has changed!! I can barely find my way around!! Second -FINALLY, FINALLY Eglin AFB is doing the lapband surgery!! After all the blood sweat and tears last year this time, they are doing the surgery! So all you military dependants who have been waiting for a chance at this surgery, nows your time!! Hooray!

Hey, I will be off to Mexico 4-11-08 anyone else going around this time? Has anyone had the surgery in the new hospital, if so is it as nice as the pictures?

HAS ANYONE used DR. KRAHN from WESTERN BARIATRIC.

Hello everyone. My surgery is tomorrow (tuesday) with Dr. Milton Owens. Has anyone used him prior. I did as much research as I could and found nothing but good posts. Just wondering if anyone here has any knowledge of him. Thank you, and i'll be in touch as soon as I can

I have had my initial consultation with my primary care physician and the first thing she asked me was if I had a surgeon. She said she could recommend(sp?) one but they probably wouldn't be in the DC Metro area. I'm in PG County, Maryland. I really cant afford to travel for my surgery. Can anyone in the DC, MD or VA are recommend a surgeon. Thanks:redface:

Has anyone used him? What's his pre-op diet? How's his after care? I attended his seminar and he said all the right things....just want to talk to someone who has been there. Thanks.

Hi there, I am considering lap band surgery here in the uk. Can anyone reccomend any good surgeries in the uk and give me an idea of any prices? I know it is a lot cheaper abroad but I want my family to be with me. I live in the Lincolnshire area but am prepared to travel ie;Nottingham,Leicester,Birmingham,Manchester,Leeds,etc.. Regards Sue:)

I'm strongly considering Dr. Meilahn because I've had such a good experience so far with meetings, consults, etc. Has anyone used Temple? I'm anxious to hear feedback. Thanks

I got my band July 2, 2007. My 26 year old daughter is going to get one now. She lives in Northwest Arkansas. Does anyone else have experiences with any doctors in the area?:thumbdown:

hello all! i have not been banded yet but going through the process though. i was wondering if there is anyone here that has had surgery through norfolk surgical group. specifically with dr fontana. he is awesome and i would love to hear the post-op stories of some of his patients:smile: he is located in norfolk,va.

HI ALL.....I MIGHT HAVE TO TRAVEL ALONE AS A SELF PAY TO Mexico FOR MY SURGERY. I'M LOOKING TO HAVE SURGERY 1ST CHOICE MAY 22-24. AND THEN ANYTIME IN JUNE. MY CHOICE FOR DRS' ARE 1ST-ORTIZ, JOSE RODRIGUIZ AND THEN Ramos Kelly. IF THERE IS ANYONE LOOKING TO HAVE SURGERY IN MEXICO WITH ANY OF THOSE DOCTORS THAT WOULD LIKE TO MEET UP WITH ME AS A TAG ALONG, BECAUSE I REALLY WOULD NOT WANT TO GO BY MYSELF. PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!:thumbup::sad: I SPOKEN WITH ALL OF THESE DOCTOR'S COORDINATORS AND ORTIZ IS THE ONLY ONE THAT I WOULD BE WILLING TO TRAVEL TO BY MYSELF AND FEEL SECURE. THERE IS ALSO NOTHING WRONG WITH DOCTOR RODRIGUIZ EITHER, IT'S JUST THAT ONE OF THE PLANES THAT …

i have my initial consult with him next week and was just looking for some input on this doc. thanks!

I am moving back to chicago soon and am looking for a band dr. there. I have gotten great referalls about Dr. Cahill but I do not believe that he accpets Tricare, he might since it just went into affect to cover lap band. Any referalls and likes and dislikes would be great. Shelly

I AM SO CONFUSED. I HAVE NARROWED DOWN MY CHOICES BETWEEN DR. ORTIZ, DR. HUACUZ, OR DR. KURI. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFO TO HELP ME CHOOSE PLEASE HELP. THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP I GET ON THIS BOARD. QUEENIE:eek:

I have been lurking here and researching everywhere I can think of. I was wondering if anyone has used Dr. Patrick Chiasson in Tucson AZ. His website seems to have alot of info. The only thing is that they require you to go to support meetings. It would be a 5hr drive for me to do this. So here are a few questions: 1. Do all surgeons require post op support meetings? 2 Is it better to go to a pysc. they recommend or someone else? Any info would be helpful. I do have Champva coverage so if anyone knows some info on how that works that would be great! Thank you in advance.

