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

Hi Melody Mary,

Congratulations on the weight loss! I'd be thrilled if I did that great. I', having my surgery in Hope. I went to 3 different seminars and did a lot of research and was really impressed with Dr. Lutrell, plus I know someone at work who went to Dr Lutrell and was very happy with him and his staff. I'll just be so relieved when it's done, I can worry any mole hill into a mountain, and am a real scardy-cat when it comes to surgery.

Hi Melody Mary,

Congratulations on the weight loss! I'd be thrilled if I did that great. I', having my surgery in Hope. I went to 3 different seminars and did a lot of research and was really impressed with Dr. Lutrell, plus I know someone at work who went to Dr Lutrell and was very happy with him and his staff. I'll just be so relieved when it's done, I can worry any mole hill into a mountain, and am a real scardy-cat when it comes to surgery.

...Is your insurance helping you?

Please contact me through my email,, melody_mary_42f@yahoo.com.....

I am just at the VERY beginning of all of this and still not certain - maybe because I am overwhelmed with it all. The first thing I check on was insurance and it's covered with the 'normal' requirements. So now I am searching the internet to get more information and going back to my PC doctor tomorrow to get the ball rolling. Please tell me this is a nerve racking ordeal and I am not making a mountain out of a mole hill? A big question is post-surgery when they say you can only have small amounts of water at a time - what is a 'small amount of water' and how often can I drink? I sweat like a pig (even did when I was in shape and played sports in college) and I also talk most of the day on my job and easily drink 2 liters of water a day. I can't imagine not being able to drink once I go back to work. Maybe it's getting the cart before the horse, but one of the reasons I am motivated to lose weight is because I love my job and want to be able to do it for as long as possible. Don't want to lose my job because I am LOSING weight....kind of defeats the purpose!

I am just at the VERY beginning of all of this and still not certain - maybe because I am overwhelmed with it all. The first thing I check on was insurance and it's covered with the 'normal' requirements. So now I am searching the internet to get more information and going back to my PC doctor tomorrow to get the ball rolling. Please tell me this is a nerve racking ordeal and I am not making a mountain out of a mole hill? A big question is post-surgery when they say you can only have small amounts of Water at a time - what is a 'small amount of water' and how often can I drink? I sweat like a pig (even did when I was in shape and played sports in college) and I also talk most of the day on my job and easily drink 2 liters of water a day. I can't imagine not being able to drink once I go back to work. Maybe it's getting the cart before the horse, but one of the reasons I am motivated to lose weight is because I love my job and want to be able to do it for as long as possible. Don't want to lose my job because I am LOSING weight....kind of defeats the purpose! :thumbup:

Hi there. Mary here from Jacksonville. You are worrying needlessly over the water situation. Drinkers are the good losers. Water drinkers that is. I am not a fan of it myself. I had the band Jan 16, 2009. I have lost 52 pounds, and it is going to take me to my goal. I am naming it and CLAIMING IT!!! I do hope you live close enough to little rock to use Dr. WEllborn. The education before and after is worth any travel you might have to do. I have used Dr. Wellborn on two occassions and there isnt any better out there.

At the beginning of your band journey you might not notice much difference in the ability to drink quickly. In the mornings things move a little slower due to the fact that your band is somewhat tighter in the mornings. I have no problem drinking, but that is only between meals. The rule is 60-90 minutes after a meal is when you can start to drink liquids. That is so you dont wash out what you have just eaten and then you might get hungry before time for your next meal. That ideally is around 4 hours. I have had 4 Fills and I can tell with each one that I am on my way to being tighter. My goal is to lose:about 55 more pounds,,,,,,or maybe even just 50. I will see.

I would love to visit with you...if i can be of any help or encouragement,,,,,,please get in touch...I have been right where you are today. It was about an 8 mo. process for me. Just because I went through the process of changing insurances so that I could get financial help w/weightloss surgery.

melody_mary_42f@yahoo.com will bring you right here to me.

Blessings to you.

Mary

Hope you are doing well..i have been looking for a fill center in upper arkansas or lower missouri...

Hope you are doing well..i have been looking for a fill center in upper arkansas or lower missouri...

We have a primary care physician we have trained to do fills in the Ft. Smith area. Let me check with him to see if he will fill patients that are not from our practice.

The potential conflict lies in the fact that if you develop some sort of issue with your Band that would require that advice or intervention of a surgeon, he needs to make sure that you have a surgeon that would be able to see you.

I will be out of town for a week so if I don't post a response or PM you, feel free to PM me as a reminder.

Any bandsters in Arkansas?

Any bandsters in Arkansas?

Hi Ya'll,

I am a near Arkansan, I live on the Oklahoma Arkansas border. I had my surgery done in Fort Smith Arkansas, my cost was 14500. My surgeon was Doctor Chris Coleman. I too was happy to find some folks from Arkansas!!

hello all im from fort smith,ar.not yet banded hoping real soon.

I'm close to Little Rock. I'm using Dr. Baker at Baptist.

I live in conway had lap band surgery dec28th

WOW!..I just got a email with someone answering my post that I posted back in 07!!..lol..I had forgotten about this post. BUUTTT..to update my status, I ended up going to Mexicali and having Dr. Aceves do my surgery. LOVED the man. I had great success. Its been well over 4 yrs since my surgery and have kept the weight off. My insurance would not pay for the surgery and thats why I went to Mexicalli. Highly recommend if you cant afford it here in the states. My total cost for surgery with flight and hotel expense..EVERYTHING was 9,000. Free refills for life. Had 2 refills and at my sweet spot. Thanks for all that posted on this thread of Arkansas Bandsters. Anyone have any questions feel free to email me.

Best wishes

Lisa

hello all im from fort smith,ar.not yet banded hoping real soon.

I hope you get yours soon! St. Edwards took real good care of me and I am doing well!! Keep me posted if you get yours!!

Well I was banded 2/20/12 by Dr Baker. Doing well so far. It's definitely a learning experience.