Any information on lap banding for New Mexicans? Thank you!:thumbup:

Hi Anna! My name is Linda and I live in Albuquerque. What part of the state are you in?

I also live in Albuquerque. What kind of info were you looking for?

Thank you so much for replying! I live in Los Lunas and work in Albuquerque. Who did your banding? Did insurance cover any part? Who do you follow up with. (I'm really not as pushy as I sound) Thanks!

HI Anna,

No worries, I dont mind pushy! :crying: Have you been banded yet?

I had my banding done April 23rd by Dr. Eldo Frezza in Lubbock, TX. Presbyterian Salud paid for it, but unfortunately, wont pay for the fill in radiology. Dr. Frezza wont do office fills because he doesnt make as much money that way. That's not my opinion, he said that to me personally. Each time i've seen dr. Frezza, he has been cold, unfriendly, and at some points, even rude. I'm in the process of changing Dr.s to Mesa del Sol in El Paso.

So far, i've lost 33 pounds but its been real slow going after the 3rd week post op. SO far what I have learned is that I require some type of support and direction, and have not had any as of yet. I was happy to see your post and hope we can be friends who will support each other with this life changing surgery.

Hope to hear back from you soon! :eek:

HI Anna,

No worries, I dont mind pushy! :teeth_smile: Have you been banded yet?

I had my banding done April 23rd by Dr. Eldo Frezza in Lubbock, TX. Presbyterian Salud paid for it, but unfortunately, wont pay for the fill in radiology. Dr. Frezza wont do office fills because he doesnt make as much money that way. That's not my opinion, he said that to me personally. Each time i've seen dr. Frezza, he has been cold, unfriendly, and at some points, even rude. I'm in the process of changing Dr.s to Mesa del Sol in El Paso.

So far, i've lost 33 pounds but its been real slow going after the 3rd week post op. SO far what I have learned is that I require some type of support and direction, and have not had any as of yet. I was happy to see your post and hope we can be friends who will support each other with this life changing surgery.

Hope to hear back from you soon! :wink_smile:

Anyone considering this doctor needs to check with the medical board and see what information they have on him. It's not good. We need to be our own advocates and listen to what other banders can say about their own doctors. Be careful.

I lived in ABQ until 2006. Moved to Littleton at that time and was lucky enough to be banded by Dr. Kirshenbaum. He, however doesn't take insurance. His self pay cost is $9,950.00 total and that includes everything - plus first three months of fills. He's in Aurora. It's about 450 miles from ABQ. Check out his website www.lapbandrockies.com.

He's the best! I know, he saved my life!

HI! I live in very southern Colorado, about 10 miles from the New Mexico border. I was banded by Dr. Matthew Metz with Colorado Bariatric Surgery Institute in Denver. They do take insurance. I have BC/BS and had to be banded by a doctor who performs surgery at a "Center of Excellence", my surgery was performed at Presbyterian/St. Lukes which is a "Center of Excellence". I have been very pleased so far. I am schedule for my 2nd fill on October 16th. Good luck with your search.