A traveling bander?

CCBSTX · June 12, 2005

I have scheduled (2) consults w/surgeons. I live in Corpus Christi, Tx. I surgeon is 1 1/2 hours away, and the other is 4 hours away. The one 4 hours away has tons of experience (part in the FDA trials, etc.). The closer one also has a good reputation.

Has anyone out there had to travel far distances (2 hrs+) to see their surgeon? I am worried that something may go wrong, when I am at home and my surgeon is so far away. I am also thinking of the travel time to do fills and unfills.

Also, do many folks get overfilled only to have to return to the surgeon the next day or so...

Thanks, Shawn

the best me · June 12, 2005

My Band doc is in TJ and I'm in North Carolina...couldn't be much further and still be on the same continent! My band doc was available by phone and e-mail. My fill doc is a bit over an hour up the road from me, and my fist fill is scheduled for July. I'll let you know! It's not so much the drive, but the kids at home that I don't want to drag with me to fills. If I have to go back the next day for an unfill, it's workable. A 4 hour drive, however, is a full day by the time you drive there and back, so that would be tough. But again, do-able. My advice, go with the best doc for you and don't worry so much about the distance. It's a factor, yes, but it can be done.

sandie1958 · June 12, 2005

my dr is 250 miles away hope to be banded in july . sandie

La_madam · June 12, 2005

I live in Orange County California and my surgeon is in TJ , Iam about an hour and a half from my surgeon with no traffic. I have had 2 emergencies since being banded and have gotten to my surgeon with no problem.

vinesqueen · June 12, 2005

While I'm in exhile 9 months out of the year, my band drs are about 750 miles away

CCBSTX · June 12, 2005

Of course I plan on having no serious complications, but I think it might be safer to travel the 1 1/2 hours vs. 4 hrs. Having kids and making arrangement for fills/unfills might be a pain at the greater distance.

The main thing is emergencies and can I get to my surgeon. In my town we have no surgeons that do bariatric surgery. I'd hate to put my body in the hand of the unexperienced!

Hmm.