I am considering LAP-BAND® surgery very seriously and wondered if there were any recommendations. There are a few in my area - Dr. Bass, Dr. Cohen and also now Strax Rejuvenation is offering the procedure. I am a bit leary about Strax though. Would appreciate any feedback.

I live in Miami, fl, and I am considering lap band surgery. If you research you will find that there is a group of bariatrics surgeons at a bariatric center in Miami, called H.O.P.E Center. One of the surgeons is Dr. Anthony Gonzalez he is the first surgeon in Miami, Fl to perform single incesion lap band surgery. I have an appt. for an info. session tomorrow. He is one of the best surgeons in the entire country. He is the Chief of Bariatric Surgery at South Miami Hospital. Do some research and you can read some more about him; I also considered Strax, but after I did some research I realized that the surgeon that perfroms the lap band surgery is not a bariatric surgeon, he is a plastic surgeon; I am not very comfortable with that. If you need any other information please let me know.

Thanks for the info. I will definately check him out. Do you have insurance that will cover the cost or would you be self pay? Do you know what the cost is for the procedure through Dr. Gonzalez?

My insurance does not cover the surgery; but the doctors office did inform me that they did work with a company called Health One, which is a elective surgery credit card. I already called them and had my paper work done; I was approved for the amount of the surgery, which is 16,500. Dr. Gonzalez office does work with all types of insurance companies, and they are even willing to fight the insurance company in order to get your surgery approved. I know the surgery is a bit expensive, but they are the best in South Florida.

Try to get details with Surgical Assoc. Of Marion County, Ocala

Surgeon Name is William Overcash, performing surgeries like RNY, DS/BPD, VBG, LAP-BAND®, Open AGB - Other, Revision, Fobi Pouch GB, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, StomaphyX

Hello. With the help of Bell1138, we have started our own support group for female bandsters who live in the kendall area. The support group for our doctor (Dr. Anthony Gonzalez of MiamiHope) too far and not at a convenient time, we thought this would be better for us. We invite you to join us. Log onto www.Raisingthem.com and search for the group Lapband Ladies.:frown:

I am a pre op patient wi the Dr. Andrew Larson Bariatric Wellness center JFK Hospital. ck. his web site he and staff are wonderful ..

I agree. I am also a pre op patient awaiting my approval for the surgery..I should know in 3 days. I see Dr. Gonzales and he is fantastic! He is a little dry, concerning bedside manner, but that is ok for me. He knows his stufff! I didn't know he did single incision LGBD, and he made no mention of this in his seminar, or first consult..but I may be wrong. The staff is fantastic, and Carissa the coordinator is great, answering any questions you may have and helping as much as she can. Good luck! Also, Dr. Jorge Sosa is in the Miami area..he does lapband.