any bandsters in Little Rock, AR?

[bandster_1007 1]

I was there last week that was why i was wondering.

[southerngal_07 0]

I was there last week that was why i was wondering.

I looked to see the exact date I was there. It was 9/22/07. I can't wait to get my banding done.. Hope I have good success. I wish good success for you too.

[bandster_1007 1]

my surgery is exactly a week from today. needless to say, i'm getting a little nervous. i know however that it is the best thing for me. i started the process and left the rest up to God, so here we go.

[southerngal_07 0]

Good luck and god bless to you. Keep me posted on how you do. I am sure you will do fine. Brenda

[bandster_1007 1]

thank you brenda. i will keep you posted. i go for my consult monday.

i'm always amazed at the support that we have here.

[southerngal_07 0]

thank you brenda. i will keep you posted. i go for my consult monday.

i'm always amazed at the support that we have here.

Hi, did you go for your consult today? If so, how did it go?

[bandster_1007 1]

Hi, did you go for your consult today? If so, how did it go?

i did go for my consult. it really made me feel better. i almost cried a couple of times when Dr. Wellborn was in the office because he was explaining to me in scientific terms exactly how i feel every day....and here this whole time i thought it was just willpower.

he and his staff are awesome. my time was cut a little short because the dietician was gone for the day, but i was still there from noon until around 4 doing the consult and pre-op testing.

the doctor also rates you while you are there to determine whether or not you are at risk for needing an "open" surgery. i'm ecstatic because i rated at the lowest risk. whooo-hooo.

i feel better. i'm looking forward to Thursday. just TWO more days.....ahhhhhh.

[Hope2BHottie 0]

Hello,

I have read this thread and am interested in the possibility of having my surgury in Little Rock.

I'll try to explain my situation as briefly as possible. Last year I attended a seminar in Memphis by Dr George Woodman (my sister used him) I didn't follow thru immediately because I decided to do research on my own. I couldn't decide between the lap band and the bypass surguery.

In June of this year I decided to get serioius about this and decided on the lap band procedure. I knew that I needed to get my last five years weight records from my doctor. Unfortunately, I changed doctors two years ago. So I'll need to bo back to my other doctor I guess.

Last month, after much research, I decided to go to a different surgeon. Dr Woodman is highly regarded as a surgeon but I have heard horror stories about his bedside manner. I called Dr Virgina McGrath-Weaver's office and just received my packet. Now I am totally frustrated.

I have to go see a psychlogist (i knew that part), see a nutritionist twice, get an EKG, a stress test and an upper GI. I have no problem with this. But, I also have to see my regualr doctor for 6 months for "supervised weight loss plan". The only thing I have is 3 months of taking phentermine with absolutely no success. I can't bear the thought of waiting another 3 months or more!!!!

Did your doctors in Little Rock have these same requirements? My original plan was to go to Little Rock post op to stay with my aunt for a few months. (her daughter owns a gym and has offered me a free membership) Now I'm thinking of finding a surgeon in Little Rock.

Please let me know what your thoughts are. What were the requirements? and how long did the whole pre op process take?

Very frustrated

Jacki

[hvnagdtme 0]

Jacki,

I can certainly see why you'd be frustrated. First of all, I do believe that the requirements to have a psych exam and the 6 months of medically supervised diets are usually an insurance requirement, and not necessarily a doctor's requirement (though some dr's may require it).

On October 4, I had surgery with Dr. Rex Luttrell, and I was absolutely amazed at how easy everything was. Not to mention, Dr. Luttrell is awesome and has fabulous bedsider manner. I would recommend to anyone, anytime. I just had a followup today with him and he was very attentive and concerned about me, though I haven't had any problems at all.

I was self-pay, so from the time I went to a seminar, decided that I wanted to do it, and had my first consultation with him, it only took one month. I believe that when you go the insurance pay route, it tends to take a bit longer, based on their requirements.

If I can answer any other questions for you, please feel free to send me a private (or public) message and I'll be glad to help!

Ashley

[southerngal_07 0]

Hi Jackie, I am going to use Dr. Clay Wellborn in Little Rock. He was the first surgeon in AR to learn to do the lap band procedure. He does not have these requirements. Now, if you use insurance, most insurance companies do require all that and more. I am self pay. Unfortunately, I have to finance it. I am using Capital One. Capital One: Credit Cards, Home & Auto Loans, Banking, Small Business Credit Card is the website. Look on the left side of the page and click on "healthcare financing". Rates are reasonable. You may already have your form of payment if not going through your insurance company. With Dr. Wellborn, you are required to go to one of his free seminars and to some support group meetings. He is really a nice physician and his staff are great. His office is located on St. Vincent's Hospital campus. Hope things work great for you. Brenda

[southerngal_07 0]

Jacki, Everytime I type the website of Capital One it does not look right. I did not type all the junk about Capital One: Credit Cards, Home & Auto Loans, etc. its just capital one.com and its not the credit card and auto loan part.

[AprilAnne 0]

Hello every one. I am considering the Lap-band. I went to a seminar by Dr. Wellburn last week but he is not a preferred provider for Federal BCBS. But i did find out that Dr. Gibbs and Dr. John Baker are preferred providers and Baptist is a Center of Excellence AND that my insurance just started to cover lap bands-- YEAH !!!!:seeya:

I had previously lost 100 pounds with out surgery, had a tummy tuck-- Dr. Lehmberg is WONDERFUL!! But when i moved away form my support group the weight crept back up. Support groups are SOOOOO important to any weight loss program.

I am like 95% sure i want to have this done, but i am still researching. I feel like i know so much now i could practically do the surgery myself LOL. But what i learned from the Tummy Tuck was that READING about it and LIVING it are two TOTALLY different things.

Well i am looking for SUPPORT here, people to chat with about REAL life stuff and how to get thru it without loosing our minds along with ouR BODY FAT.

I am on YAHOO all the time as starkiss_319 if you want to chat!

April

280 pounds

5 ft 6 and sexy

[faye_may 0]

April,

You are the first person I've seen that has mention Dr. Baker and Dr. Grimes. I've started checking on the Lapband and my daughter's friends who are nurses in Little Rock speak very highly of both . I'm seriously thinking of checking into Dr. Baker.

[flowergurl 0]

Hi ladies, I hope you don't mind me jumping in here...

I came to the boards last year around this time seeking info on Dr. Wellborn, attended his seminar & was pushed aside b/c he did not take Fed BCBS. At that point I got frustrated so I just decided to try another diet. Failed. I'm back to wanting the lap band and have sought info on Dr. Baker--I've heard a lot of good things about him & have recently been in touch with his offices. I'm scheduled for his seminar on the 19th and will do the support group meeting on the 14th. I guess you do all this plus labs before you even get a consult? Is this usual protocall? I'm a nervous wreck.

[LDNurse 0]

Dr Roller in Springdale did my surgery 1/9/08. He was wonderful. The hospital stay was great.