Looking for a reliable doc in Louisiana or Northeast Teaxas ,or southern Arkansas ,Any ideas???

Hi,

I live in South Louisiana (between Baton Rouge and N.O.) and my fill doctor who is also my PCP and her partner, do fills in Baton Rouge. If you would like to email me or call them directly you can... Dr. Tina Wells and Dr. Elizabeth Curtis - they will do fills on Jan. 9 (that's the next date) and can be reached at 225.673.8983 (ask for Dana-she does the appts. for fills) or you can email me back at kjharroun@etigers.net. They charge $250 for the first fill then after all fills are $200.00 which are all done under flouro. They usually do fills once a month. I'm very pleased with my last fill as I have restriction - my 3rd fill did the trick. And it is SO very true about what everyone says about everyone being different. The day I had my last fill (1 week ago) there were 4 of us getting fills and all of us got different amounts but were restricted. I'm at 7cc's (I have the 11cc band from Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey, Mexico). Well good luck!!!

Avery,

I'm glad that you are willing to travel, but would encourage you to "think bigger," in terms of travel. Close is nice, but experience is way more important, even ignoring money. If I had the choice of a doctor who had done 30 LapBands close to home, and one who had done 1400 in Mexico...oh, wait! I DID have that choice. (The fact that the more experienced doctor also cost less was a plus.)

Others will help me here, but there are some experienced doctors in Louisiana and in Austin...but a couple of the doctors in Monterrey, Mexico are WAY more experienced and don't cost as much.

Good luck on your search,

Sue

My Doc was Thomas Lavin. His website is :

http://www.thesurgicalspecialists.com/index.htm

I am very satisfied with his experience and knowledge. His staff has been wonderful. There is an office in Covington as well as in New Orleans. I hope this helps.

Cathy

LapBand 8/1/03

-40

I had lap band surgery in new orleans. The weight management center. 1-504-899-5511. Dr William Raum, Dr.Martin, Dr. John Paige and there are 2 more surgeons on staff. The hospital is St. Charles General. The whole staff is wonderful. I had the surgery

6/31/03 weighing 230 lbs. and now weigh 185 lbs. Have had 2 fills and have another one scheduled for 1/22/04. Would do it all over again if I had to. Love it:

Hi Rita,

I just read your post and am curious about your doctor doing fills for people who have had surgery in Mexico (I have an AMI 11cc band-Dr. Sanchez-Monterrey Mexico) and if so does he use flouro or does he do blind fills, also... does he request an Upper GI series done (then bring him the results) before he will do fills like Dr. Lavin does? (Dr. Lavin only requires that for people who are not his patients). My doctor won't do an upper GI on me unless there was something wrong, so I'd have to pay for it out of my pocket (and I hear it's expensive). If you will let me know I'd be so thankful. I have a fill doctor at present but I'm trying to compare prices... so please get me pricing info too if possible. My doctor charges $300 for fills.

Thanks and Congrats on your loss!!!! That's fantastic!

Hi Chubble Bubble,

I'm not sure if the doctors do fills for patients that did not have surgery there. When I have a fill, I go to radiology and have an x-ray. Then have an upper gi to check for the band placement and location of the port. I drink barium 2 or 3 times for the procedure.

Not sure what the cost is because I haven't had to pay for one yet because my insurance has been paying 100% after surgery. I will find out this month what the cost is. They told me between 300-700 per fill.

Rtia