Hi, Im new and researching all I can on getting banded. I dont have insurance, and Mexico bandsters seem completely satisfied with the service and the care. Now, Im to the point of comparing prices between Doctors, but its very very difficult when you see, for instance, Dr Aceves mentions on his web site the the band surgery is $8200, but I noticed that one of the posters in this forum said that he only paid Aceves $7500. Is price haggling really an option? And is that something that that should scare me, be cause it does just a little bit. On the other hand, I LOVE getting a bargain!!! LOL !!! Who was your Doctor, And how much did your surgery package cost (excluding a…

Anyone out there used Dr. King or Dr. Byers (?) in Oxford, MS??

Back in Nov. I attended a WLS seminar in Norman, OK. My original goal was to have my band done by Dr. Ronnie Keith. He is one of the top bariatric surgeons in my state. Needless to say I was VERY excited to attend the meeting. How disappointed I was once I arrived. Dr. Keith gave a wonderful presentation discussing in great detail the entire procedure, from what to expect to the unexpected. Too bad after he was done one of his staff got up in front of the group and started discussing what it was going to cost us.... They require purchasing protien powder from their office, they don't turn in the psy exam to insurance nor do they turn in the dietician visits (my ins…

Do you need passports to go to Mexico and get this surgery? Is it faster to get it done? Which towns are near Arizona boarder? Too many questions? Sorry..... TM

HI...ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE INFO ON DR ALVAREZ? ALSO ON HIS SITE IT SAYS HOSPITAL IN MEXICO IS STATE OF THE ART BUT IN LATE '07 MOST OF HIS PREVIOUS PATIENTS SAY THE HOSPITAL IS OLD BUT THAT HE MAKES UP FOR IT AS A GREAT DOCTOR. HAS ANYONE HAD SURGERY RECENTLY WITH HIM AND CAN ADVISE ON THE HOSPITAL HE WORKS THRU NOW. IT WILL GREATLY HELP WITH MY DECISION ALSO. :confused2: THANK YOU!! LENA23

Just had my first visit. Looking for feedback on Doctor

Lap Band Sleeve GAstrectomy Gastric Bypass Duodenal switch Tell me PLease wy:blush:

My doctor is sending me to see Dr. Khalili for the lapband, however, I never see his name mentioned on this website. Anyone have a testimonial weather good or bad on Dr. Khalili or any of the sergeons at Cedar Sinai? Want to make sure I do all my homework before I see him on Mar. 28th. Thanks in advance for your comments.:biggrin::smile:

:thumbup:LAP-BAND Surgery- Risk Information Read before surgery. A brief description of relevant contraindications, warnings and adverse events of the LAP-BAND® System Indications: The LAP-BAND® System is indicated for use in weight reduction for severely obese patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 or a BMI of at least 35 with one or more severe co-morbid conditions, or those who are 45 kilos. or more over their estimated ideal weight. Contraindications: The LAP-BAND® System is not recommended for non-adult patients, patients with conditions that may make them poor surgical candidates or increase the risk of poor results, who are unwilling or unabl…

I had been to one of his seminars about a year and a half ago and just mustered up the courage to go through with this surgery. I am using Dr. Wilkenfeld in Houston. I would like any feedback you may have. Thanks.

Dr. Husted will be giving a seminar on Monday, 3/17/08, in Fairfield, CA at the Sutter Fairfield Medical Facility, 2700 Low Court, Fairfield right near the Budweiser factory. The seminar begins at 6 pm in the Conference room. Call 415-722-4182 or email info@johnhustedmd.com for more info or just show up and learn about all of the different weight loss procedures

:smile2:Any info good or bad on doctors in Wisconsin???

One of the ads on this website is for TheBariatricGroup.com. Does anyone know anything about this group and their Mexico doctors? I want to do some research before I actually talk to them. Any information would be helpful. Thanks, Brenda

:mad: Hi I am in the UK & already had my lap-band consultation & due to have surgery in april 08. I feel really positive about it & have spent years thinking about it & researching this course of action...but I have a concern ref sick note certification. I do not want my employer to know I am having this surgery & am concerned if I need more time off work after the operation what reason could be put on my sick note without giving real reason ...any suggestions please? Thanks in advance:confused2:

Has anyone used Dr. Cavazos at NE Baptist in San Antonio. I have a seminar with him tomorrow morning but haven't found anyone who actually used him and that makes me nervous. Also his website says he is a "fellowship-trained". I have no idea what that means but it also says he is the Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at NE Baptist Hospital, I like how that sounds LOL. I hope someone can ease my mind about his and this hospital. I also saw that Dr. Patel, Duperier, Pilcher, and Dr. Stegemann are also at NE Baptist. I can tell it's going to me a long night of research for me.

