Hi,

My name is Lisa and I am looking for anyone that lives in Arkansas that has had LapBand surgery and did they have it done in the US or Mexico. I am looking at going to Mexico to Dr. Aceves. Has anyone had any experiences with this Dr? Where are you Arkansas's getting your after care , such as fills etc or if any complications have come up? Please get in touch with me at lgr00_00@yahoo.com. I would appreciate ANY information, good or bad with the lapband surgery, places, and prices of refills etc.

Thanks so much

LisaR

Lisa

I'm from the Camden area.

Can't speak pro or con about any of the Mexican docs. I had my lapband Feb 19, '07 by Dr. Rex Lutrell in Little Rock. As of today I'm down 64 lbs (302 - 238) and go in for my first fill July 10. No problems so far.

Initial cost was $16,000 with first three fills with no physician charge. There is a facility charge for the facilities flouroscope.

Hi, Lisa. I was so thankful to see a post for Arkansas ... and then I saw there was only one post!! arggg. I'm just getting info on this procedure and live in Arkansas and was hoping for some feedback on doctors here.

Linda

Oh, I didn't see your post, Ouachita!! doh! How did you like your doctor and visits, etc, etc?

Linda

So far everything has been just fine. I have my first fill appointment next wed the 10th and will be able to tell you more then. I went to Dr. Lutrell because he was on familiar turf for me ( I lived and worked in Pulaski County for 15 years and have a daughter & her family in Maumelle) and he is Bariatric surgery board certified. In Little Rock he and Dr. Welborn were the only two I could confirm were board certified at the time I was researching docs. Dr. Lutrell is very personable and answered all my questions in a manner that seemed open and straight forward and his answers were in line with my research (good and bad) and with what I had gathered from forums like here.

During my surgery I had an unexpected hiatal hernia that was punctured and collapsed my left lung but fortunately I was blissfully unaware of it until I awoke. The puncture was repaired during the surgery, the lung re-expanded and I went home that afternoon with no subsequent complications. I was walking over a mile within 3 days and increased my activity as I felt up to it. I have lost about 64 lbs since I started the process through exercise and a decreased appetite as an apparent result of the band putting pressure on the vagus and other nerves. I still get hungry but it is much more controllable now. I no longer view small children as potential appetizers...LOL...just joking, but not by much...LOL.

Anyway, I have stalled at 64 lbs hence the trip in for a fill next week since it seems I have reached the point that restriction is needed. Dr. Lutrell offered a fill earlier but I wanted to hold off as long as I was losing at a satisfactory rate.

If you have any questions you want me to forward on to him let me know before next tuesday and I'll inquire on your behalf.

Hey Ouachitaman, I live in Maumelle too, just moved here. I'll probably get to know your family, it's such a small neighbourhood!

I was investigating and Luttrell and Wellborn seemed the only two that looked like any good. Just from the internet, I did like Luttrell a bit better, but I haven't met either in person yet. I am planning on going to seminars ASAP. How is Luttrell's after care?

Was your hernia and lung collapsing due to doctor error? That sounds awful. Are you okay now? Are you having any side effects to the operation?

I'm so glad I found someone who had an operation done by a doctor I'm looking into. I hope you don't mind me picking your brain a bit!

Linda

Hi! I'm from Arkansas and I used Dr. Rex Luttrell/Rivercrest Surgery Center. Have been banded since 5/5 and have lost 48 pounds! This is just because I DID have complications after surgery but I would really want someone close if I were you. I don't know Dr. Luttrell's stand on it, but alot of doctors won't work on you unless they have done the surgery themselves. Good Luck!!

Hi, Princessmom. Thanks for responding!! Can you tell me your thoughts on Dr. Lutrell? Do you mind me asking what your complications were?

Linda

Dr. Luttrell is very easy to talk to. He is rather busy and sometimes I feel like I'm being rushed. But overall I am happy with him. The complications I had had nothing to do with Dr. Luttrell. My stomach swelled when the band was put on and I had difficulty keeping even liquids down for a couple of weeks. I'm fine now and I do NOT regret having the surgery at all.

Lindata,

Sorry about taking so long replying, 4th of July and all that.

I don't think the lung collapse was necessarily a "Doctor error." It was a very small hernia hidden behind the stomach/esophagus and was just closed off by a membrane between the thorax and abdominal cavity. It was breached when the band was slipped around behind the esophagus. It was painful when I woke up from the anesthesia but the relief was immediate when Dr. Lutrell removed the chest tube. Other than an extra 1/2 inch scar on my chest I have had exactly zero complications since then and only the normal hurdles that everyone else reports having recovering from this particular surgery.

Dr. Lutrell is easy to talk to and seemed very forthright in answering my questions. I have only been back to him once since the surgery for follow-up (my choice because of distance and I had no apparent problems) but am scheduled to go back to him for my first fill next Wed, July 10. I can tell you more then.

I do know that Dr. Lutrell is now requiring patients to come in on regular basis for follow up for the first year (every 4-6 weeks and then 1-2 times a year thereafter), I believe as a condition of treatment.

I do not regret the surgey at all.

Linda...are you MY Linda?? I hope it is! I'm so happy you're researching the band, you'll love it. Francine/Curt were up this weekend and Francine had a zillion questions about the band, she's considering the band too. I'm SO happy for you, don't be afraid, just take the plunge, it is SOOOO worth it, believe me. You have nothing to lose. Your life and relationship with food will change drastically and you will love yourself again. The band DOES work, as long as you work with it and commit to change. I'm a different person now, a HAPPY PERSON. I feel free, I've never ever felt this way in my adult life.

I was thinking about you last night, I'm going to give you a call. Did you hear about Debby yet? She's moving to Yorkton (she got a transfer there), she FINALLY left. WOO HOO!! I'll call you this weekend.

Hugs baby!!

Buffie

Ouachitaman and Princessmom, I went to a seminar (oh, brain fart, I can't remember his name) but he's in the Baptist Health Hospital and he's only done gastric bypass. His partner has done a few months' worth of lap band along with gastric bypass. He seemed like a really nice guy who is confident in his abilities but not like he was trying to sell me something, you know what I mean? But he's never done any before. He seemed to think lapband was so 'easy' compared to gastric bypass that it was a no brainer kind of a thing. Now, is this a stupid question, or am I asking for problems going with him? Boy, I feel stupid even asking that.

BUFFIE - by now you know that it is "your" Linda here! Thank you thank you thank you for all your support and for answering aaaaalll my questions. I think I'm ready and I'm just zeroing in on a doctor now. Talk to you again soon.

Linda

We have many patients from Arkansas, being on the Texas/Arkansas border. Our group and hospital were recently designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the ASBS/SRC.

If we are close enough to you, we would be happy to help.

I live in Arkansas and I'm a patient of Dr. Hekier's and have been banded a little over a month and my experience so far as been fantastic. You can see from my signature that everything is moving along. Dr. Hekier and Dr. Keilin were fantastic and it's easy to get any questions answered before and after surgery. The support provided by their staff is great! If you want to read posts from their Texarkana patients or just talk to them look for Texarkana Bandsters in the Texas thread.

I've just begun to research this procedure, and know I have a hiatal hernia. Do you know if this a contraindication? I'm from Arkansas as well, and was so glad to find this forum.

Hiatal hernia is not a contraindication. It helps if the surgeon knows about it beforehand since it is possible to repair it during the lapband surgery.