I was just wondering if there was anyone who is banded located in the Northwest Arkansas area. I am getting banded on May 17 and would like to start a local group if there isn't one already.

Thanks ---- Cathy

When I went to a seminar in Little Rock a couple of weeks ago there was a young lady there from Rogers I think. She is on Dr. Clay Wellborns site. I plan to get a band in Little Rock in May. Where are you having surgery at?:phanvan Nan

Hi Nan, Thanks for your reply! I'm having mine done in Monterrey, Mexico. My insurance through the U of A will not cover this surgery, so I am forced to self-pay. I wish that I could do it closer to home. I have such a problem with doctors not listening or "not hearing me"! So frustrating. ---- Cathy

I was wondering from the people that had the lap done in Little Rock how long is the hospital stay?

I have been told overnight. I am being banded June 8 by Dr Wellborn.

Dr. Wellborn said at the seminar last week that it is 24 hrs. or less in some cases.

Freeradical

Hey, I had surgery June 8. All went well but I miss my food. I want something solid so bad? I have ate pimento cheese and it was pretty filling.

Nan

Hi Cathmo,

Did you have your surgery in Mexico? If so, how did it go & are you able to receive follow up care of any kind here? I'm with U of A also and plan to have Dr. Wellborn do the surgery.

Freeradical

Surg. date set for 7/7/06 @ 7 a.m. Lucky 7s hahaha- I hope!!

Nan,

I'm very glad to hear from you. I feel like I'm going to miss my food as well. Did you have problems returning to work, or doing normal daily activities? I'm trying to figure out how I'll change my dog's Water after the surgery without bending over. Should be a riot. I think I'll start out by placing the bowl on about 5 or 6 towels. As you can see in my reply to Cathmo I'm scheduled for 7/7.

Freeradical

Hi freeradical,

Yes, I had it done in Monterrey, Mexico by Dr. Arturo Rodriguez. My fills will be done by Meggin Blex in Coffeyville, KS. My follow up care as far as diet goes is online with Dr. Rod's staff. Are you self-pay? I had heard of Dr. Wellborn in LR, but I just couldn't afford to pay the amount that he was asking. Are you at the Fayetteville campus? If you are self-pay, did you try to get QualChoice to pay for it? I thought about trying, but when I called QualChoice, they told me that I would have to have many good reasons why they should pay for my procedure.... then go through the psych and medical evals, etc. I wanted to get it done this summer. I didn't want to wait 4 to 6 months to see if they would approve me. I'm so glad that I didn't wait. My surgeon is wonderful. I can call him anytime on his cell phone if I have any problems.

I've lost about 16 lbs so far, but most of that was the 1st week on Clear liquids. When I started eating solid foods, I started losing again after having stalled for about 2 weeks following the 1st 12 1/2 lbs. I will be a slow loser as I am hypothyroid. I just expect it. I go for my first fill on July 12.

If you are in Fayetteville, we should either meet sometime or talk on the phone.

Cathy

Hi Cathmo,

Did you have your surgery in Mexico? If so, how did it go & are you able to receive follow up care of any kind here? I'm with U of A also and plan to have Dr. Wellborn do the surgery.

Freeradical

Surg. date set for 7/7/06 @ 7 a.m. Lucky 7s hahaha- I hope!!

We just banded a patient from Fayetteville, and are unaware of any support groups there. Certainly let us know if you can get a group together!

Hello Dr. Hekier,

I just found out that there is a weight loss surgery support group at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville. We were discussing it in ObesityHelp.com, in the Arkansas forum. The lady who runs it (can't remember her name off-hand) said that anyone who was trying to lose weight is welcome (so a person doesn't have to be a RNY patient). I know that they do RNY at Wash Reg, so that may be why that group was established. I think it meets on Wed evenings. They won't be meeting in Aug though, but will start up again in Sep.

We are also trying to get some weight loss surgery patients together informally, so have your patient email me, if she/he would like.

Thanks,

Cathy in Fayetteville

We just banded a patient from Fayetteville, and are unaware of any support groups there. Certainly let us know if you can get a group together!

We just banded a patient from Fayetteville, and are unaware of any support groups there. Certainly let us know if you can get a group together!

Hello have just taken the first step to have the surgery done. Have my first one on one with the doctor mon. Im having this done in Texakana.

Any word on a support group in Fayetteville? I heard the hospital there only does gastric bypass

Hello Dr. Hekier,

Yes, Washington Regional only does Gastric bypass, but the support group includes anyone who wants support in losing weight, not only weight loss surgery patients.

Cathy

Any word on a support group in Fayetteville? I heard the hospital there only does gastric bypass

There was a support group in Rogers, Ar at St Mary's hospital. I'm going to check & see if they are still meeting.It was one sunday a month. There was also a group at a hosp just ouyside of Fayetteville. I'll see if I can find out when. Bev of Bella Vista Ar