Hello I have been reading through over 100 pages of the other Dr. K thread and the posts are wonderful. Since forums produce friendships, a lot of the posts weren't directly about being banded by Dr. K., but about general topics that friends discuss ~ which is totally great, but I was having a hard time reading all the pages! I was wondering if those who have been banded by him could tell me about the experience..the pros, the cons. I had been told to not even consider a surgeon who has performed less than 500 procedures, and I think he's at a tad over 150. Since I am self pay, and live in Colorado about a 6 hr. drive away, it seems like he could be a great doc for me.…

Hi, Well, went to the required seminar last week. Required to see these doctors. Have an appointment next Thursday, the 13th, to get it all started. The same doctor that did the seminar, is the same one I will be seeing. Before he let us go, he stated that if we come to see him, he will talk us out of the surgery. He is one of the top surgeons, in lapband. I was wondering if anyone had a doctor do this? I am damn bound and determined to get this procedure. So, any suggestions? Help.. and thanks....:thumbup:

I am considering this procedure and am curious if anyone could reccommend a good surgeon in North Dallas (or suburbs)?

Has anyone heard of a group called Journey Lite? Lapbands are all they do. I would be using the group out of Tampa and the physician is Dr. Renke. Any thoughts are welcomed!

I live in Colorado and I'm looking for an Anthem approved surgeon, any suggestions?

Insurance will cover the LB procedure - who do you recommend? Preference to Baylor, Presby Dallas & Plano. So far, I've had recs for Cribbins, Hamn, McCarty, Kim - I've even considered going to Houston and meet w/Davis & Davis (Big Medicine). Who's supposed to be tops in this field? Thanks!

Has anyone been banded by a Dr. in the Conroe, The Woodlands, Bryan or College Station areas of Texas? I'll be self pay and would like any info you will share. I posted this in the Texas area also but had little response so I'm hoping the local area people will read and respond. Thanks!

I found a doctor I really like but it's taken over a week for two of the people working there to call me back. One is the insuance person who I'm still waiting to talk to because she wasn't in the office the day I went for my consult. I understand that they are very busy but it makes me uncomfortable that I am a new patient and they don't return calls within 1-3 days.

HI any recommendations in Rochester NY area?

I've been lurking for over a year trying to decide if the band is for me. I've finally made an appointment with Dr. McEwen in Fishers, IN, but I sure don't see many of his patients posting here or on OH. I'd love to know how some of his patients are doing. Any Dr. McEwen patients out there? Thanks!

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone here has had their surgery done through True Results Weight Loss For Good or by Dr. Hart. I am located in Atlanta, GA and I'm scheduled for my surgery on May 6th with Dr. Hart. I'm pretty sure that the office in Atlanta is pretty new, but I know that True Results has offices across the country, and that Dr. Hart has had a lot of experience, so I was hoping someone might be able to share their experience. I'm particularly interested in hearing about the care they recieved AFTER surgery, such as fills, etc. Everyone at the center has seemed wonderful so far and I'm looking forward to getting banded!

I'm just a newbie and just going through the process, any info on Dr Juarez or Dr Fang out of St Lukes Hospital or Banner Hospital. My insurance covers either any recommendations from anybody would be greatly appreciated. I meet with them later his week.

Hi, Just wondering if anyone has been through the process at Lowell, General Hospital? :biggrin:

That they love...OR that I should avoid?

Has anyone had any experience with Dr. David Arnold at Baylor in Dallas?

I'm going to "Learn to Eat with George" on March 15th in New York City, is anyone else going? This is the first time I'm going so I don't know exactly what happens but I'm assuming Dr. Fielding has dinner with those patients that are willing to pay $50.00 a head and teach them how to eat?! So let me know, I'd love to meet those of you that were banded by Dr. Fielding.

I am planning on attending a seminar in San Jose for the lap band and I was wondering if anyone else has Blue Cross Porac? I have a BMI of 36 and have pre-diabetes, I am 5'9 and 245lbs. I was just wondering if anyone else was approved by Blue Cross or if it was a problem. Thank you

Need suggestions for follow care in the Central NJ area. Thanks for any feed back you can give me!

anyone want to share a taxi or meet up at the airport im flying in on the 27th my surgery is on the 28th..id like to meet some other people that are going to do this the same time..or if your just flying in for fills the company would be nice